We seem to be under another freeze here in CF, so I want to send you some links of things your student can work on this week if we happen to cancel school (a possibility on Monday, for sure). All of these items require a computer with internet access, and all can be done from home. I do expect all of them to be completed by the end of the week.
1) Students need to watch the video and take the quiz HERE. If a student misses a question, the quiz will ask them to try again until they get the right answer. CLICK HERE for quiz. If you'd like to watch the video as well, it is called "Web Search Strategies" by CommonCraft. Click here to view.
2) Students need to finish their MINI-RESEARCH MONDAY paragraphs on Google Drive. They have accessed this document twice last week, and should be able to find it.
3) If their paragraph is complete (I've only had about 13 turned in so far from the ENTIRE 6th grade), they need to FILL OUT THIS SURVEY (CLICK HERE) about their research. The survey lets me know, among other things, that students are ready for me to rubric their paragraphs.
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Some students have finished their paragraphs, but should double check the document/ their email for their rubric score. As always in writing, students should make corrections and fixes so I can adjust their rubric score- even if they think they are done, ask to read their paragraph and rubric!
4) Students need to make sure they are caught up in their reading for the UNI pre-service teachers on Tuesday!
Here's This Week in Switzer:
Guidance- We are wrapping our conversations with Alcohol and substance abuse. The guidance team is also coming in Monday afternoon to talk about the Take Charge of Your Body curriculum (unless you've opted your student out of this in writing in accordance with the email Lincoln sent out a few weeks ago).
Literature- We have some make-up to do here, especially since we were unable to meet with our UNI pre-service teachers. Students have a bunch of pages to read and be prepared to talk about on Tuesday.
DEAR- I sent home a Blackhawks Hockey reading record sheet in action planners on Friday- students should record the number of minutes they read each night (weekends included) for a chance to earn tickets to a Blackhawks hockey game. The form can stay home until the end of the 5 weeks.
WIN- Eligible 6th graders will be taking the CMA for advanced math placement as 7th graders next year. Students that are eligible were sent letters from Holmes Junior High last week- if you did not receive a letter, and you think this is in error, contact me immediately. Only about a fourth of the 6th grade is eligible to take the 80+ question math test.
Math- We are cruising through integers and coordinate graphing, and have started looking at combinations and permutations. Our goal is to figure out how lottery/ contests/ drawings/ giveaways calculate odds of winning, and to evaluate games of chance.
Social Studies- We are continuing through Chapter 4 dealing with the reconstruction of the United States post-Civil War.
Science- Ask your student about how they are building a "Humdinger."
Writing- As I noted above, we're working on research techniques, identifying reliable online information, and creating informative paragraphs (I call them DONUT paragraphs). We've also moved up a level in blogging- we are commenting on classrooms around the district to help other students improve their thinking and writing! In the next two months, we'll begin expanding our classroom to schools around North America, and eventually the world!
Lots going on this week~ remember to stay warm and ask your student about what they are creating at school. Even though 6th graders tend to act like they don't do much, they really care when you take a vested interest in their development. Thanks for all your support!
One final note- soon, I'll begin looking for community volunteers to participate in our "6th Grade Exit Interviews" to take place in late April. Keep your eyes peeled!
Matthew Switzer
6th grade teacher
Lincoln Elementary
6th grade teacher
Lincoln Elementary
