Saturday, February 27, 2010

Who Let the Puppet Out of the Bag?

The students in Room 503! In lickety-split time, puppets were made, character backgrounds were created, storylines were conceived, rehearsals took place, and within two class periods, puppet shows were performed. Individual and group work at its finest (and funnest)!














Friday, February 26, 2010

HOMEWORK, Friday, February 26, 2010

Drama:
No homework!

Language Arts:
Read The Book of Three, Ch.'s 14 & 15
Do Grammar Practice, 8.6
Go over vocabulary (12 words)
Due: Monday, March 1, 2010

Math:
Problem 2.1 on p. 18: A-F
Due: Monday, March 1

Science:
Have both you and your parents sign check list
Due: Wednesday, March 3

Social Studies:
Read Rome Packet, p. 30-45
Assignment #1 (Rome Project)
*Parent Signature Form (Rome Project)
Due: Monday, March 1

Extra Mile Club:
Assignment #7
Due: Tuesday, March 2

Thursday, February 25, 2010

When in Rome...

...do a project!

We just finished our in-depth study of ancient Greece, and plunged head-first right into Rome!

I believe many of you parents have had the opportunitty to peruse the latest project packet: Rome Wasn't Built in a Day. If you haven't, hopefully you will this weekend (as your student is supposed to share it with you and return a signed form by Monday saying they went over it with you and that you understand the expectations).

Yesterday, each student chose by lottery a structure that was erected during the Roman Empire. Over the next five weeks (six, including spring break), each student will independently be researching their specific structure and constructing a model of it.

Our Rome project is three-fold: It includes research and a paper, planning and construction of a structure, and an all-sixth grade exhibit, including presentations.

On the back of the Project Packet is a time line so that you and your student will know exactly what parts of the project are due when, and have a guideline for pacing. Mrs. Stoyanoff and I will also be reminding the students about deadlines as we go, offer in-class work days throughout the process, and provide assistance as needed.

The final paper and structure are due in class on Thursday, April 8. We will be "mounting" the structures and presenting them in a culminating exhibit entitled, All Roads Lead to Rome, on Friday, April 9. Families and friends are invited to attend the exhibit at 1:00 PM.

I have no doubt that the students will get quite a bit out of their experience with this project. Thank you, in advance, for your help on this.

Ciao,
Ms. Nicky Pitman

HOMEWORK, Thursday, February 25, 2010

Drama:
Create character background for puppet
Name, age, personality traits, likes/dislikes
Write neatly, or type (at least one paragraph)
*Bring ideas for group puppet show
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, February 26

Language Arts:

Vocabulary Practice, words 11 & 12 (oblige, cacophony)
Grammar Practice, 8.5
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, February 26

Math:

P. 10, 20-21; P. 11, 27-28; P. 12, 31, 32, 33
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, February 26

Science:

Read article; Read p. 108-111;
Do vocab and section review

Due: Tomorrow, Friday, February 26

Social Studies:

Continue to work on Assignment #1, Rome Project
*Get parent form signed (AFTER reading project packet)
Due: Monday, March 1

Write-up about why "Democrats" are called Democrats
and "Republicans" are called Republicans in the U.S., and
if we are really a democracy or a republic.
*Write NEATLY or type (double-space)
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, February 26

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

HOMEWORK, Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Drama:
No homework!

Language Arts:
Read The Book of Three, Ch.'s 12 & 13
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, February 25

Math:
P. 10. do #10-19, 35
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, February 25

Science:
Read p. 103-107; Do section review & vocabulary
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, February 25

Social Studies:
*Greek Mythology Project Parent/Guardian Signature
sheet (signed)
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, February 25

Re-read "Rome Wasn't Built in a Day" Project Packet
Read through packet with your parents
Have parents sign project sheet
Assignment #1
Due: Monday, March 1

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

HOMEWORK, Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Drama:
No homework!

Language Arts:
Read The Book of Three, Ch.'s 10, 11
Go over vocabulary.
Review pronouns, abbreviation, punctuation
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24

Math:
Read the "Getting Close" game instructions on p. 6
Do page 10 # 1 -9 All
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24

Science:
Read p. 96-103
Define vocab., Section Review, Earth Diagram
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24


Social Studies:
Read Section 2, p. 302-307
Do running vocabulary
Do Section Assessment, 1-3 only (complete sentences)
Complete Italy map, if you didn't finish it in class
*Grade sheet w/Parent signature (Greek Test)
Due: Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 24

*Grade sheet, Mythology Project w/Parent signature
Due: Thursday, February 25

Extra Mile Club:
Assignment #7, due next Tuesday, March 2

Monday, February 22, 2010

HOMEWORK, Monday, February 22, 2010

Drama:
No homework!

Language Arts:
Read Ch.'s 7 & 8, The Book of Three
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24

Math:
No homework!

Science:
Finish book walk, if you haven't already
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24

Social Studies:
Read/finish reading Rome packet
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24

*Get My Big Fat Greek Test signed by parent
Return to school NO LATER than Wednesday, Feb. 24

Extra Mile Club:
Assignment #6
Due: Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 24

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Everyone's a Critic


Including me.

Today, many of us from both Room 503 and 506 met at the theaters at Tempe Market Place to see Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief. For some of us, this was our first viewing. For some loyal die-hards, today was their second, third, and - I believe - fourth time around (since it opened last Friday, February 12).

From my take: as a movie, all by itself, it was a very fun romp. As a devotee of Rick Riordan's (the original author) and after reading the series (almost) twice through, I have to say, the movie did not measure up. It left out so much - in terms of relationships, especially - and, in terms of the settings. Camp Half-Blood is beautiful in the movie, but completely glosses over the different cabins (which, I believe, is a huge part understanding the essence of the Camp). Lack of depth in the relationships took away much of the tension that makes the stories so powerful (and humorous).

However, I will say that I thought Pierce Brosnan made a terrifc centaur and Uma Thurman, an excellent Medusa. Contrary to how Indiana Jones feels about snakes, I thought Thurman's were way cool!

What was also "way cool" was spending a Saturday morning with students and some parents (and even some grandparents), having fun and partaking in an event that has a special meaning for all of us.
Cheers,
Ms. Nicky (Siskel & Ebert) Pitman

Friday, February 19, 2010

ANNOUNCEMENT: IMPORTANT!

Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief
For those of you planning to attend tomorrow morning's
showing of the Percy Jackson movie, the time has
changed!

The new show time: 10:20 AM

Mrs. Stoyanoff and Ms. Pitman will be at the theatre at
10 AM and will remain until 12:45 PM.

*Just a reminder, there will be no adult supervision
before 10 AM or after 12:45 PM.

HOMEWORK, Friday, February 19, 2010

Drama:
Mem. Theophilus Thistledown
Due: Monday, February 22

Language Arts:
Read Ch.'s 5 & 6, The Book of Three
Do Vocabulary Practice, Words 5 - 8
Read & do grammar practice packet
Due: Monday, February 22

Math:
No Homework!

Science:
Final copy of discussion & conclusion
Due: Monday, February 22


Social Studies:
Read Text Book, Ch. 10, p. 290-291
Section 1: p. 294-301
Do Assessment Questions, 1-3 (p. 299): Complete Sentences!
Due: Monday, February 22

Extra Mile Club:
Assignment # 6
Due: Tuesday, February 23

Thursday, February 18, 2010

This Week Has Gone by Fast!

Not having school on Monday has made this week simply zoom by. I can't believe tomorrow is Friday already!

Today, in Social Studies, we wound up our unit on ancient Greece with "My Big Fat Greek Test" and began reading about our next unit on ancient Rome.

We started a new book in Language Arts, The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander. Yesterday, I asked the students to do something that we normally tell kids not to do: "Do Judge This Book by its Cover." Most of the time, I know, I literally do that. I'll be browsing around Barnes & Noble, Borders or Changing Hands and I spy a cover that I am automatically drawn to. I know I have to read it because of its title or its art design or both. Other books, I dismiss for the very opposite reasons: ridiculous title, so-so art. It will be really interesting to see how each of the students feels about the book after reading it, as opposed to deciding what it's about based on the cover art and the back of the book blurb.

In Drama, I've been cracking the whip a bit on breath, voice, and body carriage. Come mid-March, we will begin rehearsals for our end-of-the-year final performance (dates to be announced after spring break). Presence and voice are of utmost importance, and I am confident that our students will most definitely rise to the task. However, practice is a definite must.

Saturday (February 20), Meghan Stoyanoff and I will be making our way over to the Harkins Theaters at Tempe Market Place for the Percy Jackson movie. Many of our students did see it opening weekend and said it was definitely different than the book, but that it was worth seeing. So, off we go! For any sixth grade students and their families who would like to go (or go again), there will be adult supervision from 9:30 AM until Noon at the theatre. If your student would like to make other arrangements with you to shop, eat, and/or hang out, that's fine. This is a non-TPJA event, so we will leave that decision up to you.

Enjoy your weekend!

Cheers,
Ms. Nicky Pitman

Announcements

Percy Jackson & the Olympians
This Saturday, February 20, 9:45 AM
Mrs. Stoyanoff & Ms. Pitman will be at
Harkins Theaters, Tempe Market Place
for the show. Meeting at 9:15 AM
*There will be adult supervision until Noon
**See Pink Notice that went home today!
Everyone is welcome to join us.

Room 503 Needs:
Paper towels and Kleenex - donations welcome!

Greek Fest Photos...
...are posted below on the blog. Right click to
copy them into your own files.

HOMEWORK, Thursday, February 18, 2010

Drama:
Continue memorizing "Theo. Thistle"
Due: Monday, February 22

Language Arts:
Read Ch's 3 & 4, The Book of Three
Go over first four vocab. words
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, February 19

Math:
No Homework!

Science:
Type up three paragraph questions
Get pink sheet signed
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, February 19

Social Studies:
Finish reading Rome packet
Due: Tomorrow, Friday, February 19

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Sixth Grade Greek Fest, 2010


And, They're Off!
















An EGGstra Special Event
















Go, Go, Go!






















Greek Fest Lunch: Opa!
















Greek Fest: Three-Actor Plays, Act I
















Three-Actor Plays, Act II
















Three-Actor Plays, Act III
















Three-Actor Plays, Act IV
















HOMEWORK, Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Drama:
Continue memorizing "Theophilus Thistledown"
by next Monday, February 22

Language Arts:
Read Ch.'s 1-2, The Book of Three
Do Vocabulary Practice, Words 3 & 4
Vocabulary Test Grade Sheet with Parent/Guardian Signature
Due: Tomorrow, Thursday, February 18

Math:
STUDY! -
Vocabulary, the book, the hand-out problems,
and old homework
Test tomorrow, Thursday, February 18

Science:
Type up final data table w/3 paragraphs
Due: Friday, February 19

Social Studies:
STUDY!
Test tomorrow, Thursday, February 18
*OPTIONAL Extra study session in Room 503, tomorrow at lunch
(eat while we study together)!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Not Such a Snap (fish)...

Hi, All.

I seem to be Snapfish delinquent. I can't figure out how to allow access to others to see the photo album on that site. So now I am (slowly) posting the Greek Fest pictures on the blog. It will probably take me a few days: there are a lot of photos and it takes a long time for them to upload here.

I posted Room 503 photos below, of the students from our Greek mythology story-telling experience.

Enjoy!
Ms. Nicky Pitman

Mythology Stories, as Told by the Students in Room 503