Category Archives: 6th Newsletter

A Holiday Wish… from Mrs. Dalsin 12-22-11

By Pat Dalsin | Published: December 22, 2011

Dear Parents and Students,

Before we all go home for the holidays, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your enormous generosity and thoughtfulness during this Christmas season and all year long.  I truly appreciate and cherish each card and gift.  Thank you, too, to all those who contributed to the teacher’s gift fund.  It is greatly  appreciated, and I’ll try to use it wisely.

I feel very fortunate to be teaching in a school with so many wonderful parents and students.  Even after all these years, I am constantly amazed that the children make each day new and different and fun.

May you and your loved ones have a very happy and blessed Christmas – and a New Year filled with love, laughter, and all good things.

                                                                                          Sincerely,

                                                                                          Mrs. Pat Dalsin

 

 

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What’s Happening-Mrs. Bialas 12-22-11

By Cheryl Bialas | Published: December 20, 2011

Reading-beginning our new novel, A Single Shard, which takes place in ancient Korea.  Students have read 2 chapters on the orphan boy, Tree-Ear,  and his courage in living and his hope of becoming a potter.  Many themes in here.

 Vocabulary-will be working on review for our cumulative vocab test to be given  on 1-19-12. 

English-our first week back will still be devoted to prepositions and we will then begin pronouns and some additional verb study.

Religion-the students have lived through the plagues in Egypt, and are now venturing with the Israelites to the promised land of Canaan-not with much ease.

Writing-though the students have already written a persuasive essay, they will be adding transitional words.

As we leave school on this Thursday, many of us will be thinking about gifts, traveling, and visiting with loved ones.  When we think of the first  Christmas , it too was a time of traveling (going to Bethlehem), gifts (the WiseMen), and visiting with loved ones (the Holy Family).  Let us always keep these events both in the past and now in our hearts and keep the real meaning of the holiday.  I pray all our families at St. Cletus cherish this time together and keep love in their hearts.  As I said at Thanksgiving, I always pray for my students and their families and the families of the St. Cletus community.  May your have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HEALTHY and PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. See you in ’12!       Mrs. Cheryl Bialas

 

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NEWS Grade 6 Mrs. Dalsin 12-02-11

By Pat Dalsin | Published: December 1, 2011

I hope all of our sixth graders and their families had a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.  Now that we are back in the swing of things, it’s good to know that we have several uninterrupted weeks of school for some serious academics.  The students are working hard, and there is lots to be  done.

CONSUMER FAIR UPDATE:   The taste testing for our projects went wonderfully!  Thank you so much to the parents for being so helpful and supportive.  I think we all enjoyed ourselves…and the afternoon snacks, too.  Watch for a few pictures in the Sunday Canticle on 12/17.

The taste testing is really the core of the project because it provides the data for the rest of their work.  Students are currently working in the computer lab on graphs that will display their data.  Then they will also be writing up their results and conclusion.   Work on putting together the exhibit boards will be done on their own at home.  In January each student will do an oral presentation on their project.  These will happen during the school day, and parents are invited.   You will be notified of the day and time.  Then, of course, the exhibits will be displayed at the Open House for Catholic Schools Week on January 29.

OTHER NEWS:   We have also been busy in our other subjects as well, studying India in social studies, plate tectonics in science, and fractions in math.  Just a reminder that math help sessions are on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00-3:30 and are open to any sixth graders.

UPCOMING TESTS and QUIZZES: 

Math Quiz – Lessons 5.1-5.3 on Tues. 12/6

Social Studies Test – Chapter 4 on Wed. 12/7

Science Test – Chapter 1 on Fri.12/9

 

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Mrs. Bialas-What’s Happening 12-2-11

By Cheryl Bialas | Published: December 1, 2011

Religion We continue on the stories of our patriarchs.  We have learned of the covenant of Abraham and will be moving onto Joseph.  The students will be reading and interpreting the stories from their Bibles.  In class daily, we pray around the Advent Wreath and keep in mind our goal for the season.  In counting down to Christmas, the students watch daily, a visual Advent calendar.  They are to write one bit of info and bring it home to share with their families.  Ask them if they have not given any info.

Be Aware-Religion test on Chapter 4-Dec. 13

Reading-The students will be completing their novel, Flying Solo, and will be tested upon completion.  They will also have a project in conjunction with the story, which dealt with an array of characters , feelings, and bullying.   All testing and projects will be completed before the holiday.

Be Aware:  final test on novel -Dec. 8

                          Flying Solo character project due-Dec. 16

Vocabulary-tested on Unit 4

Be Aware:  Vocab test-Unit 5-Dec.9

                        Vocab test-Unit 6-Dec. 20

English-We are still working on prepositions both as adjectives and adverbs.  We will complete it after the holidays with a test to follow.

Writing-Wintertime is here, and we need a new poem for our “poe-tree”, therefore we will be writing snowflake simile poetry for the hall.  They should be festive, colorful, and creative.  The students will be applying their skill of similes to good, creative use.

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Technology Extra Credit Opportunity: (gr. 6-8)

By tflickinger | Published: November 18, 2011

click to enlarge this photo- retrieved from wikispaces.com

Since the world of technology is constantly changing and more and more technology applications are based in the cloud; students are encouraged to explore Web 2.0 tools and teach the class how the Web 2.0 tool of their choice works.

Technology tools provide oppurtunities for learning to go beyond the walls of the classroom. St. Cletus recognizes that technology integration can and will make learning more exciting while meeting the needs of diverse (visual, auditory, etc.) learners. 

Web 2.0 extra credit is offered all year long. Your child will be given 10 minutes to teach the class about something they learned independently online. If your child is interested in showcasing a Web 2.0 tool they can access this Web 2.0 wiki site or Google “Web 2.0″. Click here for the extra credit rubric and see how their presentation will be scored. For more information on Web 2.0 and their impact in schools read A day in the Life of Web 2.0

Please contact me with any questions, and happy surfing!     ~Mrs. Flickinger

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Mrs. Bialas-What’s Happening-11-17-11

By Cheryl Bialas | Published: November 17, 2011

Religion-We are continuing to study the stories of the Old Testament, its symbolism and meanings.  Also how God was always with humanity as they suffered through the effects of Original Sin. In the coming chapter, the students will learn about our ancestors in faith.  This will begin after Thanksgiving. We continue to pray daily for the repose of the souls and listen to the saint of the day.

Be Aware:  Religion test-Chapter 4- November 22

Vocabulary-After the holiday, we will go back into our Sadlier Vocab book, Unit 4.

English-Continuing in the area of prepositions, the students will differentiate between using prepositions as adverbs or adjectives.  They will then create colorful images using mostly prepositional phrases.

Reading-In our novel, Flying Solo, the students had to be a character, be interviewed by a newspaper reporter, and respond to questions based upon the character traits of his chosen person.  This allows  them to be a more active participant in the story.  They will also pretend that they are actually in the classroom and write “flashdrafts” as their character did.  Another way to feel “at home” in the story. 

Writing-We will concentrate on learning to write similes and metaphors.

Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful.  Here are my thanks:

  • A many thanks to all who attended Parent Teacher Conference.  It was very insightful. 
  • contributions to the sixth grade walkathon for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospitl.  What an outstanding amount-$1141.25!!
  • The families and their children at St. Cletus School

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL AND GOD BLESS!!

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NEWS Grade 6 Mrs. Dalsin 11-04-11

By Pat Dalsin | Published: November 4, 2011

CONSUMER FAIR:

The students are working steadily and are progressing toward the taste testing of their chosen product.  These will happen the week of 11/14-11/18.  Each child knows their day and time.  The showboards will be ordered soon, and then your child will be able to start getting a feel for the layout of the exhibit.   The oral presentations will be scheduled later, and will be held in January.  Thank you in advance for the help you are giving your student on this project.  If you have any questions, please send me an email.

MATH:  We have been working diligently with decimals, and the classes have been doing a pretty good job.  When we have finished our decimal work, we will begin on fractions.  As the year progresses, the math work becomes more challenging.  As that happens, I will expect more students to need a little extra help and practice after school.  The help sessions are on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:00-3:30.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

We have been enjoying our discussions about Ancient Egypt, and are fascinated by many of the customs of the times.  The students have just completed and presented some wonderful projects on the pharaohs of Egypt.  They were interesting, creative and well done.  They will be on display during conferences.   Please note:  Social studies Test – Ch.3 Thurs., 11/10

SCIENCE:

We have now completed our formal study of the weather, but as the seasons change, we will keep on talking about the weather on a daily basis.  Our next area of study, Inside Earth, will include such topics as earthquakes, volcanoes, and the Ring of Fire.  It is always a favorite of the classes. 

Have a wonderful weekend, and I look forward to seeing you at conferences.

Pat Dalsin 

 

 

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Mrs. Bialas- What’s Happening- 11-4-11

By Cheryl Bialas | Published: November 3, 2011

Reading-The students will be starting their new novel on Monday.  The title is Flying Solo.  The story is about a sixth grade class that does not have a substitute teacher for the day.  It also has a second plot about a girl in the class with select mutism.  It is a thought provoking story that  students in the past have enjoyed.

Vocabulary- We  will continue on two new Greek/Latin roots to help further their vocabulary enrichment. The roots will be “port”, “miss”, “mit”

English-  Now we will continue on in Shurley English with our study of prepositions. 

Writing-the students  are finalizing their Biopoems.  Make sure you read them in the hall before or after Parent Teacher Conference.  You might be the lucky subject!

Religion-we have an All Souls bulletin board dedicated to relatives or friends of people who we are praying for throughout the month of November.  We pray for them before our religion class.  In our text, we continue to discuss our part in being stewards of the earth.  This works well with our service projects that they need to complete. Along with being stewards, the students will be reconginzing how evil entered the world and its consequences.

Be Aware:  Test-Chapter 3- November 10

PTConferences:  Looking forward to Nov. 10 for our conferences.

***Just a reminder:  Our sixth grade service project walk for St.Jude will be held on Wednesday, November 9.  Please send all donations by that morning.

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Mrs. Bialas- What’s Happening 10-21-11

By Cheryl Bialas | Published: October 20, 2011

READING-the students have tested out of the novel, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and will be returning to one story in their basel text for additional skill studies.  They will then go into the new novel, Flying Solo.  While completing Mrs. B. the students put themselves into  the character of Michelangelo and his ability to paint the Sistine Chapel.  They drew   while on  their backs laying on the floor and  were able to get the feel for the hard work involved.  They did this because the subject in the novel was Michelangelo.  I took some pictures and hope to have them in the church bulletin in the future.

VOCABULARY-students are now beginning Unit 3, then review Unit Mastery 1-3.

BE AWARE:  Unit 3 test-October 25

Unit Mastery Test (1-3)  November 3. (tentatively)

ENGLISH-students have tested out of Chapter 2, sentences and various parts of speech and will be working primarily in writing at this time.

WRITING-students are completing their paragraphs on the favorite and most disliked foods.  The idea of  using “other” more choice words in their paragraphs were stressed.  Ask your child what N2SSWTSW represents; an important idea to their writings.  We will now concentrate on onomatopoeia and bio-poems.  Be looking in the hall at PTC-you might be a lucky subject!

RELIGION-with the end of October comes the end of our recitation of the Holy Rosary.  After studying the mysteries, seeing a well-informed video (kid oriented), Bible work, and daily reciting of a decade of the rosary, the children have tested out of this very important aspect of our Catholic faith.  We will now continue to study concepts in our text beginning with our participation as stewards.  The service project, the Walk for Thanks for the St.Jude Children’s Hospital will take place on Wednesday, November 9.

BE AWARE: Service Hours:  last 2 hours will be due October 28.

Please look to the St. Cletus Scoop for all Red Ribbon Week activities,  Halloween info, and additional items.

See all at PTC on November 10.

Mrs. Bialas

 

 

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NEWS from Grade 6 Mrs. Dalsin 10-21-11

By Pat Dalsin | Published: October 20, 2011

CONSUMER FAIR      The work on the Consumer Fair project is about to begin.  In the next day or two, each student will know which of their three choices of product they will be testing.   Then they will need to find three different brands of the same product, in the same flavor.  If, at any time, you have questions about the project or the process, don’t hesitate to email me.

 MATH   The students have just tested on the adding and subtracting of decimals, and we will be going on to the multiplying and dividing of decimals.  Because our math work is getting progressively more complicated, I contine to encourage studetns to stay for extra practice help sessions.  The sessions are on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 3:00-3:30.  How often they attend is up to you and your student.

SOCIAL STUDIES   In our trek around the ancient world, we have now arrived in Ancient Egypt, always one of the students’ favorite places.  Next week one of the things each student will be working on is a presentation on one of Egypt’s pharaohs.  It will be assigned on Tuesday, 10/25, and they will have a week to be ready to present to the class.

SCIENCE   Our study of weather has progressed from weather factors through weather patterns to predicting the weather.   Certainly, the varied weather we have had in Chicago recently has enhanced our study and discussions.  We will soon be expanding our view to include climate and climate change.   Please note:   There will be a test on Chapter 3 on Tuesday, 10/25.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!   Have fun and stay safe!

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News from Gr.6 Mrs. Dalsin 10-07-11

By Pat Dalsin | Published: October 7, 2011

CONSUMER FAIR:

Each year the sixth grade does a Consumer Fair in which each student taste-tests three brands of the same product to see which is preferred by the most consumers and which brand is the best buy.  They will test their classmates and will prepare an exhibit that will be displayed at the end of January.

On Tuesday, Oct. 11, students will be introduced to the Consumer Fair and will be given a few hand-outs to help them along the way.  By Tuesday each student should have a two-pocket folder to devote exclusively to Consumer Fair.   Please ask to see their information, especially the timeline of when the various steps happen.  Thank you in advance for the help and support you will give your child on this project.   If you have questions along the way, don’t hesitate to send me an email. 

REMINDERS:

Math  Help sessions are available to any students on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00 -3:30.  Things haven’t gotten too difficult yet, but there are a few students that would benefit from a little extra practice.

Science  Chapter 2 Test on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Social Studies   Chapter 2 Test on Thursday, Oct. 13.

School Mass   Tuesday, Oct. 11, 9:00 AM

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Mrs. Bialas-What’s Happening 9-29-11

By Cheryl Bialas | Published: September 28, 2011

Religion-Students received their Bibles and will be doing some “getting to know me “in their books in the next couple of weeks.  The Old Testament is the topic of concentration this year-always intereting.  They have just tested out of Chapter 2 and will be concentrating on Bible and the rosary.  They need to have their rosaries with them daily to recite one decade per day.  Knowledge of the mysteries too, will be forthcoming.  We try to incorporate Second Step on bullying where we can, though not to successful.  In addition, we attempt to have a 3 minute meditation daily. 

English-Students have been using the Shurley English system for the second year.  They enjoy the jingles.  Just finished section on Article Adjectives.

Writing-Completed paragraphs on their “spoon.”  Will be working more thoroughly on topic sentences and varying our use of “common” words.

Reading- Students are completing an autobiographical story of a visually disabled youngster.  We will begin our novel, The Mixed-Up Files , next week.

Be Aware:  Test-Little by Little 9-29-11

Vocabulary-Tested out of Unit 1 and are now concentrating on words who have a Greek or Latin root.  This, in addition to their regular vocab study, will help them in the years to come.

Be Aware:  Greek/Latin test on “ped”, “ man-manu ” words- 10-04-11

Keep reading the daily homework assignments to keep up-to-date!

 

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News from Sixth Grade – Mrs. Dalsin 09-20-11

By Pat Dalsin | Published: September 20, 2011

It is hard to believe that we are about to complete our fifth week of school already.  We are certainly grateful for the cool weather we’ve been having.  It makes it a lot easier for all of us to focus on the tasks at hand.  

The sixth graders are gradually adjusting to  being “upstairs” and are stepping up their sense of responsibility.  To this end, assignment notebooks are used everyday, and students know that they are expected to have their work ready on time.  A few homework notices and deficiency notices have been given, but they are just reminders that this is a process that often takes time for a few people.  In addition to student assignment notebooks, I also  try to put homework assignments online every day, and that is where you can keep abreast of any upcoming tests.

Sixth grade is a group of very nice children who work hard and like to do well.  Mrs. Bialas and I look for good things from them this year.

In math we will be testing next week (9/27) on the first chapter.  The children are doing very well so far.  Next we will be moving into work with decimals, first with addition and subtraction, followed by multiplication and division.

We began social studies with some work in geography which we will continue each day with a brief exercise in Daily Oral Geography on the Smartboard.   We have also begun our study of early people with the hunters and gatherers of the Stone Age, and we are learning how those people eventually developed into farmers.

In science,  as you are probably aware, we are currently studying weather and what causes it.  Students have been keeping a chart of two weeks of Chicago weather, and will soon see how that can be done on Excel in the computer lab.

  

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Welcome Back! from Mrs. Dalsin 6-118

By Pat Dalsin | Published: August 30, 2011

WELCOME TO SIXTH GRADE!

I am delighted to be getting to know your student, and I find them to be a hardworking group who are anxious to do a good job on whatever they try.  That’s a very valuable attribute.

Now that we are into our second week of school,  I would like to fill you in on a couple of things that may not have been covered in the Meet and Greet letter.  

 First of all, I will be making math help sessions available to any and all students on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, from 3:00-3:30.  At these sessions, we will practice on any lesson or skill we have recently covered.  It is purely optional, and if a student decides during the day that they want to stay for help after school,  I will let them call you for permission  and to arrange transportation.  If there is ever a change in my schedule, I will try to let the class know in advance.

I will always try to enter grades into Teacher Ease as soon after grading as possible so that both you and your student can monitor his/her grades on a regular basis.  Tests and quizzes are weighted more heavily than daily work, and I will always try to give students about a week’s notice before a test.

I’m sure many questions will pop up along the way.  Please don’t hesitate to email me, and I will respond as soon as possible.

Lastly, thank you so much for your marvelous response to being a lunch supervisor.  I realize how valuable your time is,  and I really appreciate the lunch break.  Thank you again.

 

 

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