If you're anything like me, this statement has left you frantically searching for a calendar wondering where the last few months have gone. But I assure you (and myself!) that it is INDEED 3rd quarter.
So what does this mean for your 6th grader?
Well, this means he or she has only 18 weeks left with ME! Whether that makes your student happy or sad, the basic truth is that time is running out, and we still have so much to do!!!
Some students have moved into their lockers in preparation for the big move to 7th grade next year. This is taking some adjustment, and we are doing it slowly; by the start of 4th quarter (read: after spring break!), everyone will need to be living out of their lockers. Yikes!! Remembering to get the things they need, sharing space, and waiting their turn are all things we are working on with this transition.
We started a new novel, The Lightning Thief, that connects with our Social Studies curriculum. This novel, while (in some ways) an easier read than Harry Potter, requires us to continue applying our new reading skills as we look at characterization, foreshadowing, theme, and plot maps. Newly introduced concepts include tone, mood, connotation v. denotation, and discussing how plot events change our characters. Students are eagerly awaiting next week when they'll be "determined" by their "Greek godly parent" just like Percy Jackson. It's going to be exciting!
PARCC testing is impending as well, so look for more details about that coming soon. We are slated to test sometime in March, which means we're taking these next few weeks to work on something very important: writing!!! We've been writing off and on all year, but in the coming weeks we will begin practicing appropriate format(3 paragraphs!), content (the more detail the better!), vocabulary use (domain specific words, baby!), and writing on a time limit. I personally love writing, so I'm really looking forward to this!
Finally, I encourage everyone to mark their calendars for February 19, which is when we are hosting a Book Fair/Family Fun Night in the Junior High Gym. In addition to scores of fabulous books (one of my MANY weaknesses!), it boasts several family fun games, free popcorn (popped by Mrs. Bray, the PopCorn Queen), a fun 1960's theme photobooth (manned by Mrs. De Los Santos!), and a read-aloud room hosted by yours truly! It should be a blast!!!
We're getting back into the swing of homework, but since the week is nearly over, I won't bore you with the details of the assignments for this week. Look for a listing of next week's goodies soon!
Happy January!!