In the Know
January Community 6 News
Lead Learners
Rachel Stricklin (English) rachel.stricklin@pikeroadschools.org
Kathleen Griswell (History) kathleen.griswell@pikeroadschools.org
Karen Granfeldt (Math) karen.granfeldt@pikeroadschools.org
Upcoming Events
- January 18 No School MLK Day
- February 3 Field Trip to ASF Cinderella
Votes Needed!
Now it is time to vote for our structure. Use the link below to "like" our structure so we can win the contest! Feel free to share it so we can grow our votes. Thanks!
Field Trip
Our ticket order has been finalized, and we are not able to accept any more money or get any more tickets for students who did not confirm that they were going by this point.
Our show begins at 11:30, so we will have snack before we leave and a sack lunch in our classrooms when we return. Students will have the option of bringing their lunch or getting a sack lunch from the lunchroom.
Wednesday, Feb 3, 2016, 11:30 AM
Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Last week's Sumdog Leaders
Class leaders are determined every Monday based on the number of correctly answered math problems. To be a leader, at least 85% mastery must be maintained. Each week I post that week's leaders. Watch your child grow and have fun doing it!
Measuring boxes to find their volume.
Practice finding volume!
Science
Think, Jot, Share
Think, Jot, Share
Materials Needed
Did you know?!
- The U.S. is the #1 trash-producing country in the world at 1,609 pounds per person per year. This means that 5% of the world's people generate almost 40% of the world's waste.
- We toss out two billion plastic razors, a million and a half tons of paper towels, and 12 billion disposable diapers annually!
History
Next week we will begin studying the effects of WWII on American soil, including women and African-Americans in the war effort, the use of factories for the war effort, and specialized topics, such as the Tuskegee Airmen.
English
Current Standards:
Reading & Comprehending Fiction-
Our content focus for the 3rd nine weeks will be reading & comprehending fiction. We will study science fiction in January and poetry in February.
Our study of science fiction is a joined unit with science and math that addresses the question "What if today's greatest invention is tomorrow's nightmare?" We will read and analyze a series of science fiction short stories and end by writing a science fiction story. Just as a heads up, students currently have a short list of literary vocabulary terms posted in Edmodo that we have been reviewing. They will have a quiz on these terms Thursday/ Friday (depending on which day they see me) this coming week. Please ask your student about these terms and if they are prepared for the quiz.
Standards
- RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
- RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
- RL.6.6 Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
- RL.6.8 Differentiate among odes, ballads, epic poetry, and science fiction.
Independent Reading Project-
To conclude our study and analysis of fiction, students will give a presentation on a book of their choice in class the week of March 1-4. We have already discussed this project in class, and an assignment sheet and rubric have been posted in Edmodo. Students will need to have their books picked and approved by Monday, January 11, or they will be assigned a book to read. I encourage you to discuss this assignment with your student. This is an independent project, so we will not be spending class time working it. I do have a check point scheduled, but it is extremely important that students do not wait until the last minute. Preparation is the key to doing well on this project.
Here is a link to the project requirements and assessment rubric:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15816skCgNae3mceq11r5OzqGn0leZlJv_TnUvDZ9OuA/edit?usp=sharing
Genius Hour-
Every Friday in English class from now until Spring Break students will participate in Genius Hour. This time block will be dedicated to students researching and designing their own projects on a topic they are passionate about. The only rules are that project topics must be approved by me, it must include substantial research, students must keep a log of their research and reflections, and they must present and share their final projects on the last week. This is a great opportunity for you as parents to learn more about your students' interested and be involved in their learning! For more information, you can visit www.geniushour.com.
Grammar & Punctuation Usage-
- L.6.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- L.6.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Every Friday During Homeroom-
Students will be continuing their reading of non-fiction texts with Newsela. Every Friday morning they are required to read and take quizzes on 2 Newsela articles. This is also a great resources for helping your student work on his or her reading and comprehension skills at home. The articles in Newsela can be adjusted by reading Lexile level and have short comprehension quizzes that go with the article. Common Core has identified 6th grade Lexile level as starting at 925.
Every Day- Students read independently for at least 30 minutes every day to work toward their 40 Books Challenge. Information on the 40 Books Challenge is posted on my Edmodo page in my folders.
- RL.6.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature in the 6-8 grade text complexity band proficiently.
Designing
Writing
Thinking
Math
Current Standards: Geometry
We are finishing our geometry standards. We will be using the boxes from our food drive to find area, volume and surface area. Our focus will be measuring items to the quarter inch and using the formulas to solve. In addition, composite figures area and application will be taught.
Evaluation V will be the second week in February
I will be meeting with small groups to reteach and practice skills already taught. Between now and then, students may request to be evaluated on the following skills as needed: Decimal computation, Multiplying and Dividing fractions, Exponents, Order of Operations, Greatest Common Factor,Least Common Multiple, Graphing on a four quadrant grid, Identify axis, quadrant and signs in quadrants,Graphing reflections, Finding distance between points on a four quadrant grid, Integers, comparing and ordering, Opposites, Absolute value, Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode, range), graphing data, and interpreting data. Don't forget about Makeover Mondays!
Magic Cubes
Magic cubes turn to roses
Important note from Physical Education
Pike Road School
Website: www.pikeroadschools.org
Location: 500 Avenue of Learning, Pike Road, AL, United States
Phone: 334-420-5310