Friday, December 18, 2009

Today students received their Ancient Egypt tests back. The scores were rather disappointing considering that the students were given a study guide that was identical to the test. These study guides were corrected in class so that every student had an equal opportunity to study and receive a perfect score on the test. Many students did not take advantage of this opportunity and their scores reflects this.

Today we are exploring the website mentioned below on our laptops, then enjoying time with our book buddies for the remainder of the day. Have a great weekend!

Next week- Monday is a regular school day. Tuesday is a full school day with Christmas parties beginning at 1. Wednesday is an early release day, with lunch being served at 11 and students heading home for the vacation at 11:30. Wednesday AM is also the Pajama/Polar Express party. Please wear or bring clean, school-appropriate pajamas for watching the Polar Express in the gym.

Extra

The following is an excellent site for further exploration into Ancient Egypt that we may explore on Thursday if everyone finishes the test or Friday. We will also be finishing a film on Nefertiti Friday or Monday.

http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/

Tue, Dec 15, 2009

Today we continued on the road to the test on Ancient Egypt which we will be taking on Thursday (day after tomorrow!!). There is no soc st class on Wednesday because of the dress rehearsal for the Christmas Concert Wednesday night. The students have their completed and corrected study guides to study. Good luck, and see you at the concert!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Today we continued reviewing for the test on Thursday. For homework students received a study guide to help them continue to study for the test on Ancient Egypt on Thursday!

Friday, Dec 11, 2009

It has been a busy week- my apologies for not posting this week. We have continued to work on Ancient Egypt, learning about building pyramids, why the Pharaohs built pyramids, and the discovery of Tutankhamun's undisturbed tomb. There has been very little homework with the exception of students who needed to correct and pass in the Ancient Egypt skill packet again. Next week we will begin reviewing for the test, which will take place Thursday, Dec 16th. Once we are back from break we will begin studying matter in science and Ancient Mesopotamia in social studies.
Students will be receiving a study guide for vocabulary today, some students elected to take theirs yesterday. This is basically a matching exercise to help students review and remember the vocabulary, places and people. Next week students will receive more tools to help them review information for the test.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Today we read a play about building pyramids- this seems to be a good way for students to understand and assimilate new concepts. Homework is to finish the Vocab & Comprehension worksheet.

Thursday, Dec 3, 2009

Thursday we read a play about the embalming process and watched a 6 minute PBS special on embalming that the students seemed to enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo4Fbm1X-CM We finished reading the chapter on Egypt. Students need to complete the packet for tomorrow.

Mon & Tue, Nov 30 & Dec 1 2009

Welcome back! Hope everyone had a wonderful, restful Thanksgiving holiday! Monday we continued with Ancient Egypt. There was no homework.
Tuesday we explored two web lessons on making a mummy and building a pyramid. We also continued to read in our social studies books, and for homework needed to complete the 3rd page (number 20) in the packet. The web addresses for the two lessons are: http://kids.discovery.com/fansites/tutenstein/mummymaker/mummymaker.html (yes, type mummymaker twice) www.bbc.co.uk/history/interactive/games/pyramid_challenge/index_embed.shtml

Later in the week we will be watching a PBS special on a real mummification and acting out a play about Beshet the Burial Priest.

Report cards will be coming home Friday.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Welcome back from Keive!! Friday was spent re-acclimatimg to school and enjoying time with Book Buddies. We also watched the first part of a PBS movie on the Origins of the Nile. We will continue with that on Monday.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Yep, it's Friday the Thirteenth! Be sure to come watch Pete's Dragon tonight at 6:30. Munchies will be available to buy. This is a fundraiser for the 6th grade trip to Kieve. Today we continued with Chapter 4 in Social Studies. No homework... Have an awesome time at Kieve! Ms. Haywood and I will trade off days at Kieve and school- see you there!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Today we continued with Chapter 4 in Social Studies. We will continue to focus on Social Studies until ranks close the week of Thanksgiving and will resume science- Matter- after the holiday.

Homework: Packet (passed out today) finish pages 18-19. Book page 84- vocabulary, People & places- written in your notebooks please.

Social Studies & Science notebooks DUE TOMORROW!!!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

On Tuesday we continued with matter, then continued with social studies chapter 4. For home work, students who did not finish writing vocab, people and places (page 74) in their notebooks needed to finish that at home...

Monday, November 9, 2009

Countdown to Kieve and Thanksgiving!
Today we worked a little in Chapter 4 in Social Studies and also on a web lesson on Matter. we also demonstrated organizing notebooks which are due on Friday.

For the rest of the week we will focus on Chapter 4 in Social Studies with the hope of getting one more test grade under our belts. More on this later.

Science at last!

Today we began a science unit on Matter which will last us through the next ranking period. We began a web-based lesson today which led to an experiment with the "spaces" in water molecules- i.e., how much powdered sugar can you add to a bulging cup of hot water without making the water spill. In our case it depended on how many students bumped into the table that the cups were sitting on!

The notebook content lists were handed out today along with homework passes earned for having all homework in plus high marks on social studies and science tests. These passes can be used to get out of 1/2 of a homework assignment in either social studies or science if a student commits to using one when the assignment is given, or saved and used the the annual Ms. Haywood's Leftover Goodies auction held at the end of the year. Prizes from the Monster Mash, Turkey Trot, Beach Day and other events are auctioned off using homework passes as the currency.

The notebook contents lists should be used to bring a bit of organization and order to the notebooks for science and social studies before they are collected on November 13th. Notebooks that are organized such that I don't have to wade through a mishmash of paper will receive higher marks than notebooks which are complete but unorganized. This is another lesson in organization and keeping one's materials together and available for reviewing before a test. These aren't due for another week so there is plenty of time to get them organized.

There was no homework for tonight except the notebook organization reminder.

Notebooks due soon!

Hopefully everyone has been putting their completed assignments and tests in their social studies and science notebooks or binders as they have been reminded quite frequently this trimester. A list of what should be in each subject's notebook to date will be passed out to the class tomorrow (Thursday). These notebooks will be collected on Friday, November 13th (Friday before Kieve). Notebooks containing all assignments will get an A which will be averaged into the trimester's grades. Points will be deducted for each missing assignment or test. For those concerned about their trimester grades, this is an excellent opportunity for a boost. By the way- grades close on Tuesday, November 24.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Today we took the test in Social Studies. No homework tonight. Tomorrow there will be no homework either- 6th grade has health, then study hall or band. On Thursday we will be continuing with Chapter 4 in Social Studies and beginning a web-based introduction on Matter in science. Don't forget to vote!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Happy November!
Today we reviewed for the SOCIAL STUDIES test which is tomorrow after lunch. There will be a few questions from the previous two chapters which we reviewed in class as well. We also started chapter 4 today. Study!!!

Thursday, October 29

Today we went over the social studies chapter 3 study guide and made flash cards for the vocabulary. The test on Chapter 3 in Social Studies is Tuesday, November 3 (go vote!). Both the completed study guide and the completed Chapter 3 packet are due Monday. We will go over them on Monday. I expect that students will use the study skills that they learned with the science test re-take to do equally well on this test on Tuesday. Remember- reviewing the information for 15 minutes each day is much more valuable than cramming five minutes before the test!
Happy Halloween!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Today we continued to focus on Social Studies Chapter 3- we went over the homework and began a study guide in class which will be due along with the last page of the packet on Tuesday. We will be beginning our Matter unit Thursday.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Today our day went from special to interruption and back again- the students attended a Fire Safety assembly by some great guys from the Palermo Fire Department. They also had art and computer. This afternoon we continued to work on Chapter 3 in Social Studies. Homework tonight is to complete the four questions on textbook page 59, and complete the third page in the packet, due tomorrow.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Everyone improved tremendously on the science test. Congratulations! We will be starting a new unit on Matter, hopefully on Tuesday. We continued with Chapter 3 in Social Studies- for homework students need to read pager 54-57 and complete the back of page one of the packet that was handed out. Tuesday we will continue with Chapter 3 and begin Matter in Science.

Friday, October 23, 2009

It has been a wonderful experience talking with parents over the past two days. Thank you to all of the parents who took the time to come in and talk about their child's progress and performance. Today we take the "do-over" science test- based on what I have seen over the past week, everyone that has been in school should do very well on this test. On Monday we begin a science unit about matter which will last us through a good part of the winter. In social studies we briefly started reading chapter 3 this week but put it aside in favor of learning study techniques for the science test so on Monday we will begin Chapter 3 anew. Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Today 6th grade had health, and then study hall for the students who do not participate in band. In study hall we focused on studying for the science test, homework and cleaning out desks in preparation for parent teacher conferences tonight and tomorrow afternoon and evening.

Remember tomorrow, Thursday, Oct 22 is early release- students will be leaving at 11:30. The afternoon and evening is devoted to parent teacher conferences. See you there!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Today we continued studying the flash cards we made on Monday with the science test vocabulary words. We also worked on correctly labeling a leaf and a flower diagram. The science test re-take is Friday. Wednesday we will continue to study the diagrams, talk about the short answer and multiple -choice questions and quiz each other on the vocabulary. Students seem much more confident about the material this time around, and everyone should do much better on Friday. Rewards are in place for students who achieve significantly better scores the second time around.

In social studies we began reading Chapter 3 in class.

The only homework is to study the vocab flash cards and leaf/flower diagram labels for the science test on Friday.

Reminder that we are having parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday from 3-7 and Thursday from noon-7. Thursday is early release. Please call to schedule your conference if you have not already.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Correction- we will retake the science test on Friday (10/23/09) afternoon- the little book buddies will be on a field trip so we will have the whole afternoon for the test if necessary.

Friday, October 16

Today we corrected the science tests in class because most students did very poorly. Students who scored below an 80 will study these corrected tests and re-take the test on Thursday, October 22 (early release for parent-teacher conferences- please call the school to sign up for a time if you haven't already). Hopefully students will take advantage of this opportunity to do a much better job on the re-take. The students who scored less than 80 are also bringing their tests home to be signed by their parents.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Today we took the science unit test on plants. There was no homework. Tomorrow we will likely begin chapter 3 in Social Studies, then Book Buddies. Progress Reports come home tomorrow. Please sign up for a parent/teacher conference slot for Wednesday evening or Thursday afternoon or evening. (Early release on Thursday for this purpose.)

Wednesday, October 14

Tomorrow is the science test on plants- if you did well on the study guide you will do well on the test. You need to study parts of a leaf, parts of a flower, and general plant knowledge. If everyone gets a B- or better we will enjoy a movie. Study hard and rest up!

Science for Tuesday, Oct 13

Finish up your science study guides for Tuesday!

Week of October 5-8

This week has been ruled by NECAPS so no homework. We have been focusing on the social studies Chapter 2 study guide and the science Chapter 10 study guide in preparation for the tests next week.
The Social Studies Chapter 2 test will be on Wednesday and the Science test on Plants will be on Thursday.

Have a great long weekend! (No school tomorrow or Monday- have fun!)

Monday, October 5, 2009

No homework tonight- NECAPs. We watched the Iceman video for most of the afternoon. Sleep well and be ready for another day of testing!

Thursday, October 1

No home work tonight in either science or social studies- we read most of The Iceman but put off the video until Monday because of NECAPs. You can help yourselves by periodically pulling out the study guide for science and filling in answers as best you can. Rest up and eat a good breakfast for Monday!

Wednesday, September 30

Social studies- finish reading in book through pg 37- Ice Man- if everyone is done we will watch the Iceman video Thurs.

Science- Work on Study Guide- we will go over it Thurs in class- test on Plants sometime next week.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Social Studies: Read Through page 37 (The Iceman) and finish the packet- pages 12-13. Due Thursday, October 1. (No Soc St Wed- Band)

Science: Monocots & Dicots- finish packet for Wednesday.

Monday, September 28 Class Assignments

Social Studies: "Learning From a Primary Source" was covered in class today. Do "Decision making About Artifacts" (back of 1st page of current packet - page number is 11)- due tomorrow for class. Read pages 32-33 about The Iceman so we can discuss tomorrow and get to the video later in the week.

Science: Roots packet was covered in class today. We also read through the packet on Stems. Answer the questions about stems for tonight's homework- we will go over it tomorrow.

Thursday, September 24

Science assignment:
Pieces of the Puzzle- Roots packet. Finish reading and complete questions. Due Monday, Sept 28
Continue to fill in answers on the Study Guide as you learn them.


Social Studies:
Packet- page 10 (front ONLY of first page) Due Monday, Sept. 28

Have Fun at Common Ground Country Fair!

Social Studies Assignments To Date

All Students are expected to have a notebook or a three ring binder (I have several available) or a large folder to hold and organize their social studies materials, including in-class projects/assignments, home work assignments and any supplemental materials. These "notebooks" will be collected at the end of each trimester and graded for content. All homework assignments, in-class assignments and supplemental materials are expected to be in the notebooks, organized by date assigned or received. These notebooks are set up this way to enable students to organize their materials for ease of studying for each unit test.

~ Country & City Match worksheet Due 9/01/01
~ Continent Match worksheet Due 9/02/09
~ An Island of Your Own packet due 9/04/09
~ Using a Global Grid packet due 9/08/09
~ 1 Countries Regions packet Due 9/09/09
~ Content Packet Due 9/10/09
~ Chapter 1 Study Guide due 9/17/09
~ Chapter 1 Test 9/21/09
~ Island Crossword Due 9/24/09
~ World Wide Words Due 9/24/09

Science Assignments to date

Each student needs a notebook or three ring binder (I have several available) or a large folder to organize and store Science materials and assignments. These organized collections (referred to as "notebooks" regardless of the form) will be passed in at the end of each trimester to be counted as part of the trimester grade. All homework assignments and handouts are expected to be in the notebooks and organized by the date assigned. This format helps students find relevant information for test preparation.


~ Chapter 10 Section Focus Activity (rollerblading carrot) Not yet due
~ Chapter 10 Plant Study Guide (10-1 What is a plant?) Ongoing review
~ Science Text Introduction and Exploration Due 9/01/09
~ Science Clues worksheet Due 9/02/09
~ Biology4kids.com Plants packet - extra source- review
~ "A Rose By Any Other Name" Flower parts packet Due 9/09/09
~ Flower Parts Diagram Due 9/10/09
~ Online Flower Dissection Due 9/11/09
~ Bring in a leaf to class Due 9/14/09
~ "Leaf It To Me" leaf parts packet Due 9/15/09
~ Leaf parts diagram Due 9/15/09
~ "Starting Over: Seeds" packet Due 9/18/09
~ Info Guide on NonVascular & Vascular plants- extra source- review
~ Carbon-Oxygen Cycle diagram- completed in class 9/17/09
~ "Gone With The Wind" Seed Dispersal Due 9/24
~ Review Study Guide in bold above for 9/24/09

Welcome to school!

It's a brand new year at Palermo School! This year I will be teaching Science and Social Studies in 6th grade. This blog is devoted to those classes, assignments and projects. Assignments will be posted as assigned, usually daily.