What are we up to? Highlights so far!

Lots of things have been happening in the classroom!  
Here are some of our highlights!



Testing with Science from Scientists! 

Working in groups and creating compound sentences.

Learning about the candidates as we prepared for the election. 










We created a Gratitude Chain with the whole school for the month of November and celebrating  Life is Good!

Fish in a Tree Chapters 25-30

Albert Einstein

Part 1: 

On page 158, Mr. Daniels inspires Ally with a quote sometimes attributed to Albert Einstein. We have responded to this quote already and what it means. Having read further in the book and learning more about Ally, how does this quotation speak to Ally and her experiences? How does this moment in the text serve as a turning point for Ally?  Answer this in your Reader's Response Journal.

Part 2: NEXT: 

Go to Brainy Quotes’ Albert Einstein page. Click here for the  link. 

Choose an Albert Einstein quote that you think represents you.

Choose an image that represents your quote (remember to give credit to the photographer)

POST ON THE PADLET:

Include the quote from Albert Einstein and the image.

Write a brief statement about why the quote represents you 

and/or is meaningful to you. 

Life is good!

Welcome back to school!  I'm not sure how many have participated in the Community Read of the book,  Life is Good The Book by Bert and John Jacobs, but I do recommend it!  What I found, as I start another school year, was that it offered great reminders of why I'm here. The book highlights 10 Super Powers.  These Super Powers are great reminders of slowing down and capturing the moments.  The first of these Super Powers is OPENNESS.   This is a great way to begin the school year,  Being OPEN to the possibilities of what's to come. That's really what's so great about a new school year, everything is just that, it's NEW! New students enter their new classroom with their new teacher and new classmates!  It's NEW to everyone!  This allows us the OPEN possibilities of what we can do in the next 10 months.  Here are some strategies mentioned in the book of how to stay open: Follow the Leader-Listen to others ideas Say "Yes, and"-this creates an open invitation to take chances Think of everything as a once in a lifetime experience-changing up your routine and surroundings gives way to thinking with a new perspective.  Remember to ENJOY THE RIDE and  LIFE IS GOOD!

Fizzing Up!

Fizz, Bubble, POP!
Chemical Reactions!

A chemical reaction is when two substances are combined and a new substance is formed.  We spent many days in the classroom discovering the formation of new substances through chemical reaction.

This is a great unit to introduce Physical Science to  6th graders.  It is hands-on and engaging with lots of partner and group work.
Students were able to differentiate the differences of a physical change (substance does not change) vs. a chemical change (a new substance is formed).

How do scientists analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after substances interact? 

Focus Question:  What is the evidence that a chemical reaction has occurred?





  Standard:

SC5.10

Differentiate between physical changes and chemical changes.

SC5.10

Differentiate between physical changes and chemical changes.

Best Day in a Classroom!

The day before February vacation we had the very best day in the classroom!   A teacher's dream! What does a teacher dream about? It's one of those days that things just fall into place, no interruptions, the kids are paying attention, no one is staring out the window daydreaming of sunny warm days,  hands are going up to answer questions, to ask questions, to make a statement!   The BIG A-Ha moment!   It was one of those kind of days. Are you wondering what we did?  We conducted a Socratic Seminar. I had been hearing about other teachers having students participate in these conversations where they delved deeper into the text they were reading, they asked questions, clarified, and had deep meaningful conversations about their reading. And the biggest part....it was all student driven. I sat back and listen and I didn't say a word.   All of this happening in one class session...I couldn't believe it. I had to see it with my own eyes. So I did.  I observed another 6th grade classroom that would be holding a Socratic Seminar that morning.  I was amazed!  I couldn't wait to try it out! I prepped and researched the best ways to bring this into my classroom and then I jumped in with two feet and my eyes wide open! And the students blew me away!  

Students prepare with their literature group before the Socratic Seminar Their conversation was thoughtful and just amazing. Their discussion of essential questions based on their reading was out of this world! I could go on and on but you can see it for yourself!
Take a look! Students discuss reading  The Watson's Go to Birmingham-1963 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.1
Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.3
Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.

Up and ATOM!

Atoms, Atoms, Atoms... they're everywhere!!

During our PD day in January, I was lucky enough to be able to collaborate with Ms. Strobl from Proctor School in Topsfield.  She shared this great project she does during her Physical Science Unit and how her students get to know the elements of the Periodic Table, so we tried it too!

We started the project researching our assigned element learning about the atomic number, protons, neutrons, and electrons of the atom. Students also discovered where these elements are found in everyday items!

How do you know how many protons an atom has? 

What does the atomic mass of an atom tell you? 

After students completed their research and created a poster, they got to work on their  3-D model of the element. 

Some of the finished posters of the Periodic Table in our classroom!

 The element models hang from my classroom ceiling! It really makes the place shine!

 What element is this? 

 How about this one?

 Or this one? 

Want to learn the elements of the Periodic Table?:  Check out this link!

SC5.7

Give basic examples of elements and compounds.

SC5.5

Recognize that there are more than 100 elements that combine in a multitude of ways to produce compounds that make up all of the living and nonliving things that we encounter.

It's ELEMENTary...

Physical Science is our unit in science that we will be working on until Spring. It sounds so far away with all this white stuff on the ground but it's only 6 weeks away!  That doesn't sound as bad!
We have looked at the states of matter and physical changes that occur in the world around us.  As we move forward we have been getting to know the Periodic Table and the Elements.

The students organized sets of cards of the first 20 elements.  They had to become familiar with the number of protons (atomic number), neutrons, and electrons.
The next day we discussed the energy levels that the electrons travel on and added to our puzzle of the first 20 elements. 
Come Meet the Elements with They Might Be Giants by clicking here.

 6th Grade Physical Science:  All matter is made of atoms, which are far too small to see directly through a light microscope. Elements have unique atoms and thus, unique properties. Atoms themselves are made of even smaller particles. 

What I Wish My Teacher Knew....

To wrap up Fish in a Tree I asked the students to complete the statement What I wish my teacher knew.... This was done anonymously and they connected it to a quote that had meaning for them about overcoming struggles and finding success from failing and trying again and maybe again and then again.

Class Project Due Date is Extended!

Happy Snow Day!! 
Our class Element Project will be extended until after vacation! No need to work on it at home.  

Meet the Characters of Fish in a Tree

What a great book Fish in a Tree was! And we learned so much!  The characters really came alive and we learned so much about them inside and out.  Our end result was a character study of who these characters were not only on the outside but on the inside as well.  The students were reflective and creative as they made them come alive and introduced them to our school community.

Meet Oliver, Albert, Ally, Keisha, and Jessica

On the front of the character's shirt introduces who this character is on the outside; how people think they are. Such as Albert appears to not be affected by kids picking on him. 

When you lift up the shirt, the students explain who this character is on the inside; the parts of people that are not always apparent.

But Albert on the inside is affected by others words but has the belief that giving them his energy is not worth it. 

Meet Mr. Daniels, the inspiring teacher of this group

Mr. Daniels works to find the best in each of his students

Meet Jessica and Shay, the bullies of the group I loved this book!  My favorite part of the book was when Mr. Daniels gave Ally the piece of paper that said "POSSIBLE".  This scene in the book emphasizes the theme of perseverance and how working through things that are difficult are the best learning experiences. What was your favorite part of the book that would best explain one of the themes overall?

Watch Lynda Mullaly Hunt read the final chapter of Fish in a Tree and answer questions:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.6.2
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.