A Special Concert

Today, our sixth graders were treated to a special concert at Canonsburg Middle School.  It was fun because we were able to see the large jump in performance level that the students can look forward to when they move on next year.  Lesson time increases at the Middle School, but the strong discipline of the group, and the competitions that involve travel and fun made it appealing for those band students at our school.  The band was excellent, and they played several pieces of music that seemed quite difficult.  I was happy to see some former students who made their way to the back to say hello.  It was a lot of fun!

SHARE TEST PACKET AND FRIDAY FOLDER WITH PARENTS.
Homework:
Reading - Read chapters 19 - 22 in novel and complete your role and project for Dec. 20th. Vocabulary quiz on Monday.
PSSA Math - Review rules for Monday.
Mrs. Friday's Assignments:
Spelling - Study for test on Monday

Mr. Westing Visits Cafe!

We thought Mr. Westing was pretty smart when he addressed his heirs in his will, but we we're really amazed that he knew we were reading The Westing Game and involved us in his latest game.  Above is the video message he sent to cafe today!  When the students arrived, the bags were already neatly placed on our cafe tables with specific directions for the game.  After hearing Mr. Westing's message, everyone dug in to play.  The game tested our knowledge of the characters, and if played correctly was a perfect chain reaction.  Any player could begin, and we would work our way around all the players to the one who started.  If your child is a part of cafe, please ask them about today's challenge!
 

The second challenge on today's menu was a new project.  Each member of cafe was asked to think about who is responsible for Sam Westing's murder.  Each student will create a WANTED poster depicting information about the character he/she suspects. The students received project directions, a model, and rubric today.
 
Mrs. Doman's science classes did an experiment with Miss Doyle today called Monster Muck.  The students performed a series of eight tests on the Monster Muck to investigate whether it was a liquid or solid.   They recorded their observations on a data sheet and tomorrow will discuss the results.

Homework:
Math - Let's Go Shopping project due tomorrow.
Reading - Vocabulary quiz on Monday.  Read chapters 19-22 in The Westing Game and complete new role.  Role and WANTED project are due on December 20th.  There will be no cafe next Thursday.
Wellness - Ch. 4, Lesson 2 work is due tomorrow along with Fitness Report Card.
PSSA Math - Study your rules.
Mrs. Friday's Assignments:
Spelling - writing assignment and 3X each, study words, 2 wk.bk. pages
Math - Mixed number w.s. - group 1
            Lesson #37 - group 2

Our School Has Talent!

Today, I had the privilege of listening to our whole sixth grade chorus run through their entire musical performance of Dear Santa A Musical Tweet for Christmas.  I was amazed at the talent!  The soloists did a beautiful job, as well as the great actors and chorus.  The crowd will be thoroughly entertained next Thursday!  Mark your calendars!

Miss Albitz (left) and Miss Doyle (right) are concluding their experiences on our team, this week at Cecil Intermediate.  They will soon graduate and begin a rewarding career!  I wish them the best, and I know that Mrs. Doman, as well as the rest of our staff and students feel the same. 


Homework:
Math - P 2-4 Finish Let's Go Shopping by Friday.  Study.  Test tomorrow.
Reading - Read chapter 13-18 in The Westing Game and have your role ready for tomorrow.  Complete your vocabulary crossword puzzle.  Quiz on Monday.
Science - Matter w.s. due tomorrow.
Wellness - Ch. 4, lesson 2 vocabulary words and question 1, fitness report card are due Friday.
PSSA Math - Study rules for Monday's class.
Mrs. Friday's Assignments:
Spelling - Comprehension sentence, 2 wk. bk. pages
Math - Improper fraction w.s. - group 1
           Lesson #36 w.s. - group 2

Proper Nouns and Common Nouns

In Language Arts, Miss Albitz reviewed and practiced common and proper nouns with the students.  Using small white boards, the students flashed common nouns for given proper nouns and proper nouns (correctly capitalized) for given common nouns.  They were also given a paragraph with errors in capitalization to correct.  It seems as though everyone is doing well with the skill.  Enjoy the rap above, students!

Miss Albitz concluded her African Art stations today, and the finished products looked great!  The Madiba shirts will be displayed on a clothesline in the hallway!  They look so colorful!  Thanks to Miss Albitz for all her hard work!

Homework:
Math - R2-4 front only.  Finish Let's Go Shopping.  Test on Thurs.
Reading - Read chapters 13-18 and complete role for cafe.  Quiz tomorrow on A Trouble-Making Crow.
Spelling - Study.  Quiz tomorrow.
Science - Matter w.s. due on Thursday
Wellness - Ch. 4-2, question 1 (p. 134), define 6 voc. words (p. 128), complete fitness report card
Long-term Assignment - Study rules for Math P.S.S.A.

Mrs. Friday's Assignments -
Spelling - ABC Order, 2 wk. bk. pages
Math - Mixed Numbers w.s. - group 1
            Lesson #35 - group 2

Tone and Judgments in Reading

Today in Language Arts, we further studied the story A Trouble-Making Crow by Jean Craighead George.  We looked more closely at the tone the author conveyed when sharing her autobiography about living in rural New York with her young family and unusual pets.  She specifically shared fond memories of the crows her family had as pets.  Our judgments about crows changed a bit as we learned about them through the author's experiences and research.  Some may have found the antics of her crows to be annoying, but the author's words and tone made us see that she had admiration and appreciation for the birds' intelligence.  Her humor in the stories she told helped us to see this.  After a study of words and actions of the author, her family, and the crows, we could see that the crows were thought of as family members and trusted to watch over the children in some instances.We began to look at a prompt which asked if the author of the story would agree with the statement: Crows are good at spotting danger.  We discussed the prompt, organized and gathered information/specific examples from the text, and began writing.  These prompts will be gathered tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to reading what the students think!

In Social Studies, Miss Albitz presented four African Art stations for students to visit as a culmination to her teaching.  The students visited two of the stations today, and they'll visit two stations tomorrow.  In one station, the students designed their own Madiba shirt using bits of colorful fabric.  In station two, they created drums.  Station 3 gave them a chance to make cowry shell jewelry, while in station 4, they were able to write in modern standard Arabic using an alphabet.  The students enjoyed each station they visited and are looking forward to more tomorrow. 

Homework:
Math - R&P 2-3
Reading - Read chapters 13-18 and complete your role for this Thursday.  Mr. Westing will be paying us a visit!  Complete your final draft of your prompt for A Trouble-Making Crow.  Be ready for your quiz.
Spelling - Study.  Test tomorrow.
Writing - See prompt above
Wellness - Ch. 4, lesson 2 vocab. and question 1 for Friday.  Also, bring your completed Fitness Report Card to class.
Long-term Assignment - PSSA Math, study your rules for next Monday.
Mrs. Friday's Assignments:
Spelling - Stairs + 2 wk.bk. pages
Math - Finish 2nd 1/2 of simplifying fractions w.s. - group 1
           Lesson #34 Group 2