TWIS 3/24-3/28

Parents,

   Welcome back to school!  I am excited to get going again- especially now that the snow is mostly gone and the sun is shining- it's going to be a great week!  So here's This Week in Switzer:

Tomorrow- All the 6th graders in the district are taking a field trip to Gallagher Bluedorn to watch the play, My Heart in a Suitcase.  We'll leave around noon and be back around 2 pm.

Literature- This week we'll cover point of view and how to figure out the point of view in a text.  We'll take a CFA over this skill at the end of the week.  Next week, we'll be taking the Iowa Assessments in the morning during this time.

DEAR- With the new trimester, comes a renewed look at our independent read time.  We'll set reading goals, check our reading levels, and continue challenging our thinking during this sacred time.

WIN- New WIN groups for Monday will continue to work on math concepts and extended our thinking skills.

Math- We are finishing up Topic 12, and will take the Benchmark 3 post-test.

Social Studies- Students are beginning Chapter 7 in the Social Studies book.

Science- Students are finishing up their packet on Astronomy before moving into the final unit of the year.

Writing- We need to wrap up our Doggy World articles, including getting YOUR HELP in editing and writing, then publishing those articles into a GIANT e-Book.  We've never attempted an e-book before, so there will be plenty of learning going on!  Students are also expected to work on their Graphic Novel they have been working on with UNI pre-service teachers.

    Finally, The Heine family welcomed baby boy Eli into their home on March 14th.  We wish them the best as Mrs. Heine remains home for the rest of the school year.  Mrs. Anderson will take over as a Guest Teacher for Mrs. Heine- please get a hold of me if you have any questions or concerns pertaining to Science or Math, and I can pass those along to Mrs. Anderson. 

   I will be out of town Thursday through Sunday this week, but will continue to check email.  Ms. Patterson will be my guest teacher Thursday and Friday.  Have a great week!

--

Matthew Switzer
6th grade teacher
Lincoln Elementary

TWIS 3/10-3/12

Parents,

  Welcome to Student-led conference week!  A reminder that conferences take place Monday and Tuesday evening, and Thursday afternoon.  Your student is expected to attend and lead their conference.  We have been working hard on our data notebooks/ portfolios, and are proud to defend our learning to you!

   It's a short week before an extended Spring Break, but I want to urge you to ask your student to finish the week well.  We have plenty to do still- with that said, here's This Week in Switzer:

Literature/ Reading- We finished the novels, Number the Stars and the UNI PDS pre-service teacher assigned novels.  It was a tremendous amount of work, and I am VERY proud of our devotion to the reading.  We had some great discussions about themes and characters in these books.  This week, we'll be finishing up our research writing, and maybe throw in a Genius Hour if we can find time.

DEAR- We are still working on our portfolios and helping other grade levels build data notebooks!  6th Grade is a pioneer in our school when it comes to student-led conferences, and other students are asking us to teach them how to do a student-led conference!  How fun is that?  AND it allows us to be proactive and synergize with other grade levels.  It's a WIN-WIN all around!

WIN- Our Math Bee teams competed last week at AEA267- while we didn't finish in the top 10, we had a blast and felt really good about the tests.  Plus, Mrs. Beving bought us lunch at Pizza Ranch afterwards!  Yay!

Math- We are finishing up Topic 12, and will look at taking the Benchmark 3 test after Spring Break.  We also finished creating ThingLinks over geometric terms- it was a big project, but I can see from the finished products that students have a great grasp on the terms.  Plus, I LOVED their "How to use a Protractor" videos.  Check them out! (CLICK HERE)

Social Studies- Students took a test over Chapter 5 last Friday and will review their tests this week.  Ask them how they did- many students indicated to me that the test was, "easy!"  That's thanks to your devotion in helping your student study.

Science- We are looking at the Solar System and how the Universe operates (in general terms).

Writing- Parents, your student really needs your help here- this week we are trying to tie up our loose ends in a Doggy World Article research project over a particular dog breed.  Your student may ask you to help proofread their writing- this is an excellent way to be a part of their learning!  They may also ask for someone else to help- we hate to turn away assistance!  Our goal is to finish up this week, but I am afraid that the final product may need to be pushed back until after Spring Break.  We'll keep trying though!  Make sure to check Lincoln6.com to find out all you can about the Doggy World Article (under the red "Writing/ Blog" button).

Thanks for sending your kids to me everyday!  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns-

--

Matthew Switzer
6th grade teacher
Lincoln Elementary