Baby Bed

Hello,

I hope your holiday is going well. I sincerely wish you a wonderful Christmas with family.

My husband and I ordered the baby bed you helped buy,(see picture attached). We are very excited to get Lily's room painted, and prepared. Thank you all again for such a wonderful gift.

Thank You

I sincerely want to thank you all for the generous gift. It will greatly help to buy Lily's crib. My cup runs over with joy. I have so much to be thankful for this year, and you guys are at the top of my list.

Almost Christmas

Seasons Greetings,

We only have six more days before Christmas break! I am as excited as you, however we do have a few things to get done before we take a long winter's nap.

We will continue acting out A Christmas Carol, and will compare it to the Disney version next week. We will also try to find out just how many versions there are, and why there are so many.

I do have more thinking actives to help you truly understand the story. I also think you can take an A.R test on the play we are reading, although I suggest reading the full book version.

You will hopefully have one more Math test on lessons 56-60 next week. I hope we can finish the test, in order to start new when we come back from the break. I think, however that we may need to take this time to review considering this last Math test, what do you think?

For Science we will be doing a lab tomorrow, then for Thursday and Friday you will be learning about the reasons it becomes dark at 5:30 in the winter. We will also look at myths and old religions that had different views of why it gets dark in the winter. This is one great way to understand how Science has helped us evolve in our thinking.

In Social Studies we will be learning about other religious celebrations around the world.

We will also spend some time thinking about our own traditions, and celebrations.

Finally we will be having our Christmas party in the morning this year, on the 19th. Make sure your parents get the letter I sent home today.

Our party will be a great time to connect with each other, before the long break from each other.

Yes, I will miss my wonderful class. :)

Last, but not least I am setting out a collection bucket for the Make a Wish foundation. This is our class' charity, and in the spirit of the season I hope you will bring what you can to help support it. You all did such a wonderful act in making over 120 get well cards for Josh. I hope to see the same out pour for other children waiting for their wish. I am going home to clean out my piggy bank tonight, I hope you do the same.

Thank you, and many blessings for a happy and safe Christmas.

Love,

Mrs. Casto

Back to Work

It was nice having an unexpected day off, but it does put us a bit behind. I know several of you have not been able to get information for your paper on the inventor you chose. Please know that the library is a wonderful place to look, plus they have Internet access. I have pushed the due date for the papers to next Tuesday. Keep in mind however that your rough draft is due this Friday. We will spend two days editing and conferencing on Friday and Monday. Tuesday you will be given the opportunity to share what your inventor created. I hope you all put your best work into this paper, grades were a bit down from the MLKJ papers. For next Wednesday and Thursday we will be getting back to the basics of English.

We are going to go ahead with the Spelling/vocabulary test for this Friday. We will also have our Reading test as usual this Friday.

I want to let you know that if you make a model of your invention and bring it in anytime next week you will gain 30 bonus points for Science.

Next Friday, the 7th, is our field trip to the Herald Dispatch. Please don't forget to get your permission slip filled out. I know I will tell you a 100 times to make good choices on the way, while we are there, and on the way back, but I thought I would also remind you on here. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to see how a real paper is developed and published before making our own paper. It is also a great opportunity to show your maturity, and self control.

Next week is also the school spelling bee. We will still review, and practice the vocabulary from our Reading book, but we will not have a Spelling test next week.

We will not have a Reading test on the 7th either.

We will however have Math test next week on Wednesday. It will be on lessons 51-55.

In Science next week we are studying geology. It relates to your story in Reading.

In Social Studies we are going to understand the who, what, when, where, how, and why of WWII. We will be using our lab time on Monday for an interesting look at the world and connect it to World War II. We will also take a virtual field trip to Pearl Harbor.

Our new class motto, and mascot.

Fully Rely On God

Conferences, and houses, and report cards, oh my

For the parents reading this site, I have sent home the times for the conferences. All the information you need to schedule a time is on the sheet I sent home. I also wanted to let you know that if you see a drop, or rise in Reading it is due to the Literature groups. Some students have a harder time working in a group mindset, however most students thrive in that setting. You may also see a drop or rise in Science, this is due to the fact that we had more graded assignments in Science. Other rises and falls in grades may be due to homework that was not turned in, or unfinished.

On to a happier note, I received the best reports from the substitute teachers. As a reward we will be having a break for good behavior this Friday. Also there will be no homework over the weekend, unless you are trying to catch up.

We are still having a spelling quiz, but it is only 6 words including vocabulary. I hope you all were sure when you voted to have the Reading test Thursday. We will also have a Science quiz delayed from Tuesday on Thursday.

Next week we are only here Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday. We will learn about the history of Thanksgiving, as well as similar traditions around the world. Next week will not be too difficult I promise. I also promise not to give too much homework over the break, just kidding. I do have one thing I wish for you to do, but I'll let you know next week.

Finally I want to remind you that we are competing with Mrs. Bias' class for which class can gather the most canned foods, and dry foods. We are going to have to do some major catching up! Sincerely, I want all of you to remember why it is important to take care of others, and give all that you can. I know you want to win, but please remember the true cause.

Last, but certainly not least I want to thank all of parents for sending in items, or volunteering their time to make our Halloween party an event they will carry throughout high school. I also want to thank Mrs. Reger, Mrs. Jeffery, and Mrs. Armstead for their generous donation of books to our class.

Gould League - Food Webs - build your own

Gould League - Food Webs - build your own

As you make the web by choosing where the item belongs, please make notes in your journal. I want you to write your own definition of a producer, consumer, decomposer, and scavenger. I want you to print out your web when you finish.
Thank you,
Mrs. Casto

A Busy Week

This is going to be a busy week. First of all you get to go to a wonderful play on Wednesday. I am excited to see Peter Pan, and I hope you are as well.

We are doubling up in our chapters, but good news, less homework. I will also give you more time at school to read, but it is extremely important that you read 3 chapters this weekend, chapters, 24-26. You will only have to make up 3 main test questions from the 3 chapters as homework. We are shooting for next Tuesday as the last night for our book. You will be able to take the A.R test on Wednesday, and Thursday before the final on Friday the 9th. If you finish the book early you make take the A.R test early. We will also use Wednesday and Thursday to review for the final. Again I am sorry that we have to cram, but I am sure you will all do well.

Helpful Hint: If your parents will let you highlight important sentences from the book that help you understand the main ideas of the chapters, please do

.

*Remember that for the next six weeks we will go back to reading from our Reading book. Mrs. Bias' class will get to choose the next Literature book for the 4th six weeks.

We will not have a Math test next week. Before you know it we will be on lesson 50!

In Science we will be studying, and doing activities to understand the food web.

For English we will be writing a paper on racism. This is the important essay that will be entered in a contest.

We will have a Spelling test next Friday.

We will continue the importance of Social Studies next week by touching on major world events, and how they relate to all aspects of Social Studies.

Like I said, it is going to be a busy week, but I know you can do it.

Halloween Week

Sorry this new post is a day late. Next week will be a little different, since it is a special holiday week. We , of coarse will have special activities on Halloween day. Don't forget that the party activities will be in the afternoon starting at 1:30. I am sorry, but I do not think we will be doing the apple bobbing due to this "sick season".

Other than Wednesday our week will go along as usual, with the exception of Friday afternoon. All students in the whole 6th grade that received all points needed for A.R will be given a special treat. All other students will be given the opportunity to ensure that they get all the points required for this 6 weeks.

We still have a Spelling test next week on Friday.

We will also have a Math test next Friday.

We will continue reading To Kill a Mockingbird next week. Remember that we are doubling up on the weekends to ensure we get the book read and have all the tests by the end of this 6 weeks.

Your final script is due next Monday for English.

We will be learning why Social Studies is important next week.

We will be doing some weird Science next week.

It is going to be a bunch of fun, I can't wait!

Chem4Kids.com: Reactions: Acids and Bases

Chem4Kids.com: Reactions: Acids and Bases

This is the site for information on acids and bases.

UN Virtual Tour

UN Virtual Tour

Here is the site for the United Nations virtual tour. Please take some time to view anything you would have liked to have seen in class. We will be going over more aspects of this tour tomorrow.

UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES

UNITED NATIONS MEMBER STATES

Please click on this link, and choose a country. I expect you to be a "representative" of this country. To be a representative you must know about your country. I especially want to know any conflicts, or global issues your country may be involved in. Remember, I do not want you to choose a country we already know all about. Have fun, and be ready to represent your country.

Oct 17th

In the next couple days we have a few tests to mention. First a Science quiz on Friday, as well as an English quiz. The Science will be on atoms, elements, the periodic table etc. The English quiz will be on the basics of grammar. Next week's tests include your first test from, To Kill a Mockingbird, chapters 1-10. We will take some time on Monday to review for the test. You also have a Math test on lessons 31-35. Give or take a day, the Math test should be on Wednesday.

Next week in Social Studies we will be taking a virtual field trip to the United Nations. We will also, God willing have a bit of a world traditions celebration on Friday, rather than a test. :)

In Science we will continue with forms of matter, especially acids and bases since we really have not touched on it yet.

We should make it through chapter 14 of, To Kill a Mockingbird. By the way I am extremely impressed with all of your interest, adult conversation, and the fantastic connections so far in the book.

In English next week you are going to take the skills you have worked on to make a haunted script. More on that Monday.

Don't forget your Halloween Party is two weeks from today! Please make sure your parents have read the letter I am sending home tomorrow.

Thanks for taking the time to see what we are doing.

The TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Student Survival Guide

The TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD Student Survival Guide

This site will help you along the way. I think you will find it extremely useful.

This week, Oct.8

I need to remind you that you will have school every day this week except Friday. Tonight we have a p.t.o meeting at 6pm. Remember if your parents come, you get to dress down tomorrow.

We have a Math test in the morning.

We will read through chapter 6 in, To Kill a Mockingbird this week, including the weekend. Next week we will take a test on the first 10 chapters.

We will continue with the basics of Grammar for the rest of this week and next week.

Our words for Spelling will continue to come from the book. Please write down any words for your word-smith that you think would make a good spelling word. Our test for these words will be next Friday.

The presentations for your "ism" will start this Thursday. I expected each group member to work hard, and do their part.

For Science tonight I want you to find the site that we worked on Monday by going to Google typing in, atoms power point welcome to atoms. Click on the 3rd result down, you know what the page looks like. Go to the site for p.b.s in the second section. You will need to read the information, and the two guides, and the glossary. Then try out the atom builder activity. So I know that you did this activity I need you to write the glossary terms in your journal. We will go over the activity in class tomorrow. We may even play a competitive group game on who can make the most stable atom.

On Thursday in Science you will be watching Bill Nye, a video on atoms.

There is so much to do this week, but I know that we will have a good time!

Thank you

I wanted to give a big thank you to the parents that helped chaperon the pumpkin festival. Karen, Jenny, Valma, Tom, Mr. Moss, and Consuela, we couldn't have done it without you.

Atoms

Here is the atom site I need you to do for computer lab today.
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Administrator.SJGS/Local%20Settings/Temporary%20Internet%20Files/Content.IE5/VJC3HK8V/Intro.%2520to%2520the%2520Atom%2520PowerPoint%5B1%5D.ppt#267,2,Welcome to Atoms

Do your best, and remember do not write everything from each slide. Only write the most important information.

Thank you,
Mrs. Casto

Pumpkin Festival Helpers

Dear Parents,

I have heard that it is a bit crazy at the Pumpkin Festival. I have also been informed that the 6th grade will not be allowed to decorate pumpkins, because we are too old. However, there are many other exciting adventures, but they are spread out, and we need helpers to keep our groups safe in all the craziness. I am writing to ask for your help to watch over the 6th grade. I have sent home a note with all the activities. If you would like to help out please send a note to me a.s.a.p. All parent helpers will need to meet us at the festival, because the buses are full. Thanks so much in advance for your help.

Sincerely,

Marsha Casto

New Important Info.

Ok, you got away with two extra nights to study for the Math test, unfortunately you will not always be so lucky. I was a little concerned about the last Reading quiz, so please make sure you are ready this week, and next week. Next week will be the last week, for at least a six week period, that you will be using the Reading book.

We will begin Literature groups on October the 8th. I know that some of you think that this will be easier, but it requires a great deal more thinking, and in different ways. We will vote on our book this Friday. You need to get the book by Friday the 5th of Oct. I will make sure that the books you vote on are A.R approved books so you can earn points.

One way to save on buying our Literature book is to always try to get the paperback. I also suggest going to amazon.com to get a slightly used copy. Once we have voted this Friday, I will call Borders to let them know what we are reading. They will order several copies of the book if you want it new. It is important that you let your parents read this so they will know what is happening in Reading for the next six weeks. It will be challenging, but I know you will enjoy it.

Next week don't forget that we are going to be teaching Mrs. Bias' class about global warming, and her class will teach us about the Rain Forest.

In our regular Science class we will be learning about the structure and properties of matter. Speaking of teaching, at the end of next week you will be given the opportunity to teach the whole class about matter by showing an experiment. Your "experiment teaching" will most likely roll over into the following week.

We will be using descriptive words in every subject next week because your paper of the week will be descriptive. It is going to be great. You get to eat some yummy treats next week, all for the sake of learning.

We are trucking along in Math and most everyone seems to be doing great. I do not think we will have a test in Math next week, but count on one the week after.

In Social Studies we will be doing a great deal of group work about different types of government, it will be entertaining, involved, and most of all informative.

I am looking forward to the coming weeks and hope you are too.

P.S Don't forget next Friday the 5th we get to go to the Pumpkin Festival.

A Busy Week

It has been an incredibly busy week for me. As you know my husband and I just found out we are having a girl, but we had to go to two appointments to discover her. We are also buying a house, and have been very busy with everything that goes with it. Anyway enough of my excuses, it is a bit late, but we will be having two quizzes tomorrow. First we will have a short Reading Quiz, and later a Spelling quiz. The Spelling you were sure about, and as long as we are working in the Reading book we will most likely have a quiz on Friday.

Next week a Math test is in the works. I have it scheduled for Wednesday. Next week’s lessons include fractions, informative writing, games in Spelling, a story about gorillas, and the big one, global warming. We will be having a debate about global warming after you get enough information to make up your own mind, on Friday. The debate will be treated as a test, so it will be worth 100 points. Global warming goes cross curricular in Science and Social Studies.

Be prepared for the Spelling test Friday. Please do not forget the challenge words from our story, as well as the definition. We will have a quiz on the story, Mother Fletcher on Friday. Our Math test will be next week on Tuesday.

Have fun Friday at the carnival. I hope you all help me win a cake for my birthday.

Also remind your parents that everyone was asked to please bring a cake for the cake walk at the last p.t.o meeting.

Tests

We will be having a poetry terms test this Friday. We will also be having a quiz on maps, and our first Math test this week. We will always have a quiz or test of some sort on Fridays.

Raffle Basket

Just a reminder, we are trying to collect as many items as possible for our raffle basket. The 6th grade theme is, Halloween and Fall. Some suggestions include, candy, decorations, carving kits, etc... I hope with the large sixth grade we will recieve enough items for two sixth grade baskets. Thank you in advance for helping to make Carnival on the Block III successfull.