I hated to break the hearts of all my 6-2 Science students on Friday, but I had to postpone their test until Monday due to some glitches in the schedule.
Congratulations to the 6-1 Science students for your wonderful work on the test Friday. I have just finished checking and grading the tests and there we lots and lots of strong performances...way to go!
Hopefully, many of my math students started to prepare for the math test over the weekend. That test is scheduled for Tuesday. We will review in class on Monday. They all have a study guide with a pink cover; the study guide gives suggestions for preparing for a math test and explains how the students can earn extra credit points on the test.
With the math test out of the week, we can spend a couple of days before break working on the problem solving skill of interpreting remainders. In Social Studies, we will be working on a play about the life of Nelson Mandela, the great civil rights leader in South Africa who recently passed away.
On Friday, we will enjoy a movie. The kids may bring a snack and a beverage to enjoy.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday season. Enjoy the time you get to spend relaxing with your family. Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Johnson's Journal December 10, 2013
Just wanted to let all you of you know that the sixth graders are scheduled for a science test on Friday of this week. Tomorrow (Wednesday) in class we will go through our materials and highlight the things that need to be studied for the test. Your child should be bringing that home (Wednesday) so they can start studying. We will review in class on Thursday and with a bit of extra work Thursday night, they should be ready to excel on the test on Friday!
For the science test, it is very important that they be able to identify the characteristics of organisms in a particular kingdom. For example, if you say "These organisms make their own food," they should be able to respond, "Plantae." If you say, "These organisms have no nucleus," their response would be "Monera." All these characteristics are in the booklet, "Characteristics of Living Things" which we made and also in their blue science packet. They do not have to be able to list the characteristics, just associate a certain phrase with the corresponding kingdom.
Once we tackle the science test on Friday, look for a math study guide. The students will work on the study guide with a partner on Friday; we will check it and go over it on class on Monday, and the test will be Tuesday. The study guide gives suggestions for preparing for a math test and provides the opportunity for extra credit points on the test. All that will be in your child's math folder on Friday.
Now....cross your fingers and hope that nasty weather doesn't force a change in any of these plans!!!
For the science test, it is very important that they be able to identify the characteristics of organisms in a particular kingdom. For example, if you say "These organisms make their own food," they should be able to respond, "Plantae." If you say, "These organisms have no nucleus," their response would be "Monera." All these characteristics are in the booklet, "Characteristics of Living Things" which we made and also in their blue science packet. They do not have to be able to list the characteristics, just associate a certain phrase with the corresponding kingdom.
Once we tackle the science test on Friday, look for a math study guide. The students will work on the study guide with a partner on Friday; we will check it and go over it on class on Monday, and the test will be Tuesday. The study guide gives suggestions for preparing for a math test and provides the opportunity for extra credit points on the test. All that will be in your child's math folder on Friday.
Now....cross your fingers and hope that nasty weather doesn't force a change in any of these plans!!!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Johnson's Journal December 4, 2013
Just a note to let you know that Mrs. Suntken and I mailed out midterm grade reports tonight (Wednesday). If you do not receive a report by Friday, please let us know. These reports were generated Monday at 4:00. If your child turned in work after that time, it will not show up on the midterm report but has been recorded in the Campus gradebook. Your must current information is always available there.
We talked to the sixth graders about their grades today. All those students who are doing well were encouraged to keep up their good work. We also wanted to make sure any student (and their parents) who is not doing well is aware of their standing at this point and can then take steps to improve their performance before grades come out later in January. If you have questions or concerns, please be sure to contact us.
We have taken a break from all the computation we have been doing recently in math. I have a resource book called Coordinate Graphing: Creating Geometry Quilts. By following the directions given and graphing the ordered pairs the students create a quilt block. They are so excited by their creations as you never know what your quilt block is going to look like until it is done! The kids are begging to do more during study hall and are taking home the directions to make more quilts there. Since this project has proved to be so popular, I have told them I will try to find similar activities! Little do they know that they are developing graphing and geometry skills, as well as learning about positive and negative integers!!
Our science lessons have focused on classifying living things. Did you know that all living things can be classified as either animalia, plante, fungi, protista, or monera? Your sixth grader does and knows the characteristics of each kingdom. Also ask them if they know anything about kings playing chess on funny green stools (or Katie Perry's cat ordering funny green spaghetti). These catchy sayings help us remember the subdivisions of a kingdom. Tomorrow we will begin a project in which we determine what kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species we belong to. When we are done with our research we will compile the information into a booklet called, What Am I?
As you can see, sixth graders are busy learning all kinds of new things. I so appreciate the enthusiasm they bring to school each day. I have a super job working with super kids!
We talked to the sixth graders about their grades today. All those students who are doing well were encouraged to keep up their good work. We also wanted to make sure any student (and their parents) who is not doing well is aware of their standing at this point and can then take steps to improve their performance before grades come out later in January. If you have questions or concerns, please be sure to contact us.
We have taken a break from all the computation we have been doing recently in math. I have a resource book called Coordinate Graphing: Creating Geometry Quilts. By following the directions given and graphing the ordered pairs the students create a quilt block. They are so excited by their creations as you never know what your quilt block is going to look like until it is done! The kids are begging to do more during study hall and are taking home the directions to make more quilts there. Since this project has proved to be so popular, I have told them I will try to find similar activities! Little do they know that they are developing graphing and geometry skills, as well as learning about positive and negative integers!!Our science lessons have focused on classifying living things. Did you know that all living things can be classified as either animalia, plante, fungi, protista, or monera? Your sixth grader does and knows the characteristics of each kingdom. Also ask them if they know anything about kings playing chess on funny green stools (or Katie Perry's cat ordering funny green spaghetti). These catchy sayings help us remember the subdivisions of a kingdom. Tomorrow we will begin a project in which we determine what kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species we belong to. When we are done with our research we will compile the information into a booklet called, What Am I?
As you can see, sixth graders are busy learning all kinds of new things. I so appreciate the enthusiasm they bring to school each day. I have a super job working with super kids!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Johnson's Journal November 19, 2013
This past week, we have focused on computing with decimals in math. We worked with adding, subtracting, and multiplying and then applied our skills to several problem solving assignments. This week we will focus on dividing with decimals. I feel confident that the sixth graders understand how to do the computations, but careless errors have been an issue. These careless errors have definitely impacted the grades students earned on their assignments. We also talked about the importance of not letting work go until the last minute and finishing strong on assignments.
Several students have talked to me about their need for more practice to in order to build their confidence and others have asked me how they could improve their grades. On Tuesday, I will give each student a copy of their grade report to give them an idea of their current standing in math. Those students who would like to do an extra credit assignment which would boost their grade will be invited to meet with me at noon. We will do a quick review before I give them the extra credit assignment which will be due on Friday. These extra points will be figured into their grade before mid-term reports are mailed out after Thanksgiving break.
Please remember you can track your student's progress on Campus. If you have any questions about your child's progress please be sure to contact me.
Several students have talked to me about their need for more practice to in order to build their confidence and others have asked me how they could improve their grades. On Tuesday, I will give each student a copy of their grade report to give them an idea of their current standing in math. Those students who would like to do an extra credit assignment which would boost their grade will be invited to meet with me at noon. We will do a quick review before I give them the extra credit assignment which will be due on Friday. These extra points will be figured into their grade before mid-term reports are mailed out after Thanksgiving break.
Please remember you can track your student's progress on Campus. If you have any questions about your child's progress please be sure to contact me.
Monday, November 11, 2013
Johnson's Journal November 11, 2013
The students in Mrs.Suntken's homeroom have earned the right to bring a snack tomorrow (Tuesday) to eat during math class. Congratulations!
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Johnson's Journal November 10, 2013
I have just finished reading all the dialogues your sixth graders wrote about life at Border Cave. I didn't realize there were so many talented, creative writers in this class! They were a pleasure to read and showed that the students have a good understanding of what life was like 70,000 years ago at Border Cave. One set of dialogues was compiled into a book for all to enjoy in the classroom, and the other set was copied so that each sixth grader and their family can have a set of the dialogues to enjoy at home.
I have asked the sixth graders to put their writing talents to use again. This time they are writing an essay about how technology has changed from the Old Stone Age to 2013. Your child should be asking you to help in the edit and revising process tomorrow (Monday). Final copies are to be typed or written in cursive using blue or black ink. Due dates are Tuesday for 6-2 and Wednesday for 6-1 (I hope I didn't switch those dates around!!)
Our math work this week will continue to focus on adding, subtracting and multiplying with decimals. A problem solving assignment will be given on Monday which is due on Thursday. Tuesday we will be focusing on making corrections to a multiplication assignment. Wednesday's assignment requires the students to apply the skills they've learned about multiplying with decimals to story problems. Thursday and Friday we will focus on assignments where all three operations will appear on the same assignment. This gets a bit dicey since there are different rules for setting up addition and subtraction problems than multiplication problems and then you have to think about which rule should be used for placing the decimal point in the answer. I am confident the sixth graders can handle the challenge!
Just a reminder that there will be no classes next Monday due to teacher inservice!
I have asked the sixth graders to put their writing talents to use again. This time they are writing an essay about how technology has changed from the Old Stone Age to 2013. Your child should be asking you to help in the edit and revising process tomorrow (Monday). Final copies are to be typed or written in cursive using blue or black ink. Due dates are Tuesday for 6-2 and Wednesday for 6-1 (I hope I didn't switch those dates around!!)
Our math work this week will continue to focus on adding, subtracting and multiplying with decimals. A problem solving assignment will be given on Monday which is due on Thursday. Tuesday we will be focusing on making corrections to a multiplication assignment. Wednesday's assignment requires the students to apply the skills they've learned about multiplying with decimals to story problems. Thursday and Friday we will focus on assignments where all three operations will appear on the same assignment. This gets a bit dicey since there are different rules for setting up addition and subtraction problems than multiplication problems and then you have to think about which rule should be used for placing the decimal point in the answer. I am confident the sixth graders can handle the challenge!
Just a reminder that there will be no classes next Monday due to teacher inservice!
Friday, November 1, 2013
Johnson's Journal November 1, 2013
It's hard to believe that October is already behind us. Once again, the sixth graders reached their goal of earning 1700 Dojos as a class and as a reward they have chosen to Silly String me and Mrs. Suntken on Tuesday. We will each provide one can of Silly String but have consented to the kids can bringing in their own can if they want to add to the mess. The things we will agree to encourage positive behavior! They also chose their individual prizes that they earned today.
On Monday, we will spend the math period reviewing decimal concepts such as comparing and ordering, rounding, and estimating answers. They will then be assigned a take home quiz which is due Tuesday. The rest of the week we will work with computing with decimals. We will start with adding and subtracting and move on to multiplication by Thursday. There will be an assignment each night this week. Check planners for the specific assignment. These concepts are not hard but carelessness could be an issue!
I am very excited to read the final dialogues crafted by the sixth graders demonstrating their understanding of what life was like at Border Cave during the Old Stone Age. We will publish two--one will be a handwritten copy done in ink and finished off with an illustration (due Tuesday) and one will be done on the word processor. Both sets will be published and bound as books for all to enjoy!
Don't forget that picture retakes are on Tuesday. If your child did not have his/her picture taken in October they need to have a picture taken so they will be included on the class composite. If your child's first pictures didn't turn out well and you want to have them retaken, please be sure to send the original package with your child on Monday. Also, be sure to have them remind me that they need to have their picture taken!
Have an enjoyable weekend!
On Monday, we will spend the math period reviewing decimal concepts such as comparing and ordering, rounding, and estimating answers. They will then be assigned a take home quiz which is due Tuesday. The rest of the week we will work with computing with decimals. We will start with adding and subtracting and move on to multiplication by Thursday. There will be an assignment each night this week. Check planners for the specific assignment. These concepts are not hard but carelessness could be an issue!
I am very excited to read the final dialogues crafted by the sixth graders demonstrating their understanding of what life was like at Border Cave during the Old Stone Age. We will publish two--one will be a handwritten copy done in ink and finished off with an illustration (due Tuesday) and one will be done on the word processor. Both sets will be published and bound as books for all to enjoy!
Don't forget that picture retakes are on Tuesday. If your child did not have his/her picture taken in October they need to have a picture taken so they will be included on the class composite. If your child's first pictures didn't turn out well and you want to have them retaken, please be sure to send the original package with your child on Monday. Also, be sure to have them remind me that they need to have their picture taken!
Have an enjoyable weekend!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Johnson's Journal October 30
In Social Studies, the sixth graders have been working hard on creating dialogues in which they are applying skills taught in language arts and demonstrating an understanding of what life was like at Border Cave. They are off to a great start but now need a bit of help from you. They have written four dialogues and are now ready to have their work edited and make any revisions necessary to improve their work. Would you please look over the dialogues your child has written and help them with this process by Friday? Evidence of editing and revisions will result in extra points on your student's final grade for this project. On Friday, we will be ready to start our final drafts which will be published so I am looking for high quality work. Thanks for your help in this process!
Monday, October 28, 2013
Johnson's Journal October 28, 2013
Happy Halloween to all of you!
Just a reminder that the sixth graders will celebrate Halloween on Thursday with a movie. They may bring a snack and a beverage to enjoy during the movie if they desire. The kids all know what size beverage is acceptable to Mrs. Suntken and me! They do not dress up or wear make-up for the day or participate in the parade.
Just a reminder that the sixth graders will celebrate Halloween on Thursday with a movie. They may bring a snack and a beverage to enjoy during the movie if they desire. The kids all know what size beverage is acceptable to Mrs. Suntken and me! They do not dress up or wear make-up for the day or participate in the parade.
Friday, October 18, 2013
Johnson's Journal October 18, 2013
This weeks brings MAP testing to sixth grade. This is a test that all students at Jacobson take. The information from this test enables me to see the strengths of your learner, skills that he/she is ready to learn, and areas where further work is needed. This is an online test; the sixth graders will take their Language Arts test Monday, the math test on Tuesday, and the reading test will be taken on Thursday. Each test takes about an hour. As with any task, students are encouraged to give their best effort as the information from this test is valuable when planning instruction.
Our new math unit focuses on decimals. We will work with decimal concepts such as place value, comparing and ordering, and rounding this week. We will then move into computing with decimals. Being on top of basic addition and subtraction facts, as well as multiplication and division facts is a must in this unit!
We wrapped up our cells and heredity unit last week, and will switch gears and begin a social studies unit this week. Sixth grade social studies focuses on world history, and the first unit finds us looking at early man and the technology he developed. I look forward to lots of interesting conversations as we discuss what technology is and how it has changed over the years. By the end of the week, we will be diving in to a writing project in which the sixth graders will be applying the skills Mrs. Suntken has taught them about writing dialogue and demonstrating an understanding of what life would have been like more than 40,000 years ago at Border Cave. Your child will be asking you for help editing and revising his/her work by the end of the week. I hope you enjoy what your learner has written! I am looking forward to seeing what they create!
I would like to encourage you to regularly check your student's Take Home folder. Unfortunately, there are quite a few kids who seem to be competing to see who can collect the most papers in their folder. Take a look at your child's work. Are you pleased with the quality of the work they are doing? If so, encourage them to keep up the good work! By checking the work that they have completed and that has been checked and/or graded, you will have a clear picture of your child's progress. The Campus gradebook gives you part of the picture, but I think you will have an even clearer picture by looking at all the work they have completed. If you see something you have questions about, please contact me if your student can't answer your questions. If your child knows you are interested in their work and their progress, they will be more motivated to give their best effort! Thanks for being a partner in your child's education!!!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Johnsons Journal October 13, 2013
Thank you to all of you who stopped by during conferences last
week. It was good to visit with you and update you on your child's
progress. Report cards with final grades will come out at the end of the
month.
This week the sixth graders will have their first science test, as
well as their first math test. We will review for the science test in
class on Monday, and the test will be on Tuesday. Hopefully, your sixth
grader has asked you to help them review over the weekend. Tuesday the
kids will work on completing their study guide for the math test, we will
review together as a class on Wednesday, and the test will be on Friday
(Remember there is no school on Thursday due to teacher inservice).
There
is an opportunity for your child to earn extra credit points on each test.
On Monday, I will send home a "cartoon" showing Gregor Mendel
sitting in his pea patch. To earn extra credit, your child needs to fill
in the speech balloons with something Mendel might be saying as he worked with
his peas. I'm looking for creativity, as well as knowledge of Mendel's
discoveries. The math study guide includes suggestions on how to study
for a math test. There is a place for you to write and sign a note telling
how your sixth grader prepared for the test. Both extra credit
opportunities need to be turned in with the test. I'm confident the kids
will do well on both tests. We have worked hard in both math and science
this fall!
No school Thursday, October 17th due to teacher inservice
Friday, October 4, 2013
Johnson's Journal October 4, 2013
Dates to Note:
Tuesday, October 8th--Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences 2-6 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9th--Healthiest State Walk 10 a.m.
Thursday, October 10th--Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-8 p.m.
Friday, October 11th--No School
Please remember that conferences at the 5th and 6th grade level are not scheduled. You are encouraged to stop by and have a short conversation with each of your child's teachers. If your child has Mr. Wessels, Mrs. Bock, or Mrs. Ysker as a teacher, they would welcome visiting with you, but you will have to go to the Junior-Senior High Building to see them.
You are also invited to join all of us at Jacobson on Wednesday for the Healthiest State Walk. We will head to Luick Lane, head south to Main Street, and head back to Jacobson on the trail. This walk will begin at 10 a.m.
In the midst of all of this, we will squeeze in a bit of academia! We will be working on algebraic skills and math and will start wrapping up our science unit on cells and genetics. We finish the unit with a project called, "Genetics with a Smile." You will probably hear your sixth grader talking about their smiley face baby! The unit test will come early during the week of October 14th. Stay tuned for an exact date!
After all of that, we will be ready to enjoy a day off on Friday!
Tuesday, October 8th--Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences 2-6 p.m.
Wednesday, October 9th--Healthiest State Walk 10 a.m.
Thursday, October 10th--Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-8 p.m.
Friday, October 11th--No School
Please remember that conferences at the 5th and 6th grade level are not scheduled. You are encouraged to stop by and have a short conversation with each of your child's teachers. If your child has Mr. Wessels, Mrs. Bock, or Mrs. Ysker as a teacher, they would welcome visiting with you, but you will have to go to the Junior-Senior High Building to see them.
You are also invited to join all of us at Jacobson on Wednesday for the Healthiest State Walk. We will head to Luick Lane, head south to Main Street, and head back to Jacobson on the trail. This walk will begin at 10 a.m.
In the midst of all of this, we will squeeze in a bit of academia! We will be working on algebraic skills and math and will start wrapping up our science unit on cells and genetics. We finish the unit with a project called, "Genetics with a Smile." You will probably hear your sixth grader talking about their smiley face baby! The unit test will come early during the week of October 14th. Stay tuned for an exact date!
After all of that, we will be ready to enjoy a day off on Friday!
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Johnson's Journal September 29, 2013
Just happened to notice that I had posted the wrong date for the teacher inservice date later this month. There will be no classes for students on Thursday, October 17th. Sorry for any confusion this may have caused!
Johnson's Journal September 29, 2013
Homecoming 2013 is now history but it was a great week starting with the district wide pep rally on Monday and ending with the parade on Friday! If you have not seen the Homecoming Heroes video starring the BK seniors check it out on the BK Facebook page; it's really neat. Also, thank you to all the students who participated in the dress up days each week. We built school spirit, had fun, and still had a very productive week!
On Tuesday morning, Do-Jo prizes for September will be awarded, and the sixth graders will be choosing their class reward for shattering the goal of earning 1000 Do-Jos as a group during September. I am proud of the way they are all working together. Cooperation and respect are in the air, and the sixth graders are proving to be good role models to the other students in the building. Keep up the good work!
Tuesday we will start the week with another quick review of what we've been doing up to this point in math. I am anxious to try out a new review game, BAZINGA, before assigning the Diagnostic Checkpoint. I feel it is important to keep re-visitng and reviewing skills taught earlier since so much of math builds upon previously taught skills. I often tell their kids their brains are like computers. After they learn something, they need to hit the save button. You cannot hit the delete key after and assignment is finished or at the end of the chapter because you will need to use that skill again. The rest of the week, math will focus on building the skills necessary to solve algebraic equations. We will start with the "lingo" of algebra--translating algebraic phrases into algebraic expressions. By next week, we will be ready to solve algebraic equations.
Science often seems complex and abstract especially when reading about new concepts. That is why we have acted out the process of mitosis and drawn the steps involved in both mitosis and meiosis. My goal is to provide many different ways for students to connect with a concept. Playing the game of Four Corners has also been a fun way to review the differences between these two methods of cell reproduction. This week we will talk about how traits are inherited and the difference between dominant and recessive traits. These lessons usually involve some lively conversations in class, and I hope they come up again at home with you.
Dates to remember:
Monday, September 30---No classes due to teacher inservice
Wednesday, October 2--School pictures
Thursday, October 3--6-1 canoeing trip with Mrs. Kern
Friday, October 4--6-2 canoeing trip with Mrs. Kern
Tuesday, October 8--Parent Teacher Conferences (2-6 p.m.)
Thursday, October 10--Parent Teacher Conferences (4-8 p.m.)
Friday, October 11--No School
Wednesday, October 17--No classes due to teacher inservice
Monday, October 28--No classes due to teacher inservice
On Tuesday morning, Do-Jo prizes for September will be awarded, and the sixth graders will be choosing their class reward for shattering the goal of earning 1000 Do-Jos as a group during September. I am proud of the way they are all working together. Cooperation and respect are in the air, and the sixth graders are proving to be good role models to the other students in the building. Keep up the good work!
Tuesday we will start the week with another quick review of what we've been doing up to this point in math. I am anxious to try out a new review game, BAZINGA, before assigning the Diagnostic Checkpoint. I feel it is important to keep re-visitng and reviewing skills taught earlier since so much of math builds upon previously taught skills. I often tell their kids their brains are like computers. After they learn something, they need to hit the save button. You cannot hit the delete key after and assignment is finished or at the end of the chapter because you will need to use that skill again. The rest of the week, math will focus on building the skills necessary to solve algebraic equations. We will start with the "lingo" of algebra--translating algebraic phrases into algebraic expressions. By next week, we will be ready to solve algebraic equations.
Science often seems complex and abstract especially when reading about new concepts. That is why we have acted out the process of mitosis and drawn the steps involved in both mitosis and meiosis. My goal is to provide many different ways for students to connect with a concept. Playing the game of Four Corners has also been a fun way to review the differences between these two methods of cell reproduction. This week we will talk about how traits are inherited and the difference between dominant and recessive traits. These lessons usually involve some lively conversations in class, and I hope they come up again at home with you.
Dates to remember:
Monday, September 30---No classes due to teacher inservice
Wednesday, October 2--School pictures
Thursday, October 3--6-1 canoeing trip with Mrs. Kern
Friday, October 4--6-2 canoeing trip with Mrs. Kern
Tuesday, October 8--Parent Teacher Conferences (2-6 p.m.)
Thursday, October 10--Parent Teacher Conferences (4-8 p.m.)
Friday, October 11--No School
Wednesday, October 17--No classes due to teacher inservice
Monday, October 28--No classes due to teacher inservice
Friday, September 20, 2013
Johnson's Journal September 20, 2013
We've wrapped up another week and are looking ahead to Homecoming. We will attend the district-wide pep rally on Monday morning and will watch the parade on Friday afternoon. Go Broncos!
It's hard to believe we are already halfway through the first quarter. Mrs. Suntken and I will be preparing mid-term reports and mailing them out by the middle of the week. If you have not been checking Campus regularly, this will let you know your child's standing as of this point. Many of you will be pleased by what your student has accomplished this far, and you can encourage them to keep up the good work! A few students need some encouragement to step up to the plate and put forth more effort. With conferences coming before the end of the quarter (October 8th and 10th), we can talk about areas where improvement is needed before report cards come out at the end of October.
Since our schedule will be a bit off on Monday because of the pep rally, it will be a good day to work with small groups of math students who need a bit of extra practice on specific skills, such as estimation strategies and exponents. Ask your sixth grader about Aunt Sally and how she was part of our math lesson on order of operations on Friday. She will make a return visit on Tuesday as we work more with the skill. The rest of the week we will be working with properties of operations. These lessons are building pre-algebra concepts your child will be using as they advance in their math career.
By now I hope you have heard about the edible cell project which is due on Tuesday, September 24th. I have been impressed by the planning the kids have been doing for this project. They have lots of good ideas; hopefully, all you will have to do is provide a bit of support in helping them round up the supplies they need. In science our lessons this week will focus on how cells reproduce. We do talk about sperm cells and egg cells joining together to form a new life. Our discussion in class does not go into any more detail than that. The discussion may raise questions about exactly how that happens if you have not had "the talk" with your child yet. I will let you decide what conversations you feel are appropriate for your child at this time. The focus of these lessons is not reproduction but how we get half of our traits from our mother and half from our father. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
I am not sure how helpful it is to include assignments for the whole week in this blog post as the best laid plans often change. I will always try to include due dates for big projects and upcoming tests in my Friday blog and will update my blog during the week with "big" assignments or projects. However, I think the best way to see exactly what is due each day is to check your child's planner. This also puts the responsibility on your child to get the assignments in the planner and get the planner home. If there are ever questions, though, give me a call.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Ruth Johnson
It's hard to believe we are already halfway through the first quarter. Mrs. Suntken and I will be preparing mid-term reports and mailing them out by the middle of the week. If you have not been checking Campus regularly, this will let you know your child's standing as of this point. Many of you will be pleased by what your student has accomplished this far, and you can encourage them to keep up the good work! A few students need some encouragement to step up to the plate and put forth more effort. With conferences coming before the end of the quarter (October 8th and 10th), we can talk about areas where improvement is needed before report cards come out at the end of October.
Since our schedule will be a bit off on Monday because of the pep rally, it will be a good day to work with small groups of math students who need a bit of extra practice on specific skills, such as estimation strategies and exponents. Ask your sixth grader about Aunt Sally and how she was part of our math lesson on order of operations on Friday. She will make a return visit on Tuesday as we work more with the skill. The rest of the week we will be working with properties of operations. These lessons are building pre-algebra concepts your child will be using as they advance in their math career.
By now I hope you have heard about the edible cell project which is due on Tuesday, September 24th. I have been impressed by the planning the kids have been doing for this project. They have lots of good ideas; hopefully, all you will have to do is provide a bit of support in helping them round up the supplies they need. In science our lessons this week will focus on how cells reproduce. We do talk about sperm cells and egg cells joining together to form a new life. Our discussion in class does not go into any more detail than that. The discussion may raise questions about exactly how that happens if you have not had "the talk" with your child yet. I will let you decide what conversations you feel are appropriate for your child at this time. The focus of these lessons is not reproduction but how we get half of our traits from our mother and half from our father. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
I am not sure how helpful it is to include assignments for the whole week in this blog post as the best laid plans often change. I will always try to include due dates for big projects and upcoming tests in my Friday blog and will update my blog during the week with "big" assignments or projects. However, I think the best way to see exactly what is due each day is to check your child's planner. This also puts the responsibility on your child to get the assignments in the planner and get the planner home. If there are ever questions, though, give me a call.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Ruth Johnson
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Johnson's Journal September 19, 2013
All the sixth graders received the directions for the Edible Cell project today in class. Look for the pink sheet that outlines the directions in your child's science folder. The project is due Tuesday, September 24th. The kids know that they can bring their project in first thing Tuesday morning. They will not need a pass; supervisors will know that the sixth graders will be bringing projects. We also discussed how this is a project that needs to be worked on over several days. I suggested starting with the key. Leaving everything til Monday night could be very stressful (for both parent and child)!
If an edible cell isn't your thing, your child has the option of creating a poster. The directions for the poster are also outlined on the pink sheet.
I want to thank you in advance for working with your child on this project. This is one of those projects that truly requires your support. I hope this is a positive learning experience for both you and your sixth grader. If you have questions, please be sure to contact me.
Ruth Johnson
If an edible cell isn't your thing, your child has the option of creating a poster. The directions for the poster are also outlined on the pink sheet.
I want to thank you in advance for working with your child on this project. This is one of those projects that truly requires your support. I hope this is a positive learning experience for both you and your sixth grader. If you have questions, please be sure to contact me.
Ruth Johnson
Friday, September 13, 2013
Johnson's Journal September 13, 2013
I hope Friday the 13th was a good day for all of you. It was another busy week in sixth grade. In math, we worked with estimation strategies to use to estimate sums and differences and got our toes wet today with two new strategies to be used when finding estimated products and differences. We will continue to work on these strategies into the coming week. A game of Jeopardy on Tuesday will help prepare us for a quiz on Wednesday. On Thursday, we will do a Diagnostic Checkpoint to check for understanding on the concepts we've been working on since school started. We're aiming for a score of 80% or better which indicates mastery of the skills; students who do not reach that level will receive extra instruction to help bring them up to mastery. By the end of the week, we should be ready to meet Aunt Sally and a tackle a series of lessons on order of operations.
Today, I introduced the Create a State project which will be the culminating activity in our maps skills unit. The sixth graders will have time to work on the project in class on Monday, and the map is due on Tuesday. Just a reminder to the 6-1 students that their Shieldlandia project is due on Monday! Since DGP (Daily Geography Practice) is now due on Thursday instead of Friday, several students asked that they get their DGP on Friday so they could have it over the weekend. Your sixth grader was assigned their DGP today, and it is due on Thursday, September 19th.
Since we are wrapping up our first Social Studies unit on Monday, we will begin a Science unit on Tuesday. The focus of thefirst chapter in Science is cells which are the building blocks of a living things and will move into genetics later on. Cell Theory will be introduced Tuesday, and the rest of the week we will be focusing on learning about the parts (organelles) of plant and animals cells. On Thursday, I will go over the Edible Cell Project which will be due Wednesday, September 25th. Look for directions for the project on Thursday evening. This is a project that takes a bit of support from you parents. Thank you in advance for your help with this project.
Tenative Assignments for the Coming Week
Monday
Math--Estimation strategies for multiplication and division Assignment: P1-6
Social Studies--Shieldlandia Project due for 6-1
Finish Create a State Project (due Tuesday)
Tuesday
Math --Review estimation strategies No assignment
Science--Introduction to cell theory No assignment
Wednesday
Math--Quiz over estimation strategies
Science--Parts of a cell Assignment: Finish packet page 1
Thursday
Math--Diagnostic Checkpoint
Science--Edible Cell Project to be assigned (due the following Wednesday)
Assignment: Packet page 2
Social Studies--DGP due
Friday
Math--Order of Operations No assignment
Science--Parts of a cell Assignment: Packet page 3
Today, I introduced the Create a State project which will be the culminating activity in our maps skills unit. The sixth graders will have time to work on the project in class on Monday, and the map is due on Tuesday. Just a reminder to the 6-1 students that their Shieldlandia project is due on Monday! Since DGP (Daily Geography Practice) is now due on Thursday instead of Friday, several students asked that they get their DGP on Friday so they could have it over the weekend. Your sixth grader was assigned their DGP today, and it is due on Thursday, September 19th.
Since we are wrapping up our first Social Studies unit on Monday, we will begin a Science unit on Tuesday. The focus of thefirst chapter in Science is cells which are the building blocks of a living things and will move into genetics later on. Cell Theory will be introduced Tuesday, and the rest of the week we will be focusing on learning about the parts (organelles) of plant and animals cells. On Thursday, I will go over the Edible Cell Project which will be due Wednesday, September 25th. Look for directions for the project on Thursday evening. This is a project that takes a bit of support from you parents. Thank you in advance for your help with this project.
Tenative Assignments for the Coming Week
Monday
Math--Estimation strategies for multiplication and division Assignment: P1-6
Social Studies--Shieldlandia Project due for 6-1
Finish Create a State Project (due Tuesday)
Tuesday
Math --Review estimation strategies No assignment
Science--Introduction to cell theory No assignment
Wednesday
Math--Quiz over estimation strategies
Science--Parts of a cell Assignment: Finish packet page 1
Thursday
Math--Diagnostic Checkpoint
Science--Edible Cell Project to be assigned (due the following Wednesday)
Assignment: Packet page 2
Social Studies--DGP due
Friday
Math--Order of Operations No assignment
Science--Parts of a cell Assignment: Packet page 3
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Johnson's Journal September 10, 2013
My RTI math group (6 Johnson people) has been introduced to the concept of integers. Integers are whole numbers and their opposites..6, -6, 4, -4, etc. Your sixth grader should know that zero is not a whole number and, therefore, is not an integer. To help the kids become better acquainted with the concept we used a PBS website game. They enjoyed the game and asked me to post the website so they could play it at home. The URL is as follows:
Hope you enjoy it!
Ruth Johnson
Friday, September 6, 2013
Johnson's Journal Friday, September 6, 2013
This has been a busy week, and I hope everyone is looking forward to a restful weekend. When we get back on Monday, we will be reviewing the concepts taught in math--place value, exponents, comparing numbers, and rounding numbers--in preparation for a quiz on Tuesday. We will spend the rest of the week working with various estimation strategies. There are many "rules" to learn and the rules for estimating sums and differences are different than the rules used when estimating products and quotients so your sixth grader will need to be on his/her toes! They will also be assigned a problem solving worksheet which is due Thursday. I have decided to move the due date up to Thursday for purely selfish reasons--fewer papers for me to check over the weekend!! DGPs will also be due on Thursday. We will alternate between problem solving and DGP; this week there is problem solving, next week there will be DGP.
In Social Studies we will be taking a closer look at different types of maps and deciding which maps works best to answer different types of questions. We will then apply all we have learned about maps to create our own maps.
Assignments for the week:
Monday
Math--Domino Place Value Social Studies--NA
Tuesday
Math--Quiz NA Social Studies --NA
Wednesday
Math--NA Social Studies--Design Shieldlandia Map (due Friday)
Thursday
Math--P1-5 Social Studies--Begin working on Create a State Project (due date TBA)
Friday
Math--P1-6 Social Studies--Continue working on Create a State Project
In Social Studies we will be taking a closer look at different types of maps and deciding which maps works best to answer different types of questions. We will then apply all we have learned about maps to create our own maps.
Assignments for the week:
Monday
Math--Domino Place Value Social Studies--NA
Tuesday
Math--Quiz NA Social Studies --NA
Wednesday
Math--NA Social Studies--Design Shieldlandia Map (due Friday)
Thursday
Math--P1-5 Social Studies--Begin working on Create a State Project (due date TBA)
Friday
Math--P1-6 Social Studies--Continue working on Create a State Project
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Johnson's Journal--September 4, 2013
The sixth graders have grasped the concepts of integers nicely. What I have noticed, though, is that the kids are rusty when it comes to their math facts and multiplying two digit numbers by two digit numbers. These are skills that sixth graders need to have down cold. We can spend a bit of time brushing up on those skills, but we have too many new skills to learn in sixth grade to focus on skills that should have been mastered in fourth and fifth grade. We will take our RTI math time this week to drill on multiplication facts, and a time test will be given on Friday to see who has their facts mastered. Mastery is completing 95 or more problems in five minutes.
I am asking that you spend some time with your sixth grader working on flash cards or helping them find an online game or activity to drill on the multiplication facts. Today we went to multiplication.com and worked with the games on that site to get our skills back in shape. I am confident that with a bit of work, we can get those math facts down cold. When your child knows those math facts instantly, the rest of sixth grade math work is so much easier. Thanks for your help.
Just a reminder that you can check on your child's progress via Campus. If you are having troubling accessing your student's grades or need help setting up an account, please contact me, and I will be glad to help you. By keeping abreast of your child's grades throughout the quarter, there will be no nasty surprises when report cards come out, and we can be proactive instead of reactive.
Reminder--Daily Geography Practice (DGP) is due on Friday.
Ruth Johnson
I am asking that you spend some time with your sixth grader working on flash cards or helping them find an online game or activity to drill on the multiplication facts. Today we went to multiplication.com and worked with the games on that site to get our skills back in shape. I am confident that with a bit of work, we can get those math facts down cold. When your child knows those math facts instantly, the rest of sixth grade math work is so much easier. Thanks for your help.
Just a reminder that you can check on your child's progress via Campus. If you are having troubling accessing your student's grades or need help setting up an account, please contact me, and I will be glad to help you. By keeping abreast of your child's grades throughout the quarter, there will be no nasty surprises when report cards come out, and we can be proactive instead of reactive.
Reminder--Daily Geography Practice (DGP) is due on Friday.
Ruth Johnson
Friday, August 30, 2013
Johnson's Journal Friday, August 30, 2013
Whewww! We made it through a full five days of school! I would say your sixth grader has definitely got the schedule down and is settling into the routine of school! I really enjoy working with your student, and I see great potential in each of them. When we come back from Labor Day, Mrs. Suntken and I will both expect our students to use lots of self-control. The sixth graders are Jacobson's role models, and by this point, they should know what the rules are without a lot of reminders. Also, remember that starting on September 3rd students who do not have assignments done will be asked to stay after school. You will be contacted in the morning to make arrangements if it is necessary for your child to stay after school. Hopefully, this will not be an issue for your student.
Here is an outline of what will be covered during the week:
Math
Tuesday--Exponents--Assignment--page 70, Set 1-2 #1-8, 13
Wednesday--Exponents--Assignment--Worksheet P1-2
Thursday--Comparing and Ordering Numbers--Assignment--Worksheet P1-3
Friday--Rounding Numbers--Assignment--Worksheet P1-4
Social Studies
Daily Geography Practice will be assigned on Tuesday. The whole worksheet needs to be completed by Friday.
Tuesday--Latitude and Longitude--No assignment
Wednesday--Latitude and Longitude--Assignment--Packet p. 3
Thursday--Different Types of Maps--No assignment
Friday--Using Different Types of Maps--No assignment
I hope all of you have a safe and relaxing weekend. Hopefully, it will be cooler and recess more pleasant when we return in September!
Ruth Johnson
Here is an outline of what will be covered during the week:
Math
Tuesday--Exponents--Assignment--page 70, Set 1-2 #1-8, 13
Wednesday--Exponents--Assignment--Worksheet P1-2
Thursday--Comparing and Ordering Numbers--Assignment--Worksheet P1-3
Friday--Rounding Numbers--Assignment--Worksheet P1-4
Social Studies
Daily Geography Practice will be assigned on Tuesday. The whole worksheet needs to be completed by Friday.
Tuesday--Latitude and Longitude--No assignment
Wednesday--Latitude and Longitude--Assignment--Packet p. 3
Thursday--Different Types of Maps--No assignment
Friday--Using Different Types of Maps--No assignment
I hope all of you have a safe and relaxing weekend. Hopefully, it will be cooler and recess more pleasant when we return in September!
Ruth Johnson
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Johnson's Journal August 28, 2013
It was another fine day in sixth grade! Just wanted to let you know your sixth grader got a study guide for the continents and oceans quiz today. The quiz will be on Friday. All the kids agreed that identifying the continents and oceans would not be a problem; the challenge will be spelling them correctly. Please quiz them on the spellings of the continents and oceans tonight and tomorrow night.
The sixth graders have a crossword puzzle about the continents and oceans due tomorrow, and problem solving is due Friday. I'm looking to have 100% of the students turn those assignments in on time.
Most have been doing a great job getting assignments in on time, but a few missed deadlines. This week, those students lost recess as a consequence. Next week, students who turn in late work will have to stay after school. I certainly hope I will not have any company next week after school :)
Ruth Johnson
The sixth graders have a crossword puzzle about the continents and oceans due tomorrow, and problem solving is due Friday. I'm looking to have 100% of the students turn those assignments in on time.
Most have been doing a great job getting assignments in on time, but a few missed deadlines. This week, those students lost recess as a consequence. Next week, students who turn in late work will have to stay after school. I certainly hope I will not have any company next week after school :)
Ruth Johnson
Monday, August 26, 2013
August 26, 2013 Johnson's Journal
Here's the first update to the post I made on Friday...
Students in 6J math need to have their all about me posters done tomorrow (Tuesday).
We didn't get as far in 6S so I told those students they could have until Wednesday to complete their posters. They won't have any additional class time to work though; the posters will need to be completed at study hall or at home.
All my sixth grade math students got their problem solving assignment today. It focuses on using a calculator accurately. That assignment is due Friday, August 30th.
Keep cool!
Students in 6J math need to have their all about me posters done tomorrow (Tuesday).
We didn't get as far in 6S so I told those students they could have until Wednesday to complete their posters. They won't have any additional class time to work though; the posters will need to be completed at study hall or at home.
All my sixth grade math students got their problem solving assignment today. It focuses on using a calculator accurately. That assignment is due Friday, August 30th.
Keep cool!
Friday, August 23, 2013
Johnson's Journal August 23, 2013
What an awesome start to the 2013-2014 school year we had this past week. It was good to meet so many of you parents on Wednesday, and we had a great two days in the classroom on Thursday and Friday. We spent much of our time settling into the routines of sixth grade and getting better acquainted. As I said at our Back to School Conferences, please feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns. I cannot help to solve a problem if I am not aware of it.
We will be getting down to work this week in both Math and Social Studies. I will give you an outline of what we will be covering this week and the assignments/quizzes I have planned. Please realize these dates may change. I will try to update you with any changes via this blog, but the best way to know exactly what assignment were given each day is to check your child's planner; the planner will contain the most up to date information.
Math
Monday--The problem solving assignment for the week will be given. It focuses on using calculators accurately. It is due Friday.
Complete your All About Me in Numbers poster. Due Tuesday.
Tuesday--Place Value--No assignment
Wednesday--Place Value--No assignment
Thursday--Place Value---Complete worksheet P-1. You learner also learned to play a new version of Battleship, and I will send home a gameboard and directions so you can play together.
Firday--Problem solving due.
Exponents--No assignment
Social Studies
The sixth graders will be introduced to Daily Geography Practice (DGP) this week. We will work through the first DGP together this week so they will be ready to do next week's independently.
Monday--Map Skills Review--Cardinal directions, Intermediate directions, Relative direction--No assignment
Tuesday--Building a human compass rose
Complete packet page 1--It's All Relative--due Wednesday.
Wednesday--Identifying Continents and Oceans--Students will be given the study guide for Friday's quiz. Students will be expected to identify the world's continents and oceans and spell the names correctly.
Complete Continents and Oceans crossword puzzle--due Thursday.
Thursday--Latitude and Longitude--No assignment
Friday--Continents and Oceans Quiz
We will be getting down to work this week in both Math and Social Studies. I will give you an outline of what we will be covering this week and the assignments/quizzes I have planned. Please realize these dates may change. I will try to update you with any changes via this blog, but the best way to know exactly what assignment were given each day is to check your child's planner; the planner will contain the most up to date information.
Math
Monday--The problem solving assignment for the week will be given. It focuses on using calculators accurately. It is due Friday.
Complete your All About Me in Numbers poster. Due Tuesday.
Tuesday--Place Value--No assignment
Wednesday--Place Value--No assignment
Thursday--Place Value---Complete worksheet P-1. You learner also learned to play a new version of Battleship, and I will send home a gameboard and directions so you can play together.
Firday--Problem solving due.
Exponents--No assignment
Social Studies
The sixth graders will be introduced to Daily Geography Practice (DGP) this week. We will work through the first DGP together this week so they will be ready to do next week's independently.
Monday--Map Skills Review--Cardinal directions, Intermediate directions, Relative direction--No assignment
Tuesday--Building a human compass rose
Complete packet page 1--It's All Relative--due Wednesday.
Wednesday--Identifying Continents and Oceans--Students will be given the study guide for Friday's quiz. Students will be expected to identify the world's continents and oceans and spell the names correctly.
Complete Continents and Oceans crossword puzzle--due Thursday.
Thursday--Latitude and Longitude--No assignment
Friday--Continents and Oceans Quiz
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Welcome to Sixth Grade!
I'm looking forward to working with you and your sixth grader in the coming year. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. My contact information is listed below:
ruth.johnson@bkcsd.org
school number 641-444-4794 Ext. 334
home phone 641-444-4694
I will be using this blog to keep you posted as to happenings in sixth grade. Stop back soon!
Ruth Johnson