Johnson's Journal October 24, 2011

I hope you all had the opportunity to enjoy this beautiful weekend.   It’s hard to believe that this is the last week of October.  The sixth graders do not have a Halloween party, but we will enjoy a movie together on Friday afternoon.  The students may bring a snack for themselves, as well as a drink (with a lid).

We ended the first quarter with a chapter math test.  I was pleased with the class’ results.  I will share the results with you at conferences next week.  Our next unit focuses on decimal concepts.  There is also a problem solving assignment due on Friday.  Again, I would encourage you to read your sixth grader’s written explanation of how they solved the problem.  Look for the following: a description of the chart they used to organize the information, an explanation of the pattern which helped them determined the amount of time required to cook the pasta, and a concluding statement.  All good writers call on an editor to give them feedback; mark mechanical errors in spelling and punctuation and point out parts that need clarification.

We will be wrapping up our unit on cells and genetics in science this week.  On Monday, we will   go through our packet and highlight all the things that need to be studied for the test.  I’d suggest that your student begin reviewing on Monday evening.  This will help him be prepared for the review game we will play in class on Tuesday. The test will be Thursday; with the early out on Wednesday there isn’t enough time to get the test in.   

Just a reminder that Parent Teacher Conferences will be held Tuesday November 1^st and Thursday, November 3^rd.   Mrs.Suntken and I are doing a combination of scheduled and unscheduled conferences this quarter.  If we would like to meet with you at a set time, we have sent you a note that tells you when your conference is scheduled.  If you do not have not scheduled a conference time, you are still encouraged to drop in for a visit with any/all of your sixth grader’s teachers.

Times for drop in (unscheduled) 6th Grade conferences are:

Tuesday, November 1            2:30-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 3              4:00-6:10

We will be in scheduled conference meetings at all other times.

If you have questions about the schedule please contact me.

There will be an early dismissal on Tuesday, November 1 at 1:30 p.m.

There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, November 4th.

6th Grade Conference Information

To the Families of Sixth Grade Students:

The sixth grade teachers are doing a combination of scheduled and unscheduled conferences this quarter.  If your child’s teachers would like to meet with you at a set time, you will have a note that tells you when your conference is scheduled attached to this note.   If you do not have not scheduled a conference time, you are still encouraged to drop in for a visit with any/all of your sixth grader’s teachers. The Special Education and Fine Arts teachers will also be available for you to visit with. Report cards will be available in the office on conference days.

Times for drop in (unscheduled) 6^th Grade conferences are:

Tuesday, November 1            2:30-6:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 3              4:00-6:10

The sixth grade teachers will be in scheduled conference meetings at all other times.

                                   There will be an early dismissal on Tuesday, November 1 at 1:30 p.m.

There will be NO SCHOOL on Friday, November 4^th.

Johnson's Journal October 10, 2011

Just a reminder that the Family Math Night has been rescheduled to Thursday, October 20^th  from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  I hope to see you that evening.  You will have the opportunity to learn several of our favorite math games.  Please visit several classrooms and play a variety of games throughout the evening.  You will be able to take home the directions for all the games so your family can enjoy them at home.  These games provide the opportunity for your student to develop their math skills, but more importantly, they offer you and your student quality time together.   Too often, I see students who can’t enjoy the company of others as they play a game, and they lack the attention span to stick with the game.  These games will provide a nice alternative to video games!  Students may register for a door prize in their homeroom.  The drawing for the door prize will take place Friday morning.  Only students who attend Math Night are eligible for the prize. 

This week in math we will be working on solving algebraic equations; your sixth grader has been assigned a problem solving challenge dealing with mean, median and mode which is due on Friday.  I encourage you to look at their work.  Point out what they have done well and help them clarify any parts that are not clear or accurate.

We are in the midst of a science unit focusing on cells as the building block of all living things.  We have talked about cell parts and their function, cell division, and how mitosis produces body cells and meiosis produces reproductive cells.  These reproductive cells have only half the chromosomes of body cells but for a good reason….when these cells join and form a new organism, the organism gets half of its chromosomes from the male and half from the female.  It has led to interesting discussion as we talk about which of our traits and characteristics came from our dad and which came from our mom!  We have also enjoyed several YouTube raps about cell theory and cell parts...it’s amazing what you can find on YouTube!!

There is an early dismissal for staff development on Wednesday this week, and picture re-takes will be on Friday.

Look for information about Parent Teacher Conferences coming soon.  It’s hard to believe the end of the first quarter will soon be upon us. 

I’d like to close with this quote I saw on a tee shirt today…

                “The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is a little extra.”