South Central Middle School
We have the Right Mental Attitude
News From the 6th Grade
This month in Math we have been working on Ratios. The students have been working hard. They even participated in an escape room dealing with ratios (see pictures above). They had to complete tasks with their partners in order to escape the room that was set up. They had four tasks to complete. The students had a great time! Some students made it out and some were so close but just ran out of time. We used google meet to connect with each other while they worked in the escape room. We will be wrapping this chapter up soon and having a chapter test in the upcoming weeks.
In ELA, we recently finished reading the novel, “Wonder,” by R.J. Palacio. “Wonder” is a fictional story about a ten-year-old boy, August Pullman, who was born with a facial deformity that makes it difficult for him to make friends. Students participated in many discussions about the characters’ actions in the novel and whether or not their choices were kind. We have been practicing using the RACES writing strategy that requires us to use evidence from the text to prove our answers. After reading the novel, students watched the film version of the text. Many of the students said they enjoyed reading the book over watching the movie, because they felt like many important details were left out! Students also participated in a Gallery Walk Project where they created works of art that focused on a theme from the novel. Afterwards, they spent time critiquing each other's artwork during the Gallery Walk. Currently, we are reading a seven-part fictional series titled, “The Run.” This series focuses on Dennis and Mac who are faced with the effects of a disease that is taking over the country. Next, we will be diving into several nonfiction texts and our argument essay that will focus on the popular topic of FORTNITE!
In Science, we have learned that scientists have to use a process called the Scientific Method to find answers to problems in the world. We also discovered that you don’t have to be a scientist to find solutions. Anyone can make a scientific discovery if you put your mind to it! We have moved on to the study of rocks and minerals and how they form. Last week, students spent the week trying to identify various mineral samples in our “Mineral Hunt”. This week, we are learning about the different types of rocks and how they form. We will be heading out on a “Rock Cycle Journey” very soon!
In Social Studies, we have been busy traveling the world. Our first stop was in Mesopotamia, the site of the very first civilization known to man. It is located in present-day Iraq. We have been learning about the major factors that lead to a new civilization forming. We have moved on to Egypt and will soon be learning about the Nile River, pharaohs, pyramids and mummies.
In both Science and Social Studies, we have been using technology a lot. The students have been using lots of new websites and apps to help keep learning interesting, exciting and to give students a new way to show what they know. Some of the programs we have been using are IXL, EdPuzzle, ProCore, Google Classroom, Google Keep, Google Docs, Google Drawing, and a new idea called HyperDocs. Ask your child to show you what they have been up to!
Below are the fifth and sixth grade Academic Challenge teams who competed in Norwalk earlier this month. They read the book, “Wonder” to prepare for the novel-related questions.
In September students in Mrs. Oney’s 6th grade computer classes created collages depicting the 911 tragedy as they mastered many of the toolbars of Print Shop (pictured above). All students have registered their South Central Progressbook login, which enables them to access their grades online at any time at https://pa.noeca.org/ . Homework can be viewed online at http://southcentraltrojans.weebly.com/6th-grade-homework.html. Currently, students are learning about Veterans Day and connecting to it on a personal level. To honor our nation’s veterans, students in Mrs. Oney’s classes have interviewed a veteran of their choice. Using the veteran interview, students will type information into a Google Slideshow with other pertinent information relating to Veterans Day. Students will add a digital photo of their veteran to their slide show. Some of these veteran photos are shown below. Students will print their “My Veteran” slide to display at the upcoming Veterans Day program, which will be held at the high school on Monday, November 12th.
The 6th graders are participating in DARE class with Deputy Mitch Cawrse. They are learning about making good decisions and the effects of drugs and alcohol on the body. The students see Deputy Mitch once a week. They are currently in the process of writing the DARE essays. Three students will be chosen, one from each homeroom class as the winner of the essay contest and they will be announced at the graduation ceremony. DARE graduation will be November 20th.
Reminder that there is tutoring for 6th grade after school every Tuesday from 2:30 until 3:25. This is a great opportunity for students to get caught up on missing assignments or late work with their teachers, as well as get any help with anything they are struggling with. Slips are available in Mrs. Bute’s room and need to be turned in every week.
Art: Sixth grade artists have been working diligently on portrait drawings. Students spent the first grading period reviewing value from fifth grade and practicing shading on three-dimensional forms, such as: cubes, cones, and spheres. We also spent time discussing facial proportions and how our eyes, noses, mouths, and ears line up on our faces. Sixth graders were able to select a person of their choice to draw a realistic portrait of by applying value in the form of shading. Students are now adding their light to dark values to their drawings to make them more realistic. Can you tell who each student is drawing?
Upcoming Events for the Month of November 2018
2,3 Shrek the Musical
5-8 Book Fair
6 Career Day; Academic Awards Day
7,8 Parent Teacher Conferences
9 Women in STEM-NO SCHOOL
12 Picture Retakes; Veteran's Day Program
13 JH/HS PE Field Trip
15 JH Boys and Girls BB Scrimmage v. Bellevue
16 JH Dance
19 JH Boys and Girls BB Scrimmage v. Mohawk
20 DARE Graduation
21-26 Thanksgiving Break
27 Sports World Assembly; JH Girls BB home v. St. Paul
About Us
Email: amckee@south-central.org
Website: south-central.org
Location: 3291 Greenwich Angling Road, Greenwich, OH, USA
Phone: (419) 752-0011
Facebook: www.facebook.com/South-Central-Schools
Twitter: @scms_trojans