This is the time of year when we get busy and there are many distractions. I would like to map out the road to the "Exam". The very first thing you need to know is that this semester the sixth-graders do not really take an exam. They will take tests during exam week, but these are normal Chapter tests. That should answer the first concern about exam week--for my class they should just study like they would for a chapter test. If you follow what has been working for you up until now, that should be sufficient.

It is very important that they study every night. As always, it is not necessary right now to spend a long time each night, but they should be going over the material we have covered in Chapter D3.  We have covered the first three lessons so far. Tomorrow we will begin working on the last lesson on the moon. For this lesson, I will be covering the material in the book, but will also add material that they will need to know. I am encouraging them to be very attentive in class.

Next Tuesday,  December 7th there will be a Chapter Vocabulary QUIZ.

Other than that quiz, we will be working on getting through the material that we need for the test and then reviewing.  The Science Test will be on  Friday, December 17th.

     Thanks to everyone who helped make Camp Cosby one of the best trips we have ever had! I am so proud of our students! I will be grading their camp notebooks soon and will return them after Thanksgiving.

     We have begun a new unit and are currently studying Chapter D3 "Our Solar System". This chapter will be on the test students will take during exam week. I would like to encourage everyone to study a little every night as homework. The material in this chapter is not particularly hard but there is a lot of it! Staying on top of studying will pay great dividends.

      For my Bible class: There will be a QUIZ on lesson 11 Wednesday,
                                     November 17th.
    
      Science this week: The Lesson 1 review questions are due Wednesday,
                                   the 17th.
                                   There will be a Lesson 1 QUIZ Thursday, the 18th.

      I hope each and everyone of you have a Blessed Thanksgiving time.    
                          
                                                                                      Ms. Kay

There is a TEST tomorrow on Chapter C2. This is somewhat short notice for parents, but the students have known that it would be later this week since last week. This is a short chapter with only 10 vocabulary words and two lessons. The second lesson is just about the four vocabulary terms. Your student should be ready for this test if they have been going over their science every night as they agreed to do. I remind you that I give very little written homework so they have promised to use my homework time studying.

Just a reminder that the Camp Cosby meeting for the parents who will be going on the trip is tomorrow evening at 500 pm.

This afternoon I am sending home some Camp Cosby information that includes a sheet that must be filled in (front and back) and returned to me. Each student must bring me this information as soon as possible because I must have a form for everyone when I arrive at camp.

There is also a flyer about the meeting for the parents that are going to camp. I know that no matter what time or day I choose for this meeting there wil be parents that have conflicts. Please let me know and I will see what I can do to get you caught up on the information.

Thursday evening will be a special time at camp and we will be extending an invitation to all the parents who are not joining us for the whole trip to come spend some time with us that evening. You will need to be there by 6:00 pm and we should be done so you can leave by 8:00 pm. It is about a two-hour drive.

The final thing I am sending is a packing list. I want you to have time to gather what you will need. Please do not spend a lot of money getting ready for camp. New clothes will not be new when we get back. I have encouraged the students to wear their play clothes and borrow what they need for western wear if they don't already have it.

We are beginning a new chapter in science. This chapter is about the interactions in ecosystems. We will have test on the material in this chapter next week. I will make sure you have plenty of warning.

My Bible class has two TESTS this week. The first one is on Wednesday and covers Lessons 6-10. On Thursday we will have a Memory Verse TEST on the four verses(Lessons 6-9).

Just a reminder that there is a TEST Friday on Chapter C1 and Biomes.

We have a busy week coming up. I want everyone to be prepared so here are a few things you should know:

• Monday we will have a Vocabulary Quiz that covers all the Chapter vocabulary. (There is a list on page C2). My Bible class will have a Lesson 8 quiz.
• We will be taking ITBS tests on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students will need to arrive at school well rested and having had a good breakfast. They may bring a snack for break time. Each student needs to have at least two number 2 pencils and a calculator. We will dismiss at 12:15 on these days.
• Thursday we will review for the Chapter Test.
• Friday there will be a TEST on Chapter C1. Please encourage your students to study all week for this test. A little each night will go much further than a lot Thursday evening. I would suggest a lesson per night before Thursday and then they will just have to review everything Thursday.

I will be posting new Camp Cosby information very soon. The plans and preparations are well under way for our trip. Pray for God's blessing and good weather. 

Reminder that Biome Projects will be accepted tomorrow, Oct. 7th and Friday, Oct. 8th only.

I am sure that many of you have noticed that the students are working on their Biome projects. They are working so hard and I am proud of the results that I have seen so far. This project is due this week. I wll accept them on Thursday and Friday. Friday is the end of the first grading period so they will have report cards posted on line next Thursday, the 14th of October.

This project goes along with what we are studying in our current chapter but we have put Lesson 3 in chapter C1 on hold until the project is done. We will pick back up in the chapter in the next few days. I am very sorry for the confusion about the Science Test that was posted on the Middle School blog. I had no Idea that it was there. I will never pop a test on anyone without pleny of notice. If you have not seen it in their planners or on this blog, then you can be sure something is not right.

We will have a Chapter test next week. I will make sure that you are well notified.

We have moved on to a new chapter. As we work our way toward our trip to Camp Cosby, we will be studying about Ecosystems and Resources. Currently we are on Chapter C1.

• We will have a quiz on Lesson 1 tomorrow. This includes the lesson vocabulary and all the information in the lesson.
• Next week I will assign a project that the students will work on in class. This project wil be on biomes and is something they can complete on their own, even if they need to work on it at home.
• There will be a Lesson 2 quiz next Tuesday.
• Just a reminder..as we celebrate our Homecoming next week, students may need some extra encouragement to complete their home studies.

Look for the initial Camp Cosby sign-up sheet that will come home tomorrow afternoon. I just need to get a head count so I can give the camp an idea of how many to expect. I will send out a final notice closer to our camp dates so I will be able to properly plan cabin arrangements.

    Just letting you know that we are on track as we work towards next week's TEST. Homework tonight is to do the review questions on page C113.

     We have made it to the Labor Day weekend! Hard to believe that we have three weeks done! I want to let you know what I have planned for the rest of this Chapter in science. Please know that I sometimes have to adjust my plans based on how things go on a given day in the classroom. I do not want to give a test until I am confident they have been well prepared.

• Tuesday we will read and discuss Lesson 4 in Chapter C4. For Homework I would like students to thoroughly study Lesson 1. They need to come in Wednesday with any questions or topics they would like me to review. 
• Wednesday I will go over Lesson 1 for a few minutes and we will continue working on Lesson 4. I would like for them to study Lesson 2 Wednesday evening and be ready for a review.
• Thursday we will review Lesson 2 and Finish our discussions on Lesson 4. Homework will be..you got it....Study Lesson 3! There will also be a Vocabulary Quiz on Friday.
• Friday we will review Lesson 3 and take the Vocabulary Quiz for all the vocabulary in this chapter.
• Monday we will review the entire chapter.
• Tuesday (Sept. 14th) will be TEST day for CHAPTER C4.

     I have given each of your students a sheet of paper that is required to be in their notebooks all year that is titled  "How to Study for a Science Test".  I recommend that you read the sheet and follow those directions. 

     I hope you all have a great weekend and Labor Day. I will begin to post information on Camp Cosby next week. 

Parents and Students,
     I am looking forward to using this new tool to communicate with you. I plan to post information on homework, up-coming tests, and even a few tips on how to study.
     As we get closer and closer to our Camp Cosby trip, I will use this vehicle to keep you updated on the trip. I will also make files available to you so that you will be able to print out and fill out forms that I will need to have on each child.
     Remember that you can communicate with me through my school email.
     I hope this is a convenient way for you to receive information from me.