Shoesmith Elementary School

Dear 5^th and 6^th Graders and Parents,

Welcome to science!  I am excited to begin a new semester with Shoesmith’s scientists and authors. 

 

Although I’ve met most of our incoming 6^th graders’ parents, I’d like to take this opportunity to catch up with them, as well as welcome our incoming 5^th graders. This is my second year at Shoesmith school, and I’m so excited to be back. This group of students is truly wonderful to work with, and I have been so impressed with your childrens’ intelligence, kindness and humor throughout the last year.

 

Some of last years’ 5^th graders may have mentioned that I got married last year in April. My husband is originally from India and I had the opportunity to travel there with him this summer to meet his family as well as to have a traditional Indian wedding. The experience was really wonderful and I look forward to sharing some of the photos of the wedding, India, and also Turkey (where we spent a few days) with the students. Although my married name is Mrs. Teckchandani – and many students very quickly and impressively learned how to spell and pronounce my name last year - I am still going to be called Ms. Peterson. Though some students really enjoy saying “Mrs. Teckchandani” and that is absolutely fine with me as well.

 

I will be in touch with parents often through letters, phone calls, and emails. Please feel free to email me your name and your email address, as this is often the best way to communicate student progress and non-urgent issues. I also have a website at http://shoesmith205.cuipblogs.org where I post parent updates and other important information. Please check it regularly, or better yet, sign up on the site to receive an email when there is an update so you always get new information. The parent-teacher relationship is vital to your child’s success in school. By working together, we can help your child have a very fulfilling learning experience.

 

Please note that Shoesmith is an AVID certified school; the AVID program is designed to teach your child time-management skills, planning and goal-setting skills, and critical thinking skills. Most importantly, the AVID program is designed to inform our students that college is a viable option for them. Participation in this program is vital to their academic success and needs to begin on Day 1 of the school year. Students really need to be sure to bring all materials (pencil -NOT pens for science, notebook, binder, homework, planner and subject folder) to each class every day. Being unprepared wastes precious student and class learning time.

You should expect to see your child with homework 3-4 times a week in science. On the weekends, students should still be reading independently, as well as working on their writing ideas and assignments. All students are expected to keep track of homework assignments and deadlines in their Student Planner. Please check your child’s planner to help ensure that they are using it effectively, and completing their assignments on-time.

            Students will also be asked to keep a writing journal with their ideas for writing pieces throughout the year. Please encourage your child to keep the journal with them and to write in it daily. This is not a diary – it should be a journal of interesting ideas, quotes, story lines, poems, etc, that they may later want to write about. They should have it in school daily.

            I know this will be a really excellent school year with your children. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, problems, or to share any important events that happen in your child’s life. I look forward to working with you.

Best Wishes,

Ms. Peterson

5^th and 6^th Grade Science

6^th Grade Homeroom Writing

 

 

 

 

 

6^th Grade Supply List

 

1 3 inch wide, 3-ring binder.

7 Subject folders, three-hole punched, in the following colors:

Red – Reading

Blue – Math

Green – Science

Orange – Writing

Purple – Social Studies

Yellow – Health/Library/Computer

White – Spanish

Loose-Leaf Notebook paper

Pencil Pouch with holes for binder

2 pack/box of pencils (I will provide a small storage area for your child’s extra supplies until they are needed)

2 pack/box of pens (black or blue)

1 set of highlighters

Personal pencil sharpener

Section Divider tabs or sheets for binder.

 

2 boxes of tissues to contribute to the classroom

1 small hand soap dispenser

1 hand sanitizer

1 roll paper towels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer reading list:

This summer you will have to read at least 3-5 chapter books. You need to keep a record in your notebook on what books you are reading. Choose your favorite book that you have read this summer and pick 5 of the following activities to complete.

Have fun!!!

1. Write a letter from one character to another character.
2. Write a new conclusion.
3. Write a new beginning.
4. Make a diorama and explain what it shows.
5. Make a diorama showing the setting or a main event from the book.
6. Make a new jacket with an original blurb.
7. Use e-mail to tell a reading pen pal about the book. Theabrenner@yahoo.com
8. Cut out magazine pictures to make a collage or a poster illustrating the idea of the book.
9. Keep a reading journal and record your thoughts at the end of each period of reading.
10. Write a book review for a class publication.
11. Find a song or a poem that relates to the theme of your book. Explain the similarities.
12. Draw a comic-book page complete with bubble-style conversations showing an incident in your book.
13. Use a journalistic style and write a news story about something that happened to one of the characters.
14. Write a paragraph telling about the title. Is it appropriate? Why? Why not?
15. Decide on an alternate title for the book. Why is it appropriate? Is it better than the one the book has now? Why or Why not?
16. Make a poster advertising your book.
17. Make a travel brochure inviting tourists to visit the setting of the book. What types of activities would there be for them to attend?
18. Write a letter to the main character of the book.
19. Write a description of one of the main characters. Draw or cut out a picture to accompany the description.
20. Rewrite the story as a picture book. Use simple vocabulary so that it may be enjoyed by younger students.
21. Write a diary as the main character would write it to explain the events of the story. Must have at least 5 entries.
22. Make a map showing where the story took place.
23. Make a dictionary containing 20 or more difficult words from the book.
24. Describe the problem or conflict existing for the main character in the book. Tell how the conflict was or was not resolved.
25. Make a crossword puzzle using ideas from a book. Need at least 25 entries.

*****Due First Day of School!!!!!!!!!!!*****

Book Suggestions:

 

Science/Non-fiction

*(Fictional science) Lloyd, Saci. The carbon diaries 2015 /  2009 

Woodford, Chris.  Energy

 Robert Greenberger., How do we know the nature of energy?

Outbreak : disease detectives at work / by Mark P. Friedlander Jr.

Fossil feud : the rivalry of the first American dinosaur hunters

Looking for life in the universe : the search for extraterrestrial intelligence

Ancient medicine : from sorcery to surgery

Classics

Carroll, Lewis, Alice’s adventures in Wonderland / 

Burnett, Frances Hodgson, The secret garden / 

Bianco, Margery Williams, The velveteen rabbit 

White, E. B. 1899-1985. Wilbur’s adventure : a Charlotte’s web picture book /  2008 

Adventure

Cottrell Boyce, Frank. Millions. 

Garfield, Leon. Footsteps

Paulsen, Gary.World of adventure trio

Platt, Richard. Pirate diary : the journal of Jake Carpenter /  2005 

Mystery/Horror

Russell, P. Craig.  Coraline /