Math classes in the middle schools (next year): Many of you have asked about placement in advanced math classes  for next year. I have some information for you.


Current 5th graders: In order to qualify for placement in a middle school math class (7th grade math as a 6th grader), the math score on the NWEA must be a 259 or higher. The student must also have a "grade of 90% in previous math course". 


Current 6th graders: I am awaiting clarification. I'll post it as soon as I get it.


Enriched English classes in the middle schools: 

For current 6th graders only:  This requires 2 scores, one in Reading and one in Language.

• Reading NWEA spring 2012: 234
• Lang NWEA spring 2012: 232

6^th graders: On March 22^nd, all Poly Drive Elementary 6^th grade students will participate in Night of the Notables. Students research a notable person, living or dead, dress up like them, and share a bio poem. This takes place in the evening in the gym. Students will memorize the bio poem. The audience gets to actively participate by guessing who the notable is. I am looking forward to it!  All 6^th grade students have been given a scoring guide (rubric).

Morning math resumes this next week.

Important Dates:

Thursday, March 22^nd: Night of the Notables 6:30 PM Poly Gym

Wednesday, March 28^th: Last day for Boys BB

Friday, March 30^th: Last day for Girls BB

READING—novels done!

MATH           Ratios, Rates, and Proportions

LANG

Writing—writing an opinion paper on The Freedom Riders

6^th graders: Those who had their papers (biographies) turned in on time received their evaluations on Friday, March 16, 2012. There are 3 who did not get their evaluations yet. I’ll be bringing those over to their homes this weekend after I evaluate them.

Students who received a grade of a C or lower have the opportunity to bring it up IF it is turned in Monday. I gave specific feedback to the students on what needed to be improved. If your child received a C or lower and you do not want them to redo it, I need a note or email from you stating this. Otherwise, I expect those papers to be rewritten.

LWR—below

SOCIAL STUDIES

5th grade: Chapter 13

SCIENCE

Display boards can go home. Due to illnesses and other unforeseen events, we have not had all the science projects presented. When all are presented, I will present awards.

We’re hitting science this week with Newton’s Laws again. We’ll be determining speed; discussing velocity & acceleration, looking at what forces act on pendulums, whacking balls, and sending sheep in a jeep down Hot Wheels tracks. It will be a nice change!

LWR – geo

  

Root

gen                 birth, produce, race

centr              center

chron             time

geo                  earth, ground

graph                        write, written

therm                        heat

Suffix

-al                   like, related to

-er                   one who, that which

-ous                having the quality of

-ic                   like, related to

-ology                        study of, science

-y                    state, quality, act

SPELLING—U 29

5th grade—

U 29  Suffix: -ion

Dictation Sentences:

1.    Did you vote in today’s election?

2.   The guilty person  wrote a confession.

3.   Try to relax if you feel tension.

Basic: elect, react, reaction, confess, express, expression, connect, connection, tense, decorate, decoration, pollute, pollution, imitate, imitation, educate, education

Challenge: fascinate, fascination, construct, construction

Real World Vocabulary Math: Learning Algebra

equation, variable, solution, operations, intersect, axis, ordered pair, coordinate

U 30 is a review unit. We skip review units.

6th grade-

29  Prefixes: de-, trans-

Dictation Sentences:

1.    Tadpoles transform into frogs.

2.   We discussed a business transaction.

3.   Miners descend deep into the earth.

Basic: transmit, transfer, transcript, translate, decrease, determine, decision, demonstrate, deposit, detach, debate, defense, describe, decline, detour, definite, decay

Challenge delegate, transition, delinquent, transfusion, deliberate

Real World Vocabulary Social Studies: Books

scribes, quill, lampblack, parchment, vellum, vibrant, lettering, illuminated

U 30 is a review unit. We skip review units.

U 31  Words from other languages

Dictation Sentences:

1.    A plaque tells who made this statue.

2.   He tilted his beret toward one ear.

3.   We hiked until fatigue overcame us.

Basic: opera, vague, antique, drama, tornado, debut, stampede, gourmet, unique, academy, sonnet, mosquito, diploma, fiesta, debris, cafeteria, quartet

Challenge: bonanza, rendezvous, et cetera, battalion, engage

Real World Vocabulary Music: Singing

Classical, soloist, aria, maestro, mezzo-soprano, alto, bass, baritone