Volume 8 Issue 6 September 21, 2010
Science CampÉ
Our science camp trip was certainly a special time. Our class had a wonderful time together and learned lots of science! We learned about global positioning systems, how our water cycle can be polluted and not seem to be, how wildlife lives and survives in their ecosystem, how weather affects our lives, how to determine if a sample is a rock or mineral, and even how to balance a bunch of sixth graders on a simple machine balanced on a fulcrum, called a lever! Wow! Some photos and videos of the experience were posted to www.facebook.com/meigsmagnet. Check them out if you havenÕt already. The rest of Mr. PÕs photos and videos will be linked soon on the science camp webpage. ItÕs located on the homepage. Click on the flask in Box #3. By the way, the science camp link is http://www.flyparsons.com/sciencecamp.html
Class ShirtsÉ
This is our last call for forms and money to be returned to Mr. P. The order will be placed on Wednesday. The prices are as follows: burgundy class polo shirt-- (adult sizes: $16 each – tax included) and class t-shirts (adult sizes: $8 each – tax included).
Bud, Not BuddyÉ
We will go to
the ChildrenÕs Theatre on September 29 to see Bud, Not Buddy. The cost is
$14.00. Permission forms need to be to Mr. P by Friday, September 24. On the
day of the trip, we will depart Meigs about 11:00AM. We will return about
1:00PM. Students will eat lunch at Meigs at that time. Students will have a
few activities to complete associated with the trip. These will be done in
class next week. Check out the NCTÕs website at: http://www.nashvillechildrenstheatre.org/show1.htm
National History Day (NHD)É
Students have begun a major sixth grade social studies project, National History Day. Each student will be immersed in the study and research of a specific historical topic. Primary and secondary sources along with a plethora of book and website sources will be researched as students prepare a project. Check it out on our webpage. ItÕs on the homepage. We will spend the next couple of months in this process.
Quizlet & TextbooksÉ
Please remember to utilize our class website for your studying. Check out QUIZLET on the spelling section of the HOMEWORK webpage. ItÕs a valuable resource. WeÕve seen spelling/vocabulary scores skyrocket since Mrs. Knight began creating those! Also be reminded that the math, science and social studies textbooks are online.
Invest In ExcellenceÉ
Our annual Invest in Excellence Campaign is rocking. MMS Spirit Week is this week. Monday kicked it off with great nerd costumes and the announcement that our class won the highest percentage of pledge cards collected for sixth grade, but not for the school. We have only one card left to collect to have 100%. Way to go! Our class has surpassed our money goal, but not everyone has contributed their pledge yet. Once all kids have pledged and contributed, our class will have a special reward! Remember 100% of the funds go to our kids! Thanks to those of you that have already turned in your pledge cards and made donations.
Mr. PÕs Student of the WeekÉ
¥September 20-24, 2010
Liam Dougherty
Be sure to read about Liam on the electronic ÒStudent of WeekÓ board in Mr. ParsonsÕ room and on the Student of the Week board.
Next weekÕs student of the week. . . Augusto Diedrich
Items to Bring. . .
Ÿ Red Tuesday Folder Signature ChartÉ
Ÿ CORRECTED WORKÉ
Dates to RememberÉ
09.22.10 SPIRIT DAY: PJ DayÉ
09.23.10 SPIRIT DAY: Tacky DayÉ
09.24.10 SPIRIT DAY: Sports DayÉ
09.27.10 PJ #11-30 DUEÉ
09.29.10 Bud, Not Buddy Field TripÉ
10.01.10 September Book DUEÉ
25pts: Secret Word = ¥see the websiteÉ
For Additional News Items & Info Check:
On The WEBSITE ONLY:
EXTRA EXTRA EXTRAÉ
It pays to check the website, tooÉ
This WeekÕs SECRET WORD (September 21):
25pts: Note Home Secret Word = ÒCrescentÓ
Mr. PÕs SECRET INFORMATION LEAK:
www.flyparsons.org/everybodysomebody.html
TEAM SHIRTSÉ
As always, please watch the website to know which days our class will wear our class shirts in the future! The next date to wear class t-shirts is Wednesday, September 29, and maroon class shirts is Friday, October 1.
[GRADESPEED]: Check it OutÉ
UPDATE! Gradespeed.com will update again later this week The updates will reflect the past week. Late work has been recorded as of September 21. Notice any missing assignments. Please submit them each week with the Tuesday Folder Sheet.
A Special CouponÉ
Print and clip this coupon below for a special REWARD. To get the reward, please obtain a parentÕs signature that states your parent has checked gradespeed.com.
COUPON
StudentÕs Name ______________________________________________________________
ParentÕs Signature ______________________________________________________________
Date: _____________________ Secret Word: _______________________________________
Classroom RemindersÉ
1). Click on the button labeled ÒGRADE 6Ó for links to our
on-line textbooks!
2). Check the HOMEWORK webpage nightly!
3). Link to thte blog at http://www.flyparsons.com/blog
4). Go online to order books at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs Use our class code GLW2M. September orders due by October 1.
5). Bring running shoes and water to drink on Fridays for Move and Groove in the gym!
6). NHD is ongoing. Projects will be due November 30.
7). Mesopotamia study continues. Ancient Egypt begins October 4.
8). SEPTEMBER BOOK: Christopher paul Curtis book due by October 1. Freak the Mighty continues until 9/24.
9). Our class is studying probability.
More About Which to Mark Your CalendarÉ
ENCORE field trip: 09.23.10
BINDER CHECK (for entry to General Store): 09.24.10
General Store: 09.24.10
PJ #11-30: 09.27.10
Reading Log: 09.27.10
Spelling Test #5: 09.27.10
FIELD TRIP to CHILDRENÕS THEATRE: 09.29.10
Freak the MightyÉ
We are reading
the Newberry book, Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick. The book is one
of Mr. PÕs favorites chronicling the lives of two ÒmisfitsÓ who find they share
lots of similar values! There is a great plot twist to the story. Many
worthwhile themes are found in the selection! Once we have finished our study
of the book, we will do a comparison of the movie adaptation of the book
called, ÒThe Mighty.Ó The movie was made in 1997. Another noteworthy fact
about the book is the fact there is a sequel titled Max, the Mighty.
The September Monthly Book is a choice of another novel written by Christopher Paul Curtis, the author of Bud, Not Buddy and The Watsons Go To Birmingham. Books by Mr. Curtis include Elijah of Buxton and Bucking the Sarge. Students are to read this for pleasure, by Friday, October 1.
Thanks!
Thanks to the students in class that had all assignments completed and turned in on time over the first two weeks of school. ThereÕs extra Meigs Moolah in it for you at the General Store this Friday! Thanks also goes to the anonymous donors who have helped out with camp scholarships, invest pledges, and classroom supplies. You are appreciated so very much! A thanks also goes to the anonymous donors whoÕve helped out on www.digitalwish.com. We have four flip cams on the way!
Weekly WrapÉ
Mr. P has a Weekly Wrap that is e-mailed on the weekend . This is a great tool to get a jump on the next week and hear about successes. If you are not receiving those, please let me P know which e-mail address to add to the Evrits list.
Weekly ReaderÉ
Mr. P has already ordered this yearÕs Weekly Reader subscription via credit card. The cost per student subscription is $4.00. You may send a cash donation for the subscription to Mr. P. Thanks to those who have already taken care of this subscription.
MMS Sixth Grade HighlightsÉ
Check out a few of the academic opportunities that are in store for Mr. PÕs class in the first nine weeks of 6th grade! Kids should be able to talk about each of these to their parents!
¯ Space: September – October, 2010
¯ National History Day: September – November, 2010
¯ Ancient Egypt: October, 2010
¯ Weather: October – December, 2010
¯ GulliverÕs Travels scale project: October, 2010
¯ Science Fair: November, 2010
Class Wish ListÉ
Our clickers and TI-Nspire calculators are in need of power. AA batteries are needed for the clickers and AAA batteries are needed for the calculators. We also need items for the general store and sports equipment for recess. If you are able to donate, please send those to school at your earliest convenience. Another way to donate is www.digitalwish.com. The website has our class is registered complete with a wish list. Anyone may donate to the site to purchase electronic equipment for our class. Many of you ask from time to time, Òwhat do we need.Ó HereÕs a site to be able to do just that!
Tech TaskÉ
The tech tasks on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will now be done solely through the www.meigsmail.org Google Document features. Each student has practiced and taken notes about how to use the very intuitive features. Students should be using his/her MeigsMail account by this point!
[BLOG]: Weekly Words on WednesdayÉ
This school year, Mr. P will blog weekly educational tips, classroom congrats, and maybe a few humorous stories each Wednesday at this new blog address: http://weeklywordsweblog.blogspot.com/
https://gradespeed.mnps.orgÉ
Grades are on-line at gradespeed.mnps.org. Parents and students have a password to check each subject in order to view grades. This should be done each Tuesday.
Twitter/FacebookÉ
Parents have another way of staying connected to our class. Log on to www.twitter.com/meigsmagnet on your computer or cell phone and follow our class. Mr. P posts daily updates about whatÕs happening. You may also check out our class at www.facebook.com/meigsmagnet. It is not necessary to sign up a twitter account to view our class tweets.
Personal JournalsÉ
Monday, September 27 is the next date for personal journals to be checked. Entries #11-30 will be checked at that time. Remember, journal entries are modeled by Mr. P and then written during class time each day. Students who need extra time should finish at home that evening. Mr. P expects sixth grade, magnet school quality entries. All entries are to be at least the number of paragraphs assigned by Mr. P. Each entry is to be hand written in the personal journal composition notebook. Typed or lose papers will not be accepted – no exceptions. There will be no late journal grades this year. If a completed journal is not turned in on the Monday when it is due, a zero will be assigned. Please be diligent in staying caught up with complete, quality writing!
TuesdaysÉ
As always, Tuesdays are the day of the week for communication. Parents should receive corrected papers and a ÒMr. PÕs Note HomeÓ in the Red Tuesday Folder. Always look for those documents. If ever there is an exception to that weekly schedule, it will be noted on the website. To confirm that youÕve received everything, the ÒTuesday Signature SheetÓ will also be attached. Always fill this form out and return on Wednesday morning. Tuesday is also a good day to check GradeSpeed. Parents, once youÕve done that, fill in current averages on the Tuesday Signature Sheet. Attach any corrected work or missing assignments to the back of that sheet. Remember, students, making a low grade or a zero should never be acceptable!
RRR/DemeritsÉ
Students, please be reminded about the three Rs! You must be respectful, responsible, and resourceful. The administration has reminded you on announcements about the dress code, tardies, and Mr. P is reminding you about listening in class and doing your work. Several students have received demerits lately as a consequence for continually breaking these rules in class. You must try your very best to be organized and responsible. We are approaching the end of fifth grade and your adjustment to middle school should include being on time with all of your work as well as giving 100% during class and with those heretofore mentioned assignments. Thanks! -- Mr. P
HomeworkÉ
Many thanks go to all of the students who are faithful in turning assignments in on time regularly. We do, still, have a few students who are continuing to be neglectful in getting assignments in at the appointed time. Students, please be reminded that failing to turn assignments in on time is going to affect your report card grade. Please make a new commitment to keep up to date on homework and make your parents, teacher and yourself proud!
Mr. PÕs ProceduresÉ
Students, the following are reminders of specific classroom procedures:
o Push your chair in when you leave your desk.
o Have your agenda signed daily.
o Locker breaks are 7:45AM, and 2:45PM. Students should remember to take all materials from the locker at that time. Keep all materials in your locker until needed.
o 7:45AM morning work is posted on the television each morning as you arrive in the classroom. This is due at 8:15AM along with your daily tech task and all homework. Students, be sure to be prepared everyday and be on time with all of your assignments.
NotesÉ
¯ Hey kids, remember to share your Tech Task (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday) via www.meigsmail.org. On Tuesday and Thursday, the task is a google form that is directly sent to Mr. P.
Bye ByeÉ