It's unbelievable that we've finished the first trimester! We're 1/3 of the way through 6th grade. Amazing!! We went to Lincoln Marsh last week, and the class had an unbelievable adventure. The weather was unforgettable, but we still had a good time - especially when we were able to get out of the wet and snow for the little breaks! Despite the cold, I think it drew everyone a little closer. Hopefully next time it will be a tad warmer and definitely dryer! When we returned it was fun hearing about the various challenges each group faced and how they worked together to overcome those challenges.
In humanities, we have been putting all our efforts into developing our theme parks. I am so impressed with the depth some students have gone in their research. Some students have even found out how much it costs to build bathrooms - toilets, sinks, and everything - in their theme parks! We are working next week on finalizing the advertising, and then on November 19th from 1:15-2:15, we will have the Theme Park Expo. I hope you will be able to join us!
Language Arts will have students looking at the world through a new perspective! They have picked novels, and they will be working through literature as we study point of view and perspective. We will also be looking at perspective through art from M. C. Escher. We will probably be continuing with the novels after Thanksgiving.
Our SEL topics coincide nicely with the Language Arts topic as we are learning to look at others from different perspectives and to see how they see us.
Week of November 11th: American Education Week
November 19th Theme Park Expo (1:15-2:15)
November 25-29 Thanksgiving Break
Conferences are Nov. 25 & 26! (Only sign up for me – you will see Miss Nordyke and Mrs. Casey during that time too – but just sign up for me. Hope to see you there!)
Completes and returns homework consistently
1-Consistently does not turn in homework and absent work
3-Regularly turns in homework and makes up absent work (not less than 90% homework completion)
5-Independently turns in all homework on time, including absent work (100% homework completion)
This is going well for most students J Check your child’s paper assignment notebook to see how he/she is doing. All late assignments are stamped or written there.
Uses time constructively
1-During structured learning experiences, student does not begin tasks without prompts, does not maintain focus and attention to task
3-During structured learning experiences, student begins task without prompting, maintains focus and attention to task
5-Skills are demonstrated during structured and unstructured learning experiences
This will continue to be an area of focus. The majority of students recognized in their self-evaluation that this was something they need to continue to focus on in the next trimester. We’re not quite meeting standards here as a class yet.
Communicates own needs, concerns, feelings, appropriately
1-Cannot constructively disagree with peers, respectfully approach teachers with questions or concerns, manage anger and frustration appropriately
3-Can constructively disagree with peers, respectfully approach teachers with questions or concerns, manage anger and frustration appropriately, All skills are demonstrated consistently with minimal assistance
5-Can constructively disagree with peers, respectfully approach teachers with questions or concerns, manage anger and frustration appropriately.All skills are demonstrated consistently and independently
This is a new November goal, and it is the focus for our time in social-emotional learning. The students are off to a great start!
Emotional intensity involves students’ deep, sometimes over-whelming emotional sensitivity to themselves and the world around them (Fonseca, 2011b). Characterized by intense highs and lows, gifted children who experience this level of intensity can be easily hurt emotionally and they will often be overly self-critical if they hurt another person emotionally (Hebert, 2011). It is important to help gifted children learn about the positive aspects of intensity and prevent the more negative impact of this level of sensitivity.