12/18/14-12/19/14

Students reviewed Greek mythology and took a quiz.  Tomorrow I will show  a video on Ancient Greece with a listening quiz to follow.  There will be no homework assigned for the winter break.

My science fair students please work on your projects over the break.  You will never be ready to present  on January 12th or 13th if you do not prepare over the break.

Tomorrow is our homeroom party.  Please  feel free to  bring treats  to share.  We have 37 students in our homeroom.  Remember you may dress down tomorrow.  Also, bring a grab bag gift worth $5.00, and receive a gift.

Bring a lunch because pizza is served after 1:00, and is meant to be a snack.

Have a wonderful winter  break.  Be safe and  see ya next year!

12/15/14-12/15/14

Students received the presentation date for science fair.  It is either 1/12 or 1/13/15.  Be advised to purchase the display boards for $3.00 prior to winter break.  Students reviewed the three kinds of rocks by completing a graphic organizer and creating flashcards.  Tomorrow we will review for a test on Wednesday.

So tomorrow night study for your science test by using the flashcards.

12/11/14

Students received  the  rubric for judging the science project.  Due to the large volume of participants I will need to begin presentations the week of January 12th.  I will give you the presentation date next week.  Students also received a display board handout, which we made  a few corrections on.  The green book must be returned to me , so do not write  in it.  Use it  for  a guide.  Use pages 4 and 5 to help  you identify the variables.  Skip page 6, there is not a research paper due.  Use pages 7-9 to guide you through listing the materials and writing the procedure.Pages 12- 14 will guide you through collecting data and displaying results.  It will help with writing the conclusion and presenting and preparing you display board.  Do not use the checklist on page 15, rather use the rubric as  a checklist.  The rubric, particularly roman numeral III. will help you with writing your conclusion and what you should  know about the topic surrounding your project.  Do not procrastinate!  Get going!!!!

You must work alone to be considered for the zoo.  You may work with a partner, no more than four, if your goal is to present in the classroom and receive extra credit, but will NOT be considered for the fair at the zoo.

12/10/14

Students  received information about science fair.  It is not mandatory and they must work individually on  the project.  I will send  home  a rubric with the guidelines for those who are interested tomorrow.  Classroom presentations will take place the  week of January 19th.  The science fair is hosted at Brookfield Zoo on February 11th for the winning projects.

Week of 12/8/14

There will be no homework for either science or social studies this week.  For those of you who submitted your research paper, good for you!  You received extra credit in science.  You have this week off from homework.  For the rest of you a reminder that your paper is due on or before 12/15/14.  That is one week from today.  You must include the map and you MUST follow the rubric.  Include the rubric in your paper.

This week in science we will identify minerals based on their properties.

This week in social studies we will continue to learn about Ancient Greece.

Week of 12/1/14

Students began a new unit on rocks and minerals.The enduring understanding is that Earth goes through a continuous process of  change.  We worked together on section one, part A.  Students completed parts B and C independently.  We will go  over that together on Wednesday.

Tomorrow is our field trip to the House of Blues.  Chaperones please be here at nine with your media permission sheet filled out.

No homework for either science or social studies this week.  Please take advantage of the opportunity to get  your research paper completed and submitted  by Friday for extra credit points in science.

11/24-11/25-14

Please attend Assessment Night tonight at Hale School from 5-7 pm.  Everyone will benefit from you being in attendance.

There is no homework for either science or social studies this week.  Please be reminded that research papers submitted on or before December 5th will earn you extra credit points towards your science grade.  In addition, you will have the opportunity to make corrects if needed.  Research must be submitted by December 15th.

Have a restful time off and enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday.

11/21/14

Science test scores are posted.  Students took a science  current event quiz today. It is homework if they did not finish it.  It is due on Monday!

Extra credit opportunity for science is to submit the research paper by December 5th and receive 5 extra credit points on the science test.

Please come to Assessment Night on Monday, November 24th.  This is an excellent opportunity to better  understand the assessments  students are taking and what the scores mean.

Next week week we will have social studies on Monday and science on Tuesday.

11/20/14

Rubrics were given for the research paper due December 15th.  Feel free to submit  early.  No homework.  Quiz tomorrow on Textbook pages 103-107, Social Studies.

11/19/14

We completed  our review on energy.  Students have a study guide written inside of their science notebooks.  They also had the option  to take a book home to study.  I will check in page 107, 1-7, for social studies tomorrow.  Students will receive the rubric for their research paper tomorrow.

11/18/14-11/21/14

We are continuing to review for Thursday's science test.  No homework.  Again, social studies page 107, 1-7, is due Thursday.  Rubric for the research will be  given this week.  Students received the  magazine article from me today and will begin research in library.  This will be due  December 15th.

11/17/14

Students reviewed energy today and will finish doing so tomorrow.  There  will be a test on Thursday.  Students will be told which questions from the review to study.

We discussed the next research topic which is Ebola.  Students will be working on this during library.  I will give them an article  to read tomorrow as well.  They have one  month to complete this five paragraph research essay.  A rubric will be given  tomorrow.

Social Studies is due on Thursday.  Textbook pages 103-107.  Page 107, 1-7.

11/14/14

Students completed textbook pages 95-99 and took a quiz on those pages.  Homework is pages 103-107, 1-7.  This is due on Thursday, 11/20/14.  Thumbs up to those of you who took advantage of the extra  credit!  Have a  great weekend.

Week of 11/10/14

There will be no homework this week.  I am conferencing with students this week to  ensure  that they understand what is required  in writing an essay.  A research topic and rubric will be given next week.  Extra credit  deadline is Friday, 11/14/14.

Remember tomorrow is a holiday.  Enjoy your day off.  Maybe do the extra credit!!

Also, Wednesday is report card pick up.  11:00-6:00, with a lunch break from 3:15-4:00.  Hope to see everyone.  Let's aim for 100% attendance.

11/4/14

Students are going to have social studies all week.  There is no school on Friday and our research on Egyptian Afterlife will take more time than I originally anticipated.  So no additional homework tonight.  On Thursday we will grade page 99, 1-7.  No homework for the weekend.

Have a wonderful upcoming long weekend!  Remember Monday is the start of  a new quarter.  Report card pick up is Wednesday.  See you soon!

11/3/14

Students had history today instead of science.  The same will take place tomorrow.  I want to check in their notebooks before report cards.  No homework other than bringing in a source on Ancient  Egypt  if  they have one or would like to get one to bring in.

10/31/14

Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  Technical difficulties. The homework due today will be due next Thursday.  Social Studies page 99, 1-7.  Happy Halloween!!!  Have fun and be  safe.

10/27/14

There is no science homework for today.  Students worked on understanding chemical energy.

10/23/14

Today in Social Studies we discussed the social roles of ancient Egypt.  We will continue to study ancient Egypt.  There will be  a quiz tomorrow on pages 84-93.  No homework tonight.  Remember Science essays are due on Monday!

10/22/14

Students worked on a lab demonstrating convection.  Science homework is to write a five paragraph essay on the three ways heat transfers.   They should use their graphic organizer  from last nigh't homework to guide them.  Essays may be written or typed.   This is  due on Monday.  It is worth 25 points.  5 points per paragraph.  They must have an introduction, body, and conclusion.  I have decided to take this  as their test grade on thermal transfer.

10/21/14

Today we identified the three kinds of thermal energy transfer.  For homework tonight students need to complete a graphic organizer in their spiral.  They need to use their notebook to complete the assignment.  We will have a quiz on this most likely next week Tuesday, or Wednesday for sure.

10/20/14

Today students reviewed textbook pages 170-177.  There is no science homework today.  I am still grading the science tests.

10/15/14

Students took a science quiz today.  Some did not finish so they will have the opportunity to do so on Friday.  Tomorrow they will take the Reach Performance Assessment.  There will be no homework this week.

10/14/14

Students worked in groups identifying examples of potential and kinetic energy.  They completed a study guide to use to prepare for tomorrow's quiz.

10/10/14

We corrected page 83 and worked in groups to determine the importance of the vocabulary words as they relate to the Ancient Egyptian people of that time period.  We concluded class with a quiz.  No homework.  Enjoy the long weekend!

10/9/14

We organized pages 79-83 into a cause and effect graphic organizer.  Tomorrow we will correct page 83, 1-7, and take a quiz on those textbook pages.  So review your graphic organizer and reread the pages for homework.

10/8/14

No science homework.  We reviewed textbook pages 162-168.  There will be a test on these pages next Wednesday.  We will review the questions on page 169 and complete a study guide on Tuesday to prepare for the test.

10/7/14

No science homework.  Extra credit:  Write a summary about the "Blood Moon",  Try .Science. Nasa.gov   Lunar eclipse-blood moon.

10/6/14

There is no science homework today.  We shared out our lab results from last week and discussed variables which influenced those results.

10/3/14

The students presented their oral summaries for a speaking grade.  No homework.

10/2/14

We worked toward our speaking grade.  Students summarized an article in which they will convey the information orally for a speaking grade tomorrow.  Social studies tests were returned today.

10/1/14

Students completed the energy lab.  No science homework.  Social Studies homework is due tomorrow.  It was posted on Monday.

9/30/14

Students worked on various stations investigating energy sources.  No science homework.

9/29/14

The students had social studies today because many had to finish the test.  The following assignments are due on 10/2/14:  Questions 1-2, pages 76-77,  Vocabulary on page 78, Read pages 79-83, page 83, 1-7, complete sentences.

9/26/14

We took the social studies test.  Many students will finish the test on Monday.  Please use the weekend to review your study guide.  No homework.  Have a nice weekend!

9/25/14

Study for your social studies test.  Make flashcards to help you study.  Practice using your study guide.

9/24/14

We completed our lab on mass today.  No science homework.  Students were given a study guide for social studies to complete for homework tonight.  The test is on Friday.

9/23/14

No science homework tonight.   We practiced using triple-beam balances to determine the mass of objects.  We will complete the lab tomorrow.  Students need to understand how to use the balance in order to complete a lab to determine the forms of energy in a bouncing ball.  That lab will be next week.

September 23, 2014: Classwork, Homework and Notifications

September 23, 2014:  Students were introduced to new novel "The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963 in room 317 and 315.  Students learned about the theme and read chapter 1.  Students in room 316 were introduced to this week's vocabulary for the novel, "The Watsons Go to Birmingham--1963.

NWEA Testing
     Room 317 Reading test on Wednesday
     Room 315 Reading test on Thursday

Homework:

• Room 317 & 315 Simple Solutions Lesson 10
• Room 317 & 315 Practice Book 223
• Room 316 Simple Solutions Lesson 9
• Room 316 Practice Book 222

Thank you,

Mrs. Muir

jemuir@cps.edu

9/22/14

No science homework.  We watched videos explaining the autumnal equinox occurring tonight.  We began our unit on the study of energy.

September 22, 2014: Classwork, Homework and Notifications

September 22, 2014:  Students worked on new vocabulary words for this week's novel, "The Watsons Go to Birmingham---1963.  Students created a graphic organizer and are to finish this for homework if they did not in class.  Students also learned two new terms for reading they will be discussing during the novel.  External Conflict and Internal Conflict.

NWEA Schedule for Reading:

•    Room 316 Monday
•    Room 317 Wednesday
•    Room 315 Thursday

Homework:  

• Simple Solutions lesson 9
• PB page 222
• Vocabulary Graphic Organizer
• No homework for 316...they were testing

Thank you,

Mrs. Muir

jemuir@cps.edu

September 19, 2014: Classwork, Homework & Notifications

September 19, 2014:  Students finished up REACH assessment.  Students reviewed lesson 7 & 8 Simple Solutions. Students began viewing video on "The Great Depression," viewed PPT on annotation and began reading complex text on "The Great Depression."

Homework:

• None...just study spelling words for next week

Thank you,
Mrs. Muir

jemuir@cps.edu

9/19/14

No homework for the weekend.  We continued to work on map skills on social studies today.  We will have a test next Friday!

9/17/14-9/18/14

Today we took a science test.  We also reviewed map skills which we will continue to do tomorrow.  We will have a test on map skills next Friday.  A study guide will be provided.  No homework tonight unless you are making up the science test tomorrow.

9/17/14

Study the 14 vocabulary words from your science study guide.  Make flashcards for the words.  It's a great way to study.  Practice the 4 word problems we practiced in class.  One of them will be on your test.  You may NOT use your study guide for the test.

September 18, 2014: Classwork, Homework and Notifications

September 18, 2014:  Students got their test back.  Students made a journal entry self assessing their first two weeks of school.  I will be collecting journals in two weeks.  Students reviewed spelling for next upcoming test.  Students are reading an article associated with "The Great Depression," this is a difficult article and students will be annotating this article on Friday.  Tomorrow, students will be taking the Reach test.  This is given in the beginning of the year and at the end to measure their growth.

Homework:

• Simple Solutions lesson 7
• Write missed spelling words 5 times each

Thank you,

Mrs. Muir

jemuir@cps.edu

9/16/14 and 9/15/14

Complete the science study guide.  Use your science notebook to do so.  Remember to use the word bank we created today.  Tomorrow we will PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE, using the scientific method so you will be experts for the test on Thursday.  Study for the test!

9/15/14

No science homework today.  Science test on Thursday on The Scientific Method.  We are practicing using this method the entire week as we did last week too.  Students will receive a study guide tomorrow to help prepare for the test.

September 15, 2014: Classwork, Homework and Notifications

September 15, 2014:  Students finished reading the story "Where the Red Fern Grows," and answered comprehension questions using the acronym R.A.C.E.  Students will be taking their first reading test tomorrow.  The test will be on last week's spelling words, vocabulary and story.

Homework:

• Study for spelling/vocabulary/comprehension test on Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Thank you,

Mrs. Muir

jemuir@cps.edu

September 12, 2014: Classwork, Homework & Notifications

September 12, 2014:  Students reviewed Simple Solutions and Practice book homework.  Students read the story the Red Fern Grows and answered comprehension questions in groups.

Homework:

• None  - Test for reading has been moved to Tuesday.

Have a nice weekend.

Mrs. Muir

jemuir@cps.edu

9/12/14

No homework.  Have a wonderful weekend!

9/11/14

Today we recognized 9/11.  We reviewed map skills.  There is no homework.

9/10/14

Students took a quiz on Laboratory Safety today.  I also conferred with them while checking in their homework planners and science notebooks.  No science homework tonight.  Next week they will receive a study guide for the upcoming test on the Scientific Method.

9/9/14

No science homework tonight!

9/8/14

Science homework tonight is optional.  Extra credit will be applied to the first quiz we will take on the Scientific Method.  The assignment is to create a "Mystery Box".  Place only one item in your box and be sure it is a common item.   Your peers should be able to infer what is in your box through observation.

September 8, 2014: Classwork, Homework and Notificaitons

September 8, 2014:  Students took a pre-spelling test, the post test will be on Friday.  Students worked for 20 minutes on their final essay "Mission Statement."  This will be due tomorrow for full credit.  Students began working on vocabulary for this week's story "Where the Red Fern Grows."  We are concentrating on using context clues so we can understand unknown words.

Homework:

• Simple Solutions lesson two
• Complete your final draft "Mission Statement"
• Write missed spelling words times each

Students were told about student council elections this Friday.  Students may make a speech on Thursday if they would like to run for student council.  Student council will be on Tuesday or Thursday for two hours after school.

Thank you,

Mrs. Muir

jemuir@cps.edu

September 8, 2014: Classwork, Homework & Notifications

September 8, 2014:  Students took a pre-spelling test, there will be a test on Friday.  Students worked on their final essay "Mission Statement."  This essay will be due tomorrow.  Students began working on this week's vocabulary words.

Homework:

• Complete lesson two in your Simple Solutions
• Write missed spelling words 5 times each
• Final essay "Mission Statement" due on Tuesday.

Students were told that student council elections for sixth grade will be conducted on Friday of this week.  Students will have an opportunity to give a speech on Thursday.

If you have any questions or concern,s please contact me via email at jemuir@cps.edu

Thank you,

Mrs. Muir

Week of 9/1/14

Welcome back!  I will not assign any homework this week.  Please return all forms signed ASAP. Books need to be covered by Friday. Have a wonderful week and I will post next Monday.  Don't forget to email me at rmikos@cps.edu.  Thank you.

8/29/14

I would like to thank everyone for attending the open house.  It was so nice to meet you.  In case you were unable to attend or just to review some of the information given to you short and sweet:

Homework and notifications are posted on the homework blog and written in the daily planner.

My email address is rmikos@cps.edu.  Email me and your child will receive extra credit.

Please return all paperwork ASAP so sixth grade can win the $500.00 dollars.

Boys enter through the south doors by the auditorium and the girls enter through the gym doors.

All students exit through the northeast doors next to the cafeteria

Books need to be covered by Friday.