6th Grade Weekly Update, September 22nd – 26th
Dear Families,
Each Wednesday during advisory, students send home a grade update email. We encourage you to take a moment to read through it together and reply back to your student. Your response not only helps them stay accountable but also shows them that you’re engaged in their progress. If you see areas where extra help is needed, students are encouraged to stay after school for extra help.
As the mornings turn colder, please remind your student to dress accordingly since school doors do not open until 7:50. A jacket or sweatshirt will help them stay comfortable while they wait.
Parents, we’d also invite you to join us on Canvas as an Observer. This allows you to see what your student is working on in their classes. See attached files.
Thank you for partnering with us to support our 6th graders—we’re excited to see their growth each week!
Here are a few specifics:
English: This week, we will be close reading the poem Ballad of Birmingham and completing our 'Think Question' assignment on Canvas. If time allows, students will read chapter 6 in the novel as well. Last week we were only able to make it through our lesson on creating endings in our narratives. This week, we will work on catching up on the rules of dialogue and crafting stronger sentences. As part of our vocabulary instruction, we will complete notes on root words and participate in a practice activity. Lastly, students will complete an exit ticket on intensive pronouns. Parents please be aware that we are currently rolling out our new reading program, Beanstack. Currently, 6th grade students are showing enrollment in our elementary schools and not the middle school. This is creating a challenge for tracking reading minutes. I will still require that students log their minutes read in Beanstack, but please ensure your child is reading a minimum of one hour per week on their own. This will be a part of their grade in English in the future. With the issues we are having right now, students may not have a grade in quarter one if the program does not have it resolved in time. This does not negate the reading requirement for my class! I will just be showing leniency in quarter one while we resolve these issues.
Mrs. Williams, awilliams@kimberly.edu
Math: This week we'll start chapter 2 by reviewing decimal operations. We'll also dive a little deeper into finding the area and perimeter of shapes. We have taken the chapter 1 test, and I am getting those grades posted. If your student missed the test or wants to retake it, they need to make arrangements to come after school. Delta Math assignments will be ongoing. If students are not completing them in class, they are homework. Please let me know if you have questions.
Mrs. Landers, clanders@kimberly.edu
Social Studies: All assignments, quizzes, and tests from the Five Map Essentials Unit must be completed by Tuesday, September 23, after school. We are beginning a very basic introduction to land and water features. Students will be reading short articles and working with related vocabulary as we start this new topic.
Mrs. Palmer, gpalmer@kimberly.edu
Science: On Monday and Tuesday, we will be taking an open notes test for Unit 1: Lessons 1-4. We will have our first mini project, which is designing our own Pokémon based on science properties. This drawing will be due by September 29th.
Ms. Dahlberg, qdahlberg@kimberly.edu
PACK: Last week we talked about Time Management. This week and next we are going to be discussing Communication. Now when your child rolls their eyes or has “the tone” you can tell them you know they know better. In all seriousness though, please reach out if you have questions.
Brad, bcarlson@kimberly.edu
STEM: STEM quiz retakes are available before and after school. This week we begin Unit 2: Simple Machines. Please reach out if you have any questions!
Mrs. Hyatt, jhyatt@kimberly.edu
Warmly,
The 6th Grade Team
Kimberly Middle School