Week of October 14-18th

Hi there families!

We've got a busy week ahead of us!  See the 6th Grade News page of The S Factor to help you stay organized.  Check the 6th Grade Calendar to help you with the due dates for the PILOTS Responsibility Project and Reflection.

Upcoming Schedule:

• Quarter Two begins on Monday, October 14th.
• Report Cards are available online October 18th after 9am.  Hard copies distributed on Tuesday, October 22nd.
• Early Release on October 15th.  Dismissal is 12:30pm.  This is also pajama day.
• APEX Fun Run is Thursday, October 17th.  Sixth grade runs at 1:20pm.
• Friday, October 18th is Sonoran Sky Spirit Day.
• Saturday, October 19th is PVUSD Centennial Day!

Science Happenings:

We are nearing the end of our CSI/Forensics Unit.  In the final stretch, we are reviewing Crime Scene Personnel and the SCientific Method one must follow when investigating a crime.  Our culminating activity (a simulated crime scene) will take place on Monday, October 21st.  Bring on the CSI Units!

Math Matters:

We have completed our study of unit rates and have moved onto ratio tables.  We are continuing to understand these concepts in everyday life by participating in math centers focusing on unit price and comparison shopping.  Parents, you might want to take your student with you while you grocery shop.  They'll be sure to find you some bargains!

Week of October 7-11, 2013

It is officially Fall! And, October is here. :-)

It has been some time since I have written on my blog and much has happened.  If you are hearing some stories about my new name, Mrs. Day, you are correct!  I married on September 6th. I am very happy.  The class has been so very sweet wishing me well and test-running the new name.  Who thought anything could be easier than "Smith"!

Upcoming Schedule:

• Quarter One closes October 11th.

• Report Cards will be available for review online October 18th.

• Our next Early Release Day is October 15th.  Dismissal is 12:30pm.

• Parent-Teacher conferences take place October 21-15th.  Please ask your child for the conference slip.  They went home on Friday, October 4th.  In an effort to keep communication open and convenient for you as a family, Mrs. Sanchez and I will be meeting with all our sixth grade families together.  Please return this form for a conference by Tuesday, October 8th.

Science Happenings:

Well, we are about to begin wrapping up our CSI/Forensics Unit focusing on the Scientific Method/Inquiry Process.  And, have we had a blast!  The culminating activity will be to investigate a crime scene, interview suspects, write a hypothesis, identify a suspect and solve the crime/publish their results.  We are all looking forward to this activity!

Math Matters:

Student performance on the weekly homework packets continues to improve.  I cannot thank YOU enough for your support and assistance with these packets every week!  Because you have invested time with your child, their basic math computation and ability to reason in math is aiding their progress through the Common Core Standards.  They are solving problems with confidence.  Thank YOU!!!

We are computing unit rates and ratio tables.  The students are grasping an understanding of these concepts and their place in our everyday lives.  We have been able to use our textbook as well as fun activities such as the Lego Ratios Worksheet to help us.

Here are some links to websites where the students can practice these skills.

Math is Fun Website (Unit Rates and other skills)

Math Playground (Unit Rates and other skill practice)

Week of August 26-30, 2013

Here we are!  One week closer to our PILOTS retreat and another week invested in the school year.  It was a busy week for us all.  We are doing a nice job of settling into our routine.  Thank you to all of my students and their families.

Let's support Kindergarten color week #2 by wearing as much of a certain color on a certain day.  Here's the schedule:

Monday, August 19th - Blue Day

Tuesday, August 20th - Purple Day

Wednesday, August 21st - Pink Day

Thursday, August 22nd - Black and White Day

Friday, August 23rd - Rainbow Day

The 411 on Missing/Incomplete Assignments

Missing/incomplete assignment slips have been utilized for our students who do not complete or are missing their assignment at the time it is collected.  The purpose behind this white slip is to communicate with you about any missing/incomplete assignments.  Students are to complete the assignment and show it to you.  You will then sign the slip It should be a white slip the size of one-quarter of an 8.5 x 11in sheet of paper.  The student should bring it back the very next school day.  As grades are entered in Infinite Campus, missing/incomplete assignments will be noted.  Infinite Campus will send out an email to you regarding any missing assignments and the subject to which they pertain.

Science Happenings

We are still studying the Inquiry Process through the use of an online simulation called, The FFFBI Academy.  Students completed their first quiz in class last week either Thursday or Friday.  I'm in the process of grading. To offer proper feedback, I must take some time to read, evaluate and respond to each student's thoughts and responses.  It is my goal to complete the grading by Friday this week.

This week's science lessons will focus on the missions presented in the FFFBI Academy.  Students will apply what they have learned thus far in the Orientation and Training Games.  They will be placed into different teams to foster our class community while we complete the mission for the week.

If you'd like to check out the link to the FFFBI Academy, you should!  It's pretty neat.

FFFBI Academy 

Upcoming Math Lessons and Review

As we focused on the vocabulary associated with rates and ratios this week, we reviewed GCF (Greatest Common Factor) and LCM (Least Common Multiple).  Several students felt they could use a review/refresher.  Encourage them to click on the links below to refresh their skills.

Math Made Easy Video ( Factors and Multiple)

Khan Academy - GCF and LCM Review with Word Problems

GCF and LCM Prime Factorization Review

* To see the videos on rates and ratios, please see the Week of August 19-23, 2013 blog post.

Don't Forget...

Tuesday, August 27th is our first Early Release day this year.  School is dismissed at 12:30pm.  Make sure you bring a healthy snack!

Ms. Smith's office hours are Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00-8:30am.  Appointments can be made by written/email request for Monday and Wednesday.

Have a great week!  *\0/*

Solutions to Logic and Sudoku Puzzles - Week August 19-23

Well...here they are!  Actually, the solutions had to be posted to The S Factor page .  Click on the link Ms. Smith's math, science, and writing page.  Scroll all the way to the bottom below where you click on my blog link.  There they are!!!

You've been waiting for these.  How close did you come to each solution?  Can't wait to find out in class tomorrow.

Ms. Smith :-)

Week of August 19-23, 2013

Well, we survived the first full week of school together!  And, what a great week it was! We endured a regular schedule which threw all of us at one point for a loop!  We were constantly checking the clock in an effort to be respectful of class start and stop times.  And, special area groups are still taking some getting used to.  BUT, there was the first LOL (Layers of Language) lesson, Orientation of the FFFBI, and the debut of the math homework packet!  What an exciting week!  I bet you can't wait for this week!

Let's support Kindergarten color week by wearing as much of a certain color on a certain day.  Here's the schedule:

Monday, August 19th - Red Day

Tuesday, August 20th - no color (It's Picture Day, remember?)

Wednesday, August 21st - Orange Day

Thursday, August 22nd - Yellow Day

Friday, August 23rd - Green Day

Science Happenings

We are currently using the FFFBI Academy to study and practice the Inquiry Process.  If you have a few minutes, check out the website.  Students may feel free to complete any of the Training Games or other rounds of Orientation.  Remember Sensational Science Students: If you choose to explore on your own, do not give away the secrets and answers in class.  These are to simply give you a better peek at what the FFFBI Academy is and make you more confident in using it.  Now, get on the Internet and have some fun with these fine feathered friends!

FFFBI Academy

Upcoming Math Lessons for this week and next...

Finding Unit Rates

Ratey, the Math Cat

Finding Unit Prices

Ratios, Rates, and the Wright Brothers

Don't Forget...

Picture Day is Tuesday, August 20th at 2:00pm   Don't forget to wear your Sunday best! :-)

Ms. Smith's office hours are Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:00-8:30am.  Appointments can be made by written/email request for Monday and Wednesday.


Friday, August 23rd is a BIG day for paperwork.  Here's a review of what is due!

• All PILOTS retreat permission slips and money are due. (Color of papers: red and white) 
• Online Communication Forms (permission to use the Internet) (Color of paper: dark pink)
• Acknowledgement of SSES/PVUSD Student Parent Handbook (Color of paper: green)
• Payment for Classroom Support $35
• Payment for PILOTS On-Campus $25

Have a great week!  *\0/*