The sixth grade teachers have been working hard to come up with creative learning opportunities in all subjects for our awesome students.  I know it will be tricky for all of us to get into a new pattern, but working together, we can ensure your child(ren) develop a good routine that balances academics, fun, and family.  I myself now have two teenage boys at home, so I understand how hard it is to make them get up out of bed in the morning, do schoolwork, eat good meals at regular times, and — most difficult of all! — go to bed at a decent time.

To help you as you develop your new at-home routine, here are the details on how classes will “work” in sixth grade:

GENERAL SIXTH GRADE STUFF

1.  All sixth-grade teachers will have the day’s activities posted by 8:15 a.m. each morning on their individual Google Classroom pages (math, English, science, etc.).

• **NOTE: the Google Classroom pages are different from these SPSL homeroom pages (the page you are reading now).
• Students should know how to access all of their Google Classroom pages, but please reach out to teachers if your child is having trouble accessing them.

2.  Activities are meant to take 20 minutes each day and will be posted Monday-Friday.

3.  Due dates for assignments will be included with the activity information.

4.  Students will need to check their own personal student email accounts at least once each day for additional information and communication that might be sent by teachers.

SPECIFIC ENGLISH/GUIDED READING INFORMATION:

1. I will post most English and Guided Reading instruction in the form of videos on the English and Guided Reading Classroom pages.  My cats are sure to make an appearance in these videos.  My house, too.  Maybe my children (I will have to catch Ethan unawares).  It is fun for kids to catch a glimpse into their teachers’ home lives, so I’m sure watching my videos will become the highlight of your child’s day.

2. On days when a video is not posted (sad!), detailed written instructions will be posted on the Classroom pages along with any needed materials.

3. English and Guided Reading homework can be submitted in a variety of ways, including typing up a document, taking a picture of hand-written work, posting a video, and more.  I will post videos on how to turn in homework and model how to do it.  Students and parents should email me if they need help.

4.  I plan to reserve every Friday in English to read a novel out loud and have the students complete journal entries responding to prompts about what we’ve read.  Students can also respond to each others’ writing by leaving comments on the Classroom page.  This is meant to encourage community learning and thoughtful discussion between students, similar to what we’d do if we were in class together.  PLEASE NOTE: I will give detailed instructions on the type of comments that will be acceptable in these online discussions, but you can help by making sure to review with your child what is appropriate to post in an academic discussion:

• No emojis (this seems silly, but I know I’ll just get chains of emojis of I don’t ban them all)
• Comments must be serious thoughts about, reactions to, and/or analysis of the book we are reading or another student’s comments
• Comments about another student’s writing must be constructive
• No insults, swearing, argumentative language, violence, or negativity
• No “random” comments, like “Hi!” or “yo, whassup???!!!!!”
• Inappropriate comments will be deleted and an email notice will be sent to parents

QUIZ BOWL NOTES:

Unfortunately, I don’t know when and if the Quiz Bowl tournaments will resume this year.  I will keep you updated as I find out information.

Students have been getting creative in 6C this month!

In English, we’ve been focusing on poetry.  Students have learned about several types of figurative language, poetic devices, and poetic forms.  Visit the hallway outside 6C to view our gallery of group-created odes!   In December, students will work together to plan and put on a poetry event: the annual Coffee Shop Poetry Reading.  Each Mod will determine a name for their coffee shop, use a simple graphic design program to create a logo and advertising for their coffee shop, make decorations, plan menus, and more as they prepare an unforgettable event.  Parents, friends, and family will be invited, so please watch your email for details.

In Guided Reading, students have been working with drama.  First, groups learned about elements of a script, parts of the theater, and different theater jobs.  Then, students read scripts and compared and contrasted them with other types of writing (poetry and prose).  After analyzing the plot of the plays, students then used a plot diagram to plan their own original plays.  Finally, students transformed their plans into the real thing: a real play, complete with script, props, backdrops, and costumes.  Students will perform their plays for each other next week.

In February and March, all sixth graders are busy researching, writing, editing, and preparing to present their oral speeches for the annual Woodmen of the World speech contest.  This year, the topic is, “What is the invention that you think has most positively influenced our world?”  While participation in the contest itself is optional, all students will present their speeches in class the week of March 19-23.

If students would like to participate in the actual contest, the first round of competition will be held after school on Tuesday, March 27.  Permission forms will be sent home as soon as they become available.

Students have been working very hard on their speeches, both in class and at home.  Parents, please remember to provide time for your child to write, edit, and practice at home, too!

All sixth graders are also reading A Wrinkle in Time.  We will be going on a class field trip to see the new movie version of this classic book the first week in April.  Stay tuned for more details.

In Guided Reading, my groups are making great strides in using text evidence to prove points, making connections to their stories, making inferences, identifying types of questions, re-telling stories in a variety of ways, explaining symbols, exploring cause and effect, and much, much, more.  As always, we also reflect upon and apply our learning in some interesting ways.  Third quarter, students will write and perform original plays, write cause/effect stories, create personal symbols, and make visual representations of heaven using paper marbling.

REMINDER: I am here every morning before school at 7:30 am; if students need help, please feel free to come early to school.  Go through the office, and Mrs. Graney will let you come upstairs.