Coup in Guinea

We talked a lot about military takeovers and dictatorships during our study of South America.

Today, there is news of a military takeover (a coup), not in South America, but in the country of Guinea -- in Western Africa. There, President Conte, has died after a 24 year rule that some have called dictatorial. Without any mechanism for naming a successor, the military has stepped into the gap and suspended all the government institutions along with the constitution. This is an opportunity for those who are interested to see this sort of political/governmental process unfold.

It is too early to know what the ultimate outcome of all of this will be, but here are news reports on the event from around the world:

Aljazeera News The Guardian -- UK

Yahoo News

Kindergarten Buddies at Christmas

Just before Christmas, we spent a morning with our Kindergarten buddies. We had a "snowman" snack, made paper candy canes, and watched A Charlie Brown Christmas together. It was a nice, happy time and a great way to get better acquainted with one another. The pictures are from Ms. V.

Finding New Species

We've discussed, in both Science and Social Studies classes, the fact that there are many, many species that have not yet been identified. Here's an interesting article about discoveries of previously unknown species found in the last few years in the Mekong region of Thailand... New Species

A Question for Parents -- Communication?

In the last couple of weeks, I've modified my approach to my weekly parent memo. Instead of filling in the number of missing assignments for each child (on a hard copy of the report that many parents never seem to see anyway), I've started simply listing those students who have missing work -- by name. My intent, on a week to week basis, is to keep parents informed about the work that is going on in my classes, and to make it easy for all of you to monitor the level of your student's performance. I think it is important for parents to know when work is turned in, graded, and returned to their student. Unfortunately, 6th graders are capable of making that simple bit of communication very difficult if they decide to do that. Listing students names is a simple, direct way of giving parents a "heads up" that there may be an issue. To tell the truth, I sort of feel that students who don't turn in assignments should know that we KNOW they are missing the mark. At least that is how I see it, but today, I got an email from one mother suggesting that I am hurting people's feelings and creating an issue. Since she is the only one to contact me about this, I am unsure whether this is a widespread perception that almost no one is talking to me about, or really just something that one parent is worried about. I need your help on this one... I am not interested in embarrasing anyone or causing an uproar. I really need to know -- Does seeing your child's name on a list of students who have work missing cause you great distress? Am I shining light on something that people would rather not have be seen? Is this something I need to rethink? Have I taken one problem and created another, worse one in the process of trying to fix it? I suppose the prudent thing to do is to suspend this practice until I know how parents would like me to proceed... Thanks for your consideration of all of this, Sue

Field Trip -- On the Metro

It has been too long since I took these pictures while we waited for our bus to go see the production of VOTE? last month. That was a good field trip and a great way to wrap up our work studying the election process.

Brazil!

Studying Brazil and Brazilian culture and history began with a bit of time to listen to some popular music from that country. Here is a sample of what we heard in class:

And, listening to that made it really important that we all get up and dance!

November Assignments -- Archive

11/21/08--Math 64 -- finish the "Interpreting Graphs" Practice sheets.11/20/08--Math 63 -- pp. 77-78, problems 4, 5, 9-12Health -- read pp. 198-203. Take notes.Geography-- S. America test will be given tomorrow.11/19/08--Math 63 -- p. 73-74, problems 4-12 (even)Math 64 -- p. 88-89, problems 5-12Social Studies -- Read ch. 21, lesson 1 and complete the "framed" notes.Geography-- S. America test will be given on Nov. 21.11/18/08--Health -- read pp. 192-197, questions 1,2, 3, 5Math 63 -- organize data from least to greatest so we can make a Stem and Leaf plot of the presidents' ages in class.Social Studies -- finish timelines from chapter 24Science -- Lab Write-up for the "Egg-speriment" is due on Weds. 11/19.Geography-- S. America test will be given on Nov. 21.11/17/08--Math 63 -- organize data from least to greatest so we can make a Stem and Leaf plot of the presidents' ages in class.Social Studies -- finish timelines from chapter 24Science -- Lab Write-up for the "Egg-speriment" is due on Weds. 11/19.Geography-- S. America test will be given on Nov. 21.Field Trip -- Permission slips and show money are due. Students should also be given bus fare for the Metro: $1.50 each way for a total of $3.00. Please do send correct change for bus fare.REMEMBER to bring canned goods for the food drive.11/14/08--Health -- read pages 186-191. Take notes on your "video quiz" pages, OR you may take notes on a separate sheet of paper and attach them to your "video quiz" page.Science -- Lab Write-up for the "Egg-speriment" is due on Weds. 11/19.Geography-- S. America test will be given on Nov. 21.Field Trip -- Permission slips and show money are due. Students should also be given bus fare for the Metro: $1.50 each way for a total of $3.00. Please do send correct change for bus fare.REMEMBER to bring canned goods for the food drive.11/13/08--Math 64-- P. 82-83, problems 4-20 (even). Determining the range is optional. Extra credit if you can figure it out.Math 63 -- P. 70, problems 1-10Social Studies -- Write 3 facts that you have learned from each section of Chapter 24. Your work must be in complete sentences.Science -- Lab Write-up for the "Egg-speriment" is due on Weds. 11/19.Geography-- S. America test will be given on Nov. 21.Field Trip -- Permission slips and show money are due. Students should also be given bus fare for the Metro: $1.50 each way for a total of $3.00. Please do send correct change for bus fare.11/12/08--Math 63 -- pages 67&68, problems 3-17 (odd)Science -- Lab Write-up for the "Egg-speriment" is due on Weds. 11/19.Geography-- S. America test will be given on Nov. 21.Field Trip -- Permission slips and show money are due. Students should also be given bus fare for the Metro: $1.50 each way for a total of $3.00. Please do send correct change for bus fare.11/11/08--Math 64-- p. 74, 9-17Math -- Data and Graphing using USA Today Snapshots project is due tomorrow. Students may also do extra credit work from the Cool Graphing Website: www.mrnussbaum.com/coolgraphing.htmExtra credit can be earned for completing the line graph, bar graph, circle graph, and ice cream graphing activities.Geography-- S. America test will be given on Nov. 21.Field Trip -- Permission slips and show money are due. Students should also be given bus fare for the Metro: $1.50 each way for a total of $3.00. Please do send correct change for bus fare.11/10/08--Science -- Groups need to remember to bring the final solution for their egg-speriment.Geography-- S. America test will be given on Nov. 21.Field Trip -- Permission slips and show money are due. Students should also be given bus fare for the Metro: $1.50 each way for a total of $3.00. Please do send correct change for bus fare.11/7/08--Math 63 -- P. 64, problems 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10Social Studies -- 12-Choice projects are due on Monday.Geography -- South America map test will be given on November 21.11/6/08--Health-- Students will be talking with parents about immunization records and the possible need to have boosters. They will share an article from the Cleveland Clinc. Here's the website address: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/Immunization/hic_Vaccinations_For_Kids_of_All_Ages.aspxInformation is to be recorded in the table provided.Math 64 -- P. 70, problems 1-10Math 63 -- Finish the 24-hour day circle graph and label it with fractions for each part.11/5/08--Math 64 -- pp. 67 & 68, problems 3-21 (odd)Health -- Read pages 182-185Social Studies -- 12-choice projects are due on 11/1011/4/08--Math 63 -- pp. 58-59, problems 6-9, 11-14Math 64 -- P, 64, problems 1-10Social Studies -- Chapter 24 12-choice project assignment due Monday, 11/1011/03-08 --Math 63 -- Finish By Golly, By Gum line graphMath 64 -- Finish circle graph and label with fractionsSocial Studies -- (room 205 only) SQ3R, survey and write one question for chapter 24 lessons. You should have 6 questions -- one for each lesson.12-Choice project for Chapter 24 will be due on Monday, 11/10.

Geography Bee

Students will be chosen this week to compete in the school Geography Bee. Here's the link to National Geographic Geography Bee "Study Corner." It's got lots of great resources and tips for preparing for the Geography Bee and for increasing geography awareness. http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee/study_corner.html