Students came home with their Scientific Method pre and post tests this past Monday.  They also came home with a slip to be signed.  Whenever we do a big test/assessment/project, I'll send home the pre/post assessment with a signature request so that parents get to see how their student is doing.  Too often I find work in the trash or hidden in student desks, so this is one way I'm trying to make sure parents get to see the hard work students put in during class and the improvement they've made.  If you have any questions about my test/assessment signature policy, please ask away!

Students worked this week on an assessment on reading non-fiction/informational texts.  Students each read a non-fiction science book as we learned about graphic organizers and text features.  They are now writing a professional business letter to Mrs. Cook (the librarian) about why she should buy the book they read for our Science section in the MRA library.  They have to tell her all about the book, what they learned, the good text features about the book, etc.  The letters are due by the end of class on Monday.  I liked the slight twist to a traditional "book report" and try to make assignments real for students in any little way I can.  I believe that any time we can connect learning to real life situations, students pay more attention and are setting themselves up to be successful in similar tasks in the future.

A technology note: Students are allowed to use the computers at school to do their typing.  They did not have to type it, they could hand write it (and if they needed more school computer time they had the option of coming to homework club last Friday).  Students could also type it at home.  I will be working this year on combatting our students varied computer skills.  As a 6th grade common core standard, students should be able to sit and type 3 pages in one sitting.  I know that many of our students are not near this level of achievement yet.  Typing, word processing skills, and general computer savvy takes time, practice, and patience.  If you have ideas for suggestions for our Seniors and improving their skills comment below.  Look for me to be talking more to 6th grade parents specifically in the coming months as we try to start tackling this standard proactively.  

Monday, October 15th
- Scholastic Book Fairs Starts today in the school library. Come check it out!!
Hours: 7:45 to 8:15 a.m./11:45 to 12:15 p.m./3:00 to 4:00 p.m. M/T/R
          7:45 to 8:15 a.m./11:45 to 12:15 p.m./1:00 to 2:00 p.m. W 
          1:00 to 4:00 Saturday

Tuesday, October 16th
- Subway Lunch orders due no later than 3:30 p.m. (later orders will not be accepted) – Please
pay separate from your pizza order.
- Book Fair Hours: 7:45 to 8:15 a.m./ 11:45 to 12:15 p.m./ 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 17th
- Subway Lunch
- Early Release – 1:00 pm
- Pizza orders and money due no later than 1:30 p.m. (late orders will not be accepted)
- Book Fair Hours: 7:45 to 8:15 a.m./ 11:45 to 12:15 p.m./ 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

Thursday, October 18th
- 3:15 p.m. Auction meeting in the MRA Basement
- Book Fair Hours: 7:45 to 8:15 a.m./ 11:45 to 12:15 p.m./ 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Friday, October 19th
- No School, Teacher Development Day

Saturday, October 20th
- Harvest Festival, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at MRA
- Book Fair Hours: 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.


Dates Coming Up At MRA:
- October 15th through October 20th: Book Fair
- October 15th, 9:30 a.m.: Picture Retakes
- October 18th, 3:15 p.m.: Auction Meeting at MRA
- October 19th: No School Teacher Planning Day
- October 20th : Harvest Festival, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
- October 24th, 3:00 p.m.: First Aid, CPR Class $35.00. Please sign up in the office
- October 25th, 5:30 p.m.: Parent Education - Dyslexia
- October 31st: Teacher Planning Day – No School
- November 1st and 2nd: Parent Conferences – No School
     o Sixth through Eighth Grade Conferences and All Specialty Teachers
          - November 1st, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Gym. Open format with 10 minute segments.
          - November 2nd, 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 for any pre-scheduled conferences