August 18th, 2017

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If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at s[email protected]
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Attention 6th grade parents:
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Monday's Eclipse:  Many parents have asked about the school's plans for the eclipse.  Due to the risks to eyesight, we will NOT be going outside to view the eclipse.  Students will be kept inside from 9am-11:30am.  Parents who feel that they would like for their child to view the eclipse outside, can keep their child home, view it with them, and then bring them to school after 11:30.   While we understand that this can be a teachable moment, we feel strongly that this is the best way to keep all of our students safe.   Mrs. Blackburn has decided that this responsibility is best left to the parents.  During science time, 8:50-9:40, Mrs. Wennberg will come to our room and teach a lesson about the solar eclipse.  We will also watch the eclipse on live streaming from NASA.  So, the students will have the "teachable moment" without the safety risks to their vision.  
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 Thank you so much to the family who graciously donated a pencil sharpener for our class.  
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TFK money--Thank you so much to those who have already sent in their $5 for the Time for Kids subscription.  We will read current event articles each week.  We use Time for Kids which is a great source at 6th grade level.  I am asking each parent (if possible) to send in $5 to cover the cost of their child's subscription.  I would like to get these ordered as soon as possible, as the subscription begins in September.
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Many have already returned the permission slip for the 6th graders to visit the elderly this year.  If you have not done so, please send this in as soon as possible.  Also, we will need drivers for these events.  
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We will be doing a read-aloud of the book Wonder.  It is an awesome book about a child who has a craniofacial difference.  The novel has important themes, such as "Choose Kind."  We are focusing on this main theme in our classroom.  Ask your student about our "kindness jar" and encourage them to find a way to get to add a marble to the jar.  The movie Wonder will come out in November.  In addition, we will be writing letters and cards to a boy from California who has a craniofacial difference.  I contacted the Children's Craniofacial Association and asked if our class could be matched with a "Wonderkid" with whom we could correspond.  They graciously matched us with Jake, a 10 year old 4th grader who loves baseball (specifically the Dodgers) and animals.  We look forward to corresponding with Jake and learning just how similar we all are...despite our outward differences.  
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6th grade Religion
Monday- faith journal-How can you "choose kind"?  
Video clip about kindness.  We all have the potential to be kind; we just need to choose kindness everyday.  
-if time--continue with saints for our names

Tuesday-faith journal-Give an example of when you've seen someone choose kind.  Explain
Color placemats for Cherish

Wednesday-video-How do we pray?
saints for our names

Thursday-Faith journal:  Pope Francis says "be courageous."  Why might it take courage to choose kind?
Bible search

Friday-Song Practice


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6th Grade English

Monday-flashcards unit 2
continue with essay test writing skills

Tuesday-grammar p. 41-independently
Wonder questions-with partners

Wednesday-writing:  magazine table of contents
completing the sentence unit 2

Thursday-writing:  friendly letters-  We will write letters to our "Wonderkid" Jake.

Friday- parts of speech books-pronouns and prepositions
vocab. bingo
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Reading 6th grade

Monday-silent reading 
read aloud to class- Wonder p. 3-14 discuss

Tuesday-silent reading
continue with Wonder p. 15-30, discussion questions

Wednesday-library--renew/check-out books
Wonder p. 31-44
Discuss:  Why is it important to choose kind?  How could it change the world?

Thursday-silent reading
read to kindergarten buddies

Friday-silent reading
continue with practice essay test writing skills
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​8th grade English

Monday-flashcards unit 1 in vocab. books

Tuesday-library to renew/check-out books
completing the sentence unit 1
assign article 4 (Teen page) due Thursday
edits worksheet 7/8

Wednesday-synonyms/antonyms unit 1
choosing the right word unit 1
English:  p. 16-17

Thursday-Spelling/vocab. tests unit 1
grammar p. 43

Friday-flashcards unit 2

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8th grade reading

Monday-silent reading
begin reading background info on The Miracle Worker
complete worksheet

Tuesday-silent reading
finish edits 7/8
continue with the Miracle Worker

Wednesday-silent reading
Miracle Worker

Thursday-silent reading
Miracle Worker

​Friday---no class due to minimum day schedule

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