Winter Break

December15, 2009
Dear Parents,
We have finished the first semester of your student’s 6th grade school year. It has gone by very quickly, and we have done a lot of learning together. To help ensure that the knowledge your child has gained in the past four months remains fresh in their minds, I’d like every student to work on one individual assignment in each subject over the break. They are as follows:

Reading: If your child has not yet turned in their December Reading Log, they must do so on January 4th, our first day back. Students who have already read the 200 minutes required this month are encouraged to keep reading!

Math: Each student will be responsible for writing and solving 10 problems focusing on concepts we have learned this semester. Two of the problems should be word problems. Some topic options include: adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals; multiplying and dividing two and three digit numbers; rounding decimals and money; and basic algebra.

Writing: Students must turn in one page of writing. The type of writing is up to each student. Some suggestions include: comparison/contrast essays; persuasive essays; formal letters; friendly letters; haikus; cinquains; free verse poems; first, second, or third person narratives; instructions; etc.

Social Studies: Each student is required to read one newspaper or magazine article and write a one paragraph summary of the article they chose. These articles may be from nearly any source as long as the student is able to relate them to social issues like government, history, modern trends, citizenship, culture, etc.

Science: Over the break, each student must decide upon his/her Science Fair Project. The projects will begin when we return and will be finished by February 17th. Judging will take place the week of Feb. 22-24. Students may work individually or in pairs. The Science Projects will be worth 25% of their Science grade for the 3rd quarter. I will send more information home as soon as possible.

Thank you so much for a wonderful semester! Have a great break and happy holidays!
Sincerely,
Geneva Vásquez