The Beginning of the End

With less than three weeks remaining, we have a lot to cover! Here are a few quick updates for this week. 

Tie-Dying T-Shirts

Please remember, we would like all students to bring plain white t-shirts to tie-dye by Thursday. The tie-dying will be happening on Friday. I have a few parents who have volunteered to help, but we could always use more! Please let me know if you are available to help out. 

Human Growth & Development

Last Thursday, I sent home a letter informing parents of our upcoming human growth and development unit. If you did not receive your letter, please note we will begin instruction on Monday, June 3 and finish on June 7. If you would NOT like you student to receive instruction in this area, or if you have questions, please let me know. I am more than happy to share information about our curriculum with those of you who are curious. Our curriculum materials are also available to view in the main office. 

OPPO 6th Grade Dance

This afternoon, I also sent home information about the upcoming "Under the Sea" semi-formal dance, being held on June 7, from 7-9 pm. This is an Otto Petersen Parent Organization sponsored event, but being that I also have a sixth grader, I will be in attendance. I am so excited to watch a bunch of nervous sixth grader stand around awkwardly for two hours.

If you would like to join in the fun, our OPPO president is looking for background cleared volunteers to chaperone. Please send Jessica Townsend an email at ottopetersenpresident@gmail.com if you would like to help out. 

End of the Year Units

These last few weeks of school we will be working on a number of projects. If your student was in my enrichment class (they know who they are), they have been assigned a book report. I will be going over the due dates tomorrow, but for parents who like to keep their kids organized, these are due on Friday, June 7th. Most students have already finished reading their books. At this point, they need to finish the rough drafts for homework, and start the final drafts once I have cleared their rough draft work. Rough drafts should be finished by Monday, June 3rd.

In social studies, we are well into our Maya simulation. The students are doing an AMAZING job participating in the different jobs and activities required for this unit. I have been very impressed! We will wrap up the year with a quick study of Aztec and Inca civilizations, as well. 

Students working hard during the Maya simulation.

For language arts, the students are working to create Utopian societies. Many are working in groups to design what they feel is the best community. This unit builds on our work with The Giver and many of the other texts I read aloud in class (I have a great love of dystopian literature). It is a lot of fun to watch these kids think through the intricacies of designing a "perfect world". The students will finish outlining their work this week and will then type up a report next week. The last week of school will be committed to the students presenting their utopias to their classmates. I can't wait!

Why Don't I Update My Blog in May?

This appears to be a problem. I do not do enough blog posts at the end of the school year! We are so busy, it seems to be impossible to get to my desk and write out what we are doing and what is coming in the weeks ahead.

Proof we are still working hard!

The last few weeks we have finished state testing, are nearly finished with our project for The Giver, have started a book report, are in the middle of our final science rotation (cells, with Mrs. Baker), and took our math placement tests for middle school (don't worry...they also take teacher recommendations)! 

In the coming weeks we still have a lot to cover. This week we are finally starting our Maya simulation for social studies. We are also going to continue not having standard writing homework, as most of the class is working on reading/drafting books reports. If your students work with the Title I department for reading, this was not assigned to their group. In addition, the math teachers are all working on wrapping up geometry and statistics before the end of the year. 

We have other fun units planned, as well. We are going to be working on a personal finance project, a few fun writing tasks, and I sent home information about tie-dying t-shirts for our trip to Oaks Park. Also, be sure to ask your students for their permission slips for this Friday's movie. Mr. May and I have teamed up to show The Giver. It is rated PG-13, so if you'd like your student to opt out, we will have another film The Wizard of Oz available. We will ask students to complete compare/contrast activities after watching the films. 

On Friday, we also have field day. Encourage your students to wear green- our house color. I am really looking forward to this event and hoping for great weather. Do make sure your students dress accordingly. They will be outside for a couple of hours. 

Please let me know if you have any questions for the end of the year. It will be a busy, but guaranteed fun, last few weeks!