Literature

The Prince and the Pauper

by Mark Twain

During the last few days of Literature we have been reading and acting out this story.  By acting out stories, we get a sense of what characters are like, their experiences, and how they change throughout a story.  We had a lot of fun doing something different while reading a great story.

I have challenged all the students to find a copy of the story and read it over the summer.  Mark Twain is an amazing author and has many stories to share (besides Tom Sawyer & Huckleberry Finn).

Enjoy a good book this summer!

Subject Update: Digital Literacy

The 6th graders have had a lot of fun the last week or so with their latest project in Digital Literacy.  We are practicing one of the many forms social media can take by creating a blog.  These blogs are not posted publicly anywhere (however, they can share them if they choose), but they are practicing the idea of writing consistently about a topic of their choosing.  We have had blogs about everything from basketball to video games to cooking recipes to farming to horses to life in general.  The 6th graders have really enjoyed diving into this project.  The goal is to have 10 posts completed by next Monday, May 15th.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

We have finished reading our novel and started the movie.  Students are watching the 1964 version and will be writing a review.  They will be comparing the novel and movie along with a synopsis of the movie, they will end their review with a personal reflection (what they like and did not like about the movie). 

There will be a final test on Friday, May 12 which is the same day their map projects are due.

Literature

Interview with Karana

 

In Literature this week the students were paired up to do interviews with "Karana".  Some practiced their interviewing skills by being the interviewer like their favorite talk show host.

Others practiced their answering technique by playing the part of Karana.  The groups worked together to come up with the questions and answers that showed their understanding of the book so far.

 Some even added their own unique flair with costumes, props and music.  Every group has provided us with great entertainment this week.

 

As we approach the end of the novel, students need to be putting the final touches on their map project depicting their idea of what the island looked like.  Due date for this project will depend on when we finish the novel.

Memory for the rest of the year

We only have a few memory verses left in this year's curriculum.
Here is a list of addresses and dates for the remainder of the year.
3/22--Mark 1:14-15
4/5--Psalm 119:15-16
4/12--Romans 3:23-24
4/19--Matthew 5:16
4/26--Isaiah 43:3-4
5/3--Numbers 6:24-26
5/10--John 20:31
5/17--Isaiah 57:15

Subject Update: Digital Literacy

Yesterday, we started a fun activity in Digital Literacy to lead us into Spring Break.  We talked about how one of the primary uses of the digital world is communication.  We discussed how we can also convey messages without even talking.  To show this, this week we are watching the 1936 Charlie Chaplin silent classic, Modern Times.  This film, and other silent films like it, are wonderful examples of non-verbal communication.  It is also a nice treat for the class before we head into Spring Break.

Good Evening 6th Grade families,
You may not remember (yes you do) but Jr High was hard. You are growing, trying to figure out where you fit, making friends, and trying to please everyone all the time. The last couple of weeks have been difficult for our class. We have had a hard time socially, but also academically at the close of the trimester. I remember those days and friends were so important to me, probably too important. Other than my parents, I really didn't have an adult that I could go to. We grew up in a small town. My dad was the only person that worked at the church. We didn't have a youth person, or family minister, or a counselor. So I turned to friends. Part of the issue we have had is trying to figure out were we fit into the group. Sometimes that leads to criticism of others so that we look better in our eyes and hopefully others.
I try to be an adult who truly cares for our kids and that they know they can come to me. One way that I build those relationships is to listen. I try to be present. I also like to see our kids at what they love to do. Many of you have seen me at games and other performances. I also enjoy bringing family members to these events. In building these relationships, I hope that the students will see me as an adult that they can come to.
I also try to show them that I care enough to correct them. This week we have had conversations about respect, doing our best, and not saying things about others that are not true. We have also had a hard time in the lunch room. Starting Monday we will have assigned seats in the lunch room. That is the not fun part of the job. Again, I believe if you care for others you will help them grow, even if it hurts.
Now to the academic side of things.
I am almost done with grades for the quarter. I just need a few assignments that were not finished due to absences.
In Bible, we have finished with David and moved on to King Solomon and the temple. Eventually we will look at the exile, but that is not for a few more weeks. We also hope to meet with our buddies this Friday.
History: You should come in and see the common area around my classroom. Aside from a fish tank with Rainbow trout (gone Tuesday) there are over 20 Sarcophagus hanging up. Our students did such a good job with creating a project that shows there knowledge. Hopefully this project will deepen there understanding and they will remember what they learned. We now move on to the kingdom of Kush, which is just south of Egypt, but still in Africa.
We have our results from our second round of MAP testing and will be getting you the results soon.

If you have not had a chance to turn in the Outdoor school information, please do so this week.
Blessings
Mr. Bauer