Syracuse 6

January 9, 2012

2012-01-09T16:03:00.000-08:00

Some students still need to remember to bring in signed reading logs from December. We are starting a game in class called WIZARDS, which helps support reading fluency, words their way, handwriting, vocabulary, and non-fiction reading. Students earn power levels for WIZARDS, when they hand in their monthly reading log.

Second term ends next Wednesday and third term starts next Thursday. Mrs. Dezember (science) and Mrs. Johnson (history) have told students that the last day to hand in assignments for their classes is THIS FRIDAY. I will accept math and reading assignments until next Tuesday, Jan 17th.

Remember - no school next Monday.

I was lax about the blog last week, here is the homework hotline board for last week:

December 12, 2011

2011-12-13T07:45:00.000-08:00

This week's homework hotline. This week students will take their mid-year math test. They have a review sheet they should be working on - both in class and at home. The test will be Thursday. If students are not attending school for any reason on Thursday, they will need to let me know, so they can take it on Wednesday. Thanks.

Thursday the 6th grade will be making gingerbread houses in the afternoon 2:00-3:30. If you would like to volunteer, we can use some extra help. If you would like to donate supplies, we can use graham crackers, white frosting or royal icing, and small candies to decorate. Thanks.

Last week's homework hotline. Sorry, I was at home with the chicken pox virus.

November 28, 2011

2011-11-29T16:22:00.001-08:00

I'm so sorry to be late with this BLOG entry. I took a photo of the Homework Hotline board yesterday and printed it for students who tape it into their planners, but then forgot to post a BLOG entry. OOPS.

I have asked students to be more prompt with math and reading assignments. I am correcting them each night, putting them in the SIS gradebook, and giving them back to students the next day. That is a big effort and I want you to know the gradebook is absolutely current in math and reading. If you see a missing assignment there - it's because it has not been turned in.

Students are creating string, line designs in math to practice graphing skills. They are hanging in the hall at the top of the stairs. Students have worked hard and these designs look great! Some students are still stitching. The designs are due by Friday.

Your students have probably mentioned we will be making plaster bandage masks next week. look for a note tomorrow.

Students have constructed a magnetized pocket viewer for the front of their lockers. These are designed to show off their "best work." Right now, students are displaying a WORDLE poem, which they wrote to describe themselves. At a later time they may display artwork or their best math paper.

November 21, 2011

2011-11-21T07:51:00.001-08:00

Please note there are two important tests this week. Today students will take the Theme 2 reading test and tomorrow they will take the Unit 4 math test. This means a lot of review and not so much homework. Tonight's important homework is to go back through the answers on the math review sheet, and circle any problems that are confusing or hard. We can do a quick review before the test.

Students will also be working on sewing a graphed line design and reviewing new vocabulary from this year in a game format.

Missing assignment reports were handed out last Friday. Many students have been very responsible about getting caught up and handing things in. This is a good point to check SIS and see how your student is doing.

November 14, 2011

2011-11-14T16:59:00.001-08:00

In math, students start working with 4 quadrant graphs tomorrow. They need to know the name of each quadrant (Quandrant I, Quadrant II, Quadrant III, and Quadreant IV) and how to plot ordered pairs in each quadrant. In other words, they need to know how to place (4,5) ; (-4,5); (4,-5); and (-4,-5) on a graph that has (0,0) at the center.

We are also writing rhythm chants to help us remember to use the correct signs when we add, subtract, multiply, and divide positive and negative integers.

This week, we are reading a story "Trapped by the Ice," which is our first non-fiction story. It is about the Shackleton expedition to Antarctica in 1914. Shackleton wanted to be the first to cross the polar ice cap, but because of the many challenges they faced, this expedition turned into one of the most amazing true-life survival stories on record. If you want to see videos of this amazing adventure, you can watch "Endurance" (the name of their ship) on YouTube. This is the link to the second section. I will show parts of it in class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff_0nhx-10I&feature=player_embedded

November 07, 2011

2011-11-06T17:13:00.000-08:00

Please note we are one day behind in our math assignments.

Tomorrow is the Veteran's Day assembly at school. Our homeroom will be performing The Star Spangled Banner with hand bells.

One of our students suggested a really good website to practice spelling and vocabulary words. You can use the regular version for free and it looks like it offers a lot of ways to practice words. Check it out: http://www.spellingcity.com/

Second term is when assignment due dates start to tighten up. This is the general rule:

I do not accept late work after 5 days, unless students have been sick (a note is required) or there is another really good reason. The 5 days start when the assignment has been posted in the SIS grade book. However, the grade for the project drops every day by 10%, whether the assignment has been posted or not. So, I may accept an assignment late, but it will not be for full credit. I am encouraging and reminding students every day to complete and hand in assignments.

I do want students to do the work, though, so I may be willing to negotiate in some cases. I can't reward students for continually returning late work, though. Late work means that students are not prepared for quizzes, tests, and the next topics we will study. Thank you for the support you give your children. Please email me if you have questions or concerns.

The paper bag book reports are so much fun! Students have done a fabulous job! When we finish sharing them in class, we will put them on the wall by the stairs. Look for them starting next week.

November 1, 2011

2011-11-01T17:11:00.001-07:00

Friday is the last day to bring the October book report and reading log for full credit. The October restroom cards are also absolutely due Friday, if you want to receive a prize.

Please note the field trip tomorrow. This requires field trip uniforms (white shirt and navy pants or skirt). There is a science test on Thursday - study! Students have been informed about the option of participating in the Presidential Volunteer Service challenge. You can find out more by checking this website or contacting me.

http://www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/tg/pvsainfo/dspAboutAwards.cfm

October 24, 2011

2011-10-24T17:35:00.000-07:00

First term ends on Wednesday of this week. All assignments are due on or before Wednesday. The Term 1 Math Test is this Friday; we will be reviewing all week. Look for a review sheet tomorrow.

With the busy-ness of Cultural Fair, I missed last week's Hotline photo. Here it is:

Cultural Fair projects were amazing! We are sharing them in class this week. Look for photos on our website next week.

2011-10-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

Cultural Fair!!! I hope you get a chance to come and see it. I do plan to take photos and put them on our Syracuse6.net website. Students have a handout to explain November's book report project. This is an at-home project and is due November 4th.

Thank you for all your hard work on cultural fair projects. They are amazing! Hopefully, it was a good family experience for all of you. Students are learning good speaking skills, how to make an interesting presentation - visually and orally, and how to tell the whole story - with descriptive details and good expression.

Next week we are getting ready to wrap up the term. This would be a good time to double check SIS and encourage students to finish undone work. Thanks. There will be a math review next week and end-of-term math test Friday, Oct. 28th.

Students are creating TIME magazine covers of the future, in which they are the TIME person of the year - 30 years from now. They are writing short articles to tell what they did and we will use PhotoShop and the greenscreen to create covers. This is a between-times project, so may take a few weeks to finish.

October 10, 2011

2011-10-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

Please note the math assignment for Wednesday has changed since the begining of the week. Also, the TIME article will not be due until next week. We had a few adjustments and additions to our school schedule, which required changes. The Wordle poem is also due next week. Thanks.

This week we are learning about division with decimal numbers, reading a selection from "Summer of the Swans", and finishing the cultural fair project. Cultural Fair is next Monday through Wednesday.

Conference time is a great opportunity for sharing ideas and resources! Parents have suggested two wonderful math resources that you may want to check out:

Khan Academy at http://www.khanacademy.org/

That Quiz at http://www.thatquiz.org/

These both look like amazing resources! Thanks for sharing.

October 3, 2011

2011-10-03T14:59:00.000-07:00

Conferences are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week. Wednesday and Thursday are 1:00 early out days. Conferences start at 1:30. No school Friday.

September Reading Logs are due this week. Remember you can send that information (books read, number of minutes, and your signature) on the reading log, in an email, or on a note. Students also need to hand in the completed 3-D book report with the picture on one side and book teaser on the back. A book teaser should tempt other readers to try the book, without giving away the ending.

Cultural Fair interviews should be completed and shown to Mrs, McGuire this week. I don't keep them, I just want to check for the quality of the questions and make sure it was done. Cultural Fair begins on Oct. 17, so the next step is to begin designing the project. Check out the photos on the http://syracuse6.net/ website.

Math assignments this week deals with decimals: comparing (equal, greater than, and less than), ordering, adding, subtracting, multiplying. Today's assignment asked students to compare a decimal to fraction. The strategy is to divide the numerator of the fraction by the denominator, which turns it into a decimal. For example 3/4 is 3 divided by 4 or .75 Now you have two decimals, so line up the decimal points and compare the digits, going left to right, the same way you read. Hope that helps.

Congratulations to our "Class Good Sports" for September: Kasey, Heather, Angelique, and Aaron! Each month students nominate each other for this honor, explaining the reason they feel someone else has shown good sportsmanship that month. Students who go out of their way to be especially helpful or understanding receive and extra trip to the prize box and the opportunity to vote with two hands every time we vote that month. August winners were Olivia, Gracie, Kaylie, and Jacob. Parents, what you should know is that many students are nominated each month; it is hard to choose just four. You are raising amazing, caring children.

September 26, 2011

2011-09-26T06:41:00.001-07:00

Students will read "Number the Stars" this week, a story about the Danish resistance fighters during World War II.

In math, we will solve word problems and review for the Unit 1 math test on Friday.

Students should be working on their Cultural Fair interview, which is due Thursday.

Students will be learning how to frame a good shot and how to use the camera and camcorder in Arts & Tech.

Cultural Fair is Oct. 17-19, just before Fall Break. We can use volunteers, if you are available.

Conferences are next week, please check the schedule I sent you and see if that time works or you.

Early dismissal next week on Wednesday and Thursday (Oct 5 & 6) no school that Friday, Oct. 7.

September 19, 2011

2011-09-19T06:17:00.001-07:00

Here is the Homework Hotline for this week. It will be updated as new assignments are added. Students will tell their early memory stories this week. They should begin talking with you about their cultural fair project. There is a math quiz and reading unit test this Friday. This week in math we are talking about dividing fractions and mixed numbers, solving equations with fractions and mixed numbers, and reviewing + - x with fractions and mixed numbers. Our story is "Darnell Rock Reporting," which deals with newspapers, reporting news stories, city councils, community gardens, and good citizenship in the neighborhood.

September 11, 2011

2011-09-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

Some parents have been giving me excellent feedback on this blog. So I am going to try to make it even more useful. Eventhough I do not know all of the assignments your student will receive this week, I do know the ones I will give. This is what the Homework Hotline board looks like as of Monday 9/12. (Click on the photo to enlarge it.) Your students should be copying this exactly as it is shown. If your student comes home without a planner, be suspicious. If you are the person picking them up, have them come back inside to get their planner and homework folder.

I really only have time to view your student's planner 1-2 times per week. You can help instill this valuable behavior by checking the planner each night. I will try updating the attached photo during the week, so you can see additional assignments. I know I won't be perfect with that but I will do my best. If you want an update and you don't see one, email me to request it. This is one instance where "the squeeky wheel will get the grease. Please note the vocabulary worksheet will be assigned Tuesday, instead of Monday. Also, students had a choice of math assignments today - either the Fraction Action 73 and 80 - or Scott Foresman 4-2

If you are interested in seeing the Homework Hotline assignments from the past 3 weeks, you can click on the photos below:

August 22-26

Aug 29 - Sept 2

Sept 5-9

2011-08-29T16:34:00.000-07:00

This week we are talking about the power of practicing and preparing in order to achieve our goals. That message is echoed in our reading story, as well as in our math lessons. Today we watched a video of an amazingly talented, acrobatic bicyclist. You can watch this video if you click on this link Danny Macaskill - Industrial Revolutions.

Detailed practice can have amazing results. Practicing skills like math facts may seem minor, until you realize the power that speed and accuracy give you. Preparing to do your work requires writing assignments in your planner and bringing assignments home in the HW folder. This week students will receive their first "missing assignments" report for math and reading. Ask your student to show you. Students are given at least 5 minutes every day to write their assignments in the planner. Please make the effort to check SIS daily if possible. We have a new homework policy that requires a diminishing grade every day that an assignment is late. Five days after I publish grades for an assignment I can no longer accept it for a grade. This is last week's assignment board. Your student's planner should have the same information.

We are working hard to establish routines, build a class community, and develop responsible citizens. Teambuilding activities, recycling, and rewards for good behavior have been a big part of the last two weeks. It is exciting to see your students develop new friendships, take leadership roles, and show their natural eagerness to learn. I enjoy getting to know them better, as we share our stories of who we are.

August 29

2011-08-29T14:59:00.000-07:00

This week are talking about the value of practice and preparation to help you achive your goals. This message is echoed in our math and reading lessons this week, as well as a short video we watched this morning. You can see the YouTube video of a truly amazing, acrobatic bicyclist if you click on this link Danny Macaskill - Industrial Revolutions. Tomorrow your students will receive current progress reports for math and reading, which help show the value of practicing and preparing.

Tonight's homework may seem a bit skimpy, but it is still important. I've asked the students to hit the math facts a bit harder. After two weeks of facts practice being a part of our daily assignments, the class average and speed has not improved much. When facts are quick, student confidence grows and accuracy in all areas of math improves. Please help encourage this as a daily routine.

In Science, students have a crossword puzzle. In Reading, they have a "This Is Me" handout. Both are due tomorrow. Remember that the homework policy is that late work automatically receives lower scores based on the number of days it is late. It is not possible to make up late work, if more than 5 days have passed since the assignment was posted online. I will send out missing assignment forms every week. Please make it a habit to check scores online in SIS and notify me if you have concerns. Students who are absent have the number of days they missed to make up work. This is what last week's homework board looked like. You student's planner should have the same information in it. Students are asked to show me their planners each morning. Some do and some do not. Those who do will soon be more independent and I will then start to focus on those who struggle with the process.

In Arts and Tech students are learning how the green screen or chromakey process works. They are working in small teams to write and film short special effects videos. They have also begun the 6th grade recycling program, which is both a service to the school and a good citizenship building activity.

First Week of School

2011-08-17T21:39:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Mrs. McGuire's Homeroom and the new school year. We have an amazing class of eager learners, who worked very hard this week to demonstrate that they are concerned citizens, caring teammates, considerate friends, and developing leaders.

Concerned Citizens help make our school a better place by re-establishing the 6th grade paper recycling program at SAA. For the last four years we have made a positive difference at the school by reducing the amount of waste in our school's trash, in our community by making sure the massive amounts of paper we use are recycled, and in our students as they learn the rewards of "being of service to others."

Caring Teammates and Considerate Friends help new students feel at home in our school, follow school and class rules, and give their best efforts in every task. New friendships are forming and students are beginning to learn the benefits and challenges of teamwork. We spent part of two days working through a scooter challenge outside. Ask your student to tell you about it.

Developing Leaders are organized, caring, and responsible. This week we began the process of using planners and organizing binders, helped each other learn to open lockers, and learned how to gently and politely remind others to follow rules. You can help support this organization process by asking your student to show you his/her planner and homework folder every night. Thank you.

You have some fabulous children and I am enjoying getting to know them better each day.

2011-08-13T12:17:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Syracuse Arts Academy and Mrs. McGuire's 6th grade class. I am very eager to get to know all of you and hope you will use this BLOG to tell me something about yourself.

I have taught at Syracuse Arts Academy for five years, but I have been a teacher for 35 years. I taught 5th grade for 16 years at a small private school in Provo called Meridian School and before that, I taught 3rd, 4th, 6th, high school math and preschool. I really LOVE teaching 6th grade students best; you are just the right age to know how to do so many things, you have a natural curiosity about the world and enjoy learning about so many diverse things. If you want to check out our class website, visit http://www.syracuse6.net.

My husband, Duane, and I live in Clinton and we enjoy golfing, biking, and gardening. We often golf at Eagle Lake Golf Course. I have two children: Ryan, who is a computer network engineer and lives in New Hampshire, and Erin, who is a computer graphic designer and lives in Oregon. My husband is a computer programmer at Northrop Grumman in Clearfield. I'm like my family; I really enjoy learning how to use computers, software and other technologies.

In our classroom, as we explore the arts, we will also use technology. One idea I have is to make videos of that help teach things that are hard to learn (for example, learning to divide fractions or how microorganisms grow in different environments). Do you like the idea? What do you think? Do you have some ideas of things we might try?

One of the first things we will work on in class is getting to know each other better and getting to know our school community. Other projects we will work on are Newscasts for our school, Math Videos for our website, and Cultural Fair. We are at the beginning of an amazing experience in education. I hope you have a wonderful summer and are looking forward to next year. We have many exciting adventures waiting for us to discover them.

A BLOG is just like email and the internet; you want to use it safely. Only use first names and never include an address or phone number. I will know who you are from my class list.

I hope you will use this BLOG to ask questions and share your ideas and experiences with me.