Holiday Breakfast Update

Hey everyone! The weather forecast looks dicey and I'm worried school won't start on time - especially since the back of my car is filled with food! Here's the plan:

In case of late start: Breakfast is still on, but it will be more like a special "brunch" that we can eat at lunch time.

In case of no school: Breakfast is rescheduled to Friday morning our first week back.

Community Service Wrap Up

Today a volunteer named Tina from Animal Aid came and picked up our donations, as well as told us all about how Animal Aid supports homeless pets in our community.

All the 6th graders in our class contributed, but I think a special shout out goes to Ella for coordinating the Candy Cane fundraiser, and Sage and Nora for making some cool toys. Overall, we donated food, toys, and $103.75. Everyone should feel really proud about their achievement.

If you want to play Lemonade Stand on your own:

LEMONADE STAND

Books that follow Life As We Knew It

If you are interested in reading the other books in the Life As We Knew It series, here they are (like I said, they just aren't quite as good, but you be the judge!):

Book 2: The Dead and the Gone


Book 3: This World We Live In


Book 4: The Shade of the Moon


Like I said, I seriously wanted to throw Book 4 across the room, but the other two were good enough :)

Careers that Use Art

I'm spending my morning off on Pinterest (of course!) and I just ran across this. I don't want to forget to show it to you so I thought I would post it here first. What jobs interest you?

Conferences!

Just a quick reminder that tonight starts our first round of Parent/Teacher conferences! Students are welcome (and encouraged) to join. If you haven't scheduled a conference, I have open spots on both Monday and Tuesday - or if you need to switch times just shoot me an email (ldeacon@pps.net).

For Thursday

Master Chef Junior Finale

I know you're devastated that we didn't get to see the last few minutes of this today. Here it is so you can watch it on your own!


http://www.fox.com/masterchef-junior/full-episodes/59216451686

Now that you are OFFICIALLY done with your essay...

Here are your options!

Play the Oregon Trail

Watch a short video on the Donner Party:

Video 1

Read more about the Donner Party and check out some pictures: Donner Party Diary

Our busy week!

Here are just a few highlights from our visit from Joyce Nagy, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Department Forensic Sketch Artist, and the Day of the Dead Celebration.

Checking out the mug shot book. 

Yes, that IS a human skull from the 1800s.

Drawing Mr. Woods, the PE Teacher, from the kids' descriptions.

 

Adding items to our Day of the Dead altar

If you finished your essay...

Here are the "approved" activities you can do...

Skeleton Game 1

Skeleton Game 2

Be a Mesopotamian Farmer!

Mesopotamian Games...

Weekly Bulletin 10/27

Hi everyone!

Here's a quick list of important info for our class. 

End of the Term

The last official day of the term is Nov 7th. I am requiring all work to be turned in by Nov 6th so that I have time to grade all assignments before reporting final term grades. I always tell students that it's better to turn in work late, than not at all!

Guest Speaker

This week on Thursday, we will have a forensic sketch artist from the Multnomah County Sheriff's Department giving a presentation about how she uses art and science on the job.

Day of the Dead Celebration

Last week I sent a letter home about our Day of the Dead class celebration on Friday Nov. 1st. The kids are really excited about it, and have created some amazing art already. If you plan on purchasing any party supplies from the list, please let me know ahead of time so we don't end up with double. (below)

Conferences

If you haven't signed up for a conference, please let me know what day/time you prefer and I will do my best to find a time slot that works for you. A week before conferences, I will send home individual reminders to every family. Here are times set aside for conferences:

11/21 - 4:00pm - 7:45pm

11/25 - 8:45am - 7:45pm

11/26 - 8:45am - 3:45pm

Upcoming Dates

Last Day to turn in work 11/6

Last Day of the term 11/7

No School 11/8 & 11/11 (Veteran's Day)

Class Blog

Just a reminder that you can check for updates or resources at http://mrsdeacon.blogspot.com. I've posted some student artwork pics in the last week.

Have a great weekend!

Day of the Dead Party Supply List 


25 yellow drink cups
25 paper plates, dinner size (any kind or color) 25 napkins (any kind or color)
4 large bags of tortilla chips
2 black plastic table cloths
2 bags of ice (day of the party)
6 cans of frozen lemonade 

25 yellow forks and/or spoons

Learning about Day of the Dead

Earlier this week I sent home a letter about our Day of the Dead class celebration on Friday Nov. 1st. We've started learning about Mexican Folk Art and creating our own artwork. Check out the awesome skulls we made today!

Missing Assignments :(

While grading homework in the last couple weeks, I've noticed a trend starting to happen how many people are not turning in homework (on time or at all). In an effort to keep students and parents on top of assignments so things don't pile up at the end of the term (LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY!), I've instituted the "Missing Assignment" slip.

 Here's how it works: if you miss an important assignment (homework packet, project, etc) I will put this slip in your box. Get it signed by a parent/guardian and bring it back within 48 hours. It's for your own good, I swear :)

Practice for the Bones & Muscles Quiz

The Bones & Muscles Anatomy Quiz will be Thursday Nov. 1st. Here are some sites to help you practice the names of different bones & muscles.

Bones of the Body

Muscles of the Body

Label the Skeleton Game

Poke a Muscle Game

Hi everyone!

Here's a quick list of important info for our class.

Progress Reports

Current grade reports were handed out this week. If you see a missing assignment, most likely it's sitting in your student's binder, or they didn't put their name on their assignment. Keep in mind that no unit tests or big projects are reflected because they won't occur till this coming week! I will post official progress report grades on Monday afternoon.

Thank You's

Thank you to EVERYONE who volunteered to help set up my tech cart! Lenie's dad, John, was the first to respond and the lucky winner. Thank you so much, John and Lenie!

Upcoming Dates

We have our first Literature unit test on Thursday 10/10. Students will receive a study guide on Tuesday to prepare.

The Finding My True Self Project is also due 10/10. We had three days in class to work on it last week, but now it should be done in Study Skills or at home.

No school on Friday 10/11 (inservice).

Class Blog

I've decided to also put updates on our class blog at http://mrsdeacon.blogspot.com, but I will also send a weekly email.

Deacon Crossing Points 2013-2014!

Grade reports!!!

Today I sent home current grade reports for Literature and Language Arts. Tomorrow I will send home Science and Social Studies. Remember to check your binder, locker, bedroom, and so on if you are missing an assignment. Much of the work was done in class but you might have forgotten to turn it in!
It's always better to turn in an assignment late, than not turn it in at all. If all else fails, just find the assignment from the "Missing Work Binder" and redo it.

Also remember that we haven't taken a unit test or turned in any projects yet! Those will affect your grades, too!

Deacon Crossing Update!

Wow! A bunch of students hit Level 1 today! If you are here checking your points, please let me know if I accidentally forget your name on the Deacon Crossing board in the classroom. You guys are doing great and before you know it, you'll be up to Level 2!

Art with Deacon

Want to do more patterning?? Here is the link to the patterns we did today!

PATTERNING

Monday: Multiplying Decimals

Today we are learning to multiply decimals!

Step One:
Watch this video and take notes (you can watch it more than once).
http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/decimals/multiplying_decimals/v/multiplying-decimals

Step Two:
Click the green "Practice this Concept" button right above the video. (Use scratch paper!)
If you are having trouble, click the orange "I'd Like a Hint" button on the right.

Step Three:
Do the problems 1 - 12 on page 28 in your Math Spiral.

Step Four:
If you have time, go back and practice more on Khan Academy, or try the practice for dividing decimals.

It's time to practice and review some basic skills!

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/multiplication-division/e (Multiplication/Division)

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/decimals/e (Decimals)

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/factors-multiples/e (Factors/Multiples)

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/fractions/e (Fractions)


GOOD AT ALL OF THOSE ABOVE? CHALLENGE YOURSELF!

http://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/rates-and-ratios/e (Rates and Ratios)

As promised, I want us to do something fun to practice our new algebra skills. Click the links below to review what you have learned and get better!

http://labyrinth.thinkport.org/www/ (this one is always a favorite!)

http://www.mangahigh.com/en_us/games/algebrameltdown

http://www.math-play.com/Algebra-Math-Games.html

http://www.vectorkids.com/vkvariable.htm

http://www.funbrain.com/cgi-bin/alg.cgi

http://hotmath.com/hotmath_help/games/kp/kp_hotmath_sound.swf

http://www.quia.com/rr/4096.html

http://www.mathplayground.com/Algebra_Puzzle.html


OK NOW GO HAVE SOME FUN!