Day 170

We made it! This is your final day in 6th grade! Please chat quietly while I take attendance.

Today's schedule:
8:00 - 10:21 breakfast, recess, and time with your friends.
10:24 - 10:54 Lunch
10:59 - 11:20 Core Awards
11:20 - 12:30 Core Time
12:30 - 1:30 Awards Ceremony
1:30 - 2:15 Electives

RFotD: The citrus soda 7-UP was created in 1929; it was originally caramel colored and contained a mood stabilizing substance. Read about it here.

Homework: Have a terrific and safe Summer!

Day 169

We finally made it to the last week of school! Please chat quietly while I take attendance.

Today is Field Day! We will spend the morning outside competing as houses. This afternoon, you will go through your core schedule in shortened classes before heading off to electives.
Here's the schedule:

1st Hour: 11:33-12:05
2nd Hour: 12:09-12:40* ( *12:30 evac drill)
4th Hour: 12:44-1:16
5th Hour: 1:20-1:51
6th and 7th hour normal time

RFotD: The average person eats about 35 tons of food during a lifetime. That's 70,000 pounds! Read more about what we eat here.

Homework: None

Day 168

It's Final Friday! We're so close to finishing the year! Please chat quietly while I take attendance.

Today we will wrap up The Hunger Games.

RFotD: Honey never spoils. You can eat 32,000-year-old honey. Learn why here.

Homework: None.

Day 167

Happy final Thursday! Please chat quietly while I take attendance.

Today we will be viewing The Hunger Games.

RFotD: At a spending rate of $1 million a day, it would take Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft) 218 years to spend all his money. Here are some more interesting facts about Mr. Gates.

Homework: None.

Day 166

Happy Wednesday! We're getting really close to Summer Break! Please read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will finish argumentative presentations and begin viewing The Hunger Games.

RFotD: When you rub an eraser across a pencil mark, the abrasives in the eraser gently scratch the surface fibers of the paper to loosen the graphite particles. Here's more on the subject.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 165

Happy final Tuesday! You are almost there! Please read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today most of you will be presenting your argumentative topic for a small group.

RFotD: The smell of freshly cut grass is actually the scent that plants release when in distress. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 164

Happy Monday! We are beginning the final stretch of school for the year! Please read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today you will be practicing for the final time before you begin your presentations.

RFotD: Benjamin Franklin designed one of the first American coins, and instead of saying “In God we Trust,” it said “Mind your Business.” Here is the story.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 163

Happy Friday! Do a good job for the substitute!  Please read or write independently while the sub takes attendance.

Today you will be practicing your presentations in various situations.  Be sure to take full advantage of the opportunity!

RFotD: Brown eyes are blue underneath, and you can actually get a surgery to turn brown eyes blue. Here's the information about it.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 162

It is Thursday! You have only one Thursday left in 6th grade! Please read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will work on citing our resources that were used for our presentations.

RFotD: Teeth are the only parts of the human body that can’t repair themselves. Here are the details.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 161

Happy Wednesday! Please read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be looking at various ways to introduce your topic for your presentations.

RFotD: Cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents on the air, which is why your cat stares at you with her mouth open time and again. Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes. 

Day 160

It's Tuesday! Only one more to go! If you have finished your MAP testing, please read or write independently while I take attendance. If you are still finishing, please log in to get started.

Today we will discuss attributes of an effective slide show. You'll have a great opportunity to revise and improve your slides.

RFotD: You have never seen your face; only pictures and reflections. Nothing to read more about, just something to ponder.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 159

Happy Monday! Be sure to do a good job for the substitute. Please read or write independently while the sub takes attendance.

Today is a workday for you. You should be finishing research, completing your argument and working on your slides.

RFotD: The ampersand symbol (&) is formed from the cursive letters 'e' and 't'. 'Et' is 'and' in Latin (this is why some people write 'etc.' as '&c.'): Read more here. Thank you Ava Blakely for providing today's fact.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 158

Happy Friday and May the 4th be with you! Please sign in to your MAP test and begin your work. If you have already finished, please read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be writing our arguments and wrapping up our research.

Here are today's GGB events:

• $2 Hat Day, $1 Suckers, $2 BYO Starbucks, 
• Pig-Kissing-Coin Collection, Online Auction
• Dunk Tank (at Lunch)
• Dodgeball Finals (through Afternoon Assemblies)
• Online Auction ENDS Monday, May 7th at 8:30 AM!

RFotD: In Switzerland, it’s illegal to own just one guinea pig! read more here. Special thanks to Cassidy Reiser for today's fact.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 157

Happy Thursday! Please read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will complete MAP testing.

Here are today's GGB events:

• $2 Hat Day, $1 Suckers, $2 BYO Starbucks, 
• Pig-Kissing-Coin Collection, Online Auction
• Pizza Wicha Teacha (at Lunch)
• Dunk Tank (at Lunch)
• Papa Murphy’s Fundraiser Dinner take this FLYER (Be sure to tell them you are from Rocky Top!)

RFotD: If Pinocchio said,"My nose will grow now." It would cause a paradox. Read about it more here. Thanks to Jake Carroll for providing today's fact.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 156

Happy Wednesday! We're already halfway through the week! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today's GGB Events:

• $2 Hat Day, $1 Suckers, $2 BYO Starbucks
• Pig-Kissing-Coin Collection, Online Auction
• Dunk Tank (at Lunch)
• Dodgeball Preliminary Rounds (2:30 to 4:00 PM)
• Pizza and Paint (Evening Event)Sign Up HERE
• Crushed Red Fundraiser Dinner take this FLYER
• (Be sure to tell them you are from Rocky Top!)

Today is MAP testing day! Try to contain your excitement.

RFotD: It rains diamonds on Saturn and Jupiter. Read more here. Thanks to AJ Brown for today's fact.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 155

Happy Tuesday! Be sure you work hard for the substitute.  Please write independently while I take attendance.

Here are today's events for Grizzlies Give Back:
$2 Hat Day, $1 Suckers
$2 BYO Starbucks
Pig-Kissing-Coin Collection

Online Auction
Renegade Burrito Fundraiser Dinner take this FLYER
(Be sure to tell them you are from Rocky Top!)

Today you will be working on research for your Argumentative Presentation.

RFotD: The longest time between two twins being born is 87 days. Read more here. Thanks to Taylor Anderson for sharing this fact.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 154

Happy Monday and Happy Grizzlies Give Back week! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today you will have an opportunity to choose your topic for your argumentative presentation.

GGB Events Today:
$2 Hat Day, $1 Suckers, $2 BYO Starbucks
Pig-Kissing-Coin Collection

Online Auction
Chili’s Fundraiser Dinner. Take this FLYER Be sure to tell them you are from Rocky Top!

RFotD: People suffer from a physiological disorder called Boanthropy where they believe they are a cow. They try to live their life as a cow. Read more here. Thanks to Cassidy Payer and Ava DeBell for submitting today's random fact.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 152

Happy Thursday that feels like a Friday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will practice checking the validity of websites and use the RFotD to help us.

RFotD: A previously brilliant-blue Yellowstone hot spring is turning green as a result of tourists throwing coins into it. read all the details here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 151

Happy Wednesday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we begin to look at the validity of sources when researching and collecting information.

RFotD: You get a song stuck in your head because your brain interprets the song as an unfinished task, especially if you remember one part. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 150

Happy Tuesday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will finish our work on J. Bruce Ismay and the Titanic disaster by completing a paragraph comparing accounts.

RFotD: Our fingers get wrinkly in water because wrinkled fingers would give us a stronger grip on slippery objects underwater. Here's the info: Wrinkles Help Fingers Get a Grip.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 149

Happy Monday! Today is your field trip! Please read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be participating in Math at the Mall.

RFotD: The tingling sensation some people experience in their mouth after eating pineapple is not an allergic reaction, is because of the enzyme called bromelain. Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 148

Happy Friday! You finally made it to the end of the week! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will broaden our study of the Titanic disaster by examining the story of J. Bruce Ismay, "The Coward of the Titanic".

RFotD: The Pitohui is a rare bird whose feathers and skin produce a toxin only found elsewhere on poison dart frogs. Just being in the vicinity of the bird can cause numbness to paralysis, leading to death. See a picture of it, and read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 147

Happy Thursday! The week is nearly over. You can make it! Please write independently while I take attendance. You may choose to write in response to the following prompt:

You and your best friend are at school early one morning when you notice that the name on the building isn't in English. The letters don't look familiar at all. You go into the building and notice there are no lights on. You hear a crash in the office and strange voices coming your way. Write a story about what happens next.

Today we will finally compare the article and memoir about Jack Thayer.

RFotD: There’s a billboard in Peru that creates drinkable water out of thin air. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 146

Happy Wednesday! Only 5 more Wednesdays to go! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be finishing reading Thayer's memoir.

RFotD: Only 25 people are known to have hyperthymesia. They remember every detail of their life. Here's the story.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 145

Happy Tuesday! Only 4 more Tuesdays to go! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will take another look at Jack Thayer's experience on the Titanic but through his memoir!

RFotD: Mt Erebus is the southernmost active volcano on Earth, is in Antarctica, and it spews crystals. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 144

Happy Monday! Life returns to normal this week. Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we begin work on our final unit of study: Inquiry Into Arguments: Integrating Media. We will be reading an article about the Sinking of the Titanic.

RFotD:RFotD: The expiration date on water bottles is for the bottle, not the water. Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 143

Happy Final Day of CMAS! Do your best, and make yourself proud of your hard work. 

Here's today's schedule:

Core (1st) 8:30-8:44

Math- Test 2 8:44-10:55

Lunch 10:59-11:29

Math- Test 3 11:33-1:33

Core (1st) 1:37-1:51

Electives 6 1:55-2:46

Electives 7 2:50-3:45

Day 142

Happy CMAS day 2! Do your best, and make yourself proud of your hard work. 

Here's today's schedule:

Core (1st) 8:30-8:44

ELA- Test 3 8:44-10:55

Lunch 10:59-11:29

Math- Test 1 11:33-1:33

Core (1st) 1:37-1:51

Electives 6 1:55-2:46

Electives 7 2:50-3:45

Day 141

Happy CMAS day 1! Do your best, and make yourself proud of your hard work. Please read independently while I take attendance.

Here's today's schedule:

Core (1st) 8:30-8:35

ELA- Test 1 8:35-10:35

Lunch 10:39-11:09

Core (1st) 11:13-11:18

ELA- Test 2 11:18-1:18

Electives 7 1:22-2:15

Day 140

Happy Tuesday! Today is the last "normal" day this week. Tomorrow begins CMAS! Please read independently from The Hunger Games while I take attendance. If you've already finished, you may read or write independently.

Today we will finish The Hunger Games and the Literary Analysis.

RFotD: Bubble wrap was originally intended to be used as wallpaper. Read the story here.

Homework: Get a good night's sleep and be ready for CMAS tomorrow!

Day 139

Happy Monday! Only six more Mondays after today! Please either read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be working on our Literary analysis and working to finish The Hunger Games. 

RFotD: At the center of every raindrop is an impurity (dust, clay, soot etc). It is physically impossible for raindrops to form from pure water. Read more here.

Homework: Work on your Literary Analysis and The Hunger Games.

Day 138

Happy Friday! Please read or write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be finishing Star Wars and analyzing the Hero's Journey in it. We'll also be working on your Literary Analysis, as well as reading from The Hunger Games.

RFotD: Some say that apples are more effective at waking you up in the morning than coffee. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 137

It's already Thursday! Please write or read independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be continuing our work on the Literary Analysis. Specifically, we'll finish researching and look at how to organize your analysis.

RFotD: All the blinking in one day equates to having your eyes closed for about an hour and a half! Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 136

Happy Wednesday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will begin our work on a Literary Analysis.

RFotD: Tears caused by sadness, happiness, and onions look different under the microscope. Read why here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 135

Welcome back! I hope you had an amazing Spring Break and ready for the final 35 days of 6th grade. Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will pick up where we left off with Star Wars. We will also begin a discussion about your Literary Analysis. As always, we'll have some time to read The Hunger Games as well.

RFotD: After reading this post you will not recognize that the the brain doesn’t recognize the second ‘the’. Read about why our brains typically overlook these things here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 134

Happy Friday! Spring Break is right around the corner! Please work to finish your reading assignment for The Hunger Games (chapters 16-19) while I take attendance. If you are finished, please write independently.

Today we will have our discussion on the question of the week and begin viewing the Tests, Allies, and Enemies portion of Star Wars.

RFotD: Unless food is mixed with saliva you can’t taste it. Read about an interesting experiment that proves it here.

Homework: None. Enjoy your Spring Break!

Day 133

Happy Thursday! We are now less than 2 days away from Spring Break! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will finish our work on Success and compare it with other texts we have read recently.

RFotD: A polar bear can smell a seal that's 20 miles away. Read more interesting facts about polar bears here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 132

Happy Wednesday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be looking at a new poem and comparing it to some of the other texts we have studied earlier.

RFotD: The letter "J" was the last letter added to the English Alphabet. Read more about its history here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 131

Happy Tuesday, and happy first day of spring! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will conclude our comparison of texts that involve a lottery.

NsRFotD: Today is the vernal equinox. Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 130

Happy Monday! This is our last week before Spring Break! Please write independently while I take attendance. If you would like you may respond to the following prompt:

What are the best qualities of your closest friend(s)? Be detailed in your explanation.

Today we will be looking at poetry and applying it to the topic of lotteries.

RFotD: In Utah, it is against the law to fish from the back of a horse. Read more bizarre laws here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 129

We made it! It's finally Friday. Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be wrapping up our work on chapters 11-15 in The Hunger Games.

RFotD: The number one tire manufacturer in the world? LEGO. Read about this unusual fact here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 128

Happy Thursday! We have only six days until Spring Break! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will finish comparing Hunger Games and The Lottery.

RFotD: Lucy and Linus (who were brother and sister) had another little brother named Rerun. (He sometimes played left-field on Charlie Brown's baseball team, [when he could find it!]). Read other facts about Peanuts here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 127

Happy Pi Day! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be comparing and contrasting Hunger Games and The Lottery.

NsRFotD: Pi Day is also Albert Einstein's birthday! Read more about this especially numerical day here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 126

Happy Tuesday! Please write independently while I take attendance. You may choose to respond to the following prompt:

You are outside with some friends one afternoon when in the sky flashes a light so bright it temporarily blinds you. A few moments later, your vision clears and you are completely alone. Write a story about what happens next.

Today we will be reading the short story, The Lottery.

RFotD: Though the Age of Dinosaurs ended long ago, there was a greater amount of time between the Stegosaurus and the T-Rex than there is between the T-Rex and us. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 125

Happy Monday! We're only two weeks from Spring Break! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will take a look at the sub-genres of fiction and begin the next set of chapters I Hunger Games.

RFotD: The first alarm clock could only go off at 4 am. Read its history here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 124

It's finally Friday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will finish our assignment for Hunger Games and respond to your constructed response question.

RFotD: Sunsets on mars are blue. Read about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 123

Thanks to Caden Pyler for the meme today

Happy Thursday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be revisiting Star Wars in our comparison to the Hero's Journey and Hunger Games.

RFotD: Oxford University was founded before Aztec civilization began. Read more about it here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 122

Happy Wednesday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will go to the library and work on closely reading Hunger Games.

RFotD: Some cats are allergic to humans. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 121

It's Tuesday! Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will be looking at techniques to go deeper into texts to find meaning and evidence to support it.

RFotD: During Prohibition (a time when alcohol was illegal), moonshiners would wear "cow shoes." The fancy footwear left hoofprints instead of footprints, helping distillers and smugglers evade police. Read more here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.

Day 120

Happy Monday! I hope that you all had a terrific weekend.  Please write independently while I take attendance.

Today we will take out managed choice novel assessment and get started on the next section of Hunger Games.

RFotD: You can buy eel flavored ice cream in Japan! This is just one of a bunch of bizarre flavors offered.  Read about them here.

Homework: Read for 30 minutes.