Success in Sixth Grade
Volume 8. Issue 15
Precepts
In the book, "Wonder," by R.J. Palacio, the teacher Mr. Browne introduces precepts, or "words to live by" to his students. Similarly, we will be sharing precepts of our own in conjunction with journal topics and I want to share a few in each issue.
"And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it." - Roald Dahl
"Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind." - Henry James
A Note From Mr. Nakano
Spring Conferences are a great time to assess ongoing yearly goals and set new ones for the transition to middle school. Typically, we hold off on middle school discussion until the end of April. After our visit to Sierra Vista on April 15th (we only visit Sierra Vista), parent nights, math placement tests, and Sierra Vista and Jeffrey Trail's Open Houses, many existing questions end up being answered, while some new one arises, too :). If interested, I invite you to set up a time in April to best discuss middle school. We talk about scheduling, elective options, and the various pathways.
Yearbook Orders
This is your LAST CHANCE to purchase a Yearbook!
$20 per yearbook
6th graders can also purchase the 6th grade supplement pages for an additional $5.
Click here for more information and how to order. There will NOT be extra books for sale at the end of the year.
Please note this is CV's first and only yearbook sale of the 2015-16 school year.
Jog-A-Thon
Pledge information came home in packets today. Please let me know if you did not receive one.
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2016, 08:30 AM
Canyon View Elementary School, Yale Court, Irvine, CA, United States
Ancient China - Essential Questions
We are currently in the midst of our major research project on Ancient China. Students chose their topic of focus (some unfortunately had to pick their second choice). Our focus with the research is on finding reliable resources (if your child hasn't told you already, ask them about the Tree Octopus).
They use the CARS (Credibility, Accuracy, Reliability, Support) checklist to verify whether or not a web site may be a valid resource. Many students were surprised that the ".org" domain does not necessarily equate to reliability.
It has been amazing to see the students take ownership of their work, while still working collaboratively. They find resources together, help take group collaborative notes, and yet still submit work that is authentically theirs.
Just like they will in middle school, we continue to use TurnItIn.com to check for originality. Some students were shocked that parts of their work was considered plagarism through a published work on a site they had never checked. I explained to them that it's like a hot fudge sundae. Putting chocolate on ice cream is nothing new, just like researching ancient China is nothing new. Inevitably, you may occasionally say something that an author has already written. As long as you don't try to take credit for "inventing the hot fudge sundae," you are fine.
Language Arts
Science
Social Science
P.E.
You can tell how well they are improving. The dirt is no longer on their shirts and is now on their arms!
When the students come back to the classroom to cool off, we are continuing the theme with silent, focused meditation with positive imagery.
Technology Focus
Math
Unit 4 - Ratios
We are continuing our work on ratios, fractions, and percents. There is a lot of converting going on and we've been writing down a lot of decimal points and percent signs!
Dates to Remember
3/16 @ 8:30 a.m.
Jog-A-Thon
3/17-18
Mr. Nakano out of the classroom at a technology conference
3/18
Report Cards are posted to Parent Portal
3/21-24
Parent Conferences
4/11-4/22
Smarter Balanced Testing (exact testing dates to be announced soon)
4/15
6th Grade Tour of Sierra Vista
Keep In Touch
Email: jonnakano@iusd.org
Website: https://iusd.instructure.com/courses/16984
Location: 12025 Yale Court, Irvine, CA, United States
Phone: (000)000-0000
Facebook: facebook.com/misternakano
Twitter: @mrnakano