November 28, 2011

From What?

Today is the first day of trimester 2. Some subjects like math and spelling seem easy to tidy up in a trimester time frame, but other subjects like writing and reading seem to be difficult to fit into specific time slots. Right now students have two writing pieces going. The first is a Compare/Contrast paper and the second is a write-up of their dissolving experiment. We are working on reading comprehension strategies. Students work in pairs to discuss reading strategies and monitor each others reading. The sixth graders are using an application called Geogebra to study two-dimensional measurement. For more see, geogebra.com We ended the week with a challenge I call “ The Alligator Pit”. The object is for to students work together to use the the materials they are given to go from milk-crate to milk-crate. They were not successful and will have another opportunity in a few months. To see more pictures of this, go to http://besjohns.blogspot.com and click on the “Our School Day” link. On Thursday, 12/1, students are going to the Grand to see C. S. Lewis’s, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Students will be leaving the school at about 10:30 and returning in time for the bus. All students will need a bag lunch. Also on Thursday, there is a Grand Canyon meeting at 6PM. Check the blog for an agenda.

November 14, 2011

From 11-8-11

We are quickly getting to the Thanksgiving break and the end of the 1st trimester. This week promises to be busy; after school there is a soccer celebration on Monday, a basketball meeting on Tuesday and the first basketball practices on Wednesday.

The 6th graders completed their second unit test and after some hands-on work with data, we will move into our third unit, Covering and Surrounding. During this unit, students will study two-dimensional geometry.

In science, students continue to construct their first experiment and in Social Studies, students are studying the mid-western states. Today, we take the final test on our shared reading book, Hoot. Our next focus in ELA will be writing to compare and contrast. This Friday, we will end the day with a challenge called The Alligator Pit.

Many students seem to have colds and runny noses. We are combating that at school by making sure students wash their hands frequently and clean their desks every afternoon. Hopefully this cold season won’t be too bad.

November 7, 2011

From Harvest Party Last week’s Harvest Party was a great success! Thanks to all parents who made it happen.    This week, students continue to develop their own experiment. Each student is developing a scientific question about how liquids dissolve solids. In Social Studies, students are learning about the geography of US regions and once they have learned some fundamental vocabulary, they will be ready to start their “Travelogue Across the US”.      I anticipate we will be finishing our shared reading book, Hoot, and when we return from the long weekend, students will begin their next writing project. Percentages are the next mathematics topic although we will take some time to retest on a few topics.     Last week’s transition in the greenhouse was amazing. All of the tomatoes have been harvested and the plants removed. We set up the lower chambers and ran all the heat tape. Students from 1st grade to 6th grade have planted seedlings, some generously donated by Tony Ferrara and some home grown. There has been so much growth that this week, we will be harvesting some lettuce and chard! These greenhouses are very productive.