6th Grade Parent Newsletter Principal's Message The hybrid learning model will experience a transition to a full in-person learning model on Monday, March 15. We will focus on welcoming our in-person students back to school in this new format. With the increase in numbers we need to continue to be vigilant about a few practices: - Attendance - Our new schedule requires students to be in attendance 5 days a week.
- We will follow a Day 1 / Day 2 schedule: Monday, March 15 is a Day 1.
- Transportation: You should have received communication from the transportation department regarding your bus stop location and pick-up time. Please be at the bus stop 5 minutes prior to your scheduled time.
- Monitor your symptoms at home - if sick or have a temperature, stay home and input the absence in Skyward or call the Attendance Line at 763-745-6255.
- Wear masks at all times, including bus stops, buses, and school.
- Maintain social distancing as much as possible. We will attempt 6 ft. distancing when possible, however a 3 ft. distance between students has been approved for classrooms.
- Wash and sanitize hands frequently.
- If quarantining becomes necessary, our district health services department will work directly with the school to communicate appropriate steps.
Our on-line distance choice learning model will continue to progress in much the same manner as we approach the 4th quarter. We will continue to work tirelessly to create a world class learning experience for each of our students. Thank you for all of your exceptional support. Spirit Week: March 15-19 Spirit Week at East is March 15 - 19! Let's celebrate being part of East and show school spirit by dressing up each day with the selected theme: - Monday: Wear your favorite sports team gear!
- Tuesday: Twins Day - find someone and dress alike, or wear Minnesota Twins gear!
- Wednesday: Wear green for St. Patrick's Day!
- Thursday: Color Day - wear the color assigned to your grade:
- 6th grade - Blue
- 7th grade - Yellow
- 8th grade - Red
- Teachers - Pink
- Culinary, Office and Paras - Stripes
- Friday: Show your school pride - wear Wayzata Blue & Gold!
Also, please show school spirit by following the dress code. Happy Spirit Week! Order Your 2020-21 Yearbook Yearbooks preserve the events that happen each school year, and this year is so unique! The Yearbook Club has been working diligently to document and reflect this special year at East Middle School. If you would like to order a yearbook, please visit Jostens. The cost is $35.00. Media Center and Book Checkout Distance Learners library book pick-up (school days from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.): It is important that distance learners check their Destiny account before coming to retrieve books. After the student logs in they will see the "my info" tab. Select that tab and then confirm that the book that has been put on hold is actually checked out to the student. There will be times when the book on hold is still checked out to another student and will not be ready for pick up on the designated day. If you have any questions, please email Beth Benezra. Enrichment Opportunities East now has an Enrichment Canvas page. This page houses academic enrichment opportunities that are open to all students. What We've Been Working On - We have been learning the various ways to divide fractions! This has included dividing fractions, dividing fractions by a whole number, and dividing mixed fractions as well. It was wrapped up in the algorithm...."Keep...Change....Flip!!"
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What does the algorithm- "Keep...Change...Flip!!" mean? Model a division fraction to your parent/guardian and explain the process.
What We're Working on Next - In this chapter, you will learn how to:
- Calculate rates, including unit rates, compare ratios and rates with different units, divide more efficiently with fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals, rewrite expressions by combining like terms and using the Distributive Property.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Where is your understanding of "distributive property" at?
What We've Been Working On - Rigid Transformations
- Dilations on a Coordinate Grid
- Similar and Congruent Shapes
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How can you prove that two shapes are Similar? How can you prove that two shapes are Congruent?
What We're Working on Next - Test on Monday, March 15
- Equations and Inequalities
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How do you study for a test? (look at past notes and quizzes, complete the study guide, team up with a classmate and test each other, etc.)
- How would you solve this equation: 4x - 10 = 74
What We've Been Working On - Over the past two weeks, students have been working on building their body paragraphs for the research unit. They have worked on organizing their notes and deciding how to order the information found. Along with that, students have also worked to put together a work cited page, referencing all the different articles and books used for their research.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Ask your student about their topic of research, and what kind of interesting facts have they learned. Every student has picked an individual topic. Also have them explain any interesting facts they may have found.
What We're Working on Next - Over the next two weeks, we will continue building our research projects as a five paragraph essay. We will be working more on finalizing their drafts. We will also be putting together a presentation that will be shared with the class on their project.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Ask your student about what kind of facts are important to share so an audience understands the topic. Also, ask what kind of visuals they would incorporate in the presentation to make it more visual.
What We've Been Working On - We finished the Rock Cycle Unit and completed both our written assessment and our skills assessment. The projects were great! Students did a nice job of showing their knowledge of the Rock Cycle in very creative ways.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What was the best part of your project?
What We're Working on Next - We are currently in the middle of our Weathering and Erosion Unit. We are modeling ways that wind, water, and ice can cause erosion of sediments and rocks.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - How does the slope of a river effect the erosion of the landscape?
Notes - Please enjoy your weekend!
- Hybrid students, be ready for science 5 days a week in person!
What We've Been Working On - Students learned about the causes of the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862. They can explain the tension between traditional and farm Dakota, as well as motivations of government workers, traders and missionaries of that time.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What were some of the reasons the Dakota felt they had to go to war?
What We're Working on Next - Students will be able to explain geographic, economic, and political factors that brought people to Minnesota after the Civil War.
- Students will be able to tell what life was like on a farm in the late 1800s.
- Students will be able to explain the positive and negative impacts of the railroads on western Minnesota.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What was life like for Sarah and John Tainter?
What We've Been Working On - Over the past two weeks both classes finished their cardio kickboxing & fitness center introduction units.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What is some exercise or piece of equipment you learned about in the fitness center?
What We're Working on Next - Over the next two weeks PE/Health classes will beginning our third Health unit.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What is an important thing I should know when communicating in a social setting?
Notes - After our outdoor winter unit any leftover outside gear/equipment was brought up to the lost and found. Please have your son or daughter check there for anything missing.
What We've Been Working On - In the last two weeks, we worked on new choir songs, labeled solfege, and worked through our sight reading program.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What is the name of the new song you are singing in choir?
What We're Working on Next - Expectations, order, and safety for our transition from hybrid to in-person
- Reviewing most material
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Where will choir class be on the week of March 15? Answer: Stage, enter through the backstage door.
What We've Been Working On - Students have been playing the Concert Bb major scale, "London Bridge", and "Skip To My Lou".
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Play the the song "Skip To My Lou" for me.
What We're Working on Next - Students will be tested on the song "Skip To My Lou".
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Play "Skip To My Lou" for me. I hear this is your next playing test in band.
Notes - Be sure to bring your band instrument to school on the days you have band class.
What We've Been Working On Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Which notes are hard for you to read on the staff and how might you practice them?
What We're Working on Next Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What are some ways you can practice Twinkle Arco and changing fingers while bowing?
Notes - Students should be practicing 20 minutes 5 days a week.
- In person students who play violin/viola should be bringing their instruments to and from school on orchestra days according to their Skyward schedule. Contact Ms. Dennis with questions.
What We've Been Working On - Students have been Exploring the following essential questions:
- How can I tell my story using color?
- How can color represent my ideas?
- They have a table full of supplies and they are creating nonrepresentational self portraits.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - What characteristics are you illustrating in art class?
- What's been the most challenging part?
- What's been the easiest part?
What We're Working on Next - We will finish the Nonrepresentational Self Portrait Unit, which will require students to self-assess on a rubric ad turn in a slideshow that they have already downloaded.
- We will begin clay!!! Students will begin imagining and planning their ideas and making and refining their clay artwork.
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - What are you making out of clay?
What We've Been Working On - Continue working on Wood project
- Graphic Design: Final your person Brand/logo
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Show me your Final Design and explain why it's important to you and what Design Concepts you used to create it.
What We're Working on Next - Dry Fitting
- Assembly: Gluing/Nailing
- Finishing
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Did you cut all your pieces to the correct dimensions?
Notes - Please check your email for important Skyward Grade information.
- There is a $10 lab fee that is associated with making the Wood project. The fee can be made through EPay (a printed receipt would help me record it). If there is a financial hardship please feel free to send me an email. Payment was due Friday, February 26.
What We've Been Working On - Eugene/Story: Describe myself in Spanish
- Rudolph: Preparing for the Speaking Assessment (talking about myself)
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - Eugene/Story: Describe yourself
- Rudolph: What will you ask in the Speaking Assessment? How will you answer?
What We're Working on Next - Eugene: Ask/answer about likes/dislikes and personality
- Rudolph: Speaking Assessment, and starting describing words
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About Upcoming Material - Eugene: What questions can you ask? How do you answer them?
- Rudolph: How did the Speaking Assessment go? Describe yourself.
What We've Been Working On - Habitude 5 is Courage. Some might be confused about how you can show courage in your learning, but ask a 6th grade GT student and they can tell you!
Question(s) to Ask Your Student About What We've Learned - How do you show courage at school?
What We're Working on Next - We will refrain from meeting for 2 weeks as the hybrid students and school staff adjust to a 5 day in school routine. We'll start back up after Spring break.
Scholastic Art Awards Congratulations to Wayzata High School's Regional Scholastic Art Award recipients for 2021. Student creators of "Mug of Monstrosity," "Abstract Self," "The Pitcher" and several others earned honors and recognition for their works of art. View Art Awards Using Our Brains to Parent our Children Understanding the basics of brain science can help us be more intentional about how we parent. Discover the "science" behind what you are already doing to help your child grow and learn what more you can do. Community Education is offering a free class to parents: Using Our Brains to Parent Our Kids: How Love Becomes Matter That Matters. Register to learn more Parenting in a Pandemic Parents, if you feel like you are coming out of "winter hibernation" when it comes to in-person learning, distance learning, pandemic protocols, juggling work, life and everything else. You are not alone. Relate Counseling Center offers free pandemic tips for parents and much more. Pandemic Parenting Tips Culinary Express Meal Updates for March Learning models are shifting, which requires Culinary to shift as well. With more students returning to our schools for in-person learning, Culinary resources must be adjusted to equally meet the needs of both our in-person and distance choice students. Starting Friday, March 5th, Culinary will transition back to providing two meal services. Students will only have access to the meal service that is provided for their learning model and we will no longer be able to serve meals to the greater community. Meal Updates for March MDH recommends COVID-19 testing every two weeks The Minnesota Department of Health announced a recommendation for all school-age students returning to school, youth sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, to get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year. While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing. Covid-19 Testing for Kids and Families
We have a big summer of youth camps planned! Join us at Oakwood Elementary School where your child can learn, grow, and play with friends all summer long. Youth camps include everything from science, engineering, arts and crafts, dance, theater, and more. With a wide variety of camps to choose from, there is something to spark your interest! Registration is now open. Sign up by March 20 for a 5% discount on all classes! Register now! Financial assistance is available for all our classes. Call 763-745-5200 for more information. Friday, April 23, 2021 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Saturday, April 24, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Monday, May 10, 2021 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Tuesday, May 11, 2021 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Thursday, March 18, 2021 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Monday, March 22, 2021 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 12000 Ridgemount Avenue, Plymouth, MN 55441 | 763-745-6200 |