TCS middle schoolers have been on the stage this week and they are truly shining! 

Many of you were able to come enjoy their National Parks Presentations on Thursday. I think we can all agree they hit that way out of the park (no pun intended). Not only were their final presentations and models impressive; but their determination, creativity, and problem solving skills while building their parks were absolutely amazing. Well done! 

Also, the Halloween Carnival is planned, designed, and managed completely by middle school students. They have been busy planning their booths, making rules, sorting prizes, and getting everything ready for the big day! Fifth graders are excited about getting to decorate the backyard and awarding prizes to the elementary students for their costumes. All students have worked through the details and developed specific plans for their groups. I know they will pull this off without a hitch! 

Happy Halloween! 

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

What’s happening in Science:

Well, we did it! I am so proud of your sons and daughters! Their final models and presentations went better than I could have imagined. Thank you for your support and celebrating their accomplishments!

Next week, we will move into Social Studies and begin our unit about the Medieval time period. We will begin by talking about the Fall of Rome and what led to the Medieval times, contemplating what it would be like to live during that time, considering it is also known as the “Dark Ages.”

What’s up in Math?

Mathematicians are beginning an exploration of percentages. We are well-versed in ratios and equivalent ratios, and we are branching into percentages, decimals, and fractions. They have learned three different strategies for finding percentages and are able to use what works best for them. It is my goal that through their autonomy for solving problems, they will be able to identify what works for them and continue to use that strategy into other lessons. Through the inquiry-based curriculum, I am hearing and discussing great mathematical concepts with the students that are, honestly, far beyond my expectations of sixth graders. I am very excited and hopeful to continue pushing through and learning more! 

What’s happening in ELA?

Happy Fall, parents!  I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather that the month of October has brought us. Your sixth grade ELA students are currently wrapping up their writing units. By the end of next week, they would have completed 17 writing sessions on Personal Narrative. Their enthusiasm for writing has ranged from, “I’m not a good writer!” to “I can write 24/7!” We have worked on balancing out and improving those two expectations. Here is how you can help your students: ask to see their writings, read their stories out loud so that they can find grammatical and spelling errors, encourage them to revisit their writing so they can edit and revise.

After they have completed their writing units next week, your ELA students will dive into another novel study. I am excited to have them read a new novel while sharpening their writing and grammar skills by producing another book report at the end of their reading unit. Remember to encourage your students to read each evening.

Finally, your sixth grade ELA students have delved back into their vocabulary workbooks and are currently working on lesson five. Please help your students to learn to use all the words in context and to be able to spell at least 10 of their new vocabulary words while practicing some of the words they have learned previously.

Important Dates:

October 29th: Halloween Carnival 11:30 Dismissal 

November 3rd: Picture Day

November 8th & 9th: Parent Teacher Conferences (11:30 Dismissal)