TWIS 2/17-2/21

Parents,

   Thanks for a great week last week- I know we're trying to provide a rich and diversified learning experience for your student, and thing like dance marathons and fundraisers help us to do that.  Of course, we have a ton of fun doing stuff like this, too!  Thank you!

   We need to dial it in this week because some important things need to happen before Student-Led Conferences next month.  Here's This Week in Switzer-

Literature- Well, I've thrown the gauntlet down by challenging your student to read a novel for their UNI PDS school teachers (on Tuesday and Thursdays), AND read a novel for my pre-service level 2 teachers from UNI (Number the Stars by Lois Lowry).  I am monitoring both novels to make sure we stay on track.  I've been VERY impressed by your student's dedication in this- let's continue to encourage them!

DEAR- We'll use this time to read and discuss Number the Stars, so we can avoid taking it home at night.

WIN- Switzer's WIN group is working toward our Math Bee competition the first week of March.  I'll most likely assign homework for this group to give them every opportunity to succeed at competition.

Math- We are cruising through Topic 11 covering Geometry and Polygons- easily one of my favorite topics in Math!

Social Studies-  Our students did GREAT overall on their Chapter 4 test- let's carry the momentum through Chapter 5!

Science- Students are wrapping up work on their rubber-band carts.

Writing- We will begin a Mini-Research Monday covering blogging goals and the Gold Star Teaching Award- students will have a week to complete the project.  Also, we begin our major research topic for informational writing- the final piece will have elements of non-fiction that we have been looking at in Literature, Writing, Science, and Social Studies.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again- I truly feel blessed that you send your student to me everyday.  Thank you!

TWIS 2/10-2/14

Parents-

   Welcome to Valentine's Week!  Lots of important things to note, including:

-Raffle Tickets were handed out Friday to go home.

-Our Valentine's Party will be Friday afternoon

-The Dance Marathon will take place Friday after a week of selling 1$ Valentine hearts with all proceeds going to the Iowa City Children's Hospital.  Thanks for considering this worthy cause!

A very busy week, no doubt, punctuated by some great learning opportunities!  Here's This Week in Switzer:

Literature- UNI Lit circles are in full force (students have homework EVERY night with this), we are looking at the features of Non-fiction texts (like Headers, sub-headings, diagrams, DONUT Paragraphs, references, etc.), and our two Level II UNI pre-service teachers will introduce the novel, Number the Stars, at the end of the week.  

DEAR- With so much reading going on, I have been allowing students to take care of some of it during this time.  I keep encouraging them to read their independent reading books as well.

WIN- Now that we are back on a normal WIN schedule, I am in the process of assessing students interested in participating in this year's Math Bee at AEA 267 on March 6th.  More information is to come.

Math- Switzer math is moving from our Theoretical/ Experimental probability games right into Geometry- easily my favorite topic in Math!

Social Studies- 6th graders took a test last week over Chapter 4 in their books- and according to them, it was "EASY!"  That's a tribute to moms and dads that helped their students study this week for those very difficult tests.  Thank you!

Science- Creating Carts powered by rubber bands is the task... figuring out the best design is the conversation.  Go!

Writing- We co-wrote a couple of paragraphs on the History and Rules of a particular Winter Olympic Sport.  I've been duly impressed with writing- now we plan to format the text and add diagrams with labels.  Eventually, all this will come together in a major research project.

Thanks for sending us your student everyday!

--

Matthew Switzer
6th grade teacher
Lincoln Elementary

Mid Week Update

Parents,

   Here are some mid-week updates to be aware of:

-For Wacky Winterfest, 6th graders are asked to donate bags of Tootsie Rolls to raffle off.  As of today, I have one bag donated.  If this interests you, please purchase a bag and give to your student to bring to class.  Also, raffle tickets for the event will go home (to sell) on Friday, February 7th.

-Wacky Winterfest needs parent volunteers to work in rooms for one hour shifts beginning at 4 pm.  I cannot guarantee that you would be assigned to my room- but I do know that the PALS coordinators are going to make that effort.  See below for the open time slots.

-We are having a Dance Marathon on Friday, February 14th.  Students can purchase a paper heart for a dollar from the student council; all proceeds will be donated to the Iowa City Children's Hospital.  Students are encouraged to wear red that day.  Mr. Switzer's class will be dancing from 10:55-11:25.

-February 14th is our Valentine's day party- 6th grade will NOT be handing out Valentine's cards, but we will have an end of the day party.  These people have volunteered to bring supplies for the party:

Treats: Michele M.

Juice Boxes: Tracy M.

Paper Products: Sue M.

We have 24 students in our classroom.

Wacky Winterfest Volunteer Schedule (2+ volunteers per hour):

4-5 pm: Michele M., <VOLUNTEER NEEDED>

5-6 pm: Christopher K., Jonathan T.

6-7 pm: Vic and Mary O.

Have a great week!

--

Matthew Switzer
6th grade teacher
Lincoln Elementary

TWIS 2/3-2/7

Parents,

   Welcome to February!  Here's to hoping the deep freeze of January is behind us as we look forward to spring.  Let me put some things on your radar:

- Holmes Junior High counselors are beginning to schedule 6th graders for next year, and will be visiting our classroom at the end of the week.  

- The Wacky Winterfest is coming up this month and we need 6th grade parents to donate packages of Tootsie Rolls to give away as prizes.  Money earned from the Wacky Winterfest goes to purchase books, iPads, apps, etc., for student use.

- I also need parent volunteers to manage the game in our classroom during the Wacky Winterfest.  Volunteers need only to sign up for a 1 hour rotation- see my previous email from Friday for more information.

- In the next 2-3 months, I'll be looking for community members that would be interested in interviewing 6th graders for our 6th Grade Portfolio Exit Interviews in May. I usually put the feelers out now, but do not schedule anything until April sometime.  Be on the lookout for people that you interact with that might be interested in doing something like this.

Finally, here's This Week in Switzer:

Literature- We are working hard here- reading and learning about Non-fiction text features, and reading through our UNI Literature circle books.  Your student has HOMEWORK every night reading for this- please encourage them to stay on top of it!

DEAR- We are logging and working through our independent reading books.  Students should read 15-20 minutes every night.

WIN- Mr. Switzer's WIN group is working through the CMA, a placement test for math next year in 7th grade.

Math- We are working on probability and odds, and creating games that explore different probabilities compared with "fairness."

Social Studies-  Students are reviewing chapter 4 in their book, and will have a test on Friday.

Science- Students will have journal work and reading to complete in science most days.

Writing- We are refining how we write informational paragraphs and turning them into great DONUT paragraphs.  Ask your student what this means!

Big things are happening in February!  Thanks for sending me your student everyday-

--

Matthew Switzer
6th grade teacher
Lincoln Elementary