Dear Students and Parents,

    1st quarter report card pick-up was on Tuesday, Nov. 10th. If you were unable to make it, your child's report card was sent home with him/her on Thursday, Nov. 12th. Please sign and return the top copy to school ASAP. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about grades, behavior, or general Erwin business, please feel free to contact me by e-mail (schaefferjl@rss.k12.nc.us) or by phone at the school between 7:30-8:00, 11:00-12:30 or 3:30-4:00.

     So far in science, we've learned about different types of scientists and all of the many things they can study. We've learned about archaeologists and about the scientific process through modeling a mini archaeological dig.  We designed and conducted an experiment around a common scientific "problem" and learned about all of the different types of energy. Finally, at the end of the quarter, we tackled a unit on sound, during which students rotated around to four different "stations" involving sound exploration. Click Here to check out some great pictures from all of the labs we've participated in so far!

     We will begin second quarter with a seminar on radiant (light) energy, which will take us through Thanksgiving break. Light is one of my favorite units, so I'm really looking forward to exploring it with old and new students alike!


Reminders and Up-and-Coming Events:

* Students will be participating in a light lab this week! Each group will conduct a different experiment related to light and then present their experiment as a demonstration to the class at the end of the week. The individal write-up for the lab will be due on Monday, Nov. 16th!

* The next set up warm-ups were due on Friday (Nov. 13). Students have been reminded in class and on the homework hotline that they need to make up any missed warm-ups (either by borrowing them from a friend or by checking the classroom binder) before Friday. These grades should ALL be 100%!!

* Next week we'll be wrapping up our unit on light. The Chapter 20 test will be on Friday and Monday (11/20 and 11/23). The first section (Friday) will be a timed open-notes multiple choice section using ActiVotes. The second section (Monday) will consist of short answer/essay questions and students will have the entire period to answer 4 detailed questions. It will also be open notes, however, students are STRONGLY encouraged to study their notes ahead of time!! Students are also welcome to make a study aid (a flip book or flashcards, etc.) ahead of time and if they show it to me before Friday, I will probably allow them to use it for the test as well. They must show me ahead of time, however!

* 2nd quarter weekly conduct reports were given out on Friday, October 23. For second quarter they are pink and need to be signed every Thursday. Students who have ten or less marks by the end of the quarter will get to participate in a fun reward, and each unsigned week counts as a mark-- so please try to keep up with it!

* Please make sure your binders are organized and stay that way! If you need an example for setting up your binder, you can check the classroom binder on Ms. Schaeffer's bookshelf. The binder is also the place to turn if you are absent on a day we take notes and need to make them up!

Don't let this happen to your binder!*:

*  Remember that weekly grade sheets go home for science every Friday. Except for certain occasions (first one sent home, midterms, end of quarter) you do not need to sign them and return them UNLESS your student has an average less than 70%. Please check them regularly though so you will always know where your student stands in my class!

       Sincerely,
                     Ms. Schaeffer


A Pictorial Tour of the Classroom
(i.e. "Where Am I Supposed to Find That?!?" and "How do I...?")

  
Purpose: To let you know what you need to bring     Purpose: This is where completed work is turned in
to class everyday!                                                  When to use it: Whenever an assignment is due!
When to use it: Look at it before locker breaks!

            Extra Papers Wall                    Homeless Papers Wall

  

 

Purpose: Ms. Schaeffer ends each class by saying, "Nous avons des devoirs?" as students write
their homework assignment in their agendas. Remember, your completed agenda
is your ticket out of my classroom!
When to use it: Everyday! :)


I hope you enjoyed learning where many of the important things in my classroom can be found. There are lots of tools around the room to help you succeed in 6th grade. I hope you will continue to make use of them throughout the year!

Web Credits

Frog animation from:












Linked