Advisory Update:

In Middle School Advisory, the students continue to focus on food and food related issues.  After a highly successful potluck lunch, in which kids contributed dishes that were either cultural traditions or family favorites, we went on to discuss local issues such as food deserts and food swamps.  We read this article: http://theweek.com/article/index/218167/americarsquos-food-deserts and discussed the following question:

Meet the Madisons—a family of five with three young children. Mrs. Madison wants to make dinner for her family and decides she wants to make a fresh and healthy meal of barbeque chicken, baked potatoes, green beans, and a side salad. She does not currently have any of these items in her home. Think through the following questions, then write your responses in your journal.

This produced some good conversation about access to food when considering that not everyone has money, transportation, or even utensils to cook a meal.

To follow this discussion, three speakers from Common Pantry talked to the kids about the services that they provide for people in need right here in the neighborhood.  NPES has run several food drives for them and plans to be further involved.   The speakers were impressed with the excellent questions that were asked by the students.  

Scott Best, Common Pantry Director, speaks to middle schoolers about the services that the pantry provides.

 

Week 10: 6th Grade Science

Week: 10

Topic:  Electricity:  Electric Circuits

Objectives: 

Explain what Ohm’s Law is.  

Describe the basic features of an electric circuit.  

Identify how many paths currents can take in a series and parallel circuits.

Essential Question:

Which path will the current take?  

This week the kids will build and observe series and parallel circuits, then they will add a switch to their circuits.   While doing these experiments they will apply Ohm’s Law and see the relationship of resistance, voltage, and current. They will learn how to use a ammeter and a voltmeter. 

Key Terms:

Ohm’s Law

series and parallel Circuits

ammeter

voltmeter

Differentiation:

Observing

Predicting

Concluding

Math integration

Upcoming:

Next week we will conclude the unit by looking at electrical safety.

Project Fair

Today, the 6th graders got an introduction to this year's project fair.  Each student will choose a world religion to research.  More information was emailed to you this morning.  Today, students did some preliminary research to get an idea of what religions they might want to learn more about.  All student tasks, due dates, and resources can be found here: http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?present=true&id=959928

Next Tuesday, students will take a walking field trip to Sulzer Library to find resources for their projects.  If your student has a Chicago Public Library card, please send it to school with them on that day.  If they do not have one, let us know and we can help them sign up for one.

6th Grade Fall MAP Testing 10/23 and 11/3

The 6th graders will participate in MAP testing on 10/23 and 11/3. The reading test will be given in Language Arts on Thursday 10/23. The math test will be given on Monday 11/3. Mrs. Smith will proctor the math test since Mr. Hotaling will still be out. Scores will be available for parent teacher conferences.

Ugly Jugs in art that are beautifully ugly!

6th graders finished painting their Ugly Jugs in art today. They are based on historical jugs that have grotesque facial features, and were thought to be used for moonshine or other precious liquids. The scary or ugly faces were meant to ward off evil spirits or to keep children away. Many of the jugs were thought to have been made by slaves before the civil war. Here is the 6th graders take on these homely vessels.

Next week we will move on to a project about Matisse. 

Week 9: 6th Grade Science

Week: 9

Topic:  Electricity:  Electric Current

Objectives: 

Explain how an electric current is produced.

Explain how conductors are different from insulators.  

Describe what causes electric charges to flow in a circuit.  

Explain how resistance affects current.

Essential Question:

What does it mean when someone says, “I took the path of least resistance?”

This week the kids will explore the components of an electric current.  Our “Ice Breaker”  was watching Lucy working in the chocolate factory and identify the components of an electric current.

Key Terms:

electric current

electric circuit

conductor & insulator

voltage and voltage source

resistance

Differentiation:

Observing

Predicting

Inferring

Classifying

Skits

Upcoming:

Next week we will begin creating circuits and look at Ohm’s Law and the relationship of resistance, voltage and current in a circuit.

Government Debate

The 6th graders have been very active in Social Studies in the past week.  Last Friday, the students held their first formal debate.  The question that they were arguing was "Which is the best form of government: the Athenian Democracy or the Roman Republic?".  Students worked in groups to brainstorm arguments and rebuttals.  Then, they met together to argue their points of view.  Students in the inner circle debated orally while the outer circle discussed their thoughts using Schoology.  Then the groups switched.  The 6th graders did a great job on their first debate.  This week, the students learned about the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage by acting them out.  On Friday, students will take their early Rome test.

Greek god Debate

In Ancient Greece there were two gods of music that the ancient people could choose from: Apollo and Dionysus.  Our class was divided into two groups to represent and debate in order their respected god to be the official Greek god of music for our 6th grade class.  The debate and campaign criteria was as follows:  

Q1: If your god is selected, what are your plans to improve our music class?
Q2: What has your god done in the past that supports your credentials for being our Greek god?

Q3: Why do you feel your Greek god is a better candidate to represent our class that your opponent?

Students also had to create a commercial and jingle for their god. The campaigns were also based on posters and overall campaign professionalism.

Below are the two campaign jingles for the gods:

6th Grade Langauge Arts: Second Quarter Units

Sixth graders concluded the Elements of Stories Unit last week by turning in their short stories and taking their final test.  This week students will be picking books for the “Coming of Age” reading unit.  Students will work in book club groups to explore and discuss the literature.  Throughout the unit, students will meet with their groups during eight meetings and complete both individual and group projects.

We are starting a new genre of writing this quarter.  Students will begin writing compare and contrast expository essays this week.  They will choose two animals to compare and contrast.

Check back for more information and pictures as these units progress.

Advisory Potluck Lunch

Thank you to the middle school parents for supporting the Advisory Potluck Lunch today. The advisors and kids had a great time sharing culinary experiences and dishes. Each advisory group had their own wide variety of food. From stuffed clams to eel, cupcakes to popcorn, Tzatziki to samosas, Packzis to pigs in a blanket, and red beans and rice to pizza, students ate experimentally and enjoyed one another's treats. #NPESSharkPride

 

Week 8: Static Electricity

Hi Parents,

Not much to report this week.  Finishing static electricity and then we move onto electricity.  The kids will watch a fun video called "Travoltage"  ask them about it.

Thanks
Mr. T

"PE Shorts" Tuesday 10/14/2014

Hi 6th Grade Parents,

The 1st quarter is nearing its end and in PE that means we have finished Soccer and Ultimate Frisbee.  The 6th grade had been working hard learning the unique fundamentals found in the frisbee throw (and Taylor even came up with her own, see video below). We will end the quarter with a football unit, including throwing and catching, route running, and teamwork.

-Mr. Hirsch

Early Rome

Last week, students finished up their social studies unit about ancient Greece.  This week, they are studying ancient Rome.  They started off the unit by learning about the legends of how Rome began.  Today, they learned about Rome's earliest forms of government.  Later in the week, students will use their knowledge of ancient governments to hold a debate over which type of government is best: a democracy or a republic.

Questions for your 6th grader:

-What is the difference between a democracy and a republic?
-Tell me the legend of Remus and Romulus.

Students worked in pairs to teach one another about Rome's early republic:

Gender Groups in Advisory

In Advisory last week, girls and boys were separated for two sessions in which we discussed the definition of "Bystander," Upstander," and "Whistle Blower" in reference to various situations.  The kids were given scenarios and discussed what they might do - stand by and do nothing, approach the person/intervene themselves, or talk to an adult.  Next week, the advisories will be doing a similar activity with their "Little Buddy" groups (without being divided by gender.)  The middle schoolers have already created scenes that they will act out for the younger kids and discuss their various roles.  This lesson is helping to bring home the point that even if a situation is not happening to them, they can still help.

Week7: Static Electricity

Week: 7

Topic:  Electricity:  Electric Charge and Static Electricity

Objectives: 

Explain how electric charges interact. 

Explain what an electric field is.  

Describe how static electricity builds up and transfers.  

Essential Question:

How do electric charges interact?

This week the kids will explore static electricity and discover some of its properties.  We will watch a fun little video called “Travoltage” to better understand the transfer of charges.

Key Terms:

electric force and field

static electricity

conservation of charge

friction

conduction

induction

static discharge

Differentiation:

Observing

Predicting

Inferring

Classifying

Generalizing

Upcoming:

Next week we will begin our unit on Electric Current and Circuits.

6th Grade Language Arts: Elements of Stories Unit

The 6th grade short stories are really coming together.  Students will participate in a revision and editing writing workshop on Friday to improve their stories.  This unit will come to a close next week with the final draft submission and the final test.

Upcoming 1st Quarter Assessments & Due Dates:

Literary Elements and Techniques Final Test: Wednesday, October 15th, 2014

Short Story 1st Draft Due: Friday, October 10, 2014

Short Story 2nd Draft Due: Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Short Story Final Draft Due: Thursday, October 16, 2014

Language Arts Office Hours: Wednesday and Friday mornings at 7:45-8:15 a.m.

End of Greece Unit

This week, the 6th graders are finishing up their unit about Ancient Greece.  They will take their test on Wednesday.  Last week, the students learned about the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta by acting it out.  Students enjoyed moving around the room and pretending to be the people who were involved.  Then, students learned about the many ways that Ancient Greek achievements affect modern life.  Later in the week, students will start their unit about Ancient Rome.

Questions for your 6th grader:
-What character did you play in the Peloponnesian War simulation?
-What is an example of something you see in modern American that got its start in Ancient Greece?

Spartan soldiers: "On to Athens!"

The Athenian navy protects the city from Spartan soldiers.

Spartan soldiers surround Athens, but the navy protects merchant ships, so that the Athenians do not starve.