10-10-10

Hello Otter Families,

It has been another exciting week for the Otters. We are already winding down our first quarter of school with just three weeks left. Please review your child's grade on Powerschool and encourage him/her to continue to work hard.

We had an unusual day on Wednesday with our emergency evacuation. I was amazed at how well the kids did, especially since we were out on the field for two hours before we got the all clear signal. I was so proud of them!

In math, we are preparing for our first district-wide benchmark exam. On Thursday and Friday we worked on practice problems in class in order to get ready. Tomorrow, Monday, the kids will take the test. The benchmark is a measurement of student mastery of the sixth grade standards. Scores will count on the first quarter grades. After the test on Monday, we will finish up chapter 2, integers, and then the end of the unit test will be on Friday.

In social studies, the kids have taken home their world maps and should be working on them every day. Their homework for the week is to complete small sections of the assignment and then get a parent signature verifying the completion. So far, your child should have finished the islands and mountains. Next are the rivers. In addition, he/she should begin coloring the oceans and seas blue. This is a very time-consuming part of the project as the area to cover is very large. Students can use colored pencils, water colors, or oil pastels. Water colors and pastels seem to be the easiest and neatest. If your child chooses to use colored pencil, please make sure they color neatly with even pressure in one direction. Oil pastels should be set with a coat of hairspray when finished. Otherwise, the color will smudge and make a mess. In class, students took a test on geography and maps with the electronic responders. Results of the test are now posted on Powerschool.

Thanks to all the Otter families for your continuing support.

Until next week.

Mrs. Shimamoto