Happy Holidays!! Science Fair Update on Due Dates

Thank you all for the lovely gifts...I feel so spoiled. I wish you all the very best during this Holiday Season. Enjoy this wonderful time with your family and friends. Be safe and stay warm : )

***Please Note***
The dates in the Science Fair Packet are incorrect (Thank you Molly Gannon for pointing this out).

The Progress Report is due January 20th, but the Rough Draft is not due until Monday, January 30th. All the dates on my blog in the Science Fair section are correct, but they did not get updated accurately in the packet. Sorry for the miscommunication.

Enjoy the break!

Test Results Are Posted

Studies Weekly Tests: Both History & Science results are in. Be sure to check your scores and sign up for a retest if necessary. 

Chapter 3 Math Test scores have been posted on iGradePlus.

Santa Cruz County Science Fair

The Guidelines, dates and resources for the County Science Fair are now ready to view. Students should begin researching potential science fair project topics immediately. Click on the Science Fair tab to see available resources, or simply click here for a shortcut. It is important that students read through the guidelines for choosing an appropriate topic. I will also be going over this in class. The first due date is Wednesday, December 7th.

Weekly Update + iGradePlus

Welcome Back from Thanksgiving Break!! We have four very busy weeks until Winter Break. Here's what's coming during the next four weeks:

• Writing Performance Task (Topic: The Effect of Pesticides; Due by December 2)

• Math Performance Task (Due by December 6)

• NWEA Winter MAP: ELA and Math Assessment (Due by December 16)

• Writing Workshop Informational Textbook Unit

• Begin Science Fair Project

As you can see there is a lot going on before Winter Break. I also want to encourage both parents and students to check grades on a regular basis on iGradePlus. It is the student's responsibility to know what his/her grades are and to request any retests, or make up any missing assignments. We are now back to the traditional letter grading system. So, what you see on iGradePlus now reflects the current status of a report card grade per subject. 

Parent - Teacher Conference Week / Minimum Day Schedule

As you know, this week is Parent-Teacher conferences. Students will be dismissed at 12:20 each day.

Report Cards will be sent home on Tuesday, November 22. They will not be given out at conferences, but we will of course be discussing students progress towards the 6th grade standards.

Studies Weekly Test Results

Hey Kids!

Studies Weekly Test Results Are In.

Both Science and History test grades have been posted and recorded in my gradebook. Check your scores and let me know if you decide to retake a test. If you do not inform me that you are retaking the test, I won't upgrade your score. I always take the better of the two scores.

Parent - Teacher Conference Schedule

Parent - Teacher Conferences are next week, November 14 - 18. Please click on the link below to confirm your appointment day and time. If you have not signed up for a conference yet, please email me as soon as possible.  There are only eight open slots at the moment. Thanks!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17VJ3T6-el2gIpXW5S9SVkc-46XVDu6jpqgSN2RqxbLc/edit?usp=sharing

Every Kid Votes!

Here is the code for Studies Weekly Every Kid Votes!

FNCSJXGQLZDRLWCM

Studies Weekly Tests are Posted

Attention Students!

Both History and Science Test grades have been posted online, both in iGradeplus and on Studies Weekly. Please go online, check your grades, and if you decide to retake a test YOU MUST LET ME KNOW. If you do not let me know I will not change your grade.

Halloween Party!

October 24, 2016

Dear Parents in Mr. Avey’s Class,

We are excited to be the room parents for Mr. Avey’s awesome sixth graders!  We are in the process of planning the Halloween Party and we think it is going to be a lot of fun. 

The party will start at 12 noon on Monday, October 31.  The kids will enjoy lunch from Taco Nayarit (taco truck).  Lunch includes tacos (chicken, beef, pork and/or vegetarian) with all the fixings, snacks, drinks, and dessert.  Then they will have free choice between the three classrooms with a karaoke room, game room and movie room. 

We are hoping to collect $20 for each student to cover the costs of the Halloween party, as well as the Holiday Party and Valentine’s Day Party.  Any money left over will go towards the end of year celebration.

Please send $20 cash in the attached envelope with your child’s name, attention Jen Ursino at your earliest convenience.

We would love for you to join us for the Halloween Party next Monday!  Hope to see you there!

Jen Ursino (Dominic’s mom) and Christy Tall (Riley’s mom)

Jen: jenncesca@sbcglobal.net or 831-840-1429

Christy: talls@sbcglobal.net or 831-818-0095

Monday Take Home Folders

Take Home Folders are being sent home today. They are packed
full with important papers. Inside you should find the following:

• Pictures with ID Card
• Picture retake form (Retakes will be on Tuesday October 25
• Author Visit - Ancient Element Series
• Chapter 2 Math Quiz
• Lesson 3 Wordly Wise Packet
• History Test + Cornell Notes (Human Communities)
• Ecology Cornell Notes (Test results are available online)

On Friday we will have a very special guest visit our classroom. 

Marie Sontag is the author of a book that I'm currently reading to 

the class. She will deliver a 45 minute presentation with 3,000 year 

old artifacts. She will also have copies of her books for sale

 for $10.00 each and will autograph them for students.
Check out her blurb about the visit. 

Preview attachment Ancient Elements Series Flyer2016.pdf

Science Test (Ecology) Results are Posted

Students, please check your scores for the Ecology Test online at www.studiesweekly.com. Scores have been posted. Be sure to see me if you need a retake.

Pick Up on Friday October 14th

Students need to be picked up at Noon on Friday, October 14th. Students are dismissed at that time to go get lunch, rest, and then come back to the Harvest Festival if they want.

Teacher In-Service on Friday

No School on Friday
- Teacher In-Service - Math Workshops

*Monday is a normal school day. However, students do NOT need to show up at the usual time. It's best if students come at 8:30, after the drop off traffic has settled down. It makes it easier to unload gear. The buses don't leave school until 10:00. 

Scholastic Book Order - October

Class Code - QJH9R Order 

Due Date - 10/28/2016

     Dear Families, This month’s Scholastic Reading Club flyers are now available! Please take a few moments to explore the selection together and let your child help choose books he or she is excited to read. You can order online at scholastic.com/readingclub, where you’ll find a wide selection of quality children’s books that are just right for your child’s reading level and interests. Or return your paper order form to me with a check made out to “Scholastic Reading Club.” Remember, you help our class earn FREE Books and supplies with every order. Thank you for supporting your child’s reading both at home and in the classroom!

Mr. Avey

PS: Please let me know if your order includes a gift for your child, and I will contact you when it arrives!
First Time Ordering Online?
Go to scholastic.com/readingclub Enter our one-time Class Activation Code.
Shop and submit your child's book order.
Your books will be delivered directly to the classroom.

iGradePlus Update

For now it appears that parents & students can only log into my gradebook through the student portal. I'm working on getting the parent portal set up. I'll update you as soon as I get it up and running.

iGradePlus Parent Access

Dear Parents,

I have upgraded my iGradePlus online gradebook so that parents can have access to my gradebook. You have been sent an email inviting you to sign up for access. After accepting the invitation I will activate your account and you will be able to view your student's academic performance. I'm curious to know how it looks on the parent/student side, so feel free to send me feedback about how well it is working.

Thanks,
Mr. Avey

Outdoor Science School Due Date

Please turn in the Science Camp forms by Friday, September 30th. The payment is $320.00 and is also due by that date. If you are interested in a receiving a scholarship, please contact Mrs. Dorney. Funds are available.

Please make checks payable to RDMPA.

Take Home Folders

Take Home Folders are going home today. Science Camp forms are inside along with the Drive For Schools fundraisers. Please look over graded work. Half-back test corrections are due by Friday.

Important! Chapter 1 Math test is tomorrow

Picture Day

Picture Day is tomorrow...Friday, September 16th. Forms were sent home in the Take Home Folders. Our class gets their pictures taken at 12:10 (right before our lunch break).

Room Parent and Parent Volunteers

I'm looking for a room parent. Anyone interested? Please email me. Also, I'd love to have some help in the classroom with filing, copying and basic grading. If any parents are available during school hours please let me know. Times and days are completely flexible and it does not have to be a weekly thing. Whatever time you can donate is much appreciated.

Take Home Folders / Tests This Week

Take Home Folders are going home today. Inside, there are notes from the school office, a few graded papers and a progress report for Math. The progress report does not need to be signed; it's just to show students/parents current math grade and to make note of any low or missing assignments.

Students may make corrections on tests and quizzes for half-back credit. Half-backs are due on Friday.

Upcoming Tests:

Wednesday - Math Quiz covering sections 1.4 to 1.6

Thursday - History Test (online at Studies Weekly.com)

Friday - Chapter One Math Test and First Africa Map Practice Test

Join My Quizlet Class

Click on the following link to join my class on Quizlet.
Mr. Avey Room 20

AR Journal Summaries / Math Homework

The AR Journal Summary is now up on Google Classroom Sorry for the late post.

The math homework is NOT online tonight. It is 1.5 and 1.6 worksheets. If you forget how to use the ladder method be sure to re-watch the video I posted earlier.

Ladder Method for finding GCF and LCM

Watch this video if you need a reminder for how to use the "upside down ladder" method.

Google Classroom Assignment

I'm trying something new this year. I'm using Google Classroom for some student assignments. Each night students are asked to read in their A.R. book for 30 minutes. I'm now asking students to write a brief, one-paragraph, summary from their reading. Students need to sign into my Google Classroom to view this nightly assignment and use the template that I've provided to write the summary.

Students can find Google classroom from their PVUSD Google Drive account or go to http://classroom.google.com

My classroom code to join Google Classroom is fdd6qb3.

6th Grade Slideshow 2017

Dear Parents,
We are looking for pictures of students from when they were in kindergarten. These pictures are for the 6th Grade Promotion Slideshow.
We especially want photos with their friends. Please upload these to the Shutterfly website below by October 1st.
​We would love everyone to be represented in our slideshow!
PLEASE participate by sending in full version files as soon as possible.
Sincerely, 
The 6th grade slideshow team 2017 :)


THANK YOU!
​
https://6thgradeslideshow20162017.shutterfly.com/

Back to School Night

Back to School Night is Tuesday, August 30th from 7:15 to 8:00 (3rd - 6th). Immediately following my presentation there will be an Outdoor Science School presentation in the MPR. I encourage you all to attend.

Studies Weekly

I apologize that the Studies Weekly login does not seem to be working properly. Students do not need to worry about tonight's homework assignment. We will fix it tomorrow in class. Sorry for the inconvenience. No stress students - don't worry about this assignment. It was just meant to introduce you to the online portion of our science curriculum.

Class Donations

Thank you all so much for donating Clorox Wipes and Kleenex. We are all set for the school year.

See you at Back to School Night next week on Tuesday!

Big Ideas Math

Our new math curriculum is all available online. In fact, most of the homework assignments will be completed online. Students practiced logging into their accounts today in school. They completed a diagnostic test and the class average was 90.3% - fantastic!

Tonight's homework assignment is online. Students need to login at:
Big Ideas Login

Once there it is very important that students login with Clever. After that they search for Rio del Mar and then login with their school google account. 

After the last problem has been completed it is important that the student click submit under his/her name, just like we did in class today.

Off to a Great Start

It's only been two days of school, but we are off to a great start, and I am impressed by this group of students. This is going to be a great year!

Today students learned about different parts of their brain and why we "lose our cool" and "flip our lids" sometimes. More importantly, we learned about how we can cool down and bring our brains back into control. It was a fascinating lesson about the power of our brains. I've asked them to share their knowledge with their parents.

In math we are doing lessons created by a Stanford professor called the week of inspirational math. Each lesson begins with a video followed by an engaging activity.Today we  learned about the power of pattern recognition. Check out the website to see these great lessons.
Inspirational Math

Yesterday, important school documents were sent home in the Take Home Folders. I know that there are a lot of forms to read through and fill out, but I'd appreciate it if you could return them before Friday, August 26.

The date for Back to School Night has been changed a few times, but we have finally settled on Tuesday, August 30th. 

Welcome to Mr. Avey's Class of 2016-2017

Dear parents and students,

I am eager to get this year started and to get to know each of you more in depth. We have lots of exciting curriculum to explore together and lots of character building to pursue. Are you ready to shove off on this learning adventure? I will be your captain on this epic journey of learning and discovery. Climb aboard and get ready to sail the high seas of academia.

Get Ready! Here We Go!

Please check the class supplies page to see what materials students are responsible for. I'll be doing regular binder checks for organization. The first one will be on Monday, August 22. One of my passions in teaching 6th grade is to help students get organized for Junior High. Sixth grade can be a very demanding year for many students, but don't worry, I'll be sure to make it fun. In the long run, you'll thank me  - I hope : )

Also, please read through my Expectations and Class Policy pages to get familiar with my classroom management style. I'll be going over these more in depth with students during the first few weeks of school and with parents at Back to School Night, which is on Tuesday, August 30 at 7:30pm.

Supplemental Curriculum

MobyMax

This is a fantastic online program that is designed to "find and fix learning gaps covering Common Core."
www.mobymax.com

Newsela

This year we will be using a reading resource called Newsela.com. Class code for signing up is coming soon.

Accelerated Reader

Please make sure to have an AR book by Thursday, August 18th. We will S.U.R.F. (Silent Uninterrupted Reading Fun) every day for 30 minutes after lunch. AR goals will be assigned by Monday, August 22.

Studies Weekly

We will be primarily using this curriculum for Science and History. Students will receive a newspaper each week that they can highlight and annotate, but each edition is also available online, so students will always have access to the curriculum.
https://app.studiesweekly.com/online/publications

Suggestions to Help Your Child in School:

• Make sure your child is in school on time - everyday.
• Send your child to school with a healthy snack and lunch each day. 
• Let your child know how important their work at school is.
• Provide a consistent quiet place for your child to do homework.
• Listen to your child read and read aloud to and with him or her.
• Ask about what homework is due the next day; Check the class blog; Check student's day planner
• Encourage your child to write: lists, notes, letters, journals.
• Set a limit on screen time.
• Show your child how you use mathematics on a daily basis.
• Help your child read charts and graphs in newspapers and magazines. 

It is my privilege to be your teacher this year and I am excited to start this learning adventure together!

Sincerely,
Mr. Avey