We've been busy! As of today (Monday) we have completed our ERB testing and will move onto our Stargate Assessments for the next three days. On Friday students will have the opportunity to make up any assessments which they missed due to being absent. Last week focused on community building and this week has already shown positive results! The 5th and 6th graders are working well together and we've begun the long process of establishing a safe and respectful classroom environment.
We've begun discussing our social studies component which is the Incan Empire. If you have any information on this topic, please send an e-mail as I strongly encourage parent participation in our curriculum! We're reading The Secret of the Andes which is a Newbery winner and an excellent fictional piece on life after the down fall of the Incas. This week we'll also begin to look at geology and biomes for our science curriculum. Again, if you have anything you feel you can contribute, please let me know!
Technicalities:
1) Today marks the beginning of Entertainment Books. Your student will have the opportunity to win prizes based on the number of books sold. This is an optional activity and your child does not have to participate.
2) The Monday Folder coming home today has a couple of matters (health class and technology) that require your signature. Please return signed documents as soon as possible.
3) There is a hard copy of the Monday Letter in Monday Folders this week. This is the first and last time we will send home hard copies. You can locate the Monday Letter on the 5/6 homepage and each homeroom teacher's page as well. We do this in order to save trees!
We're off to a great start and I've truly enjoyed my time with this class! As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments as I believe communication is an essential part of a successful school year!