Mrs. Knoedler’s 6^th Grade Classroom Newsletter

November 6, 2014

Dear Families,

Thank you to all who have volunteered to drive us to U32 for the performance of Wednesday.  If you have not signed and sent in your child’s permission slip for the play, please do so by Monday.  It is looking like we might have enough drivers.  I will be in touch with drivers on Monday to confirm our plans. 

Math:   Students are learning how to multiply and divide fractions.  Students are also learning how to convert a mixed number to a fraction and vice versa.

Geography Map Test:  9 students have already passed the geography map test of Europe and Central and Southwest Asia. Students have access to practice tests, but it is up to them to practice.  In order to fully understand the ancient civilizations we are studying in social studies, it is important that students understand the where countries in that area are located.  There will be two opportunities next week for students to take the test, but studying is helpful. 

Ancient Egypt Final Assessment:  Students were given two options for their Ancient Egypt Final Assessment.  Students decided which option they wanted to pursue.  Students were also given the specifics of each option, as well as the rubric for the assessment. While we may have a small amount of time during school to conduct research or type information, this assessment is to be completed at home.   This is due Friday November 14^th.  

Ancient Greece:  We have started learning about our next ancient civilization, Greece.  It was fortuitous that we were talking about the Greeks and how democracy as we know it today, is rooted in Ancient Greece on Tuesday, election day.   

Writing:  Students are working on their Post Narrative Writing Assessment piece.  Students worked on these on Thursday and Friday of this week.   

Please be sure that your child has two pairs of shoes at school.  There is a fair amount of mud being tracked into the building and the classroom.  Thanks for your support. 

Starbase:  I am again enclosing the information regarding the Starbase Program that we will attend in December.  I am hoping any appointments your child may have can be scheduled around our trips to Starbase. 

In December, both 6^th grades will travel to Starbase.  Starbase is held at the Air National Guard Air Base in Colchester. We will study physics and rocketry.  While we are there, we will build rockets and we will have a rocket launch day at EMES.  We will leave the school promptly at 9:00am and return at 3:30pm, in time for regular dismissal.  I am letting you know now about the dates so that, if possible, any appointments won’t be scheduled on these days.  The finalized dates for Starbase are as follows:

Wednesday December 10th (9:00am to 3:30pm travel to Starbase)  

Friday December 12th (9:00am to 3:30pm travel to Starbase) 

Monday December 15th (9:00am to 3:30pm travel to Starbase)  

Wednesday December 17th ROCKET LAUNCH AT EMES IN THE AFTERNOON  EVERYONE WELCOME!  More info later as the date gets closer. 

Friday December 19th (9:00am to 3:30pm travel to Starbase)

            As always, we expect all students to have proper behavior during the school day and on field trips.  On field trips, students are ambassadors of EMES.  They represent our school community. Since students are going to be away from the school building, it is even more important for the safety of all students that safe, responsible and respectful behavior be the norm. Given the expectations for proper behavior on field trips, it is important that we have the same expectations for behavior at EMES.  If students have more than 2 referrals for discipline issues at EMES, or ODR’s (Office Discipline Referral), commonly known as being written up on the yellow form, they will not be able to attend Starbase Program.  Also, if students misbehave at Starbase, the Starbase teachers will ask us to not have that student return. Proper behavior is also expected, for everyone’s safety, on the bus ride to and from Starbase. We are one of only a handful of schools selected each year to participate in this wonderful program. Please talk to your child about good behavior. Thank you for your support.   

Please remember that on Monday and Tuesday, November 10^th and 11^th, students will be dismissed at 12:30 right after lunch. 

I look forward to meeting with you all for parent teacher conferences. 

Take Care,

 Ellen M. Knoedler