What an amazing time we had! 6th grade students from East, Central, and Cummings came together and with the help of their teachers, chaperons, the camp staff, and the weather had just wonderful 3 days! See the video I put together from the photos I took. (If you have any photos of skit night or others, please, send them to me so that I can add them in to the movie.)
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Ideas for 6th Grade Spring Auction
Candy (a lot, big packs, small packs, things we can bundle)
Gum (a lot, big packs, small packs, things we can bundle)
Beach stuff (sun glasses, sandals, etc)
Beach toys (beach ball, games, etc)
Squirt guns
Bubbles
Little Debbies (snacks)
Pop (cans, root beer 2 liter for root beer floats)
Freezer pops
Yo yos
Playing cards
Middle School supplies (pencils, etc, locker organizers, locker mirrors)
Silly putty
Games
Puzzle books
Sports cards
Chips
Popcorn (movie night)
Cookies
Gatorades
Ice cream (sandwiches, ½ gallon for root beer floats)
Pizza and pop?
Books and book marks?
Art supplies (markers, colored pencils, sketch books)
Organizational supplies for middle school
Photo album (for school pictures)
Itunes gift card? (big ticket item)
Movie theatre gift card? (big ticket item)
Manicure/pedicure kits?
Kites
Frisbee
Basketball, football (big ticket items)
These are just some of the ideas we have used in the past. The kids always seem to enjoy candy and pop the most. Usually the stranger the item, the more the kids want it. 
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We’re into our final trimester! Can you believe it? It’s easy for students to feel like letting down effort as the sun comes up and warms up our days. However, we have many major units, projects, and field trips yet to come, so effort needs to still be on high. Please call us if you have any concerns about your child’s progress; we hope that you are monitoring your student’s academic progress on the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Call the school office, if you would like information on how to get your account set up.
Reading- We are beginning our unit of Deeper Reading of non-fiction. We will be reading closely non-fiction articles, editorials, and essays about topics of current interest. We will use a reading strategy that has us note where we may be confused with the reading, jot notes in the margins, discuss, and reflect our understanding and opinions in a summary.
We will be looking closely at editorial (opinion) writing. Your student has already chosen a global issue that he/she is researching. Currently, he/she is pulling articles that will help to inform him/her about their issue. (This is being done in Learning Connections with Mr. Horton). Later, we will be developing our own opinion on the issue, creating and project to help better the problem, and then write an opinion essay sharing their understanding/opinion with others
Book Recommendations(Reading Zone)- We are continuing our quest for reaching the 40 book goal. Students should never be home without the current book that they are reading. Students who read all the recommended genre and reach the 40 book goal will receive an award at the end of the year. Book Recommendation forms (all 3) are due by May 30th, 2012 at 3:45 pm.
Writing- We are in the process of finishing the writing of our narrative stories. We are incorporating correct use of dialogue, correct paragraphing of fiction, use of interjections, and weaving in of theme among some of our Focus Correction Areas. We will publish these stories into books.
After completing our fictional stories, we will move into writing opinion essays. We will use the information that we’ve gathered (see Reading) and our project to help us to develop our opinions and support them with concrete evidence.
****Thanks to the PTC, thirty 6th graders are publishing hard bound books! What fun:)****
Social Studies- We are wrapping up our study of Latin America. In the next few weeks, we will finish covering this area. Once our study of Latin America is complete, we will begin our study of Canada. Along with our studies of these areas, we will continue to work on our research projects. Your student chose a global issue, conducted research using a specific data base and will soon present their findings to the class.
Science - We are now starting a unit on ecosystems. We are learning how non-living things and living thing interact in our ecosystem. We will utilize our pond, field, and wooded areas here at Cummings to practice many field tests for data collection. Then, when we go to camp in May, students will collect the data in these same types of ecosystems. The EcoBus is an old school bus that has been gutted and transformed into a science lab on wheels and will meet us at Camp Pinewood.
Learning Connections: Students need to continue to study their spelling words each week. We will be working on weeks 21-25 during the month of April and May as well as their final word review test covering weeks 1-25 word lists.
As mentioned in the Social Studies section, we will be working on presentations related to global research topics. We will be focusing on our presentation skills during Learning Connections. Some of these skills include eye contact, voice and body language.
Math - During our last stretch of the year, we will be working on solving one and two-step equations, finding the volume of 3D shapes, and revisiting the 4 operations with fractions. Many parents start asking about the best ways to help their student not lose what they’ve learned, over the summer months. There are many online math games, and many sites that have instructional videos and extra practices also have self-checking and interactive activities. Allowing students to count money, make change, and do everyday problem solving will help keep their brain “tuned up” and ready for fall.
IMPORTANT DATES:
PLEASE send in $45 fee for camp as soon as possible. Any problems, just contact your child’s teacher or Mr. Merkel.
March 30th-April 8th Hope you had a great Spring Break!
April 14th: BOB competition 9:00am-3:30 pmApril 19th: PTC meeting 6:30pm
April 20th: Visited GMS-auditorium presentation w/entire class of 2017!April 26th: Lip sync rehearsal at GHS
April 27th: Lip sync! & School Spirit/Popcorn Day
May 2-6: Staff Appreciation week
May 3rd: Volunteer/Staff Appreciation Luncheon
May 9th-11th: CAMP PINEWOOD w/East & Central
May 19th: PTC meeting 6:30pm
May 23rd: Visit to GMS/hot lunch there (9-10)
MAY 25-28: Memorial Day Holiday- NO School
Contact Us:
kclark@gpsk12.net
btravis@gpsk12.net
chorton@gpsk12.net
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Mrs. Waterbury and staff visited our 6th grade classrooms today to present information on what to expect for next year. This is only our preliminary meeting. Students learned that their class of 2018 has approximately 420 students in it. They will have a trip to the middle school where they will see their entire class on 4/20. Also, we’ll visit the middle school just our group on 5/23. During this visit, a panel of current 7th grade students will answer our questions and then we’ll get to have lunch!
Please note: There are two parent meetings that explain things like class choices. This is very important that you attend one or the other meeting: 4/24 7pm (Last name A-L) or 4/25 7pm (Last names M-Z). If you can’t make it on your last name designated date, you may attend the other meeting.
Team sports at the middle school: MUST have a sports physical form turned in by 4/15/12. The middle school has two nights where local physicians come to conduct sports physicals for $15 (5/21 & 5/22 from 6-7:30pm.)
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We’re into our final trimester! Can you believe it? It’s easy for students to feel like letting down effort. However, we have many major units, projects, and field trips yet to come, so effort needs to still be on high. Please call us if you have any concerns about your child’s progress as relayed to you via the last trimester’s report card.
Reading- Students are continuing reading to their goal of 40 books (20 of specific genre). I’m hoping that you’re hearing them talk about their books. Even better, that you’re talking about books with them around the table or in the car as you drive to the store. All good moments to continue growing your reader’s love of reading.
Has your student asked you lately about your knowledge of movies but in a very strange way. Maybe like “Mom, do you know a movie that’s about staying true to yourself?” or “Dad, what movie would show the them of working hard to reach your goals?” Your student isn’t trying to become a movie aficionado, but is actually working on an essay where he/she is comparing the theme of a novel they’ve read to another selection of their choice. Some deep thinking involved. Ask them to explain the theme of their book with evidence from it. You may be surprised!
Writing- March finds us working on writing the middle of our story. We’re writing the rising action up and including the climax. The focus correction areas I’ll be grading for are: logical events, who, what, when, where, why, and how detail; and finally, and evident climax.
After this writer’s sandwich is through the writing process, we’ll be writing our story’s “end” and final writer’s sandwiches which focus on logical resolution to the conflict, correct use of dialogue (specifically interrupted dialogue), correct paragraphing of narrative story, and interweaving of the theme through important closing quote and a culminating title.
By the end of the month, beginning of April, we should have our final, polished copy ready to publish.
Professionally published books: Thanks to the PTC for the $300.00 grant, 30 6th grade students will have the opportunity to create a hardcover professionally published book of their fictional stories they created. This is an after-school, out-side of school activity that will take some extra work on the part of the committed writer (book illustrations, designing page layouts, etc.) which Mrs. Clark will guide. *Parent helpers are needed.
Social Studies: At the beginning of the month, our students will present their Geo World projects. The students have used their geographical knowledge to create a country that they would like to see exist. You can see your student’s Geo World later on in the month at our spring conference.
Later this month, we will be studying the ancient civilizations of Latin America.
During the early part of the third trimester, we will begin our research of global issues that impact our world and daily lives.
Math - Students are moving right along in our sixth grade curriculum. We are in the middle of our work with fractions. We have worked with equivalencies, finding sums and differences, finding common denominators, regrouping for subtraction, and converting answers into lowest terms. We will be continuing with multiplying and dividing fractions and mixed numbers.
Science – Thank you so much for the help with the heart dissections!! I believe this was one of the best years ever and we have the parents to thank for the extra assistance! We finished the unit on the Cardiovascular System with another lab where students investigated the affects of exercise on their heart rate and made “blood” using the components of corn syrup plasma, red-hot red blood cells, M&M white blood cells, and candy sprinkle platelets.
Learning Connections– As mentioned in the social studies section. We will begin research projects soon. This will connect the to an oral report of social studies topic of your student’s choice in which he/she will research the topic, note-take, and then create an oral report and visual.
Camp Pinewood May 9-11th, 2012:
The final cost for camp is $45 per student. Again, this covers three days/two nights, all activities, transportation, and all meals. If you can’t afford this, please contact your student’s teacher. We don’t want anyone to miss due to finances. Please send in your check made out to Cummings Elementary or cash in a sealed envelop as soon as possible.
Please contact your student’s homeroom teacher if you would like to sign up for chaperone at camp (If you are able to stay one or two nights in a cabin but not for the days/meals, you could come just to monitor a cabin.) The fee for chaperones is $8.00 for each meal.
Student Eligibility Policy– We’ve spoken to students about eligibility. As stated in the last letter the policy is: All students are eligible to go, but if a student’s classroom behavior deems it, the homeroom teacher may request for his/her parent to chaperone (which may or may not require a fee for that parent.) Students are expected to behave appropriately because they represent Grandville Public Schools while on this trip. Any students who receive more than 2 suspensions or more than 5 write ups from January 7th until May 8th will not be eligible to participate in this trip but will still be expected to attend school for those 2 days. Please contact your student’s homeroom teacher with any questions, suggestions, or concerns.
IMPORTANT DATES:
March 1-31: Reading Month
March 16th: 2nd Trimester Report Cards come home/ Read-A-Thon
March 2oth & 22nd: Student-led conferences (4:00 to 7:00 p.m.)
April 1st–8th: Spring Break!
CONTACT US:)
kclark@gpsk12.net
btravis@gpsk12.net
chorton@gpsk12.net
254-6041
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Our 2012 Grandville Hockey team looking good!
Coach Breazeale and 5 of his varsity team’s leadership council came to talk to our students this past Wednesday just hours before their game against Mona Shores (which they won in overtime 5-4). The Grandville hockey players, including our own alumni Sean Schmieser 11th grade, came to talk to us about the dedication and hard work it takes to get where they are. Nate Lipski, another Cummings alumni who is graduating this spring, was unable to attend because he had a meeting to work out his plans to become an officer in the US Marines.
The young men shared the 10,000 hour rule (ask your student to explain). They talked about taking Advanced Placement courses, and what it takes to get great opportunities for the future. Senior, Zach Fex (and team captain) has an offer to go to Hope College and continue to play hockey at a college level. While Chad Portfield has two offers: one from UofM and one from MSU (tough choice)! We really appreciate the time the spent with us- very positive stories they had to share!
If you’re Monday night, 2/27 is open come out to root on your Hockey Dawg’s in the state play-offs @ 8:20 pm at the Georgetown Ice Arena.
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Have you noticed a change in your 6th grader? We have in class. It’s so nice to see they are moving towards being ready for 7th grade expectations. Students are handling agendas, completing their work, and following expected routines and procedures without reminders. Definitely maturing! Hope you’re seeing some of that at home, too.
This is the time of year that we get to a lot of the more demanding, meatier standards in all the academic classes. You’ll find the details below.
Please make sure that you are checking grades with your student on a regular basis by going on to your Infinite Campus account. Also, if you want to check the daily agenda, it’s located on our blog (see the side-bar Information).
Reading– We have begun our study of theme. We will be eventually writing an essay that will analyze the theme of one or more selections. Through this unit of study, we will look at why theme exists in story, art, poetry, music and how authors/artists weave it into their works. Specifically, we will look at writer’s craft: foreshadowing, symbolism, & metaphors.
Please remember that reading homework is, as always, 30 minutes of reading at home each day in addition to the 30 minutes each day at school. (3 Book Recommendations last turn in date is 2/23 by 3:45.)
Writing– We have begun to write our narrative story. We are focusing on our opening event for this first writer’s sandwich. We will be evaluated on whether we have intro to the character, setting, and a hint of the conflict all told in a show-not-tell fashion. When we are done, we will then publish our stories into book format; thanks to a PTC grant, interested 6th grade writer’s may publish a bound book. All 6th grade writer’s will publish a school created book.
Social Studies: This month we will begin using our geographical knowledge to create our own countries. During the upcoming weeks, our students will decide what they feel would make a new and exciting country. They will use what they have learned in class and apply that knowledge to help them make important choices such as type of government, location and economy. This is an exciting project that our students will enjoy!
Math- We are finishing with our extensive study of area. We will begin reviewing adding and subtracting fractions and will move to multiplying and dividing them as well.
Science- Students should have brought home information about the heart dissection, taking place on Tuesday, February 14th. If you haven’t seen it and are still interested in helping, please have your student get another sheet from Mrs. Travis. We are learning all the parts of the heart and will be continuing our course of study with the circulatory system.
Learning Connections: We continue to work on vocabulary development as well as our daily reading practice. During the next few weeks, we will be changing our focus to research. We encourage students to use resources that are reliable as we go through this process. As a result, we will be using the SIRS Discoverer database as our primary method of searching for information.
Cummings/East Camp Pinewood, May 9-11th: We will need approximately 10 chaperones from Cummings and another 10 from East. The cost for chaperones is $8.00 per meal. Generally we’re a bit low on male overnight chaperones. Remember, camp is only 45 minutes away, so if you can come at dinner and stay till rise and shine, you could be a overnight cabin chaperone. Contact your child’s homeroom teacher if you are interested. Each chaperone does need to fill out the volunteer waver form in the past 3 years. *We are hoping to be at at least $3,000 earned towards camp-between what the PTC gives us each year, the $ raised by the fall sale, and the monthly doughnut sales. That would bring the cost closer to $45.00 per student for the 2 nights and 6 meals.
6th grade Team Spring Camp Eligibility Policy– We’ve spoken to students about eligibility for our spring camp trip to Pinewood camp on May 9-11th. The policy is: All students are eligible to go, but if a student’s classroom behavior deems it, the homeroom teacher may request for his/her parent to chaperone (which may or may not require a fee for that parent.) Students are expected to behave appropriately because they represent Grandville Public Schools while on this trip.
Any students who receive more than 2 suspensions or more than 5 Bully Rubric write-ups from February 1st and May 13th will not be eligible to participate in this trip but will still be expected to attend school for those 2 days.
IMPORTANT DATES:
February 14th– Heart Dissection (Need volunteers-contact Mrs. Travis.)
February 16th– PTC meeting
February 17th & 20th– Mid-Winter Break
Februrary 22th– School District 6th grade skating party at Tarry Hall @6:30-8:30
February 23rd– Family Science Night 6:30-8:00pm
March 16th: 2nd Trimester’s Report card sent home in Friday folders. (Remember you can always check grades on Infinite Campus.)
March 20th & 22nd– Student-led Conferences
April 27th– Lip Sync at HS 6:30
CONTACT US:
kclark@gpsk12.net
btravis@gpsk12.net
chorton@gpsk12.net
Office: 254-6041
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