Mr. Kohler's Classroom News
October 3, 2014
Reading
In reading, both grades have been working on creating inferences from what they have read. We have done a couple of group lessons on this to help the students use the text as well as pictures to help create inferences. We also discussed how moods and attitudes of characters influence our inferences.
We have also been working on reading different types of informational texts. We have talked about the different purposes and formats of each. We have also talked about and looked for different text features in the different informational texts.
Just a reminder that your child needs to get their AR points for the first marking period. The 6th grade will need 15 AR points and the 5th grade needs 14 AR points for the marking period. This will account for 25% of their reading grade.
Social Studies
We are currently working on our unit about "The Early Americans". This chapter looks at some of the early civilizations of the Western Hemisphere. We will study the Maya, Aztec, Inca, Anasazi, and Mound Builders. We have covered the Maya, and we learned about the Mayan language and Mayan math (I hope you enjoyed the homework problems they did with you). We are now starting the Aztec and will continue into the other civilizations next week.
Here is a good kids' website with information about the Aztecs.
6th Grade
We are still working on the different aspects and concepts of geography. This past week we looked at "Our Planet, Earth". In this chapter we talked about the Earth's orbit, seasons, latitude vs. longitude. We also studied "Forces Shaping Earth". The students really liked this chapter, and it lead to some good discussion. We talked about the layers of the Earth, volcanoes, earthquakes, plates, weathering, and erosion. Yesterday, we started our chapter on "Climate and Weather". In this chapter we will look at how the water cycle, wind currents, and ocean currents play a role in climate all around the world.
Math
5th Grade
We have been working on estimating, rounding, and different methods for mental math. As we get further into this chapter we will look at decimals, percents, fractions and how we can convert from one to the other. We will also look at different multiplication methods, like the Lattice Method.
6th Grade
We are just finishing up our unit that looked at several different ways to graph or display data. The students should be able to tell the difference and create pie graphs, bar graphs, step graphs, stem and leaf plots, and line plots. Next, we will be getting into place value of small numbers (decimals). In this chapter we will work on adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals.
Science
5th grade Science:
In fifth grade science, we have been learning about the various groups in the animal kingdom. The students had the opportunity to view several jarred specimens from all different groups. They also began research presentations on an invertebrate and vertebrate of their choice where they were given a variety of criteria and asked to also make a 3-D model. We will be starting genetics and heredity next week.
6th Grade Science:
In sixth grade, we have been going over the concepts of day/night, moon phases, and neap/spring tides. We did a lab using clay and flashlights to simulate lunar and solar eclipses. We will also be starting a research project on a planet/dwarf planet next week and will be starting on heat in the solar system after that.
Important Dates & Reminders
Oct. 1st-31st-Study Island Blue Ribbon Contest (ask your child about this)
Oct. 6th- Frankenmuth Orders Due (Keep Selling this Weekend)
Oct. 9th- Rotary Flu Clinic
Oct. 24th- Grandparents' Day is Friday at 1 pm, details to come
Oct. 27th- AR Points Due for the Marking Period
Oct. 30th-End of the First Marking Period
Oct. 31st-No School/Staff In-service
Box Tops-Please continue to collect box tops. It is time consuming, but it raises a lot of money for our students and school. Keep up the good work!
Grandparents' Day Supplies
*Plates, Napkins, Cups
*Healthy Snack
*Cookies/Baked Goods
*Drink (Juice or Cider)
Thank you for you help with this.