What's New This Week?

• Where Do You Find Math Page Numbers????  Click on 6th Grade Math to the left of this window.  Then, go to the Unit 1:  Ratios, Rates and Proportions tab that will open up UNDER the 6th Grade Math tab.  They're all there!
  

• REPORT CARDS WENT HOME TODAY, Wednesday, February 1st.  Please send back the verification papers by Friday at the latest.  Thanks!
  

• Our "apple mummies" were uncovered and weighed today!
  
  Some really interesting sarcophagi appeared in class and students are making a great effort to give their mummies a proper send-off!  Pictures to follow...
  
  As part of an interdisciplinary activity, students in all social studies classes began the process of mummifying an apple.  This lesson involves setting up an experiment with a control, weighing apples, drying them (along with a discussion of how mummification works and how salts help dessicate a body) and, after a period of one week, revealing the mummified remains.  Those remains will, again, be weighed.  We will calculate what percentage of the weight of each body was lost due to drying and make observations about the appearance of the "control" body in comparison to our mummified remains.
   
   
  

• ALEKS Users:  Students who are participating in the MCAS Math Tutoring program after school are expected to put in at least 3 hours practice per week to see gains in math.  The software designer actually recommends around 8!  To help students meet the 3 hour goal, I will have computers set up in homeroom and during Math Academy for students who see me at that time.  I encourage them to take advantage of this opportunity AND take the initiative to practice at home for another couple of hours. 
  
  OPENINGS AVAILABLE:  We have some openings available on Tuesday or Thursday  for any students who are willing to make the commitment, with their parents' support,  to attend one class per week and practice on-line at home through the May MCAS tests.  Please drop me an email if you are interested in enrolling your son/daughter in this program.
  

• ***ThinkCentral *** This is our new Math Expressions "on-line" math resource.  It will be a valuable tool for students AND parents.  Student USERNAMES and instructions went home on Thursday, January 12th.  I asked that all students get a parent signature on the sheet so I know you are aware of this important resource. If a USERNAME is lost, please email me and I will forward it to you. Here are some features:
  
  
• The student book is available 24/7 to all families;
• All Homework & Remembering assignments plus interactive resources are available and PRINTABLE on your home computer;
• In the book, audio cues are available so that problems can be read out loud.
• Destination Math Tutorials can be accessed by students or assigned by the teacher;
• Soar to Success exercises for extra practice/remediation for basic skills that may have been missed in earlier grades (teacher assigned only).
  
  Imagine if you/your child is absent or loses a homework sheet.  Now, you have the ability to pull it up on-line, print it out and keep up with all work assigned when you can't get to the school. 
  

• QUIZLET is an on-line resource for creating and printing flashcards.  It also includes options for learning words, spelling, practice games and testing features.  You may not create your own sets BUT I have lists set up for you to work with AND print out.  What a time saver!
  
  My Quizlet for Mathematics, Unit 1: Ratios, Rates & Proportions is up!  Search for user lagueuxk and, to access it.... you need my password - "cougars6."  
  
  Warning:  Now that Quizlet is linked with Facebook login options, students under the age of 13 are not allowed to create accounts.   Please respect these rules and use the site only for practice.  I will block students I know to be under age.  Thank you for your understanding.
  
  QUIZLET
  
  

• After-School Help:  I am available until 3:00 on Wednesdays for drop-in extra help.  You MUST come with specific topics you need help on and a note in your planner from your parent/guardian that gives permission to stay. 
  
  If a Friday or Monday is needed, please contact me a day in advance to see if I am available.  I tutor for the MCAS Math program on Tuesdays and Thursdays BUT I will be more than happy to have your son/daughter sit in the same room and work on math homework - I will be able to check in and help out as needed but cannot sit down 1:1 on these days. 
  
  
• RATES, RATIOS & PROPORTIONS (Unit 1 in 6th Grade Book) - I am experimenting with page numbers for this unit and will be looking for comments/feedback at the end.  So far, it is proving difficult BUT, if it works, I am willing to incorporate it in the future.  All page numbers can be found on this site!  Please click on Grade 6 Math for more information.