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