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!

Thanksgiving week

Good Morning,
I hope your week will be a good one. Please remember that there will be no school Wednesday so teachers can finalize grades. If students have work to get in, it needs to be in as soon as possible.

Each year, classes sponsor a family for a Christmas box. This year we have a family of 4. Our family has a boy (4) and a girl (9). Please ask your child how you can support them as a family.

Today in Christian Studies class, I answered questions. I wrote these questions down in a letter that I asked the kids to take home a get a signature from a parent. This way I know that you saw it. I will add it to this post in case it doesn't come home.

The letter includes a short Bible quiz study guide. I had wanted it to be tomorrow (Tuesday) but we have a Thanksgiving Chapel I did not remember. The Chapel will take the place of our Christian Studies time. The quiz will be the Tuesday after break.

Good Morning Boys and Girls, (with Mr. Bauer’s head tilted at a 23.5 degree angel)

Please have a seat quietly so we can get going on our day.

We have several things to discuss and we are going to get them on paper so you won’t be confused.

1.       Jobs won’t change this week since we started late and we only have two days this week. Ellianna reminded me that today is Monday and tomorrow is Friday (kinda).

2.       Memory Verse (Psalm 4:8) will be due on Wednesday, November 30 (Happy Birthday Olivia)

3.       Bible Quiz on Moses: Well, I told you it would be Tuesday and had thought to have you all help me write it today like we like to, but… I didn’t realize or forgot there will be a chapel tomorrow instead of CS. So, we will have our quiz on Tuesday when we get back. We will put a study guide at the bottom of this page.

4.       Every year each class is given a family to bless at Christmas. This year we have a family of 4 with 2 children. A girl who is 9 that likes chapter books, Legos, science stuff, gel pens, play dough; and would like pajamas. Her favorites include purple, blue, and sports. Top/ coat size is 12, pants 12, and shoes 5. The boy is 4 and likes small toy figures, building things, and play dough. His favorites are blue, green, and orange. His top/coat size is 5, pants 4, and shoes 11. I would like everyone to consider giving something to this family. The family needs are blankets, sheets, silverware, place settings, and gift cards.

5.       This will be printed off. I would like you to take it home and have parents look at it. If they sign it home I will give you 9 extra points in any class I teach you. That could be a whole memory verse.

6.       Today we will have a little celebration.  For our History time, Mrs. Rhodes will come in and have a little harvest party/ end of History chapter party.

7.       We (you and I) want to have some field trips this year. However, I am not good at planning them. If a parent would like to plan a field trip, please email me and we can start to look at some things.

8.       Bible quiz. (also includes a little of Job)

a.       You should know the plaques in order and who they affected.

                                                               i.      And what did each one do (hail destroyed flax and barley, locusts ate the wheat)

b.       The question on Job will be to tell me the story in a few sentences (5-7)

c.       Remember how Moses was save by his Mom and who found him (Pharaoh’s Daughter)

d.       Probably the most important is how this story points to Jesus in the Passover.

                                                               i.      Jesus was a perfect sacrifice (without sin, blemish)

                                                             ii.      Israelites were slaves, we are slaves to sin

                                                           iii.      Lamb’s blood was spread on door, Jesus’s blood shed on the cross, we even talked about how the door frame can look like the cross with the blood

                                                           iv.      Death passed over the home of believers, through Jesus, death is defeated we will have life in heaven

                                                             v.      Freedom was won for the Hebrews, who were slaves no more, Freedom was won for us from sin, death and the devil, now we live free in Christ.

e.       As they were leaving the took gold and silver as payment for their work

f.        Led by a cloud by day and fire by night

g.       God saved them at the Red sea

h.       Moses purified the water with a stick and God fed them with bread that was dew (Manna) 

Couple Quick Notes

Just a couple quick thoughts...
I passed out many graded papers from all the teachers today. Students should be bringing them home. Please talk to your student to check their work with them.
New Memory Verse: Psalm 4:8 (this will be due the Wednesday after Thanksgiving)

Each class is given a family to sponsor for Christmas. I am not sure how this has been done in the past. If you would like to head up the logistics of this service project, please send me an email.
Thanks
Mr. Bauer

History Projects and the coming weeks

Our Students in the 6th grade are so creative. As they start to share their projects on the 4 Empires of Mesopotamia, I get to see all of the great work they have created. We were able to see 4 presentations yesterday and hope to have everyone share this week. After we finish our study on these 4 Empires we will next a look at Historical Egypt and the Middle East. This will fit in well with our Bible lessons as we are still looking at Moses. Today we had a chance to take a deeper look at the Passover. By the end of the week, Pharaoh will let the people go and we will be in the wilderness for a while.
In Science we start to look at the phases of the moon. I know I have learned a lot teaching about the moon and the kids have been surprised how far the moon is away. Many people don't realize that 384,000 KM is a long way away, 238,606 miles.
In all, our kids continue to amaze me and I am excited about the coming years with them.

Nov 7

It is so amazing that we only have 10 more days until our first of 3 report cards. This is exciting news for some and concerning for others. Please remind your student to keep pushing to the end.
One exciting thing happening in 6th grade is that we are doing some partner work for our end of chapter exam grade. We have just learned about the 4 Mesopotamian Empires. The students have been split into groups and given a task on one of the 4 Empire. It is always interesting have kids work in group. Do you let them choose (that probably brings back nightmares of middle school gym class for some of us)?  Does the teacher choose (that always lead to someone saying, "you made me")? Or do you allow God to choose as you pick names out of a hat? That is hard because sometimes you don't like the groups that are created.  We did the draw the name out of the hat game. Most groups are put together well and some are not. But learning can happen with anyone in your group. Most jobs require working with others and most of the time you wont like everyone at your work. The students will need to have their projects done by Monday.
In science we will take a closer look at the Moon and the visible feature.
We continue to look at the Old Testament heroes. Right now Moses has just got the call to go to Pharaoh.
Please remember memory verses on Wednesday. This week it is Psalm 91:11.

History and Bible

In history we start a new chapter today. We look at the four empires of the Mesopotamia. Students will learn more about these civilizations and start to teach each other some of what they learn.
In Bible we will make a big jump from Joseph to Job. Since this year's lessons spread over a large portion of the Bible, we need to make jumps like this one every once in a while. "Blessed Be Your Name" is a song that was written after reading through Job. I look forward to showing our students how to praise even through the tough times.
I look forward to our conference times.

Subject Update: Digital Literacy

This week in Digital Literacy, we discussed the art of building a slideshow.  We discussed some basic features of Google Slides, as well as some good do's and don't's in making a good slideshow for a presentation.  Our next class will be spent practicing the skills we discussed as they will be building their own slideshow on a specific topic.

Subject Update: Christian Music

The last several weeks in Christian Music Class, the 6th graders were introduced to a group few of them had heard of, but most of them have seen the effects of.  This group is DC Talk.  We spent a day looking at the music DC Talk made together.  Now, we are going through and spending time looking at the different groups the three members of DC Talk (TobyMac, Michael Tait, Kevin Max) have influenced directly: Audio Adrenaline, Newsboys, and TobyMac.

Recently, at the 2016 Dove Awards, DC Talk reunited for a new song that debuted on TobyMac's latest album.  Enjoy!

Good Afternoon 6th Grade Families,
I returned yesterday afternoon from my trip to Idaho. I friend was getting married in Pocatello. It is so funny how hard it is to let someone else come into "your" classroom and teach your kids. I am always concerned I didn't prepare enough, I forgot something, something might go wrong, but it seems to have gone really well. I did forget a couple of things, like new classroom jobs and a password, but our sub was quick on her feet and the kids were generally patient. I keep talking to our kids about their reputation and having someone else come in and have a good can only lift the perception about them.
A couple of reminders: I try to keep Gradelink up to date. I am a little behind right now, but should be caught up today or tomorrow at the latest. Students who miss work need to find a time to come make it up. Absences and sports can really make a child fall behind. I am willing to help a child but they must actually do the work. As the weather gets colder, students should come to school with a jacket. Students should bring a water bottle to school. We have been having problems with cups and may need to put them on a hold for a while.
In the coming weeks: Science continues to look at the Earth and how it sits in our Solar System. In Bible we move Jacob and all the adventures he has. We will be getting into Joseph and his brothers soon. For History we look deeper in Sumer and why it is called a civilization.
Blessings on your week.
Mr. Bauer

Subject Update: Digital Literacy

Yesterday in Digital Literacy, the 6th graders learned about email etiquette as they were introduced to the "10 Commandments of Email."  This covered everything from having a greeting to your emails to what "CC" means to how to set a signature.

They were given a short assignment that is due next Monday of sending Mr. P an email showing that they understand how all the rules work.  Next week, we will be talking about tricks and tips to help with Google searches.