It was nice to be together this week as Quarter 2 came to a close. Settling back into the swing of things has been comfortable and reassuring. This week in Language Arts, the sixth graders continued reading The Westing Game and tracking changes in plot and character. In keeping with the mystery theme, they also began writing their own creative writing mystery stories! We spent this week completing a planning frame; so that sixth graders learn how to design a plot, begin with character traits in mind, and are therefore able to build a suspenseful mystery in their writing. In History, after wrapping up geography of India we've studied the foundations and core values of Hinduism. Finally, in math, Mrs. Valentine has supplemented our unit on ratios with several engaging activities and taught the unit with clarity.
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These past four days have been busy as we worked to move forward as best as possible. All the students in the sixth grade, and in our whole Laguna community, have been so positive and strong amidst everything. Keeping in mind that everyone was in different places emotionally and physically, we continued forward reading The Westing Game, and practiced summary writing now that we've made our way through the first quarter of the book. In History, we've moved to the Indus River Valley and this week evaluated the geography of the Indian subcontinent for habitability. In Math, we were able to wrap up Chapter 4 and the unit on ratios. On Wednesday, sixth grade finally wrapped up our secret snowflake book exchange! It was very fun to see the excitement at the new books, and why each student had the guesses they did. In a way, it was nice to have a little something to celebrate at this point in the year. In science class this week, sixth graders began a unit on nutrients and calories as a supplement to their anatomy curriculum and Food Truck Projects. On Thursday, students were given different kinds of food to weigh, then burned to measure varying amounts of calories in each. I'm left without further words on the tragedy of this past week. The devastation that our community faced was unlike anything we've encountered before, and coming together on Thursday was difficult but healing. Seeing the students again made me incredibly grateful for our wonderful Laguna community and reassured me that we will support each other in getting through this.
This Friday's open classroom in Performing Arts Foundations allowed the sixth graders to perform their winter showcase pieces to several parents who could make it. They did a wonderful job and it was a nice way to come together for a bit. The secret snowflake gift exchange also brought some joy and energy to an otherwise emotionally heavy week. I realize that we are nowhere near through this, and some of you will be out of your homes for several weeks. We'll continue to do everything we can as a community to make sure you are supported. Laguna Love. Happy New Year, everyone! I have to say I was SO excited to see everyone this week, and hear all about the fun activities and adventures that everyone experienced with their families.
In this first week back, we've picked right up where we left off in some classes, and started fresh in others! In Language Arts, students were introduced to our new class novel, The Westing Game. This Newbury-Award winning classic mystery novel focuses on the reading of a billionaire industrialist's will, and the subsequent "game" that follows. Sixth graders were assigned characters from the novel as a way of engaging with the complex story lines and more readily embracing changes in the many characters' identities. It will be a fun unit! In History class, we continued our study of Judaism by learning the four central teachings and the events that led to the formation of the Jewish diaspora. Sixth graders will have a test next week to wrap up our Judaism unit. In Math, we've worked on representing ratios and writing equivalent ratios. In Art class, sixth graders presented their creations inspired by Alexander Calder's Circus exhibition. All students built a colorful circus piece with moving components that will be displayed in the upper school library for the next month. Next Friday, the sixth graders will perform their songs from the winter showcase in an open classroom at 11:45. We enjoyed celebrating Jonah's and Magdalena's birthdays this week! Looking forward to a great, possibly rainy January! |
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June 2018
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