“I can accept failure, but I can’t accept not trying.”

Michael Jordan

Important Dates & Reminders

• November 6 & 7: Student Holiday 
• November 10: Veteran’s Day Assembly
• November 15: Thanksgiving Luncheon 
• November 22-24: Thanksgiving Holiday 
• Reminder: Please do not send soda, candy or gum to school with your child. 
• Students should be reading at least 20-30 minutes each night.

Language Arts What are we learning?

• Reading Unit: Nonfiction 
  • Readers adjust their thinking based on how the author presents and organizes information in order to understand the information and messages the author is communicating. 
  •  Readers evaluate their theories against other texts and media to create new understandings about the world and take action. 
  • Readers consider the perspectives of others to broaden their own thinking through discussion.

• Writing Unit: Literary Nonfiction
  •  Writers use literary or narrative techniques to enhance the readers’ understandings of the information and develop their message. 
  • Nonfiction writers focus their writing on a small part of a larger topic to communicate their personal interests and passion. 
  •  Writers seek out community members who can provide support on specific aspects of their writing or process.

Home/School Connection

Questions to ask your student:

•  How can you evaluate the reliability of a nonfiction text? 
•  What are other perspectives on this topic?
• How can my decisions as a writer impact the reader’s understanding? 

Math

What are we learning?

• Multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers.
• Solve single-step & multistep practical problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, & division of fractions and mixed numbers.
• Solve multistep practical problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of decimals. 
• Compare and order positive rational numbers. 
• Identify and represent integers. 
• Compare and order integers. 
• Identify and describe absolute value of integers. 
• Recognize and represent patterns with whole number exponents and perfect squares.

Advanced Math- 

• investigate and describe the concept of negative exponents for powers of ten; 
•  compare and order numbers greater than zero written in scientific notation
•  determine square roots of perfect squares
•  Identify and describe absolute value of rational numbers. 

Science

What are we learning?

• Demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices.
• Investigate and understand that the solar system is organized and the various bodies in the solar system interact. 
• Investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon. 

Home/School Connection

Questions to ask your student:

• What makes our planet unique from others?
• What makes up the Solar System?
• Why do scientists use models?
• Look at the moon each night and ask what phase is it?

Social Studies

What are we learning?

• The student will describe and analyze the motivations for, obstacles to, and land claims of the Spanish, French, Portuguese, and English explorations 
• The student will construct an understanding of the cultural and economic interactions between Europeans and American Indians to analyze what led to cooperation and conflict, with emphasis on the American Indian and European concept of land

Specials 

What are we learning? &  Home/School Connections:

• Library: 6th graders are beginning an inquiry unit on astronomy and planets, developing questions about a planet or astronomy topic they are interested in and using multiple reliable sources to find information.
• PE: 
  • The first quarter is almost to a close! Thank you to all families for being strong co-teachers with us. 
  • Students in grades 3^rd-6^th have begun using their PE binders; increasing their literacy skill practice during physical education classes!
  • Regarding pacing, we have completed our “Rules/Routines” and “Throwing/Catching” units with all grade levels. Now, all students will move into their “Fitness Unit.” Learners will better understand how their bodies work, the components of fitness, and different ways to track activity/stay active. As always, Mr. Bergin ([email protected]) and Ms. Brod ([email protected]) are here for any questions or concerns.
• Music: 
  • -Ms. Shaw’s 6^th Graders: Finished composing our Hot Cross Bun variations on the recorder, now working on Kagome.
  • Mr. Sawasky: All grades will be celebrating Native American Heritage Month in November by exploring some of our history as a nation and its original people and culture.
  •  Grades 3-6 will be exploring how rhythms and melody come together to create a song as we practice in small groups and as a class, playing instruments in an ensemble.
• STEAM: 
  • In Quarter 2, 6^th grade STEAM students will continue to build and improve their solar-powered rovers.  Renewable energy, energy transfer/transformation, friction engineering and angle measurement will continue to be explored.
  •  
• Art: 
  • In the Forestdale art program, the primary goal is to create an environment in which every student feels confident, safe, and supported by Ms. Barrett and by the other students. The goal is that each student will reach a level of technical mastery and self-confidence that allows them to take risks with their own artwork and create work that they value.
  • In November all students will be wrapping up their PAINTING units and doing planning drawings for the upcoming COLLAGE units! 
  •  6th graders created paintings based on the theme, “Sometimes I Feel Like a Fish in an Aquarium.” They learned about composition in painting, color mixing, cool and warm colors and overlapping.
  • All students’ paintings are delightful. They would look great in a frame, hanging on the wall – or at least on the refrigerator!
  • Thank you to all families for returning the Parent Interview Forms for each Art unit! 
  • Students in grades 1^st - 6^th continue to use their Art Planning and Reflection Books, increasing their literacy skill practice during art classes!
  • As always, Ms. Barrett ([email protected]) is here for any questions or concerns regarding the art program.

ESOL- English for Speakers of Other Languages

During the month of November, we are highlighting the language of inquiring. Here are some questions you can ask your students to help them practice how to inquire.

• What are you wondering about?
• What questions do you have about that?
• I wonder why __________?
• Who __________?
• What __________?
• When __________?
• Where __________?
• Why __________?
• How __________?

Looking for books to read at home with your students? Unite for Literacy has free audio books with many language options to choose from! You can access them at https://www.uniteforliteracy.com/.