It is such a lovely, late summer day.  I hope you all are out enjoying the beautiful weather.

This week we really started digging in with our small group and individual lessons.  I feel like most students are beginning to independently plan their work, with less and less help needed from myself and Ms. Kari.   This week we had our introductory geometry and fraction lessons with individual and small group lessons in language.

This year our class is one of two lucky classes using a new Montessori language material.  I am really excited about this material as I feel like it will drive our students language studies.  Currently, all 6th level students with some 5th and 4th level students are using this material.  As the school year progresses and I can see how the students are getting on, we will likely have more 4th and 5th level students using the material.  It is geared to 5th-8th grade which is the reason we are not using it ubiquitously at this point.

Friday we had a whole group lesson on writing complete sentences, which we will continue with on Monday. We will also have a writing assignment that will allow the students to practice writing complete sentences.  Being able to respond using a complete sentence is an important step in becoming a fluent writer.  As a classroom practice, students are expected to answer all questions in a complete sentence. This is important in writing and speaking as it is a more effective way to communicate.

Your student should have brought home a permission slip for our upcoming field trip to the Natural History Museum of Utah.   This slip has to be returned no later than Thursday, September 18th.  If your student does not return their slip by this date, they will not be allowed to go on the field trip.  You can find a pdf of the slip on the field trip page if your student has misplaced their copy.  This due date is in line with our school field trip policy. If you prefer your student not attend the field trip, they are still required to attend school that day. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

We are still in need of a few drivers.  If you are a certified driver, and I have not already heard from you, please contact me via email.  We need to find rides for our entire class otherwise we will not be able to go on this trip.  Thanks to those who have already committed to drive our students to the museum.

Monday your student was given the rubric (grading scale) for the cereal box book report that is due Tuesday, September 30.   If your student follows the directions outline in the handout for the book report and uses the rubric as a self-evaluation before turning in the report, they should be able to receive a perfect score.

Some of the students have asked if they can create a comic, rather than a game or puzzle, for the backside of the cereal box.  Although the comic is not an option on the instructions, nor is it listed on the rubric, I have given them permission to draw a comic if it is detailed and makes a connection to the book.

I have added the rubric (grading scale) to the PDF page in the event that your child does not have their copy.  Please have the students turn in a copy of the rubric, with their name on it, when they turn in their book report.

We held our student elections today.

Two of our sixth grade students, Mayla and Bella, ran for student body office and gave speeches in front of the entire upper elementary class.  They both did really well, and are now waiting with baited breath for the results of the election.

On Friday, we will hold class elections for our class representative.  The class representative is responsible for attending weekly student council meetings and reporting important information back to the class.  All sixth grade students, except those who serve on the student council, are eligible to run for our class representative.  Any interested student will need to declare their intent to run and prepare a speech that will be given in class on Friday, September 12.

Level five students have a science writing assignment due Tuesday, September 9.  During class, we discussed the assignment in detail and they were given a handout with the expectations and information needed.   If you have any questions about this assignment, don’t hesitate to email me for clarification.

If you need another copy of the handout it can be found on the PDF page at the top of the blog.

I have created a new permanent page that will host the various PDFs, templates, and forms that are used in the classroom.  This resource will allow you to download, and print at home, and item that may become lost between school and home.    It will not contain morning math or language worksheets, however.   Some examples of documents you will find here are science worksheets, book report forms and field trip forms.

I know that students sometimes misplace their work and I wanted to provide a way for you to print additional copies at home.  I hope you find this resource helpful.

~Cheers