Thank you!

     On behalf of myself and the team Taylor teachers, many thanks and gratitude to all the students and families for their generous gifts!  In addition, many thanks for all of the items brought in for yesterday's raffle.  The students and teachers had a blast during our first raffle.  Have a wonderful break and see everyone in the new year!

-Team Taylor

Math Test on December 21 or 22

Hello students and parents/ guardians,

This is a reminder that students will be having their chapter 2 unit test on December 21st or December 22nd, depending on their schedule.  This unit test covers many skills!  The topics/skills/concepts students will be responsible for are listed below:

• Writing decimal numbers as fractions or mixed numbers
• Writing fractions as decimal numbers
• Comparing fractions by finding a common denominator or common numerator
• Ordering fractions from least to greatest using benchmark fractions and common denominators
• Ordering decimal numbers from least to greatest
• Completing the prime factorization of a number and writing the number as a product of primes
• Using LCM or GCF to solve word problems.  Applying reasonableness to the solution.
• Write expressions using the distributive property

Decide which concepts you need more practice on and watch the video below!

Converting any fraction to decimal number

Converting decimals to base-10 fractions

Comparing Fractions

Comparing Decimals

Prime Factorization

LCM or least common denominator

Making Papyrus!

Hello Taylor Families-

In Social Studies we have been learning all about Ancient Egypt. We started with the geography of Egypt and how the geography affected the Egyptians' lives. We learned about the desserts, the Nile, the Delta etc. We then moved on to discuss the daily lives of ancient Egyptians and how their social class effected their lives more than anything else. One of the classes we learned about was scribes and so as a special project after the students took their test was making and painting papyrus. The students were really excited about the opportunity to make their own papyrus. They took paper towels and cut them into strips. Then the students soaked them in watery glue and wove the pieces to create paper. After they dried over the weekend, the students painted images as well as wrote something in code, which was to symbolize hieroglyphics. They had a ton of fun doing this project and they were able to connect their learning about ancient Egypt as well.

~Miss Waks

Equivalent Fractions & Ordering Fractions

Greetings!

In math, students have been working to create equivalent fractions.  Some ways that students may create equivalent fractions are by multiplying the numerator and denominator by the same number.  This is a useful skill as it allows students to compare fractions with unlike denominators because they are able to express these fractions with like denominators.  Students can do this by thinking about multiples for both denominators and finding a common multiple, preferably the least common multiple (denominator).  Students can also simplify fractions by thinking about what factors (numbers) divide evenly into both the numerator and denominator.

We have also began ordering fractions from least to greatest.  A helpful strategy is to use benchmark fractions to help us organize a list of fractions.  We can first sort our fractions by less than a half or greater than a half.  Next, we compare these fractions by searching for a common denominator or a common numerator.

Please watch the following videos below as all of these strategies will become more concrete!

As our first trimester comes to a close, I want to remind students and parents/ guardians of good practices which will lead to more success in math this year.  It is important for students to complete quiz corrections when they do not earn a 100 on their first attempt.  This practice allows students an opportunity to learn from their mistakes which is important in correcting misconceptions.  Next, students are expected to bring their math binder home each night.  At the beginning of the school year, the math textbook was sent home so students do not have to bring it back and forth from home to school.  However, with this accommodation, students are expected to bring their math binder home each night.  Their math binder contains class notes, vocabulary, and example problems from class which they can refer to while working on their homework.  Additionally, making sure your child is fluent in their math facts goes a long way in their success in math.  Encourage them to play math games in order to improve their skills in their facts.  Links will be posted below.  Lastly, please encourage your child to advocate for themselves in school and at home.  If they do not understand something, they are encouraged to ask questions during class and to seek content support during flex.

Comparing Fractions

Least Common Denominator 

One final note, math antics has many videos related to our 6th grade math curriculum.  Please check their videos if you are trying to support your child at home with a particular concept.  Khan Academy is also a great resource!

http://www.mathantics.com/

http://www.arcademics.com/games?grade=5

http://www.arcademics.com/games?grade=6

Mannequin Challenge in Mrs. Welshoff's A period History Class#AncientEgypt

This is one way we review for tests! Mannequin Challenge in my A Period History Class: Egyptian Peasant Class acting out 3 growing seasons - Flooding, Planting, Harvesting

Team Taylor December Newsletter

It is hard to believe that we are wrapping up Term One!  The students have accomplished so much in this first term and we are extremely proud of them. They have learned to navigate their schedules, classroom routines, and have made some new friends in the process.  They are learning how to manage their time when preparing for long term assignments and tests along with learning a new curriculum.

December comes with challenges.  The month is short with the holiday break, and the students' level of excitement is high in anticipation of the holidays!  

We continue to encourage you at home to take a look at your student's agenda book and compare it to our Google Classroom homework.  We also encourage you to check your child's grades via the Aspen portal.  Students are realizing how important it is to complete their homework assignments with great effort.  This has a direct impact on their grades.  

As a part of our Admirable Attribute program, Team Taylor recognizes one boy and one girl from our team who exemplifies the attribute from the authors we read in 6th grade.  December's attribute is Perseverance. 

We value the home/school relationships, please feel free to contact us if you have any concerns or questions about your child's progress.  We have times built into our schedule for parent/teacher conferences.  We meet as a team and discuss your child's progress.  Email is the best method to reach us.