We made it to Thanksgiving break! Woo-hoo! 

While some of you travel, host family and friends, or even have sushi; this holiday is one that imposes reflection and gratitude. These past couple of years have been…wait for it…unprecedented, and in the midst of loss and change we are reminded of all that we have in which to be thankful. 

Throughout this week, we have been engaging with gratitude lists and discussions focused around what it means and looks like to live grateful lives. We have also had many informal conversations around our own families’ Thanksgiving traditions. It has been super interesting to hear how all of us celebrate. With that being said, HAPPY THANKSGIVING BREAK – LET THE CELEBRATIONS COMMENCE! 

Here’s a look at what is happening in each of the classes: 

What’s happening in Social Studies:

This week, historians learned about the impact religion had on the daily life of people during the middle ages. Historians researched and discussed the impact of the church having control over the people both for spiritual guidance and for government guidance. We also brainstormed ways to disagree agreeably, in an agreeable manner of course. It was an important discussion on how to have academic Harkness discussions for the rest of the year.

For a brain break, we explored our compound microscopes. I always love opening up the microscopic world we can’t see with the naked eye. My favorite quote is…”WOW! Dirt is soooooo cool!”

What’s up in Math?

Mathematicians have been stretching their brains this week. Before determining an algorithm for dividing rational numbers; students used diagrams and real-life scenarios in order to determine the quotient of a mixed number and a fraction. They created multiplication and division expressions to represent situations, as well as used diagrams to find the quotient. Students had to reason with numbers and fractions as they determined if quotients were less than or greater than one. We will continue to work on this after break, developing a more concrete algorithm that we can use forever when dividing fractions. 

What’s happening in ELA?

We are having some beautiful weather this week! It hasn’t been too cold or too hot! Your Sixth Graders have been working on “which clauses” in grammar. We have also been reviewing the following: homophones, nouns, pronouns, articles, punctuations, dialogue, and capitalization. Sixth Graders are reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963. Please make sure you ask your students to share with you about their novel. Feel free to ask them questions about characters, setting, and problems encountered. While they seem to be enjoying the story, they are also learning about the Civil Rights Movement and some difficult times in our country’s history concerning equality and race. We will work on a book project on completion of the novel after the Thanksgiving break. Your student will need an empty cereal box for their final project. 

Important Dates:

November 22-26: Thanksgiving Break – No School