TWIS 2/27-3/3

Parents,

   I apologize for not sending out the TWIS for a couple of weeks... I'll do my best to get those out every week from here on out.  As part of my penance, I'll give you a couple of freebies at the bottom of this email. Thanks for your support in our learning this year so far!  Some quick news:

- Student-led conferences are coming up on March 7th and March 9th.  Make sure you reserve a time by CLICKING HERE or visiting Southdale6.com and clicking on the Online Conference Scheduler button.

- We had a field trip last week to view a dress rehearsal of Peet JH's Cabaret show- What fun!  We are also heading to Gallagher-Bluedorn on Monday to watch a play on the life of baseball great Jackie Robinson.

- I am still collecting Hy-Vee receipts for school.  Send those anytime!

Here's This Week in Switzer:

TL;DR- Reading and learning about arguments, Math is looking at percents, Wax Museum will happen during conferences, and Science experiments with Chocolate Chip cookies!

Reader's Workshop: Students have been researching arguments and have been looking at topics ranging from our ethical use of plastics, to space and undersea exploration, to saving sharks or saving humans, to the risk involved in extreme sports.  Students have had two debates already over these topics, and are finding out that good arguments will include information from lots of resources.  Our class has also been arguing on whether video games are good for kids or not... some interesting conversations there!  My freebies below may help with this conversation at home...

Math: Students are beginning to understand percents and how they work.  Please help us with this concept by asking your student to calculate percents in everyday life- coupons, sales tax, and discounts.  Have your student estimate those totals... I typically ask them to estimate a number they know is reasonably too high, and a number that is reasonably too low, before they make their actual estimation.  Talking about this practical concept at home will help our students as we uncover the idea behind percents.

Writing/ Social Studies: Students are focusing on their Wax Museum projects- I sent home a blue informational sheet for the project last week with your student (ask them about it if you have yet to see it).  The work for the project will be done here at school, including the poster board, so we can provide the most support and direction possible.  Students should begin looking for ways to "dress" as their Wax Museum character, and for a "button" that gets pushed to "activate" the speech.

   My son, who was in 6th grade last year, borrowed my old suit jacket and tie to portray Henry Ford.  We made a button from an old light switch attached to an electrical box.  Don't feel obligated to overthink this part of the Wax Museum- it's really about learning that everyone has the potential to make a positive impact in our world.

Science: We're finishing up our cookie lab by making claims about our research and finding experts on the internet to verify our refute our claims.  We are graphing our data, and making conclusions based on our experiment.  I've been really impressed by our thinking and deductions as to why our cookies turned out the way they did.  Thanks for your help with this lab!  Feel free to ask your student about the process of science.  After spring break, we'll begin looking at Cellular Biology and the Human Body.

As promised- a couple freebies to help you, as parents, to navigate the world of video games, internet enabled devices, and to protect our children from the dangers posed by the internet.  I use these resources with my own children, and hope they can be of help to you.

- Common Sense Media (CLICK HERE) is a non-profit organization website devoted to providing resources and education to parents and schools when it comes to best practices for anything related to media (video games, movies, tv, cell phones, cyber safety, digital citizenship, etc.).  The site is a wealth of information, research, and activities parents can be with their kids when it comes to being safe in a digital world.  Like I tell my kids, just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should- this is especially true when it comes to media consumption.  Feel free to check out this incredible resource for parents.

- Our Pact (CLICK HERE) is a FREE iPhone/ Android app that allows parents to control their children's devices- when they have access to apps, the internet, and more.  I use Our Pact with my son who has an iPhone, and my daughters who each have iPods.  I set a schedule when they can use those items, and can control which apps are available to use.  I pair this app with the Family App Store services software that comes with Apple devices to make sure my kids are not exposed to apps that they aren't ready for.  

A quick warning- this is for internet enabled devices only, and doesn't take the place of a good conversation with our kids about appropriate use of cell phones.

Have a fantastic week- and as always, thank you for sending me your incredible kids everyday!

--

Matthew Switzer

6th Grade Teacher, 

Southdale Elementary

TWIS 12/12-12/16

Parents-

   We still have plenty happening in the last week and a half before winter break!  Here's This Week in Switzer:

Math: We've finished Topic 6 and are cruising through Topic 7.  Expect a test over the Topic next a week from Monday.  Then we'll have a quick week for Topic 8.

Reader's Workshop: We continue to look at complex non-fiction text features, main idea, and fluency.  Your student should still be reading 30+ minutes per night (this can be non-fiction and/or their free read books).  We log those books every morning at school, and track our goals daily in our Action Planner.  Feel free to ask your student on their progress of their goals.

   Students also completed a post test over citing evidence, comparing themes, and author's techniques/ goals this past week, and most students are ready to include this work in their portfolios!

Science: We're developing a process to test common household powders to figure out a "mystery powder."  We're doing this by looking at chemical and physical changes of substances.  Our mystery powder is one (or more) of these: Corn Starch, Baby Powder, Baking Soda, and/or Baby powder.  After we develop and perform our tests, students will develop an argument for what they believe the mystery powder is.  We will have a test over Physical and Chemical Changes/ properties on Friday- there is a note sheet/ study guide they can take home and study every night, and a Google Slideshow in their Google Classroom Science class (on the computer).

Social Studies: Students are working through westward expansion by manipulating a simulation on Native Americans.

Writing: Students finished up their research and argument papers this week and will add them to their Leader Notebooks.  Please do not hesitate to ask your student to digitally "share" their documents with you (give them your email address) as they are working on them- it gives you a chance to see them progressing through their learning and writing.  If you're unsure how this might work, feel free to email me.

Lastly, I want to thank you for your support with the book fair and candy grams- and thank you again for sending me your student everyday!  Have a fantastic week-

--

Matthew Switzer

6th Grade Teacher, 

Southdale Elementary

TWIS 12/5-12/9

Parents,

   Snow!  Today was a good reminder that your student should bring enough warm clothes to wear for outside recesses.  This would now include a snow coat, hat, pants, boots, and gloves.  

   We are slowly adding more to our responsibilities and roles in the classroom, including working on digital portfolios, daily tweets from the classroom, and an opportunity to participate in the National Hour of Code next week.  Make sure to ask your student about their roles as a leader in the school.  Here's This Week in Switzer:

TL;DR- CFA in Math coming soon; non-fiction is our focus in reading; simulation in Social Studies; new lab experiment in Science; Book fair this week!

Math: In Switzer Math, we are transitioning to Topic 6 and 7 this week.  There will be a Topic 6 test this week, and a Topic 7 test next week.  All of our Math tests are online at Southdale6.com.

Reader's Workshop: We are diving into difficult and complex non-fiction books- the kind your student will encounter in junior high and beyond.  Your student will be reading and analyzing non-fiction books most nights, and will continue to log their reading everyday.  Your student's reading log can be found at Southdale6.com.

Science: We started looking at the physical and chemical properties of matter, and how to know if a physical or chemical change has occurred in matter.  This will lead us to running experiments on various powders (baking powder, baking soda, baby powder) to figure out what a Mystery Powder is... ask your student where I got the Mystery Powder from...

Social Studies: Students are looking at westward expansion in the United States and working on a simulation dealing with Native Americans.

Have a great week!

--

Matthew Switzer

6th Grade Teacher, 

Southdale Elementary

TWIS 11/7-11/11

Parents/ Guardians,

   What an exciting week ahead!  We're wrapping up the first trimester, we are getting ready for Student-led conferences, and we are planning a fantastic celebration for our veterans. For our Veteran's Day presentation on Friday, If your student is bringing a family member to the assembly, we'll start promptly at 11:30 in the gym, and invite our guests to have lunch with us immediately afterward.  The program will consist of a few patriotic songs and a reading of letters presented to local veterans.

  We are wrapping up some units this week as we close our trimester- remember, sign up for Student-led conferences next week!  I'll send home a reminder this week of your scheduled time.  Here's This Week in Switzer:

Math (Switzer): We took a Topic 5 pretest and are working our way through the unit.  Topic 5 includes fraction sense, greatest common factor, and least common multiple.  We'll also delve into prime numbers and perfect squares.

Reader's Workshop: We are in a new book club book and working on journaling through theme.  Our big idea this week is to see how different characters are tied to the theme (or opposed to it).  We're wrapping up our unit on theme and will most likely have a test near the end of next week.  As always, your student set a goal to read around 30 minutes each night- thanks for helping me to keep them accountable for their goals!

Science: We'll finish our Lab Reports on Thermal Energy and begin a new lab on Mystery Powders.  Here we act like scientists to analyze and determine a substance based on its physical and chemical properties.

Writing: Students are finishing their Doggy World articles.

Social Studies: Students are working through the Civil War and its impact on American culture.

We have a great week planned!  Feel free to email me with any questions or concerns.  Talk to you soon-

--

Matthew Switzer

6th Grade Teacher, 

Southdale Elementary

TWIS 10/31-11/4

Parents,

   Here's to another wacky week at school!  Just some highlights coming up-

Monday- Halloween parade and classroom parties begin at 2:30.  6th graders DO NOT dress up or participate in the parade; we will decorate our classroom so younger grades may walk through and enjoy our halloween themes, though!  Your student may ask to bring materials to decorate- as long as it's "G" rated, I'm cool with it (if you are).

Also, these parents have signed up to donate treats for the classroom (we have 29 students)-

Healthy Snacks- Val E and Mischa T

Sweet snacks- Makell M and Mindy P

Drinks- Jen T

Cups/napkins/plates- Andrea F

Thank you for your support and for your mindfulness on classroom food allergies!

Friday- This is an early dismissal day for teacher report card writing time.  Conferences are November 15th and 17th.  If you have yet to sign up for a conference, please do so by following these directions:

1. Visit the school’s homepage http://www.cfschools.org/schools/southdale and select the Online Scheduler icon/link. 
2. Choose your student’s school from the drop down list and click “GO”
3. Enter the school password = southdale
4. Enter your student’s “Student ID”.  If you do not know their Student ID, use the LOOKUP STUDENT ID button to access the system.
5. Verify the student’s birth date 
6. A list of your student’s teachers will be displayed.  Check the box next to the name of each teacher(s) you would like to meet with.
7. If you have more than one student in the school you can see all of your students’ teachers’ schedules at one time by answering YES to this question “Do you want to schedule conferences for another student?” then repeat the steps above for your other students.  If you only have one student, answer NO to that question.
8. You will then see the available time slots for each teacher you selected.
9. Select the times that work best for your schedule. 
10. Enter your email address (**highly recommended**) if you would like an email reminder sent to you. (Your email address is kept private.)
11. Once you have finished you can confirm your appointment details and print your conference schedule.
12. ***Write down the Confirmation Number*** (you will need this number to cancel or edit your appointment)

Here's This Week in Switzer:

Math: We are finishing our Benchmark test over the first 4 topics in the math book.  This test gives us a chance to see what material is "sticking" with our students and which concepts we may need a little more work on.  Some great news: All of our 6th graders have passed the first 4 Common Formative Assessments (CFA's) with at least an 80% or higher.  That means every 6th grader has a minimum B- in Math... our goal is to make sure every 6th grader leaves elementary school with no lower than a B- in Math, Reading, and Writing.

Reader's Workshop: Students are dutifully writing and reading everyday.  Our goal is still 30 minutes per night- we've been logging all of our minutes everyday.  We will begin another Book Club book this week- make sure to ask your student about what their reading each night.

Writing: Students are working on their Doggy World articles and finishing up this unit on Research writing.  

Social Studies: Students took a test last week and are making corrections before they begin their next unit.

Science: We do a final test of our Thermal Energy Mugs on Tuesday and write up our lab reports this week.  The lab reports are serious work and may require a little extra computer time at home this week.

Have a great week!

--

Matthew Switzer

6th Grade Teacher, 

Southdale Elementary

TWIS 10/24-10/28

Parents,

   Ahh, Fall.  Perhaps my favorite time of year; football, leaves turning, weather cooling, and 6th graders trying to figure out how to wear shorts everyday throughout the coming winter. 

I had the opportunity last week to serve on a jury for two days, which gave our students a chance to shine for a guest teacher- Mr. D (our former Guidance Teacher at Southdale).  I was very proud of how well our students interact with guest teachers- and this was no exception.  Of course, I had to regale the class with my exploits in the jury box and tried to turn it into a "teachable moment" on civic duty.  Our big lesson from my experience: don't mess with the law.  Oh, and Be Kind. Always.  From the mouths of babes...

Next week is Red Ribbon week at Southdale- it's a pledge to stay drug and alcohol free.  With it comes "dress up/ theme days," which include:

Monday- Crazy for Healthy Choices (Crazy Hair Day)

Tuesday- Black Out Bad Choices (Wear Black and Shades)

Wednesday- "Chews" Healthy Choices (Chew gum day)

Thursday- Rock Out a Healthy Lifestyle (Dress like a rock star)

Friday- Rock the Red (Wear red/ CF Tiger clothes)

Coincidentally, Friday is Picture Make-up day

#tl;dr-  Math test, Social Studies Test, Building stuff in Science, Keep them reading every night!

Here's This Week in Switzer:

Math (Switzer): My math class is working through the end of Topic 3 (multiplying and dividing with Decimals) and will take a Topic 3 test on Monday (if we're ready) or Tuesday.  We begin Topic 4 on Tuesday. 

Reader's Workshop: Students finished their Book Club books and are continuing through their free read books.  We will begin a new book club book soon.  We are journaling every day and logging our minutes reading, so don't hesitate to ask your student about what they are reading or writing about!

Read-aloud: We finished the book, Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate and are starting the science fiction novel, The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forrester.  I've included links to Amazon if you'd like to see an overview of these books.

Science: Students have finished researching Thermal Energy and Heat Transfer and are ready to design their blueprints for a coffee mug that retains the most heat over a 30 minute time span.  Students may also begin bringing in building materials to create their coffee mug- I will allow:

- A "core" material (something to hold 1 cup of hot water)- this could be a ceramic mug, paper cup, plastic cup, or glass.  I will provide styrofoam and plastic cups if a student needs a core.

- Anything they want to use that they can find around the house (with parents' permission).  I am NOT asking students to purchase anything.  Whatever they bring will be for their use on their project only (unless they choose to share).  I will not redistribute materials they bring from home.

- I will have materials for students to use, including cardboard, plastic bags, tin foil, tape, and anything else we find laying around my classroom (within reason, of course).  Your student is NOT required to bring anything, and will not be at a disadvantage academically for not bringing materials.

Social Studies: Students have a test on Monday and should be reviewing their study guide on Slavery and pre-Civil War America.

Writing: Students are beginning to take their Doggy World research and synthesizing it into a research article.  

Leader Notebooks: We are going to put in plenty of work with our Leader Notebooks in the next two weeks, mainly to prepare us for Student-led conferences.  Conferences this year will be held on November 15th and 17th.

Speaking of which, the conference scheduler will open for scheduling on Wednesday, October 26th at 1 a.m. (in case you wanted to stay up late for the event ;-).  It will close on Wednesday, November 9th.  I will post the link to Southdale6.com when it becomes available.  

The 6th grade participates in Student-Led Conferences, which means that we expect your student to be at conferences to walk you through their Leader Notebooks, Grades, and Social expectations.  You will also have an opportunity to ask questions and get feedback from me.  As always, if you have a concern, please do not hesitate to email me ASAP- 

I'm having such a blast with your student this year; thanks again for sending me your very best every day.  I can't tell you what a privilege and honor it is to teach your child each and every day!

--

Matthew Switzer

6th Grade Teacher, 

Southdale Elementary

TWIS 10/17-10/21

Parents,

   What a great week last week!  I had such a good time at our last General Music concert on Thursday- you have an incredible student!  I'm also very proud of our efforts in helping pack meals with the Feed My Starving Children organization.  

A reminder that we are continuing to accept Hy-Vee receipts and Box Tops for Education- we are also still working on our fundraiser as well.  Here's This Week in Switzer:

Math: In Switzer math, we're working through Topic 3 on multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers, along with decimals, fluently.  We will have two CFA's along those lines which will show up on the report card.  I plan to have a Topic test early next week.

Reader's Workshop: Many students have finished their book club books- and I am so impressed by their thinking and effort in journaling about characters, themes, and life lessons.  We are transitioning to journaling on our free read books (fiction/ literature), and in a couple of weeks I'll assign another book club book.  Your student should be reading 30+ minutes per night- this is the most important homework they can do each night (along with Chores and playing outside ;-)

Writing: Students are working on three things: Writing a couple of paragraphs on their Service Projects (Crop Walk Trail Mix and Feed My Starving Children), Researching a dog breed for their Doggy World article, and finishing up their final drafts of "I am" writing piece.

Social Studies: Students are working through a simulation in class on the economic and social conditions in the United States prior to the Civil War.  

Science: We are continuing to research Thermal Energy and Heat Transfer to build a knowledge base for creating a Thermos.  Our goal is to design and build a thermos (or coffee mug) that can retain the most heat over 20 minutes.  After our research phase, we will move into a blue print phase, then our build/ experiment phase.  All our research can be found on Southdale6.com.

Math WIN: In Switzer's WIN group, we are working on two different things: some students are practicing for the Math Bee (a statewide Math Competition held in March), and others have been working on computer coding with a number of different coding tutorials (like Hour of Code, Khan Academy, etc.).  All coding programs are on Southdale6.com- feel free to explore those with your student (and learn some coding!).

Thank you for sending me your student everyday- I am having a wonderful time with these exceptional young people!  Please do not hesitate to email with any questions or concerns.

--

Matthew Switzer

6th Grade Teacher, 

Southdale Elementary

@matthew2switzer