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

Subject Update: Math Course 1

We are well into Chapter 6 in Course 1 math, which is all about percents.  We will be working on this chapter for at least another week or two.

Don't forget about the math help opportunity with Mrs. Bradshaw every Friday after school till 4:00!

Do not fret, get all the help you can get!

Island of the Blue Dolphin

We have begun our new Literature study.  

Scott O'Dell wrote this story about a real young lady who was 

brought to America from a nearby island.  

While she could not speak our language and 

was all alone, those caring for her were able to 

figure out what happened to her village.  

Scott O'Dell took this real life story and 

turned it into a wonderful children's book. 

We will be doing study guides filled with a variety of tasks.  

Some of those tasks involve students looking up about the 

plant and animal life of this island.  Many of these items were used as 

food for the village people.  Since there will be times that students 

need to access the internet for research, temporary passwords 

will be set up for them to use.  They are expected to follow the 

rules and guidelines they signed in the beginning of the year.

MAP PROJECT

All students will be doing a project based on this novel.  

They are to create a map of the island and have areas labeled that are mentioned in the book.  

As we approach the end of the novel I will be setting a firm due date for their project.

Course 1 Math Help!

I hope you are enjoying a return to some routine as we have gotten back to school the last couple days.  I know I have!  In our 6th grade Course 1 math class, we were just reaching the end of Ch. 4 when the snowstorm hit.  The last few days, we have been reviewing the chapter getting ready for a test coming up on Monday.

Starting Friday, January 20th, 6th grade Course 1 math students in my class have a great opportunity every Friday afternoon.  Yvonne Bradshaw, mom of 7th grader Ben, has asked for a way to help out with middle school math in some way.  She is experienced in teaching math and eager to assist wherever needed.  What we came up with was a weekly, optional, study session every Friday afternoon after school until 4:00 for our 6th graders in Math Course 1.  If you find your 6th grader struggling with the concepts we are discussing in math, or think they just need some extra reinforcement, they can stay after school every Friday for some help from Mrs. Bradshaw.  I will also be there sometimes to help out as my schedule allows.  I feel this is a great opportunity for our 6th graders to really boost their confidence moving forward as they can get some extra and more direct instruction.

Thanks to Mrs. Bradshaw for being willing to help out and volunteer her time to make this happen!  If you have any questions, let me know.

Languague Arts

New Writing Rules

Sixth grade just finished their unit on nouns and are ready to learn some new rules for writing.  We began working with dialogue on Friday and the importance of proper punctuation so we know who is talking.  Most of the work will be done in class with notes and examples in their Cornell Notes.  We will be doing some partner work, comic strip work and ending with writing stories based on Norman Rockwell pictures.  There will be some homework and a few grades going into gradelink during this unit.  To see what your student is doing, ask to see their Cornell Notes.  

The Winner Is????

The class has finished their novel "The Westing Game" and it is time to review.  Due to short weeks, and book reports they will have a review of the characters and a take home test which will be due next Tuesday, Jan. 17.  I plan on showing the movie based on the book.  This movie is produced by Feature Films For Families and includes some great discussion questions if you are interested in viewing it as a family on your next family movie night.

Stay tuned for the next novel unit!