Week 18: December 8- December 12

Math:  Students began adding and subtracting fractions today.  We will also move to multiplying and dividing decimals through the rest of this week.  

Science:  The students completed their Earthquake plot maps today.  We discussed how the earthquake plots could show the location of plate boundaries and why that is important information that scientists want to find out.   Throughout the rest of the week we will begin working with convection currents and volcanic activity.  

Homework:  Students need to complete the "Worm" worksheet that was begun in class today.  Students should also begin working on Math's Mate Term 2 Sheet 6.

Week 17: December 1- December 5

Math:  This week in Science we are beginning to work with decimals.  Over the next couple of weeks we will work with adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing decimals.

Science:  We are still working on our Earth Structures unit.  The students are working with the relationship between the location of various earthquakes and the boundaries of tectonic plates.

Homework:  Students should finish the decimal worksheet begun today in class.  Students should also begin working on Math's Mate Term 2 Sheet 5.

Week 15: November 17- November 21

We have a very busy week!  

Math: Students will continue working with fractions.  This week we will move into dividing fractions.  We will also have a quiz on Friday covering: simplifying, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions.

Science: We are continuing to work with Earth Structures this week.  The students are going to begin to study the structure of the Earth including the crust, mantle, core and tectonic plates.

Homework: Due to the field trip today there is no homework other than Math's Mate Term 2 Sheet 4.

HOMEWORK: November 13, 2008

Homework:

• Study for quiz: Science Vocabulary, Benny's Letter, Pen Pal Letter, Topography
• Finish Multiplying Fractions Worksheet
• Math's Mate Term 2 Sheet 3

HOMEWORK: November 12, 2008

Homework:

• Math's Mate: Term 2 Sheet 3
• Study for Science Quiz (Friday)

- Unit 2 Science Vocabulary

- Pen Pal Letter

- Topography

Jekyll Island Field Trip

Just a reminder that the second $50 installment for the Jekyll trip is due this Friday.  I am starting to get excited about the trip and I hope your students are as well!  We will be having a meeting soon to discuss the specifics of the trip.

Week 14: November 10- November 14

Math:  Students will continue adding and subtracting fractions and we will move into multiplying fractions at the end of the week.

Science:  Students are moving into their Earth Structure unit.  Last week the students finished reading their group myths and discussing how volcanic explosions and earthquakes can effect a culture.  This week the students are reading "pen-pal" letters from various regions of the world and using the information they gather to create topographic maps of the landforms in their region.

Homework:

6B:  Students should complete their Pen Pal Letter Reflection worksheet.  Students should also begin working on Math's Mate Term 2 Sheet 3.

6A:  Students should finish the "Observation" section of the Pen Pal Letter Reflection worksheet.  Students should also begin working on Math's Mate Term 2 Sheet 3.

HOMEWORK: November 6, 2008

Today in class students worked on addition fractions with like denominators, adding fractions with unlike denominators, and adding mixed numbers. 

HOMEWORK: 

6A: Complete all three worksheets.

6B: Complete the "Donut" worksheet and the "Clock" worksheet.  We will finish the "Airhead" worksheet in class.

Week 13: November 3- November 7

Math:  This week in Math we are learning how to convert improper fractions to mixed numbers and mixed numbers to improper fractions.  Most students seem to be doing well with this task, but are occasionally making simple mistakes because they are not fully showing their work.  I have iterated to the students many times how important it is for the students to show all of their work on a separate sheet of paper.  Please help me enforce this with the students as you work with them at home.

Science:  We finished our reader's theatre last week revolving around our Earth Structure's myths.  We are waiting until the new class schedules begin to continue working with our knowledge of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Homework:  The students should finish their "Musical Fish" worksheet and their "Witch" worksheet (Not all students were given the "Witch" worksheet).  Math's Mate Term 2 Sheet 2 is due Friday.

HOMEWORK: October 29th

Homework

• Complete Equivalent Fractions Worksheet
• Complete Article Expert Worksheet
• Math's Mate Term 2 Sheet 1

October 22, 2008

Homework:  Math's Mate Term 1 Sheet 8

HOMEWORK: October 21

The students should continue to work on their Math's Mate Term 1 Sheet 8 tonight.

WEEK 11: October 20- October 24

The students concluded units in both Math and Science last week.  The first two days of the week this week will be focused on organization and preparation for the next unit.

Math:  Students are about to embark on a unit studying, " Fractions, Decimals, Ratios and Percents."  In this unit, students will use fractions, decimals, and percents interchangeably.  They will learn how to order and compare rational numbers and operate with decimals, fractions and percents.  Students will also use ratios to compare quantities and solve problems.

Science:  We will be beginning our new unit on Earth Structures.  Students will be creating 3-D topographic maps based on various land structures and we will then move into the layers of the Earth.

Homework: Tonight students should begin working on their Math's Math Term 1 Sheet 8.

HOMEWORK: October 16

Today the students were visited by the BioBus for the Star Wars Geoscience study.  The students participated in several labs trying to prove or disprove many events depicted in the Star Wars movies.  

Homework:  Math's Mate Term 1 Sheet 7, Study for Math Quiz tomorrow.

HOMEWORK: October 15

The students need to complete their Math's Mate assignment for Friday and also continue to study their Math vocabulary for the Math quiz on Friday.

6A: Hi Mike! letter is due tomorrow.

Science Vocabulary

These are the vocabulary words and definitions students are responsible for knowing on Wednesday's quiz:

Dependent Variable:  Factor whose value is the result you are testing.  The value that was measured during the experiment.

Independent Variable:  Factor that affects the value of the dependent variable; in an experiement, you control the value of the independent variable.

Variable: A condition that is changed in order to find out the effect of that change.

Molecule:  Smallest particle of a substance that still has the properties of that substance.

Atom:  Smallest particle into which an element can be divided and still have still have the properties of that element.

Volume:  Amount of space an object or substance takes up; measured in liters.

Matter:  The material that all objects and substances are made of; anything that has mass and takes up space.

Gravity:  Force of attraction between any two objects.  

Density:  Amount of mass in a given volume of a substance or object; found by dividing the mass of the object by its volume.

Buoyant Force:  Upward force exerted on an object by a fluid, when then object is placed in the fluid.

Erosion:  Movement of sediment by wind, water, ice or gravity.

Weathering:  Process by which water, wind, and ice wear down rocks and other exposed surfaces; includes chemical and mechanical weathering.

Deposition:  Process by which wind, water, and gravity leave eroded sediments in new locations.

Experiment Question:  A question that describes the purpose of the experiment.

Hypothesis:  An if, then, because statement that describes what will be changed, what will happen, and why.

Procedure:  A numbered or bulleted list that describes the process of the experiment.

Results:  Charts and graphs that visually described the data gathered in an experiment.

Conclusion:  Explanations based on evidence from observations.

HOMEWORK: October 13

Students should be studying for their science quiz on Wednesday.  They have a complete list of vocabulary words in their binder and should also be thinking back to the Boat Challenge, Lava Run Challenge, and Basketball Court Challenge to refresh their memory.  Students should also begin to study their Math vocabulary for our quiz on Friday.  6A should be completing their final draft of their Hi Mike! letter to turn in tomorrow.  Also, this Friday Math's Math Term 1 Sheet 7 is due.

Week 10: October 13- October 17

Math: The students are completing their culminating tasks this week, including the Hi Mike! letter and the Secret Number challenge.  The students will have a quiz covering all vocabulary and Number Theory operations on Friday.

Science: The students are finishing their first unit in Science this week.  The students are completing their lab report from the Erosion challenge last week and developing their final designs for the Basketball Court Challenge.  The students will have a quiz on Wednesday covering all vocabulary and concepts covered in the first unit.

HW: October 8, 2008

6A: Least Common Multiple Worksheet, Math's Mate Term 1 Sheet 6, Jekyll Island Field Trip form and first $50 due Friday

6B: Least Common Multiple Worksheet and Greatest Common Factor word problems.

Thank You!

Thank you to the families who have donated tissues, markers and glue sticks!

Week 9: October 7 - October 10

Math: This week in Math the students will continue to explore the Number Theory.  Students will learn how to find the Least Common Multiple and will begin working on their culminating activities.

Science: This week in Science the students will finish their first unit, Digging In.  The students will do several experiments with soil and then conclude the unit by creating their final Basketball Court Challenge Design.

Jekyll Island: Don't forget that the first installment of the Jekyll Island Field Trip money is due this Friday, October 10th.  Students should also make sure they have completed and turned in the permission slip this Friday as well.

Homework: 

6B: Students should complete their Least Common Multiple and Greatest Common Factor worksheet.  Students should also answer questions 1 and 3 from the Reflect section of their Science worksheet.

HOMEWORK: OCTOBER 1

HOMEWORK FOR TONIGHT

Students should be completing their Prime Number Puzzles, due tomorrow, and also working on their Math's Mate Term 1 Sheet 5, Due Friday.

Week 8: September 29- October 3

Math: In Math this week, students are moving quickly through the second unit, Number Theory.  This week students will be working through Factors, Greatest Common Factor, Prime Numbers, Composite Numbers and Prime Factorization.

Science: Students are continuing their work with erosion and the Basketball Court Challenge.  Students will complete several case studies involving erosion problems and solutions.  Students will then decide which solution they feel is best for the Basketball Court Challenge.

Wish List

Parents,

If anyone would be willing to donate the following items to the classroom, it would be greatly appreciated:

Kleenex

Glue (regular and glue sticks)

Dry erase markers

Thank you!

Jekyll Island Field Trip

Parents,

I need the Jekyll Island Field Trip forms in as soon as possible.  I have only received two completed forms since Parent Night.  I need these forms so that I can start to develop concrete numbers of those who will be going on the field trip and so I can make accommodations for any special needs.  Please return the forms as soon as possible.  I will be sending home  a second set of permission slips this week for those who may have misplaced the forms.  The first scheduled payment of $50.00 is not until October 10.

Thanks!

Week 7: September 22-26

Math:  Math projects were due today!  I skimmed quickly through them today and they look great!!  This week we will begin the second Math unit, "Fun and Games: Extending and Applying Number Theory."  The students will learn about: prime numbers, composite numbers, factors, multiples, least common multiple and greatest common factor.

Science: Students are continuing their exploration of the first unit in Science.  This week the students will watch a Nightline video exploring the great design company, IDEO.  The students will discuss their Bandaid surveys, and be introduced to the Basketball Court Challenge.

Week 6: September 15- September 19

Math: This week we will be closing our unit on graphs.  Everything has been pushed back this week in order to give the students enough time to do a great job on their project.  The project will be due Monday, September 22.  The graphing unit quiz will be on Friday, September 19.  I will post a study guide online and an extra credit opportunity later in the week.  

Science: Students will continue their exploration of the Scientific Method and their study of lava and viscosity.  We will also be exploring the importance of teamwork among scientists when trying to solve real-life issues.  We will focus our study of these issues with the IDEO company and other similar companies.

HW: Homework this week will be Math's Mate Term 1 Sheet 3 and working daily on the graphing project.

Fernbank Science Night Out

Thanks to Connor's dad for providing me with this information about the Fernbank's Science Night Out.  Please peruse the link provided to see if your child may be interested.

http://fsc.fernbank.edu/sceincenightout.html

Graphing Project

We ran out of time today and I did not have time to return the survey results to the students so they could begin to work on their projects.  I will have their results folders ready for them Monday.  We will work on the project some in class and it will be due Friday, September 19th.  The students will also be having their first unit quiz on Thursday, September 18th.  They should be studying their graphing vocabulary words and be able to demonstrate their ability to create graphs on the quiz.

Parent Night

Thanks so much to all of the parents who attended Parent Night.  It was great to get to meet all of you.  Please don't forget to return the Jekyll Island permission slip as soon as possible, more information will be sent out soon.

Parent Night!

Parent night will be held Wednesday, September 10th this year.  The roaming chef will be catering dinner at 5:30 and the Parent night festivities will begin at 6pm sharp.  I hope to see everyone there!!!

Week 5: September 8 - September 12

Math: The students began their graphing project Friday, by beginning to generate the questions they will be using to survey their peers.  The students will be editing the questions this week, surveying their peers and beginning to develop their graphs.

Science: Students completed their first lab report this week.  The students will continue with the "Lava Challenge" this week and further develop their skills with creating detailed procedures.

Homework: The students need to complete "Term 1, Sheet 2" in their Math's Mate book by Friday, they need to be working on their math project daily.  Due date to be determined Thursday.

Week 4: September 2- September 5

Math: Students are continuing with their study of graphs.  Students have now been introduced to Single Bar Graphs, Double Bar Graphs, Pictographs, Stem and Leaf Plots, and Histograms.  Students will begin their final project for the graphing unit next week.  Most of the work will be completed at school, but the students will bring home materials to complete their final project.

Science: Students are beginning their second learning segment this week.  The students are focusing on the development of procedures when working with the scientific method.  The challenge this week revolves around the Heimaey Volcano eruption in 1973 and testing the viscosity of lava and other liquids.

Homework: Students have started their "Math's Mate" homework book  this week.  Test 1, Sheet 1 is due this Friday.

HOMEWORK: August 20

Math: finish mean, median and mode problems on your "M&M Challenge" worksheet, complete "Pickle graph"

Science: none

Week 2: August 18-22

Math: We will be working our way through an "M&M challenge" this week to review our skills with pictographs, bar graphs, line plots, mean, median and mode.  We will also start to discover the importance of question structure when designing a survey to obtain information.

Science:  We have done one iteration of the boat challenge so far.  This week we will work on critiquing our criteria and constraints and editing our designs.  We will further discuss the idea of "copying vs. credit" and learning from our peers.  We will complete the boat challenge this week with our final boat design on Friday.

Science: Unit 1 "Digging In"

Science: We have also begun our first unit in Science this week.  The first unit is titled "Digging In" for several reasons.  First, the students will begin diving into the Scientific Process and Method through some introductory activities and experiments.  Second, the students will begin their study of the various content centered around the Earth's surface.  During this unit, students will: 

• Discover buoyancy and density through the "Boat Challenge"
• Work with erosion and lava with the "Basketball Court Challenge"
• Begin to discover how scientists work with-- "Copying vs. Credit," "Independent Variables vs. Dependent Variables"

Math: Unit 1 "Gathering and Using Data"

Math: We are beginning our first unit in math this week, "Gathering and Using Data."  As a part of this unit students will be:

• Posing questions that can be answered by data
• Collecting data by taking surveys and conducting experiments
• Organizing data using tables including frequency tables and frequency distributions
• Representing data by choosing appropriate graphs from pictographs, line plots, bar graphs (including double and stacked bar graphs), line graphs and histograms
• Analyzing data
• Interpreting the results of data analysis as it relates to original questions posed

Standards covered: M6D1, M6M2, M6P1, M6P2, M6P3, M6P4, M6P5

As a part of this unit students will be working with many different types of graphs during various activities inside class and at home.  Look for end of unit project outlines coming home soon!

Welcome to the 6th grade!!!

I would like to welcome everyone to the 6th grade here at ACMS.  The first week was great for me and I hope it was for you too!  I have completely enjoyed getting to know everyone and I think we are ready for a great year!