Happy New Year!

We hope everyone enjoyed their winter break.

 As we begin 2011 we would like to update you on some of the goings on in sixth grade.

Beginning Friday, January 7 we will be participating in an anti-bullying program called "Steps to Respect". Each Friday in Social Studies we will follow their lessons. Sadly, bullying is everywhere, even here at Washington. We would like to do everything we can to give our students the tools to combat this insidious problem. It is likely that there will be an increase in the reports of bullying as the students learn the language to recognize and report bullying. We will continue to take these reports seriously and hope you will as well.

One thing we aren't sure some of our students are taking seriously is their homework and using the assignment notebook. Too many students are coming to school with their homework partially done or not at all. It is very difficult for children to learn the day's lesson if they are not prepared.

HAM sheets are effective to a point. As a reminder a HAM (Homework Assignment Missing) sheet gives the student an opportunity to turn in work a day late (not counting absences) for a 20% penalty. After that students who are still missing work will be assigned an after school detention. 3 missing assignments = 1 day detention. You will always be notified so you can make transportation arrangements.

Using the assignment notebook is a very important organizational tool as well as a quick communication tool. We really need your help developing this into a habit, hopefully a life-long habit.

As we begin winter sports please remember that participation is covered by academic eligibility. Students must have earned a 2.0 the previous semester. Additionally they must be passing 5 out of 6 classes each week.

In Math we are starting a new unit on Two-Dimensional measurements.  We soon will be taking a short break from the books to prepare for ISAT testing.  Students will need to have access to a computer with internet access for Study Island.  Students that do not have access will need to make arrangements with me to come in early or stay after school to complete Study Island assignments.

In Humanities we are finishing up a class novel called The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exup'ery.  On Friday, students turned in their 2^nd quarter book report projects.  Also, students will be assigned two homework assignments each week on the Study Island computer on-line program. This should only take around 30 minutes per week and will be graded as part of their weekly homework.

In English students are learning about absolute, prepositional, appositive, participial, gerund, and infinitive phrases. Students are learning why they are important, how to spot them, and how to include them in their writing.

Social Studies ended the simulation of Mesopotamia and Judaism just before the break. In addition to the anti-bullying program we will be looking at Christianity and Islam before moving on to Egypt. We are looking forward to our travels!

Scienceis studying a Foss Investigation of Earth History. Do you know the age of Earth?

Finally, please check with your students about their supplies. Many students are out of pencils/pens and never seem to have paper. Some of the paper folders are in taters. Is the 'trapper keeper' system working? Perhaps the accordion folders would be a better organizer. Whatever would help your child, we appreciate your efforts.

Please be in touch.

The Sixth Grade Team