Language Arts: Started to think about our character for the next chapter in Seedfolks we are writing. Questions to ask: age? where are they from? what ailment(s) do they have? how will they connect with other real characters in Seedfolks? how does the garden help them? what are their character traits? The poster above shows the style of writing that will be expected in this writing assignment.
Homework- Narrative due on MONDAY

Reading: MY section- Finished presenting Gift Projects. Homework- Latin Stem Quiz- Monday

Social Studies- Reviewed for quiz on the 4 Empires of Mesopotamia. Quiz is Monday and open notebook. Use chapter 6 in the TCI online textbook to study from.

Language Arts- Continued to work on Seedfolks. Tomorrow we will discuss the writing piece of this unit- the students are going to write the next vignette in Seedfolks. What is their character's name? Age? Where are they from? How do they fit into the community garden? How do they interact with characters that we know from the book already? These are questions to keep in mind as we move forward with this writing assignment.
Reading- MY section- Presented Gift Projects. Homework- Latin Quiz on 11/2 & Fluency read is pushed back a week to 11/6.
S.S.- Completed a Nearpod presentation to preview the assessment that is on Monday 11/2. As seen above, one of the nice things about using a Nearpod presentation in class is that I can view all of the students' answers and share them. Once I have shared an answer, the students can view it on their individual Chromebook but there is not a name attached to the answer. That way, the class can debate and discuss answers in a more trusting fashion.  The assessment covers chapter 6 in the textbook, which can be accessed through TCI online textbook. Main ideas- what are the 4 empires of Mesopotamia and their big accomplishments. 

Language Arts- Finished reading Seedfolks. NO homework
Reading- MY section- presented Gift Projects. Homework- fluency quiz on Friday & Latin Quiz on 11/2
S.S.- Finished reading about the 4 Empires of Mesopotamia & worked in groups to identify the empires and their greatest achievements. Homework- Chapter 2 Quiz on 11/2.

Language Arts: TOday we read the Curtis & Nora chapters- No homework BUT narratives are due on 11/2.
Reading- Latin Stem Quiz- next quiz is 11/2. Gift Project is due tomorrow.
S.S.- Started to discuss the 4 Empires of Mesopotamia.

Science

This week we've continued working with average speed and average time.  Students recreated Galileo's famous "Rolling Bodies" experiment only we used toy cars.  Students were able to see, like Galileo, that objects don't roll at a constant rate as Aristotle originally believed.  Some kids even started to connect to acceleration and gravity (where we're heading next).http://physics-animations.com/Physics/English/angl_txt.htm

*Science Symposium:

Now open to 6th graders, we discussed the opportunity.  Students need to be able to commit 1-2 hours a week for the symposium to be eligible. 

For more info : https://science.madison.k12.wi.us/node/1038

*Science Fest

Awesome opportunity on campus this weekend if you're looking for some Science family fun.  Normally, I'm given handouts for the students but this year we didn't so here's a link with all the info and events and times.

https://www.wisconsinsciencefest.org/index.wsf

MATH

This week we continued our work in chapter 2 concentrating on area and perimeter and the relationship between them.  We also began to explore multiplication generalizations in the form of rectangular models sometimes called arrays.  We'll continue with that next week.  I want to remind parents about the parent guide on the CPM website.  In this guide, are extra practice problems with answers if you're looking to get more math practice in with your child.http://cpm.org/cc1-parent-guide  Here is a link to our last skill of Stem and leaf plots and histograms  http://textbooks.cpm.org/CoreConnections/ParentGuide/cc1/CC1_PG_Ch2_1.pdf 

and our next skill with multiplication and generic rectangles  http://textbooks.cpm.org/CoreConnections/ParentGuide/cc1/CC1_PG_Ch2_2.pdf

Have a great weekend and remember to check Infinite Campus for any missing work and your child's planner for something written in every academic class box, every day!

Language Arts- Worked on our Seedfolks literary dictionaries and our class character web. The dictionary is homework if not completed.
Reading- MY SECTION- Homework- new fluency passages- assessment on 10/30 & Latin Quiz on 10/26 & Gift Project due on 10/27.
S.S.- Took Mesopotamia & Sumer assessment- WILL HAVE 15 MINUTES ON MONDAY TO COMPLETE.

Social Studies- Groups presented on the 7 Characteristics of a Civilization and viewed and studied for quiz. HOMEWORK- study for quiz on Friday.
Language Arts- Read Virgil & SaeYoung chapters in Seedfolks. Homework- Complete sheets in packet on Virgil & SaeYoung and the character chart. Narrative is due 11/2. You should be in the editing phase of this assignment.
Reading- MY SECTION- last day was today to work in class on Gift Project in class and it is due 10/27. Homework- Fluency test tomorrow (for some students) and Latin Stem Quiz on 10/26

Social Studies- Groups worked on the key ideas and summarizing what the characteristics of a civilization.  QUIZ on FRIDAY
Language Arts- Quick conferenced with ALL students on Seedfolks work. Please ask your child what feedback was given to them to move forward with 6th grade work. Homework- Literary Terms in dictionary- exposition, plot line and narrator.
Reading-  Read aloud a story and took notes in reading log and then shared out as a class. Homework- Gift Project due 10/27


REPORT CARD and IC note: First quarter ends on 11/3. With that being said, teachers are able to add grades, comments and information to IC starting on Friday. Please keep in mind that IC is "live," and that you will be able to view some of the information we add. Not until 11/9 will the grades, comments and information be FINALIZED.

Reading- MY SECTION- Some students have reading fluency passages to practice and should be reading those out loud a couple of times a night for homework. I will test their fluency on Friday.
Language Arts- We read the Leona & Sam chapters in Seedfolks. Homework- Leona & Sam 2 pages in packet & the character web for Leona & Sam. I am doing a formal check in tomorrow to make sure all are caught up on Seedfolks homework. 
Social Studies- Quiz on Friday- Students will be tested on the 4 geographic challenges of Mesopotamia and their solutions. Information can be accessed on TCI website, chapter 4 and on their flow chart/notes they took in class.

**To make sure you are all reading the blog- Come to me tomorrow morning RIGHT away let me know how many hours of sleep you had last (Tuesday) night. 

Language Arts: Continued to work on our Literary Terms Dictionary. HOMEWORK- complete the pages for protagonist, conflict, and mood. Above is an example of one summary of a conversation we had about the author writing style in Seedfolks. Something to keep in mind as a final assignment of the book will be writing the next "chapter" of the book- this is NOT something to start yet.
Reading- MY SECTION- Took a Latin Stems quiz, next one will be on 10/26. Gift Project is due 10/27
Social Studies- read about the 7 characteristics of a civilization

Language Arts: HOMEWORK- SEE above- it is due 10/19
Reading- MY section- Worked on a Close Reading of the protests in Thailand. Gift Project due 10/27

Social Studies- Finished discussing the geographic challenges that lead to the rise of city-states in Mesopotamia.

S.S. Started our unit on Mesopotamia and talked about the geographical problems it had and brainstormed solutions. 

Reading- MY section- Worked on the Gift Project. They have 2 more SCHOOL DAYS to work on this as it is dues 10/27

Language Arts- Started a character web for the characters in Seedfolks. Homework- complete the first 3 pages in your literary term dictionary using the words PLOT, CHARACTERS, and SETTING.

From our principal:

The Grade 6 Potluck is scheduled for Oct. 21, has been moved to:

WEDNESDAY -- NOVEMBER 4, 2015

6:00 - 7:45 PM in the CAFE. More into to come. 

Social Studies- Students took a quiz & tried to finish the Homo Naledi video.
Reading- Close reading & gift project is due on 10/27
LA- Started Seedfolks- HOMEWORK- Using the first 2 chapters (Ana & Kim), complete the first 2 pages in your Seedfolks packet AND the character chart for Ana.

Social Studies- There is a chapter 2 multiple choice quiz tomorrow. The students were all given the option to take the quiz home and use it to study- for assistance, use chapter 2 on TCI to help you!
Reading- MY section- Gift Project due on 10/27
LA- FINISHED presenting our EP Projects.

What an experience the Fun Run was on Friday! The entire school did a fantastic job of demonstrating great behavior.

Language Arts- Narrative homework- you may want to do a first flash draft by Wednesday of this week so you can then edit and revise. Final home narratives are due 11/2.
Social Studies- We are 1 day away from all presentations being done!
Reading- MY section- Latin Stem quiz on 11/19/15 & Gift Project due 11/27. You will have work time tomorrow in class.

Thank you to those who were able to make the Early People Museum. It was hectic but hopefully you saw how impressive the projects are!
LA- your at home personal narrative is due November 2nd. This weekend, you may want to have the seed topic chosen and maybe try out some different leads.
Reading- MY section- New Latin words on Monday will be given out, Gift Project is due on Oct 27th.
SS- last day of presentations in class on Monday.

Math Tests

Math Tests

Please sign your child's test to indicate they've shown it to you. Tests are graded, entered in Infinite Campus and returned to students.  Students are encouraged to make corrections.  Students get 1 week from the day they're handed back to make corrections.  Because it's so important to have a growth mindset in math - we always want to encourage kids to learn from there mistakes and to strive to better themselves.  Students who score below a 3 can make corrections on their own or can come Thursday after school for my homework club where we can make corrections together. As in science, if corrections are made and all work is shown, I will raise their grade a full point.   Students who scored a 3 or above can make corrections for a Hawkbuck.

Scoring:

Students have 2 grades written on the upper right hand corner of their test.  The top grade is a reflection of their understanding as it relates to the standards scoring shown at left <---.  The 2nd score is like a pre-score of where that student is at with our new Math Practice Standard 3:"Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others," as indicated by problem #8 and is not a recorded grade as we're just starting to work with this standard. Below is a link to our new Common Core Math Practice Standards:
http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/
http://www.corestandards.org/Math/Practice/MP3/

We are still presenting Early People Projects. The products are amazing. The students are giving thoughtful feedback and asking key questions.See you all tomorrow at 10:50 for the Early People Museum.

Math Test Tomorrow!

Tomorrow is our first math test.  Tonight's assignment the "Closure" p.48 CL1-95 to CL-101 is a review for that test.  The answers to all the problems are located on pg. 51.  Answers are there for kids to double check they're on the right track and to look at if they're stuck. IT'S OK FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE ANSWERS :) just please remind them that it's the work to get to that answer on which they will be graded on the test.  (we talk a lot about the strategy and steps to get to the answer is more important than having the right number down because it shows full understanding).  Also please remember the online access to the book and hints for all homework problems are always there and are great resources for kids too.  Any questions kids are stumped on we'll address before the test.

Thanks,

Mr. Kruger


**Please double check that your student wrote down the assignment and the test (Test was written in starting Monday).  Writing in our planner is a big focus of our first quarter.

Social Studies- We continued with our Early People Projects today. They are fascinating! Some are displayed above.

Social Studies & Language Arts-  Today we looked at grave sites and analyzed the artifacts to determine what role the hominid played in their community. We also started presenting Early People Projects.
Reading- MY section- Time to work on Gift Project. DUE DATE- October 27th!

MATH Mr. K:

We have been working with  numerical patterns and properties of numbers this week including: factors, multiples, primes and composites.  We had NWEA MAP MATH testing Thursday and Friday and thanks to a student I found out all results are now available instantaneously to parents and students through Infinite Campus so check that out for a good snapshot of strengths and areas of improvement of your child.

Infinite Campus:

https://enrollment.madison.k12.wi.us/infinite-campus-login-madison-wisconsin

Due Monday is Problems 1-73 through 1-77 (it was assigned Wednesday but we had 2 days of MAP testing)  Have a great weekend.

Science

SCIENCE Mr. K: This week in we learned about speed:

Learning Target: I can define speed, I know the speed equation and symbols and can use the equation to solve speed problems.

We tried some tricky speed problems and learned about the incredible speed of the SR71 Blackbird airplane.  Our first Science test should have gone home and corrections can be made and are due by Monday:  all scores below a 3 can be raised and corrections on tests with scores above a 3 are worth a Hawkbuck.  Also test were to be shown to parents and signed for an additional Hawkbuck :)

Language Arts- FINAL published narratives are due at the end of LA on Monday. You will be given LA time on Monday to continue to publish them.
Reading- MY section- We continued to Close Read an article about brain development. If you and your partner did not finish the above questions, it is homework that is due on Monday.
Social Studies- Watched a video on a discovery of ancient remains.
ALL early People Projects are due on Monday, October 5th!

Language Arts- We did some reading aloud of our narrative pieces to check for fluency. The editing checklist is due tomorrow and then we will start our final published pieces. The book above we will start reading next week as a class.
Reading- MY SECTION- We read a non-fiction article on brain development and went to the LMC to check out a novel to read for our Gift Project. More on the later.
Social Studies- Finished our site map of the Bushman of Botswana and watched a video. Homework- Early People Project is due on MONDAY, OCTOBER 5th!

Early People Museum- Friday, October 9th- all families are invited. Time may change by a few minutes but as of now it is from 10:50-12:00