Welcome to the first parent email- This Week in Switzer (TWIS)! Here, I'll document what you can expect in Switzer's class in the coming week. I will also post this email on my classroom blog-
Mr. Switzer's 6th Grade (CLICK HERE)- make sure to bookmark this blog... we'll add weekly notices, student projects, photos, etc. to the blog throughout the year.
Feel free to reply to this email with any concerns or questions-
#TL;DR- we played games and built our culture last week. We begin more content in reading, writing, math and science this week.
Last week: We looked at a number of different games and stories to build the culture of our classroom and decide how we want to interact with each other this year in school. Here are the games:
Animal Toss- We toss around stuffed animals, building rules and etiquette for the process. I use this game to teach how teamwork should look in the classroom, how we can respect each other in difficult tasks, and get to know each other. I also want to teach them that as a class, we can achieve goals that seem impossible at first- but become achievable as we work through failure and begin to synergize.
The Chair Problem: Students learn that many problems have numerous solutions- some work better than others. We also are learning that solving problems sometimes takes "outside the box" thinking. We got 2, 3, 4, and 6 students to sit in a chair safely all at the same time! We even got ALL 29 OF US TO SIT IN A SINGLE CHAIR SAFELY!!! Ask your student how...
The Ring of Gyges: I'm story telling The Ring of Gyges (CLICK HERE) from Aristotle's Republic to our students. The point of the story is that we (humans) are tempted to do "dirt-baggy" things if we think we won't get caught. We contrast that with the thought that we may be free to choose an action, but we're not free from the consequences of those actions. We want to be the kind of student that builds others (and ourselves) to be better, not worse.
We'll compile all these games and stories into a Classroom Contract- look for that to come home this week sometime.
This Week:
Math: We are taking a Benchmark pre-test to find out what our students have retained from last year, and what they may be ready for out of the first four chapters in the Math book. This year in Math, students may have the opportunity to learn from Mrs. Braley, Mrs. Brunsen, Mrs. Just, and/ or myself- chances are, they'll regularly change math classrooms throughout the year. We've designed the process to best serve each student where they are at in Math.
Science: We'll begin science this week by looking at the scientific process, and how we can use STEM to learn.
Social Studies: Students will take Social Studies from Mrs. Brunsen this year- elizabeth.brunsen@cfschools.org
Writing: Students will be asked to write across all subjects, and my class will be reflecting and writing via online blogs (more information will follow in the coming months). Mrs. Braley will be helping students to develop as writers in a writing-specific class- rhonda.braley@cfschools.org
Reading: We begin looking at how readers are thinkers, how to choose just-right books, and how to set goals as a reader. I will begin reading the book, Home of the Brave, by Katherine Applegate.
Finally, a reminder that Input Conferences are Monday and Tuesday afternoon- if you haven't scheduled a time, please call the office first thing Monday morning. I will contact anyone that has not signed up for a conference.
Well, that's a ton of information! Typically, my emails won't be this long... but welcome to the beginning of the year! Again, check our classroom blog, Mr. Switzer's 6th grade (CLICK HERE), in case you've missed anything. Have a great week!
Matthew Switzer
6th Grade Teacher,
Southdale Elementary
627 Orchard Dr.
Cedar Falls, IA 50613
