Grade 6 Parent/Teacher Grade Level Meeting

Grade 6 Parent/Teacher Grade Level Meeting January 4, 2011 Minutes

Following introductions the following information was shared by the teachers on the 6th Grade Team:

I. Mr. Savarese shared photos from the Halloween Historical Costume Contest. Students will see this slide show at the end of the year

II. Project STAND and Advisory: Mrs. Ticker reported on recent Advisory activities which included lesson on bullying as a follow-up to the assembly program focusing on tolerance with guest speaker Mr. Mark Elliot and creating personalized holiday cards for patients at the Dutchess County Rehabilitation Center.

III. Clubs and Activities: Mrs. Dzubak reported on the work of the Student Forum to develop an action plan on how to promote more tolerance among middle school students, the successful Thanksgiving Food Drive and the combined efforts of the Student Forum and the high school Student Council to raise $2000 for gift cards for families in need during the holiday season.

Future plans include the Valentine’s Day Dance on February 11, Spirit Week beginning February 7 and the Pennies for Patients service project to make a donation to the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society.

Math Games are played at Math Club advised by Mrs. Ticker; meeting dates are posted on Mrs. Ticker’s teacher webpage.

Students attending Club Espanol recently made Worry Dolls and were treated to Columbian cooking by Mrs. Arnold’s mother.

Mrs. Colwell reported that Munch Bunch has active participation every other Wednesday and all are welcome to attend. Students are also encouraged to participate in publishing the Middle School Memory Book. Mrs. Colwell organized the Holiday Blitz for students prior to the holiday vacation. She also spoke about the visit from Elise Broach author of Shakespearean Secret the novel read as the summer reading project. Mrs. Colwell thanked the Foundation for Learning for supporting this assembly.

IV. Guidance counselor for grades 6 and 7, Mrs. Jennifer Galligan introduced herself to parents. Mrs. Galligan has recently returned to North Salem following maternity leave. Mrs. Galligan reminded parents of the Peer Mediation program through which students can resolve disputes through mediation by a trained high school student.

V. Upcoming Events

The Wolf Conservation Center presented an assembly on Thursday. The star of the visit was an Artic Gray Wolf.

Next week Mr. Savarese and Mrs. Colwell will introduce the medieval project to students. Students will choose to be part of a play, dialogue or monologue performance or create a model, diorama, picture, etc. regarding an area of interest related to the Middle Ages. Mr. Savarese displayed photos of student projects from last year. All information will be on teacher web pages; the project and evening exhibit will be in April.

VI. Subject Area Updates

Social Studies: There will be a quiz at the end of the week and the focus of study will move from ancient times to medieval times. English: Students will begin to read Crispin by Avi which is set in the Middle Ages and will connect with the study of the Middle Ages in Social Studies. The ELA assessment will be May 2-6 and more information will be coming. Science: A test was given on mass, weight and volume which was included both a written portion and a lab practicum. Progress reports were sent home to be signed and returned. Mrs. Dzubak is holding after school test strategy sessions to help improve test taking in science. Density is the next topic of study and note cards are on Mrs. Dzubak’s blog. Math: Students are beginning their study of algebra. Next Tuesday the Maintenance Test will be given in which one question will be taken from each of the first 10 maintenance packets. Class notes are available through Mrs. Ticker’s teacher page and information regarding the mid-year portfolios will be distributed in the next few weeks. French: Mrs. Arnold thanked Mrs. Elluzzi for the Bouche de Noel Cake to celebrate the holiday. French students would also be celebrating 3 Kings Day with a cake. Students in both French and Spanish will be beginning a family project in which they will use their World Language vocabulary to create a family. Students will be able to use technology tools such as BitStrips or Flip Cameras to develop the project.

The next meeting is scheduled for March 8.