Volume 8 Issue 12 November 9, 2010
ArtSmart TPAC Field Trip ThursdayÉ
Our visit to the Robert Post comedy performance is this Thursday, November 11. This trip is our culminating activity from this fallÕs ArtSmart lesson by Ms. Jill. Our class along with the fifth grade classes will travel to TPAC on Thursday about 10:00AM. We will return and have lunch a bit later that our usual time. Students are to wear his/her class t-shirt on Thursday for the trip instead of our normal day, Wednesday, this week. Check back later on the ÒGALLERIESÓ link on the class website for photos!
2nd Nine WeeksÕ late Work PolicyÉ
As aforementioned, this nine weeks will mark a change in Mr. PÕs late work policy. Students may no longer simply procrastinate in turning in assignments. Late and incomplete work will not be accepted unless a parent has contacted Mr. P with a legitimate reason for that late work. If a student simply does not turn in an assignment, a ÒmisÓ code will appear on GradeSpeed. This will average a zero into the current grade. At this point in sixth grade, it is developmentally appropriate to expect students to be responsible for completing work on time. Absent work does not fall in this category. As always, corrections will be accepted on returned checked papers.
Books WeÕre ReadingÉ
We are reading the Newberry book, Transall Saga by Gary Paulsen. Students, please stay up to date on all assignments. Those assignments are found on the Transall Saga book club link in the homework webpage. Student homework from this book may be found in the reading part of the HOMEWORK webpage.
The November Monthly Book is a
choice of reading another novel written by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Mrs.
Haddix has penned many books including several sequels to our next in-class
book, Among the Hidden. Another popular book students may want to choose for
November is the 39 Clues book Ms. Haddix has written. More selections
are available to view on the monthly book webpage. Students are to read the
November book, by Monday, December 6.
Speaking of books, please be reminded that the Scholastic Monthly Book Club orders are due. Click on the scholastic link on our website to browse and order!
National History Day (NHD)É
Students should continue researching for the NHD topic he or she has selected to do either individually or in a team of two. Research will be checked again on Tuesday, November 9. The project will be due on November 30. Check out all about this yearÕs theme, Debate and Diplomacy in History: Success, Failures, Consequences on our class website. More information about how to put the project together are available on-line, as well as a rubric. In addition to the project itself, a process paper will also accompany it. This will explain the learning that occurred during the project. More information is available on our class website, and on the color-coded handouts. Our next check-in date is November 15.
Science FairÉ
We will begin the science fair process for this year next week. Watch for more details next week and on our class website.
Mr. PÕs Student of the WeekÉ
¥November 8-12, 2010
Tanner West
Be sure to read about Tanner 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. . . Noah Lytle
Items to Bring. . .
Ÿ Red Tuesday Folder Signature ChartÉ
Ÿ CORRECTED WORKÉ
Dates to RememberÉ
11.11.10 TPAC ArtSmart field tripÉ
11.15.10 NHD research checkÉ
11.19.10 4-H speech DUEÉ
11.19.10 General StoreÉ
11.23.10 4-H Meeting at 12:45PMÉ
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 (November 9):
25pts: Note Home Secret Word = ÒMummyÓ
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 Thursday, November 11, and maroon class shirts is Friday, November 12.
[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 November 4. 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. November orders due by December 6.
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). 4-H speeches are due Friday, Novembe 19.
8). NOVEMBER BOOK: DUE December 6. Transall Saga continues until November 19.
9). Our class is studying algebra.
More About Which to Mark Your CalendarÉ
GREAT: 11.11.10 @12:45PM
BINDER CHECK (for entry to General Store): 11.19.10
General Store: 11.19.10
Spelling Test #10: 11.15.10
4-H Club Meeting: 11.23.10 @12:45PM
Snack Donations AppreciatedÉ
Mrs. Parsons is the math coach at John Early Middle School. The school is working hard to increase math achievement and to that end has been granted a before-school tutoring program. Since breakfast isnÕt served there until well after the tutoring sessions have concluded, breakfast snacks would be greatly appreciated for that time. When Mrs. Parsons mentioned it, our classÕ generosity immediately came to mind! Anyone who might be so inclined to donate, the needed items could include: Nutri-Grain breakfast bars, Pop-Tarts, peanut butter & cracker packs, or any non-perishable breakfast snacks. It is not an expectation that people donate, just an FYI about others that our class could support.
Model UNÉ
Students will be developing their team United Nations resolutions this week in class. They will be sent in on Friday. The Model UN is a simulated United Nations assembly where student teams research specific global issues associated with a designated country. A resolution is then created to be considered at the simulated United Nations Assembly. The Model UN event is Monday, November 15 at the Embassy Suites in Murfreesboro, TN.
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.
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
[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, November 15 is the next date for personal journals to be checked. Entries #11-60 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!
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.
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
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.
Bye ByeÉ