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PAW PRINTS- 6TH GRADE ALBEMARLE MIDDLE SCHOOL OCTOBER 2009 READ ABOUT WHAT WE’RE DOING! MATH Students are currently working on Statistics in math class. Lessons are assigned to give pupils practice in collecting, organizing, displaying, and interpreting data. While we have completed many graphs by hand, we will soon generate graphs on the computers. One goal of this unit is to make the data interesting and relevant to the pupil. Please remember to check your child's agenda and sign each night. Completing homework is a vital part of the educational process. COMMUNICATION SKILLS All classes now go to the media center on Tuesdays at the beginning of class. The next book report will be due October 27. Students must choose a different choice of project to do from their list along with a summary. We are continuing to read fiction and nonfiction selections from the Literature book. Word Wall/vocabulary/STEMS are still being done each week with a quiz on Friday. We are using our laptops in class to look up words and for word processing. SCIENCE We are working on a unit on Space. The Science Fair is scheduled for the week of December 7th- December 11th. Students will be getting a commitment letter from Mr. Stovall and Mrs. Lutz. This is a letter that students will sign committing to completing a science fair project. After receiving the letters back a packet will be sent out to them. SOCIAL STUDIES Social Studies students are working on map skills basics, including latitude and longitude. We practice our skills daily. We have also begun to learn about South America- country names, geographic features, and history. We look forward to using the laptops to find out even more about this fascinating continent! MS. HARRIS’S CLASS Communication Skills- Learners have enjoyed learning and reciting the daily motivational poem “I am Somebody.” They are focusing on building vocabulary skills, increasing crticial thinking and fluency skills, and creative writing. Math- We are using the order of operations concept to solve problems. Parents, ask your child to explain the acronym PEMDAS and to give an example. Learners are also investigating algebraic expressions, such as 2xn = 16. What is n? Science- Science is a blast! Students have tested their hypotheses with the use of balloons. We are focusing on materials that shape our world. Social Studies- Learners have investigated maps, and discussed the parts of a map. Their adventures will take some through the countries of South America and others through the regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia. OFFICER BRANCH CONDUCTS GREAT CLASSES School Resource Officer Elbert Branch is currently leading instruction of the GREAT curriculum once per week in the science and social studies classes. GREAT (Gang Resistance Education and Training) teaches 6th graders about the negative influences gangs have on individuals, schools, and communities. There will be a project due in December on “Making My School a G.R.E.A.T. place” and a graduation ceremony for all students who successfully complete the program. Ask your child to share with you what GREAT things they are learning! Donnie, Katie, and Pedro work on measurement in science class. Stephanie practices her map skills in Social Studies. In art class, Llulisa and Cheyenne perfect their sketches. ALSO CHECK OUT THE “MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE” NEWSLETTER ON THE AMS HOMEPAGE! THE SIXTH GRADE NEWSLETTER IS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE AMS HOMEPAGE UNDER THE NEWS TAB.
