It was a productive and busy second full week in sixth grade. We started the week of with a discussion about the 2012 Presidential Elections. Students identified who was interested in talking more about the political events leading up to our election. We talked about the possibility of hosting a TCS Presidential Election as well. Because of a question asked about the incidents in the middle east and a recent anti-Muslim video that was made here in California, students learned about the First Amendments and our rights that protected under it and incidents that may not be protected under it. I encouraged students to bring these conversations home, but a direct question about the conversation may help open the dialogue.
Sixth graders are in the process of writing a creative story where they need to include both fiction and non-fiction, or as I said in class, two or three truths and one or two lies! This first story will go through the edit process. This second writing assignment is a short story and will be at least two pages long. They will edit their own work, a peer will edit it, and finally, I will edit their writing and they will then write a final copy. This will help me discover their writing skills and needs.
When we return from our sixth grade trip, which I am very excited about, each student will take a quick reading assessment with me to establish a reading baseline for the year. They will end the year in a similar fashion, and of course, the goal is that improvement will be evident.
If you have not heard, sixth graders have started their first research project. Each student has selected an explorer to research. They will have an expository paper to write, a map to create, and will end the project with an oral presentation to their peers. The project incorporates their questions, some of my questions and they have several options for a self-selected component like a time line, an I-movie, an art project, a diorama, a 3-D model, and more... While students are working on this Exploration Project, I will begin to introduce colonization to them. We started this on Friday with a quick discussion about Roanoke Island and Jamestown. Your sixth graders are inquisitive and interested in the work we are doing, which consequently, makes my work easier and enjoyable.
Finally, special thanks to the three delegates who represented the sixth grade with our Constitution, Kiley, Melanie and Kendra. Thanks to all sixth graders who participated in these important conversations with Carwai last week.
Camp reminder - Don't forget your water bottles and $10 for a lunch on our return trip this Friday!!
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