Parent-Teacher Conferences
Thanks to the 6th grade parents who were able to meet with us for conferences. We look forward to meeting with our 5th grade families in November!
While conferences are a great opportunity to connect, families never need to wait for a scheduled conference time. You are always welcome to reach out at any point during the school year with questions, concerns, or if you would simply like an update on how your child is doing.
Chromebooks
As a reminder, starting last week, students began picking up their Chromebooks between 7:50 and 8:00 a.m. to carry with them to each class. At the end of the day, students are required to return their Chromebook to their homeroom and plug it in before leaving.
All students are required to have a Chromebook case to protect their device throughout the day. If a student needs to check out their Chromebook to take home, they should communicate with their homeroom teacher.
6th Grade - 6th graders have their first summative assessment of the year on Monday, October 5th. All students received a study guide. Please encourage them to use the “How to Study” suggestions at the bottom to help them prepare! Here is a link if your child misplaced theirs.
5th Grade - 5th grade will begin their first book club this week. They will have DAILY required reading that will likely need to occur at home. Check in with your child’s bookmark to ensure they are keeping up with their reading.
Monday, October 12th - No School
Friday, October 16th - 1:00 Dismissal
Parent Teacher Conferences
This year, the 5/6 Team will hold separate conference times for 5th and 6th grade families. This will give us additional time to get to know our 5th graders before meeting with families and allow us to provide more meaningful feedback.
Our conference schedule will be:
6th Grade Families
📅 September 30
⏰ 1:15–5:15 p.m.
5th Grade Families
📅 October 20 & October 22
⏰ 3:15–5:15 p.m.
Sign Up link will come in October.
If these dates or times do not work for your family, please reach out when sign-ups become available, and we will do our best to find another time to meet.
Outdoor Ed
Info for 5th Grade Families
6th grade Outdoor Ed is this week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. 5th grade students will have substitute teachers for all core classes, art, and drama. Please talk with your child about expectations with subs for the week.
Info for 6th Grade Families
A separate email with reminders was sent last Monday. If you have any questions, please reach out to a member of the team.
Updated Assignment Notebook
Now that students have built habits for their assignment notebook, they no longer need to have parents sign each night. Students are still responsible for filling them out everyday and we still encourage parents to have open communication with their students regarding assignments. If your child struggles to complete assignments, we can discuss bringing this system back for them on an individual basis.
Updated Chromebook Plan
At the beginning of the year, we shared that the 5/6 team and technology department were piloting a new Chromebook procedure. We have been really happy with what we have seen so far! We have had only one broken Chromebook, no students requesting replacement chargers, and much less off-task Chromebook use.
As we’ve worked through the first several weeks, we’ve also learned that students need access to their Chromebooks in more places throughout the school day, including Studio classes, PE, and other activities outside of their regular classrooms.
Because of this, we are making a small adjustment to our procedure. Beginning Monday, September 28th, students will:
Pick up their Chromebook from their homeroom teacher between 7:50–8:00 a.m.
Carry their Chromebook with them to classes throughout the school day.
Plug their Chromebook into the cart during their last class so it can charge overnight and be ready for the next day.
With this change, students will need a Chromebook case to safely carry their device throughout the day. We recommend a small, protective case with a handle or single shoulder strap. Students do not need a large laptop bag—just something simple that protects the Chromebook and makes it easy to carry from class to class.
Chromebooks will still remain at school overnight unless a student needs to check one out to complete homework at home.
We appreciate everyone’s support as we continue to adjust this process based on what works best for our students!
Chromebook Check Out Policy
Thank you to the families who have completed the Family Technology Survey. Based on the responses we’ve received, we know that a small number of students will need to check out a Chromebook to complete homework assignments at home.
Students who need a Chromebook may check one out from their homeroom teacher on days when they have homework that requires a device. Chromebooks should only be checked out when needed for homework, rather than taken home each day. Please discuss this option with your child, and we will help make sure they have access to a Chromebook when necessary.
Helpful Team Links
Monday, September 21st - No School
Wed, Sept 23 - Fri, Sept 25th - 6th Grade Outdoor Ed
Friday, September 25th - 1:00 Dismissal
Wed, September 30th - 1:15-5:15 6th grade Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences
This year, the 5/6 Team will hold separate conference times for 5th and 6th grade families. This will give us additional time to get to know our 5th graders before meeting with families and allow us to provide more meaningful feedback.
Our conference schedule will be:
6th Grade Families
📅 September 30
⏰ 1:15–5:15 p.m.
5th Grade Families
📅 October 20 & October 22
⏰ 3:15–5:15 p.m.
If these dates or times do not work for your family, please reach out when sign-ups become available, and we will do our best to find another time to meet.
Logging Into Your Metcalf Account From Home
While student Chromebooks stay at school, students' work is saved to a Metcalf account, not just the school chromebook. Here are directions on how to log on your home device.
On a Laptop, Desktop Computer, or Chromebook
Open an internet browser. Google Chrome works best, but Safari, Edge, or another browser can also be used.
Go to Google.com.
Click Sign In in the upper-right corner.
Enter your Metcalf email address
ULID@metcalf.illinoisstate.edu
ULID = your child’s first initial, middle initial, letters from last name, and possible a number.
Students wrote their ULID in their planner
Enter your Metcalf password.
Students wrote their password in their planner
Once you are signed in, click the 9-dot Google Apps menu in the upper-right corner.
Choose the school tool you need, such as:
Google Classroom
Google Drive
Google Docs
Gmail
Google Slides
If someone else is already signed into Google on the computer:
Click their profile picture in the upper-right corner
choose Add another account.
Follow the same directions to sign in with the Metcalf account.
On an iPad, Tablet, or Phone
You have two options.
Option 1: Use an Internet Browser
Open Chrome, Safari, or another browser.
Go to Google.com.
Tap Sign In.
Enter your Metcalf email address and password.
From there, you can access Google Classroom, Drive, Docs, and other Google tools.
Option 2: Use Google Apps
You may download apps such as Google Classroom, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Slides, or Gmail.
Open the Google app you want to use.
Tap Sign In or Add Account.
Enter your Metcalf email address.
Enter your Metcalf password.
Make sure you are working in your Metcalf account, especially if another Google account is already on the device.
Helpful Team Links
Monday, September 21st - No School
Wed, Sept 23 - Fri, Sept 25th - 6th Grade Outdoor Ed
Friday, September 25th - 1:00 Dismissal
Wed, September 30th - 1:15-5:15 6th grade Parent Teacher Conferences
6th Grade Outdoor Ed Parent
Outdoor Education is quickly approaching for our 6th grade students. Our experience is scheduled for September 23rd - September 25th. The optional parent meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, September 8th at 6 pm. Use the following link for the meeting. Paperwork was given to the students on Friday, and needs to be returned by September 14th. Please reach out with any questions.
Parent Teacher Conferences
This year, the 5/6 Team will hold separate conference times for 5th and 6th grade families. This will give us additional time to get to know our 5th graders before meeting with families and allow us to provide more meaningful feedback.
Our conference schedule will be:
6th Grade Families
📅 September 30
⏰ 1:15–5:15 p.m.
5th Grade Families
📅 October 20 & October 22
⏰ 3:15–5:15 p.m.
If these dates or times do not work for your family, please reach out when sign-ups become available, and we will do our best to find another time to meet.
Logging Into Your Metcalf Account From Home
While student Chromebooks stay at school, students work is saved to a Metcalf account, not just the school chromebook. Here are directions on how to log on your home device.
On a Laptop, Desktop Computer, or Chromebook
Open an internet browser. Google Chrome works best, but Safari, Edge, or another browser can also be used.
Go to Google.com.
Click Sign In in the upper-right corner.
Enter your Metcalf email address
ULID@metcalf.illinoisstate.edu
ULID = your child’s first initial, middle initial, letters from last name, and possible a number.
Students wrote their ULID in their planner
Enter your Metcalf password.
Students wrote their password in their planner
Once you are signed in, click the 9-dot Google Apps menu in the upper-right corner.
Choose the school tool you need, such as:
Google Classroom
Google Drive
Google Docs
Gmail
Google Slides
If someone else is already signed into Google on the computer:
Click their profile picture in the upper-right corner
choose Add another account.
Follow the same directions to sign in with the Metcalf account.
On an iPad, Tablet, or Phone
You have two options.
Option 1: Use an Internet Browser
Open Chrome, Safari, or another browser.
Go to Google.com.
Tap Sign In.
Enter your Metcalf email address and password.
From there, you can access Google Classroom, Drive, Docs, and other Google tools.
Option 2: Use Google Apps
You may download apps such as Google Classroom, Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Slides, or Gmail.
Open the Google app you want to use.
Tap Sign In or Add Account.
Enter your Metcalf email address.
Enter your Metcalf password.
Make sure you are working in your Metcalf account, especially if another Google account is already on the device.
🌍 Social Studies
5th Grade - Fifth graders continue to build a strong foundation for the year by learning and applying essential social studies vocabulary. Understanding these key terms will help students better explain their thinking, analyze information, and make connections throughout our study of United States history. Students will continue practicing these concepts this week and will be assessed on both the meaning and application of the vocabulary by the end of next week.
6th Grade - Sixth graders completed their Geography Skills Summative this week. Overall, most students performed well on the assessment. For students who would like an opportunity to improve their score, a retake will be offered next Wednesday. The practice test has been posted as a PDF in Google Classroom, and the questions on the summative are similar in style to those found on the practice assessment. Scores will be posted after all retakes have been completed.
Monday, September 7th - No School Labor Day
Tuesday, September 8th - 6th Grade Outdoor Ed Parent Meeting 6pm
Wednesday, September 9th - Picture Day
Friday, September 11th - 1:00 Dismissal
Monday, September 21st - No School
Wed, Sept 23 - Fri, Sept 25th - 6th Grade Outdoor Ed
Friday, September 25th - 1:00 Dismissal
5th Grade Parent Orientation.
Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend parent orientation on Wednesday evening. If you were unable to attend, here is a link to the handout with some brief notes from the presentation. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions throughout the school year.
Technology at Home Survey - Please Complete
As Metcalf implements our updated Chromebook policy for the school year, we recognize that this change may require some adjustments from what students and families have been accustomed to in the past. To help us better support your student, please complete the following survey for each child you have on the 5th/6th grade team. Your feedback will assist us as we continue working with the Technology Department to develop a process that ensures students who need access to a school issued Chromebook at home can do so to complete schoolwork.
Middle School Library Time
While students will have two built-in times each month to visit the library, many may want to access books more often. Mrs. Zehr has shared that the library will be open before school beginning at 7:45 a.m. and after school until 3:30 p.m. If your child plans to visit the library after school, please make sure they have communicated this with you ahead of time so it does not interfere with your pick-up plans. If you have any questions, please reach out to me or Holly Zehr.
6th Grade - 6th graders have started their first book club of the year focused on character development. Each student has a green bookmark with their reading deadlines. Check in with your child to ensure they are reading AND annotating each night.
5th Grade - This week, we completed Aimsweb testing and explored choosing “just right” books. Talk to your child about the difference between a vacation book, challenge book, and “just right” book.
6th Grade Science: Thinking Like Scientists
This week, students refreshed the scientific practices and skills we began developing last year. Students designed and carried out an investigation to determine the speed of a bubble traveling through different liquid-filled tubes under specific conditions.
Throughout the investigation, students made predictions, collected measurements, graphed and analyzed data, and used their findings to explain patterns they observed. These familiar practices will continue to be an important part of our science classroom as students use evidence, data, and scientific reasoning to figure out how and why things happen in the natural world.
5th Grade: Building Our Science Community!
This week, students focused on getting organized and establishing routines that will help us figure things out together in science. Students set up their Science Binders, which will stay in the classroom and serve as a record of their learning and a resource during summative assessments. While binders will remain at school, individual assignments may come home as homework if they are not completed during class.
We ended the week by developing our Classroom Agreements, identifying the norms we need to ask questions, share ideas, learn from mistakes, and figure things out together as a community of scientists.
🌍 Social Studies
5th Grade - Fifth graders have continued building a strong foundation for the year by working with important social studies vocabulary. Developing a shared understanding of these terms will help students better understand, discuss, and explain the historical concepts and topics we will explore throughout the year. Through class activities and discussions, students are learning how this vocabulary connects to the work of historians, geographers, and citizens. We will continue strengthening these skills before moving into additional geography-focused learning. Students should also remember to bring a book to class each day for independent reading opportunities.
6th Grade - Sixth graders are wrapping up their review of essential social studies vocabulary and will soon begin refreshing their geography skills. These concepts were introduced in fifth grade and have been used across social studies units throughout the years, making them important tools for continued success. As students review map skills, location, regions, and other geographic concepts, they will strengthen the foundation needed for our upcoming study of ancient civilizations. This review will help ensure all students are prepared for the learning ahead. Students should also remember to bring a book to class each day for independent reading opportunities.
5th Grade - Thank you for the responses from the Million Words or Less assignment. I have enjoyed getting to know your students through your eyes as I have gotten to know them more in the classroom. If you are unsure of what this assignment is, please ask your student and check it out here. We have started working on our Place Value Unit and will continue with that work over the next week or two.
6th Grade - The 6th graders have been working on their Decimal Unit, this involved some review before moving on to application and new topics. This is a quick unit and will likely wrap up next week. Sixth grade is a fun year in math where we really start taking topics and ideas that they have studied in the past and extend their knowledge and where we start to introduce them to new topics altogether.
News from Mrs. Register
I wanted to share a little personal news with you—my family is excited to be welcoming a new baby this winter! I am due in early January and plan to begin maternity leave around that time. As we get closer, I will share more information about what my leave will look like and how we will make sure things continue to run smoothly in ELA while I am away. For now, I simply wanted to share the exciting news with you and your students!
Meet Ms. McGuinn - PDS Student Teacher
Hello, families! My name is Ms. McGuinn, and I’m excited to be joining your students as a student teacher this school year! The student teaching program I’m participating in through ISU is called Professional Development Schools (PDS). Through this, I have the opportunity to spend the entire school year at Metcalf, getting to know your children, teaching them what I know about ELA and Social Studies, and learning more about middle school and Metcalf from them. My biggest goal this year is to make your students feel welcomed and supported.
Outside of my coursework and teaching, I am the President of the Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA) at ISU. CMLA provides me with the opportunity to participate in activities and events with middle school students in our community, which has strengthened my love for working with this age group.
A few other fun facts about me are that I love music, both listening to it and playing it, and I’m always excited to try new sports, activities, and experiences. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the Metcalf community and can't wait to see what this year brings!
New for 2026-2027 in 5th and 6th grade.
Chromebooks
This year, the 5th and 6th grade team, in partnership with the Technology Department, is piloting a new Chromebook policy in which student devices will remain at school. The goal of this change is to reduce device damage and repairs while also helping limit noneducational screen time outside of school. Chromebooks are available to the students to use in each of the classrooms they visit throughout the day.
As we implement our updated Chromebook policy for the school year, we recognize that this change may require some adjustments from what students and families have been accustomed to in the past.
To help us better support your student, please complete the following survey for each child you have on the 5th/6th grade team. Your feedback will assist us as we continue working with the Technology Department to develop a process that ensures students who need access to a school issued Chromebook at home can do so to complete schoolwork.
We will continue to work with the Technology Department to evaluate and refine this process throughout the school year.
Planners
Each student received a Metcalf Planner this week. Each day during class students will be responsible for filling in their homework assignments and/or daily activities for each class. We are looking for partnership from families at home. In order to help you know what is going on in each class, we are requiring students to get their planners signed each night by an adult. This can help facilitate conversations about their day, and hopefully avoid the “I don’t know what we did today” or “We just did stuff today” answers we all hear. 🙂
5th Grade Parent Orientation
We are preparing for our Parent Orientation Meeting on August 26th. If you are a 5th grade parent, please take a moment to fill out the following form to help us guide the evening.
6th Grade - 6th graders are beginning their first book club this week! Be on the lookout for books to be coming home and encourage students to read each night.
5th Grade - 5th grade will be introduced to the 40 book challenge this week! The 40 Book Challenge is a personal CHALLENGE to read 40 books in one school year! Students are also encouraged to read a variety of genres
We spent the week getting back into the school routine. Throughout the week we talked about expectations in the classroom and talked about what it means to be a good group member when tasked to work in a group. As we get started on content over the next week or so, the 5th grade students will start their year with place value and multiplication and division review. The 6th graders will begin their year reviewing decimal operations and extending their decimal knowledge from last year.
It has been a wonderful first week back! We have spent our time welcoming students, building our classroom community, learning routines, and getting comfortable working and thinking together as scientists. These first days are an important part of creating a classroom where students feel safe asking questions, sharing ideas, making mistakes, and learning from one another.
In our science classroom, students will do much more than learn science facts. Throughout the year, they will investigate interesting phenomena, develop and revise models, analyze data, engage in discussions, design investigations, and use evidence to explain their thinking. Much of our learning will be driven by student questions and curiosity as we work together to figure out how and why things happen.
We will soon begin our first official science unit! As we transition into our regular science routine, students will begin encountering phenomena that make them wonder, ask questions, and start figuring things out together. I am excited to see where their questions and ideas take us!
🌍 Social Studies
5th Grade - We had a fantastic first week of school getting to know one another and settling into middle school routines! Students learned about their daily schedules, practiced using their lockers, reviewed classroom expectations, and completed several activities designed to help build our classroom community. We also set up our Chromebooks by creating new passwords and bookmarking important websites that will support learning throughout the year. Next week, we will begin our first unit as students explore key social studies vocabulary and develop foundational geography skills that will be used throughout the year.
6th Grade - Our sixth graders had a great start to the school year as we reviewed classroom expectations, built classroom routines, and prepared our Chromebooks for the year ahead by creating new passwords and bookmarking important websites. As we begin our academic work, students will revisit essential social studies vocabulary and geography skills that were introduced in fifth grade and will continue to be important tools throughout their social studies learning. This review will help establish a strong foundation as we begin our study of ancient civilizations later this semester.
Wednesday, August 26th - 6PM - 5th Grade Parent Orientation
Wednesday, September 2nd - 1:00 Dismissal
Monday, September 7th - No School Labor Day