Mrs. Knoedler’s 6^th Grade Classroom

December 5, 2014

Dear Families,

December is here and it is going to be a busy month.  Next week students will travel to Starbase on Wednesday and Friday. This is a wonderful science based program.  Please be sure your child is at school by 9:00 am.  The bus will leave promptly at 9:00 and a little sooner if we are all here.   Please talk to your child about appropriate bus behavior and the expectations for being a representative of the East Montpelier Elementary School at Starbase. 

Literacy:  We are finishing our all class read, Freak the Mighty.  I would like to show the movie next week, The Mighty, when we finish the book.  The movie is a wonderful adaptation of the book.  It is rated PG-13.  If you have any concerns about the movie and do not want your child to watch the movie, please email me at eknoedler@u32.org or call me at 223-7936 extension 324 by Tuesday morning, December 9^th.  If you are fine with it, no need to respond. 

Social Studies:  Students had a test on Ancient Greece on Thursday as we are wrapping up that portion in our study of Ancient Civilizations.  We will begin Rome next week.  Most did well on the test.  There is an opportunity for students who want to improve their grade to retake the test.  Students must see me about retaking the test.

Math:  Students are becoming more adept at using fractions in all the operations.  Adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators seem to cause the greatest trouble.  We have been working on problems like, 90 is ¾ of what number or find 2/3 of 24.  These kinds of problems make us look at fractions from different perspectives. 

Writing:  Today students worked on the information writing pre-assessment.  Students wrote about a topic they thought were an expert in or a topic that they could teach someone else about.  Information writing will be our next writing focus. 

Have a wonderful weekend.    Ellen M. Knoedler

November 21, 2014

Mrs. Knoedler’s 6^th Grade Classroom Newsletter

November 21, 2014

Dear Families,

We had a very productive week.  With the early snow it is very important that your child comes properly dressed for the weather.  Boots are a must.  A hat, mittens and jacket are also required.  Once we have more snow, snow pants should also be worn. 

In literacy, we started a new book, Freak the Mighty.  This is a wonderful book about two unlikely kids who become great friends.  It is also a story about differences in all of us.  Students are assigned chapters to read and writing responses to their reading.

In math, we continue our work with fractions and using them in all the operations. This week, students were assigned one short word problem a day.  We review the problems each day and discuss different strategies for solving them. 

In social studies, we watched a video about the ancient Greeks.  They were a very sophisticated society.  They considered themselves a culture, more than a country. 

If you have not sent in the Starbase permission form, please do so as soon as possible.  We must have the form completed for each child.  If not, your child will not be able to attend the program.  Thanks so much.

Next week will be a short week so there will not be a newsletter.

I hope your family has a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving.  If you travel, travel safe. 

Take care,      Ellen Knoedler

    

Ancient Egypt Projects

WOW!  The Ancient Egypt Final Assessments were outrageously fantastic!  Excellent job everyone!

Mrs. Knoedler’s 6^th Grade Classroom Newsletter

November 14, 2014

Dear Families, 

A HUGE, GIGANTIC thank you to all the drivers: Michelle Singer, Tim Lamson, Jessica Hutchins and Lisa Gariboldi, for transporting us to U32 for the musical, Once Upon an Island.  There were several former EMES students in the play.  It was amazing to see all that talent in one place!  

It was wonderful to meet with all of you to talk about your child’s progress.   If you have any questions, the best way to contact me is via email.  Please understand that I check my email periodically during the day, so I may not be able to respond immediately.  If you call the school, please also understand that I may not get to the phone during class time, so please leave a message. 

STARBASE:  Permission forms for students to attend the Starbase program were sent home today.  Please return them by Friday, November 21.  Thanks so much. 

Starbase dates 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)

Gates MacGinitie Reading Test:  On Tuesday November 18^th, all 6^th graders will be taking a new computer based reading assessment.  The testing will begin at 9:45 and will end at 11:00.  There are two tests:  vocabulary and comprehension.  Please be sure your child is well rested and on time for school. 

Nature Journaling:  I am wondering if anyone is interested in helping with Nature Journaling this year.  The end of day time works best for us.  Please email me if you would like to help.  Thanks so much. 

We are continuing our study of Ancient Greece in Social Studies.  In math, we are forging on with multiplying and dividing fractions, reducing fractions, as well as, changing a mixed numeral into a fraction and back again. 

Please remember, that each Monday, your child is given a math problem of the week and it is due on Friday.  It is fine if you help your child with the problem, but no calculators should be used.  Also, students should be sure to show all their work and label each number. 

Your child should be doing their best to read for on average 20 minutes a day.  Reading is the single most important activity that your child can do. 

It is hard to believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner. 

All the best,           Ellen Knoedler

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

October 31st

Mrs. Knoedler’s 6^th Grade Classroom Newsletter 

October 31, 2014

Dear Families, 

It isn’t often that Halloween falls on a Friday!  Thank you to those who sent in food to celebrate that October 31^st is the halfway point between the first day of fall and the first day of winter.  Did you know that that Halloween comes from All Hallow’s E’ven.  In Ireland, this day is called Samhain, pronounced so-when, and is a national holiday.    

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.  This went into effect Thursday afternoon.  Also, if students misbehave at Starbase, the Starbase teachers will ask us to not have that student return. Proper behavior is also expected 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.   

Writing:  Students are working hard to improve their personal narrative writing.  We will have our post assessment next week.  Students are refining their small moments, writing dialogue, using transition words along with interesting vocabulary and detail to make their writing memorable. 

Math:  We are continuing our work on fractions and finding common denominators for adding and subtracting fractions.  

Ancient Egypt Final Assessment:  Students were given two options for their Ancient Egypt Final Assessment.  On Monday, students decided which option they wanted to pursue.  Students were 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. 

Geography Map Test:  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.  Students were given a list of countries, mountain ranges, oceans and seas that they are required to know and locate on a map.  I have practice tests available for students.  We had an official test on Wednesday and 4 students joined the Map Test Hall of Fame.  We will have another test today, Friday.  We will have two tests next week. Students can take the test as many times as they want, but it is studying that will help them pass.  Ask your child how they did on the test!   

Nature Journaling:  On Thursday, we ventured outside into the woods for Nature Journaling. Sitting quietly in the woods, students spent a quiet time drawing the world around them.  We also were all impressed with how nice the trail looked.  Our trail maintenance efforts with the Barre Tech students on Tuesday were quite impressive.  

Please be sure your child is reading at least 20 minutes everyday, even the weekend.  While there is no form to fill out, reading is a 6^th grade expectation.  Reading impacts all aspects of a student’s day and learning.   

A final note, it is very important that your child have two pairs of footwear at school.  Mud is being tracked into the classroom.  Please help us keep our new building sparkling.  Thank you for your support.  

We made fun ghost books for our first grade buddies. They were very creative. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays!  I look forward to meeting with you next week and the week after for Parent Teacher Conferences.  Notices regarding the time of your conference were sent home last week.  If you did not receive one, please let me know as soon as possible.  

                        Ellen  M. Knoedler

October 23, 2014
Dear Families,

            Wow!  What a fantastic evening with Jon Gailmor.  Your students created and performed a spectacular song.  I hope all of you that attended enjoyed yourself!

            On Tuesday October 28^th, we are planning on another trail work day.  We were rained out this week, but have put it on the calendar for next week.  Please be sure your child comes prepared for working in the woods.  Gloves are a good thing. 

            While we are talking about dressing appropriately, please be sure your child has two pair of footwear at school.  With the playground area being wet and muddy, all the dirt gets tracked into the classroom.  Please be sure that your child has a pair of indoor shoes and a pair of outdoor shoes at school. 

            In math, we are continuing our work on fractions.  Much of this work requires that students have instant recall of their math facts. 

            In writing, we are working on how to write and punctuate dialogue and how to use the checklist to assess our work. 

            We are also learning many interesting facts about the great Rulers of Egypt in social studies. We will take a look at world geography next week, and learn how understanding where countries are in the world relates to our study of the ancients. 

            In word study, part 3e, in our Wordly Wise book, is due Monday October 27^th.  

            Hopefully, we won’t have any lack of water interruptions next week.  I am sending home information regarding your child’s parent teacher conference time. 

Have a great weekend,   Ellen Knoedler