Mrs. Seminack

Room 213

Grade 6

cseminack@nativity-school.org

 

 

I would like to extend to all families some great tips and ideas to help maintain your child’s study habits. Please review the following on a daily basis to assist in continual academic success:

 

*               Paying attention in class.

*               Taking good notes.

*               Keeping an organized notebook for each subject.

*               Knowing the purpose of each assignment.

*               Asking questions in class.

*               REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!

                 It can help retain 80% of the information.

*               Planning a definite time and place for studying each day.

*               Studying for awhile and taking short breaks.

*               Avoid cramming for hours the night before a test.

*               Study a little bit each day.

*               Think Positive...Do Your Best!

 

~Spring Time Is Here~

 

Much progression has been seen in all students from the beginning of September. Students are now accustomed to Nativity of Our Lord’s “Middle School” expectations. Students have, and are continuing to learn how to assume responsibility, take pride in their work, and treat one another with respect. As we know, sixth grade can be an extremely difficult year, not only making the transition from elementary school to middle school, but as well as peer influences and interactions. Students are perhaps beginning to express themselves and make requests more so than in the past. It is very important, not only for the growth of your child, but for you as well to be consistently involved in their life, both outside and inside of school. Be sure to ask your children everyday what they learned or did in school. Know who your children’s friends are, as well as their parents. Allow your child the opportunity to talk with you open and honestly ~this will strengthen your trust and communication as the teenage years arrive.  Most importantly, be involved. Yes, in sixth grade students need to assume a larger independent responsibility, but they still and will always need guidance and support from family.

 

I also ask that you allow students to complete their homework independently, but check over their work when completed. 

On a weekly basis please have your child/children clean out their school bags, as well as organize their papers by placing them in the correct folders or subject area.

Check your child’s homework book every night!!!

 

Thank you for all of your support!

 

 

What’s Happening in Room 213?

“Living means making your life a memorable experience.”

Paul C. Brownlow

1st ~ No School

2nd ~ No School

5th ~ No School

12th - 15th ~ Middle State’s Visit

15th ~ 11:55am Dismissal

22nd ~ Walk-a-Thon

22nd ~ Spring Expo

29th ~ Progress Reports

30th ~ Faculty Retreat/No School

7th ~ First Friday Mass

13th ~ No School

14th ~ No School

17th ~ NOOL May Procession

18th ~ 6th Grade Field Trip

21st ~ Field Day

31st ~ No School

Social Studies:

Students are currently focusing on Asia and the Pacific Islands. Students are experiencing first hand ordeals of these countries, by intently focusing on physical geography and resources, as well as cultural and traditional heritage. In the classroom, students are working in cooperative learning groups creating poster boards, which  will  be presented to their peers, listing specifically detailed information. This provides students with the  independent responsibility of working as a “team Player,” time management, and research skills.

Science:

With Lableraner in tow, students have mastered such concepts as: Photosynthesis, Light, Watersheds, Weathering and Erosion. Students will shortly begin preparation for our upcoming cell, Space. The Lablearner Curriculum is based on a series of four days. On Mondays, both red and green rosters have hands-on experiences, putting concepts and theories to test in our Scientific Lab, located on the second floor of the building. On Tuesdays, teacher and students both lead in Post-Lab Discussions. On Wednesdays, students spend time focusing on the topic at hand through books, videos, presentations, and small group discussions. On Thursdays, students spend the period prepping for the following Monday’s Lab. This day is known as, Pre-Lab. Students review all necessary materials needed to conduct their experiments and begin to explore the corresponding Focus questions. These can all be found in your student’s Lablearner book.

ILA

*VERBS ….VERBS…VERBS*

Do you know your principle parts, your irregular verbs, transitives, and intransitives? How about your tenses? Well ask your student...they can help you...they have made a promise to not tell me who you are!!!

 

Spelling Tests and Vocabulary Tests continue to occur every Friday, alternating weekly between the two.

 

Reading

Students are reading an ample amount of stories within the classroom.  Various comprehension techniques are practiced independently and in both small and large cooperative learning groups.  Students are welcomed to take their literature books home and reread the stories at their own leisure. This is encouraged!!! I highly recommend that you have your child read to you  aloud on a nightly basis.

 

Third Trimester Book Project and Presentation due

Monday, May 17th,  2010

 

Word of the Day Project

Monday, April 26th, 2010

 

Writing

Students are focusing on various perspectives/techniques of figurative language. Students have also accomplished many publishable pieces of writing this year. Each piece will be added to their writing portfolios for high-school: Personal Narrative, Compare and Contrast Essay, Definition Paragraph, Lyric Poem, Letter to the Editor, Diamante, Psalm, Myth, and a Characterization.