November, to me, has always felt like the first month of winter and I start to feel a little panicked and rushed as I see the end of the year approaching. The holidays creep up with gathering gifts, attending get-togethers, and lots of travel. I also start to think about my New Year’s Resolutions, which we call our “one word” in the TCS Middle School. I always get really ambitious with my resolutions and feel like once January comes, I’m not in the space to make a big change all at once.
Reflecting on this, I’ve been listening to some podcasts about the “Winter Arc”, which is the time where we have the potential to use the coldest and darkest days of the year to refocus and set routines that will help us get to where we want to be.
With five weeks of school left before the new year, I want our students (and us!) to think about their winter arc and what habits/routines they can set in their lives to help them not only succeed when it comes time to conceptualize their “one word”, but throughout the next five school weeks, as well! When we work towards goals together, even when individualized, we’re much more likely to succeed.
AG
Math:
This week, we took our mid-unit assessment over fractions before diving into the second half of the unit, which reviews decimal operations and applications. Next week, we’ll practice addition, subtraction, and multiplication of decimals which we learned in 5th grade, and will apply these skills to real-life scenarios in 6th grade.
ELA:
This week, 6th graders finished the novel, When You Reach Me, and reflected on what its complex plot, characters, and group dynamics had to say about life. We also tested our vocabulary knowledge on 11/8, so be on the lookout for their grades!
Next week, we start a literary essay writing unit and start two weeks of grammar study (with a grammar test on 11/21!
Social Studies:
Sixth grade has enjoyed beginning our new unit about ancient China. We have begun with a basic overview of the subject and now have begun learning about the Silk Road and its importance to civilization through its trading routes. Next week we will continue with the Silk Road as well as learn about the Great Wall and other amazing features found throughout the ancient world of China.
Science:
The sixth graders learned about energy efficiency in homes this week! They have started to make floor plans for container homes, which they will make models for next week. They will use the models to test different types of insulation to see what materials are the most energy efficient. Next week, they will learn more about thermal energy ways and its properties.
Important Dates:
November 11&12: Parent Teacher Conferences (11:30 dismissal)
November 13: Cooper Clusters Lunch
November 22: Harvest Feast
November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break
