Prokop’s Press                                                Nov. 21, 2007

Dear Parents and Students,

         It is amazing that it is already nearing December. This month has seemed to fly by, especially with short days for the last two weeks. I look forward to getting back to the regular schedule next week, as I am sure you are. It was a pleasure meeting with all of you to discuss your children. Reminder, you can contact me any time through our class web page. Just go to the contact icon on the right side of the main page. Our schedule returns to normal with spelling starting up again next week.

Language Arts: We have finished with the novel Journey to Topaz, and the students are completing in class end of the book posters. Upon our return from the holiday, we will begin Literature Circles. Students will be put in groups, choosing a “novel”, and completing many different activities. Today I am also sending home their “Writing” binders. Please take a look inside at the various writing pieces that are in there. Also, please look at the papers behind the theme and reference tabs, so you can see the types of reference materials students use throughout the novels and various reading assignments. One in particular is the idea pages for the Literature Logs. This is where students are expected to interact with the novels they are reading at deeper levels. I will be sending these binders home a couple times a month for you to see literature or writing work we are doing. Please leave the papers in the binder, but sign the sheet to show you have looked at the binder.

     I have also attached a paper titled “Bloom’s Taxonomy”. Many parents asked for some guidance on asking their student questions about things they have read. As you look at it, you will see a hierarchy of thinking skills ranging from the concrete to much higher level thinking skills. This is just to give you guidance when asking your child questions about their reading. We really want to focus on the “higher end” of the list, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation type questions.

Social Studies: Yeah! We finished chapter 2. We played a review game on Tuesday to help us get ready for the test we completed on Wednesday. Many students found out what they knew, and what they still needed to study. Next week, we will begin our studies of Mesopotamia.

Science:  Next week’s concentration will be on wrapping up unit 1, with a test on Tuesday, Dec. 4th. This test will be very different from what students have usually done for tests in the past. They will have a choice of the form of the test they want to take. Also attached is a description of the two non-standard choices.

Can Food Drive: Thank you so much for all that was brought in. We had over 500 cans!! We came in first in the 6th grade. The school's total was over 7,000 cans!! What an amazing gift to those in need.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, enjoy your time with family, I know I will.

                                       Sincerely,

                                      Mrs. Prokop