Community is the name of the game

by Mrs. Nilsen on September 6th, 2013

Note: This is my first weekly news of the school year. I will update about what's going on in the classroom at least once a week for the remainder of the school year. ENJOY!

Weekly ELA and Science News: 9/3 - 9/6

The first week of school is perhaps one of the most important times of the year. While some view it as fluff and unnecessary, I believe it is absolutely essential for a student's success. In my classes, I spend at least the first week of school setting up routines, getting to know names, and this year: playing with LEGOs.

In all of my classes this week, we've worked on community building. As I mentioned in my Welcome Letter, I believe that being cooperative, safe, responsible, respectful, and hard-working are keys to success. We've played name games and taken the time to get to know each other this week. We've had challenges to warm up our brains after a long (perhaps for some of us lazy) summer and to build trust. Teamwork, organization, and social skills do not come naturally to all students - so I spend time teaching them.

One of my favorite activities this week had LEGOs as the center. Think a massive, complicated game of telephone mixed with a chain reaction of collecting and replicating a LEGO creation. That's what I thought too - awesome! Be sure to ask your Senior about it and what part they played.

We're only 4 days into school and have only barely broached content topics, but I feel that we all started learning lessons this week that are harder to quantify, lessons we will continue to work on all year in my classes. We're learning to communicate effectively and precisely. We're learning how to work as a team. We're learning how to organize our thoughts and materials. Trusting each other, laughing together, and being silly - all of these pieces are a great foundation to build the best school year yet.

The Week at a Glance

Monday, September 9th: $35.00 supply fee due

Tuesday, September 10th: 
Subway lunch orders due no later than 3:00 p.m. (later orders will not be accepted) 
6:00 p.m. Mandatory Parent Night new families, 6:30 p.m. all families

Wednesday , September 11th: 
12:20 p.m. All School Assembly 
1:00 p.m. Early Release 
Pizza orders and money due no later than 1:00 p.m. (late orders will not be accepted)

Thursday, September 12th:
3:00 - 4:00 pm First Homework Club in Mrs. Nilsen's room.

Friday, September 13th:
Mascot Entries due

Upcoming Dates

Sept. 16 - 7:00pm Booster Meeting at the Molalla Aquatic Center

Sept. 17 - 3:15pm Outdoor School Meeting in Mrs. Nilsen's Classroom
Sept. 17 - 6:30pm MRA Board Meeting
Sept. 20 - T-Shirt/Sweatshirt Orders Due
Sept. 23 - 6:00pm Strategic Planning Meeting
Sept. 27 - Jog-a-thon
Oct. 8 - School Pictures
Oct. 14-18 - Outdoor School Grades 6 and 7
Oct. 17 - Parent Education Night - Fitness and Health: The Benefits

Posted in 6th Grade ELA Updates, Science Updates Tagged with Community, Hands-on

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