Kennedy 5/6 Combo Class
January 16, 2015
Semester End
As we enter the second semester, remember that assigned work matters, and it is the student's responsibility. Many students could have higher grades if all assignments were completed and turned in. In our classroom, we fill out daily planners. One thing you can do to make sure your child is getting work done is by asking to see their planner each day. If you are ever wondering about an assignment, please feel free to call or e-mail me.
School Calendar
- We do have school on MLK day.
- Conferences have been moved from February to March.
Upcoming Events
End of the First Semester - January 16
Remember that we do have school on MLK Day!
Mid-Winter Break - February 13 - 16
Sixth Grade Field Trip Meeting
SOARing Students
Collin Lucas is very passionate about math and tries to spread his enthusiasm to others.
Alyssa Smith never misses an assignment. She is also always engaged and participating in our class discussions.
Megan Litomisky always works well with others. She treats everyone in our classroom with respect.
Keep up the good work!
Math
One thing we do together to start our math time is an activity called the fraction of the day. Students have the day we are on in the school year shown as a fraction. For instance today is the 84th day of the school year, so the fraction is 84/175. They have to convert the fraction to its equivalent decimal number and percent. We have almost reached the 50% mark for the year! Students decided we would like to celebrate when we reach the 60% mark by having a 60's dress-up day!
The sixth graders spent the week reviewing the concepts from unit four. They took the test on Thursday. However, this test will be posted in the 3rd marking period. Our next unit will be on geometry. We will be studying angles, angle relationships, congruent angles and polygons, and using coordinate graphing.
The fifth graders have been reviewing unit five this week. In this unit, they have been learning and reviewing simplifying fractions, comparing fractions, and converting between fractions and decimals. They have a study guide and an answer key to help them prepare for the test on Monday.
Reading
Two of our fifth grade groups recently finished the book, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. They have a take-home test to work on this weekend. Multiple choice answers can be checked by re-reading. The students need to choose one essay choice. Their written answer should be detailed and should be supported with several specific examples from the book.
Another fifth grade group just finished reading the book Top Secret by John Reynolds Gardiner. That group will be focusing on some informational reading during the next few weeks.
The sixth grade groups will be finishing the book Hoot by Carl Hiassen soon. They have been working to use evidence from the book to support answers to questions. This skill is something they will continue to use in all subjects next year in junior high.
This week all students took the mid-year fluency assessments. The students read aloud for one minute at a time. They each read three different passages. They are scored on the median number of corrects words read per minute and the median number of errors.
Writing
This week we worked on a 2015 short writing project that we can display in the hallway. Students were given prompts and had to answer them in complete sentences. We have spent the last two weeks brainstorming and writing small amounts about our reflections of 2014 and our goals for 2015. Next week we will begin writing an essay on our “school” New Year’s Resolutions. This will be a five paragraph essay. The marking period does end today. Students who did not turn in work have been staying in during recess to complete their missing assignments.
Social Studies
The fifth graders have been finishing up their research on one particular colonial region. Next week they will share information with the other students so everyone has a chance to learn about all three colonial regions. We will be finishing this unit with a writing project comparing and contrasting two different regions.
The sixth graders finished reading about the culture of Canada and took a quiz this week. Next week we will begin learning about the structure of Canada's government.
Science
5th grade science- We are in the process of finishing up our matter unit. The students will have a test over it next week.
6th grade science- We have been working on the moon phases. They did an activity with oreo cookies and carving each of the moon phases on them.
Classroom Facebook Page
Contact Me
Email: kennedy@morrice.k12.mi.us
Location: 111 E. Mason Street, Morrice, MI
Phone: 517-625-3141