Progress On Several Fronts

Excel file manipulation-vocabulary words all in an excel spreadsheet. Students got practice manipulating their words, sorting and organizing them into different formats becoming more comfortable with this technology in this format.
Peak-Peak had to deal with being ostracized from the other climbers who'd paid to get to the summit of Everest. True, Peak hadn't paid. How was this to be dealt with?
Personal novel time-time with a book of personal choice is always a good thing.
Vocabulary review-what do those 10 words mean, again? ...and in what context?
Letters by grandparents-printed, submitted letters grandparents may have written in times long past. Writing was one thing, getting them printed and submitted was another.

The Last Week of February Already?

Peak-new informaiton is revealed about Peak's father and Sun Jo's father. What a relationship and tragedy.
Vocabulary review-a quick once over for this week's words, but really most time was spent in the collection of homework revolving around their list of 80 words organized into a spreadsheet. Tomorrow we will manipulate this data, a for real tech skill.
Write letters-instruction was given on how to write an imagined letter from their grandparent to what would be the student's great grand parent. This should include a mix of historical information and family interests.
Library visit with novel reading-Hughes' homeroom missed library book exchange time last week, so today we made a quick trip to replenish reading stocks. It wasn't a long trip, but it was better than none at all.

Homework-
1) submit printed letter from grandparent
2) bring vocabulary excel file
3) bring journals
4) iTunes extra credit try for Everest podcasts

End To A 3 Day Student Week

Vocabulary study-after an 8 minute intensive study with a partner, students took a couple of quizlets. It was pretty amazing how well classmates have moved these words from the unknown to the known. Certainly by the end of next week we'll be into list #9.
Return journal entries-I returned a set of writings that disappointed me. I could not get across to students the finer points of journal writing, the looking inward aspect compared to the telling of an interesting story. They look much the same on paper, but they are fundamentally different. Maybe there is something about the early adolescent mind that makes introspection a stretch.
Letter writing-a fictitious letter from my father to his widowed mother during World War II served as an example of the elements of a personal written correspondence. A mix of news, historical information, is included with information and questions that are particularly personal. Next week we'll compose letters for grandparents, making every effort to get the mix right.
Library visitation-we were able to get to the library for a quick exchange of reading material for the weekend.


Homework-submit printed vocabulary list, all 80 words and definitions.

Sponsored Walk A Perfect Event

Each year the sixth grade leads a sponsored walk. Together with PIE and PEL fourth graders, much money is raised for 1) the orangutans at the zoo, and 2) WatSan, a local NGO who helps provide drinking water to a local scavenger community.

This year's walk was held under perfect conditions. Clouds overhead, a light wind blowing, and frozen oranges available on each lap, made the 1:20 time pass quickly. Now comes the collection of pledge money, then making the financial awards.

A special thank you to all parents who contributed their time and resources to once again making this event so special. We try to impress upon students that service is important, and this is one way we try to make a difference in the lives of those around us.

Thanks again,
All Sixth Grade Teachers

This is studying vocabulary words?

Peak-we're moving our hero closer to the summit, though the snowstorm hit with a vengence.
Vocabulary study-students got into groups of their choosing and hammered on their vocabulary words for this week. At the end of 10 minutes we took a couple of quizlets, quite successfully at that.
Return Geoactive texts-a quick walk to the resource center to stretch legs, visit the bathroom, and accomplish a task long overdue.
Novel reading-time spent, really engrossed in novels of choice.
Journal review-what is contained in a quality journal entry? We reviewed Monday's lesson then chose a story from our grandparent's time line for the creation of a journal entry.

Homework-in our writer's notebook finish a journal entry as if our grandparent would have composed it. This should be based on an event from the time line we are working on.