Dear Sixth Grade Families,
We hope that everyone had a wonderful and relaxing Thanksgiving break. Thank you all for joining us for the Thanksgiving Luncheon and performance; it was lovely to see everyone!
Before the break, we wrapped up our Astronomy Block. Through participating in a demonstration of the earth's orbit, the class discussed the earth’s tilted axis and how it creates seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres. Learning that the earth’s rotation around the sun is slightly more than 365 days, the reason for Leap Year (Major’s birthday!) quickly became the subject of our conversation. The students each received a new mathematical tool for their supply box, a compass. The students spent some class time exploring how to use this new instrument (which could prove to be tricky)! After learning the ratio of the size of the moon to the earth (our moon is ¼ the size of the earth), the class was challenged with solving how to draw exactly four equal-sized “moons” along the diameter of one “earth.” To complement this block, in our morning circle, the class has been diligently memorizing a lengthy Astronomy poem recitation. After hearing several other poems about the stars, the night sky, and constellations, the Sixth Grade spent some creative writing time working on their own poems!
As a part of the transition to Middle School, the Sixth Graders are learning to evaluate their own work and to use an assignment notebook to record homework. Each student received a rubric for their Main Lesson book at the beginning of this block. They have been using it as a reference point as they complete their Main Lesson pages. Additionally, we will be utilizing a homework notebook going forward. On Monday of each week, the students will create a page outlining the homework they have for each of their classes. They will also bring this notebook to each of their Foreign Language classes. This notebook should be coming to and from school each day. This aims to help your children develop organizational skills and healthy homework habits as they move into the higher grades.
Ki Melissa is leading the class for this Main Lesson block as we continue our journey through Ancient Rome. Ki Lesley will continue to lead the class for the second part of the school day as the students focus on math, literature circles, Cyber Civics, and sketching. We both greatly enjoy teaching the Sixth Grade class!
Announcements and Reminders:
The winter weather is coming, and it is much cooler in the forest! Please dress your student(s) in layers. Winter coats and rain gear are required every day.
We need Greenery for the Winter Spiral. Please consider asking for extra clipping from tree lots or donating trimmings from pruned evergreens in your yard. Greenery can be left alongside the fence in the field area. Thank you!
Upcoming Events:
12/02 Prospective Family Open House: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
12/07 Grades 1st - 5th Winter Spiral
12/08 Kindergarten Winter Spiral
12/20 Grades Assembly - 12:00 p.m. & Last Day of Fall Semester - Half Day
12/21 Teacher In-Service (No School)
12/22 - 01/03 Winter Break (No School)
01/04 First day of Spring Semester
With Gratitude,
Ki Lesley and Ki Melissa
