Cafe Day!

Today was a great day in cafe! We finished our discussion about Number the Stars. We began with a short discussion about predictions we had made that were realized, as well as some that did not happen. Exciting moments in the story were discussed, and we shared our sadness about Peter's death. As we grow, we're finding that not all stories have happy endings, like the books we read when we were younger. During next week's cafe, we will hear from Fritz Ottenheimer, a Jewish author, who will share his experience of living during Hitler's reign.

A new project is in the works to inspire our classmates and others to read! We are creating Top Ten lists! We are sharing our favorite books with ten reasons why others should read them (#1 will be the MOST IMPORTANT reason). Later, our lists will be shared as a top ten countdown! This project was started in class today and is due next Thursday. Hopefully, our reasons will be convincing.

Empathy continued to be our topic in our class meeting for the Olweus Bullying Program. We reviewed a bit and then created "Someone Else's Shoes!" On each shoe is an example of a time when we showed empathy or empathy was shown to us. Many great examples were shared. Being able to show empathy deepens our friendships and relationships with others.

Tomorrow, all sixth grade students will be traveling to the Canonsburg Middle School for a Winter Concert! Please be on time, as buses will be leaving shortly after attendance is taken.

PLEASE SHARE YOUR PROGRESS REPORT WITH YOUR PARENTS/GUARDIANS! THE BOTTOM PORTION MUST BE SIGNED AND RETURNED.

Special thanks to Brianna and Becca, as well as their parents, for the delicious drinks in cafe today.

Homework:
Reading - Top Ten List due next Thursday
Math - Finish study guide. Chapter Test tomorrow.
Spelling - Study your list
Social Studies - Quiz tomorrow.
Science - Hot Air Balloon sheet due Friday
Wellness - Mr. Barzan's sheet is due on Monday

Over the Hump Day!

Many students are busily preparing for the upcoming C.I.S. concert! Mrs. McIlvaine and Mr. Gasper have been taking their groups for large group practices, and we are sure that the concert will be entertaining for all. Some students felt that the music practices were the reason that it snowed today! They feel that the songs and music are magical!

In addition to the music rehearsals, we have started the preliminary rounds of the Geography Bee sponsored by National Geographic. Today, we worked through the first three rounds. Next week, we'll finish the last four. Before the holiday break, we'll have a winner who will represent our classroom in the next round. Exciting!

We read our story about survival, From a Spark, in Language Arts. Brian did survive, and we pulled for him as he used the one tool he had, a hatchet. We discovered, after all our predictions, that he did start and use a fire! Many of us thought that a fire was necessary for the same reasons as Brian.

Homework:
Reading - Be ready for our cafe tomorrow! Your role should be complete.
Math - 5 problems! Chapter test on Friday.
Science - Hot Air Balloon due Friday.
Social Studies - Quiz on Climate and Vegetation of L. America Friday.
Wellness - Tobacco worksheet due Monday. Open book exercise is due Friday.

Survival

After skill practice, building background knowledge, and practicing new vocabulary, we are ready to read about Brian and his exciting adventure in the wilderness of northern Canada. His story is one of survival, and today, we tried to put ourselves in his shoes. We talked about what it would be like to be stranded alone in the wilderness. What would we do first? How would we meet our most basic needs? We're anxious to see how Brian survives being in this scary situation.

In Social Studies, we reviewed the two main ideas from yesterday's lesson about the climate and vegetation of Latin America. The first big idea was that the climate varies greatly in Latin America, even within the same country. The second big idea was that elevation, nearness to the Equator, and winds from the water affect climate in Latin America. Together, we supported those two big ideas with examples we learned in class yesterday.

Homework:
Reading - Practice vocabulary with p. 62 in practice book. Finish Number the Stars and complete your final role for the story.
Math - Keep on Climbing division worksheet. Chapter test Friday.
Science - Hot Air Balloon worksheet
Wellness - sheet for Mr. Barzan
Social Studies - Quiz Friday

Studying Latin America and Other Interesting Topics

The climate regions of Latin America were discussed in Social Studies today. We reviewed the factors that influence climate; elevation, distance from an ocean, and distance from the equator. We studied Latin America's land regions, and looked at climate and vegetation maps. Since South America is so huge, there are a variety of climate regions. The one that fascinates us the most is the tropical wet area of the Amazon river basin, probably because it is so different from where we live, and of such great importance to the world. Please check out the new link to your right to learn more about the rainforest areas.

Mr. Barzan stopped in for a second visit to share more about tobacco. Today, he zeroed in on the dangerous chemicals that are in cigarettes. He itemized the ingredients hiding inside cigarettes, as well as what they can do to your body. Diseases that can result from cigarette smoking were discussed, and to illustrate what the diseases may feel like, Mr. Barzan conducted a demonstration. Each student was given a very thin straw. They were asked to stand and jog for awhile in place. Afterwards, the students were asked to breathe only through the straw. Many felt that it was difficult to do, and they felt pressure in their chest that they normally didn't. Most agreed that it didn't feel good. The students and I always appreciate Mr. Barzan's visits. His lessons are so important to our health and well being.

In Language Arts, we're moving onto a new story! It's a survival story titled 'From a Spark' that is an excerpt from the award winning 'Hatchet' by Gary Paulsen. To prepare for the story, we reviewed the skill of making predictions. New spelling words that are a bit tricky were assigned for the coming two weeks. They're tricky because they have some silent consonants and vowels. Spelling City will be an excellent tool for practice.

Homework:
Reading - Share your new 'Family Times' paper. Also, read the remaining chapters of Number the Stars. Complete your role for Thursday's cafe.
Math - Finish decimal worksheet for tomorrow.
Spelling - Trace +2 due tomorrow.
Science - Worksheet (use passage from the other paper).
Wellness - Finish Tobacco paper for Mr. Barzan for next week.

A Song in Our Hearts

A slideshow by Smilebox

Students in Mrs. Mac's class have been taking part in Music this first semester with Mrs. C. McIlvaine. We've enjoyed learning so much about opera and various composers of opera. Other things we've enjoyed include playing Boomwhackers and drums. Most recently, we have been learning how to play the piano. We've been taught to play an excerpt from an opera, Turandot, which is one of the operas we studied. The slideshow above shows our class practicing Spring in China. Enjoy!

Homework:
Reading - Please read the rest of Number the Stars and complete your final role for next Thursday.

HAVE FUN AT ACTIVITY NIGHT! DON'T FORGET YOUR TICKET!!!

Walking in Someone Else's Shoes

Today's class meeting topic was empathy. We want to learn to show empathy so that we may develop closer and more true relationships with other people. In class, we talked about the meaning of empathy, ways to show it, and how it plays a role in bullying situations. Our group freely shared times when they showed empathy, as well as times they missed the opportunity. We also shared instances when it seems easier to show empathy as opposed to caring less. Empathy often results in compassion and a desire to help others. From now on, we're trying to think about what it would be like to walk in someone else's shoes.

During our time in McD's Reading Cafe, we shared our roles for chapters 6-10 in Number the Stars. We're very involved in the story of Annemarie and her family and friends. Parts of the story are making us feel tense and uncertain. Many of us identify with the main character Annemarie, as she tries to be brave during these difficult circumstances. Our palms were sweating as we read about the soldier who wanted to open the casket of Annemarie's Great-aunt Birte, who we know does not exist. Annemarie's mother was really thinking quickly when she told the soldier that her aunt died of typhus to prevent him from opening the casket. This particular portion of the story was really frightening for most of us. We're looking forward to the final chapters. We enjoyed great discussions during cafe today, and we thank Emily and Ben, as well as their parents, for the delicious drinks.

Homework:
Reading - Our quizzes for 'A Trouble-Making Crow' are tomorrow (including assigned spelling list). Please be ready. Also, finish Number the Stars, along with your final role, for next Thursday.
Math - Stained glass worksheet and quiz tomorrow.
Social Studies - Review study guide and pages of Ch.1, Les. 1 (Geography of Latin America) for tomorrow's quiz.
DON'T FORGET THAT YOUR GIVING TREE GIFTS ARE DUE TOMORROW!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Crows That Spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E!

Our Language Arts story, A Trouble-Making Crow by Jean Craighead George, was a very interesting story. We learned more than we ever knew about crows, and most of the information was so surprising! Actually, many of us will never look at crows quite the same way. Ms. George has a vast knowledge of nature, and she shares this knowledge in the many stories she has written for children. Students who enjoyed this story may also enjoy her first novel, My Side of the Mountain. Check it out!

Our Social Studies review today challenged all "HOOPERS!" When a team answered their review question about the geography of Latin America correctly, they were allowed to shoot to double their points. Some had just the right touch! Others....well, as long as they can apply the information, that's the most important thing (wink, wink).

Homework:
Reading - Study. Quizzes on A Trouble-Making Crow this Friday. Be prepared for Cafe tomorrow.
Math - Multiplying decimal sheet
Spelling - Quiz Friday
Social Studies - Geography quiz on Friday
PSSA Practice - Page 37 PSSA Language Arts for Monday