5/10-5/13

As you noticed if you checked your child's agenda, we are making up math assessments that we didn't take before the Milestones.  All of the math material has been taught and is being reviewed and assessed.  Here is the schedule for the week.  Tests are for math unless otherwise indicated

Mon: Unit 5 Test

Tues: Unit 4 Test
Study for Ch. 7 science test Thurs.
Study socio & therm spelling & vocab for tests Friday.
*You are receiving a ton of info about 6th grade in signed papers.  Parent Night @ UCMS Thursday @ 6!

Wed: Unit 6 Test
Study for Ch. 7 science test Thurs. 
Study socio & therm spelling & vocab for tests Friday.
BONUS spelling and vocabulary choice(s) are due by Thursday 5/12.

Th: Mod 17 quiz & ch. 7 science test
7:15 AM Parent Review Meeting
Thursday 5/12 is our FIELD DAY (12-2).  Popsicles are $0.50 and gatorade is $1.  Please bring a bottle of water.  We may get wet so dry clothes and shoes might be appropriate.  (Students will get their field day shirts to change into Thursday morning.)
Study socio & therm spelling & vocab for tests Friday.

6:00 PM Rising 6th Parent Night @ UCMS

Fri: Mod 18 quiz
ALL LIBRARY BOOKS DUE!

Mon 5/16: Mod 19 quiz

Tues 5/17: Big Field Trip to Atlanta!  Arrive at school NO LATER THAN 7 AM!  PICK UP AROUND 6:45 PM!

Th 5/19: Unit 7 Test

Fri 5/20: CLASS END-OF-YEAR PARTY!

5/3

NO SIGNED PAPERS TODAY, but please sign & return the field trip permission slip.

HW:
Study for science Milestones test.
Finish AM if you didn't scan today.*
Finish SS ch. 30 if you didn't finish in class.*

*If students used their time wisely, they wouldn't have AM or SS HW.

UCMS Theater Productions This Weekend

You're invited to join the UCMS theatre arts students on April 14 and/or 15 for their presentation of two great shows: Toy School and Interesting Ways to Get Detention. Thursday, April 14 show will be 3rd period and 5th period classes, and Friday, April 15 show will 4th period and 6th period class.  Both shows are family friendly and young kids will especially enjoy Toy School.  UC students and staff will be admitted for FREE, and general admission price is $5.  Hope to see everyone then!!!

Website for Parents

Our Parent Involvement Team asked us to share a very useful website for parents with you: Understood.com.

Calendar Update!

March 14 will be a regular school day.
May 25 will be the last day of school.
The packets will make up the other three days that students have missed.  (Packets are due by 3/9.)

Google Apps & Accounts

Students now have their Google accounts and will be able to begin using the suite of applications.  Here's a link to the Google Training Center Resources where they give an overview and offer help for each app. 

How to log in to Gmail or Drive:

1. Go to Gmail.com.
2. Type in your complete Google Gmail account (FirstLastName@student.ucschools.org).
3. In the password box type in the password you were given.
4. Click on the "waffle" (9 boxes near the top right) to access your Drive, etc.

*You can also start at Drive.google.com.

Report Cards THURS.

Report cards will go home Thursday instead of today.  Sorry about the delay!  You can of course check Power School.  (Please note that 3rd nine weeks grades are not up-to-date in every subject yet.  I needed to close out Term 2 first.)  Thanks!

Internet Usage

As we begin to use Google Apps for Education, I am interested in learning how it might possibly be used at home in addition to school.  (No, I do NOT plan to add to your student's work load!  Students may have the option to complete and submit some of their work electronically.)

Thank you in advance for complete a short form about your child's Internet access outside of school (for the purpose of school work, not necessarily for games, etc.).  For example, when my daughters were younger they could use my computer with Internet for school work, but their online game time was limited.

Click HERE to access the two-question form.  Thank you!

SRA & MM Weekly Grades

Just a quick share as we start the 3rd 9 weeks:

MM = Morning Math
     Each week, students are given a Drops in the Bucket (DITB) math review page to complete in sections (usually 2 sections per day).  They are required to finish the section and have it initialed each day.  Each initialed section = 20 points for a weekly "daily" grade of 100.  If a student has an unexcused absence, they lose that day's points (credit is given for excused absences).  Because the DITB is copied front/back, they will go home every two weeks.

SRA Update:
     We are continuing to practice reading skills with the SRA reading problem.  Students are still expected to complete one SRA card each week for two daily grades (comprehension and word study), one for each of the two sections.  For the first 9 weeks, students should have completed 12 SRA cards.  To start fresh in the new year, students who had less than 12 SRAs are starting over at one.  (They are not going to continue to be behind.)  If a student had more than 12 SRAs, they were able to count one of them as this week's SRA.  (They get credit for working ahead.)  Once students have completed their weekly SRA, they have the option of working on Versatiles, continuing with SRA, or independent reading.

Summer Art Courses

This is just a "share" and not an endorsement!  Artworks in Hiawassee is offering over 65 classes for elementary-aged students this summer.  If you're interested, you can check out the classes at www.artguildstore.com.  Registration begins May 1st.

4-H CPA Timeline

CPA is an important part of our 4-H program and our language arts curriculum (listening, speaking, viewing, and writing standards).  Today, Mr. Jennings presented his lesson on CPA at our 4-H meeting, and it's time for the kids to get started!  I will begin signing up students for their topics.  Have a few ideas in mind, because only one boy and one girl can compete in each of the 40 or so categories.

Here's a copy of the handout that each child received today:

     Your job is to become the expert on your topic.  You will be writing a report and then giving a speech with visual aids to teach the class what you’ve learned.  This project will count as a test grade in English and either science or social studies (depending on your topic).

1/17            Mr. Jennings presents 4-H lesson to introduce CPA. 

1/23            Topic due!  You must get your topic approved before you begin your research.  Learn all that you can about your topic as soon as it is approved.  Find some interesting facts that very few people already know.  Taking notes about what you learn will be very helpful.  Remember to take notes in your OWN words.  Do not copy directly from books and/or the Internet.  Organize your information as you go.  What are the three (or more) main ideas you will teach us?  What would you include in the beginning of your report/speech, in the middle, or at the end?  Remember to use at least three different sources for your information (encyclopedias, books, internet sites, interviews with experts, etc.).  Printing a website does not make a CPA project!

1/29          Turn in a copy of your outline of the three main ideas you will teach us with at least three supporting details for each main idea.  Continue to work on your research and your report.  Write your

INTRODUCTION:

1.     Hook your audience! 

*Ask a question, state an interesting or amazing fact, or share an anecdote (personal short story).

2.     Introduce yourself and your topic.

3.     Share your three main ideas or most important things. 

2/5            Your written introduction is due. (The body of your speech is not due at this time.) 

Continue to work on your speech. Rewrite your introduction with the revisions. Use your outline to write the body of your report.  You will write more than one paragraph about each of your three main points because your report will be the basis of your five-minute speech. Make sure you have transitions between each of your three main points. Include at least one simile in the writing. Then wrap it up with your CONCLUSION:

1.     Use a wrap-up word or phrase (Finally, In conclusion, To summarize, Remember…).

2.     Restate your main ideas from your introduction in a slightly different way.

3.     Tie your report back into your hook.

Thank your audience. (Do NOT say that’s all I have, or the end…)

2/15            Your entire written report is due. 

2/16 – 21 Work on your two (or more) posters.  Be certain they are neat. Also, they need to be legible from the back of the room. Stay away from light colors because they are harder to read from a distance.  Make your note cards and practice your speech. Write your speech on numbered note cards.  Practice your speech and using your posters during your speech.  Do not wait to share the posters at the end.

2/22            In-class presentations (Be sure to bring your completed posters!)

2/23 – 26 Make any corrections to your cards, practice at home, feel confident, and be ready for the judges!!! You’ll feel more confident if you practice at home. Good luck.  You can do it!

2/27            CPA presentations for 4-H judges

Grading Explanation (English WB p. 6)

Parents, just  quick note of explanation in case your child doesn't or can't explain English workbook p. 6 grading.

I left this assignment for the students to complete with a sub last Wednesday while I was at Promethean Board training (our interactive whiteboard).  The sub didn't collect them so I collected them Thursday.  I was totally SHOCKED when I checked them to find that MOST students didn't complete the bottom half (6-10).  Their first (unacceptable grade) is written in orange.  I gave them back to make corrections, and students earned half credit back toward their grade (the green grade).