| Welcome to our website.
I'd like to welcome each and every one of you to Lynnhaven. It's going to
be a great year! I will post a synopsis and highlights of our weekly
lessons on the "Weekly News Flash" page. If you supply your e-mail address
you will receive the update each week electronically. Otherwise, I invite
you to check back often to enjoy a connection with what your child is
learning in history.
June 9-13 We did it!
It has been my privilege to teach your children this year. Your children are
our future. They are the idealism that renews the beauty of the world around
us.
They brought an abundance of talent, energy, and potential to class each and
every day. Additionally, wondrous milestones have been met throughout the
year. I have seen frustrations turn into growth, determination turn into
academic success, and shyness turn into nurturing friendships. Take some
time to look them squarely in the eyes today; tell them how much you cherish
them and take great pride in all that they are.
As I reflect on the past school year I am most appreciative for the kindness
and support I've received from parents, grandparents, and students alike. A
sincere thank you is extend your way.
Finally, I would like to invite you to my website one more time. Please take
a moment to sign my guestbook or e-mail me a note letting me know what you
thought of the year. I appreciate and welcome your suggestions and
comments. Your suggestions help me improve my communications with parents
for the coming year, and your comments on my guestbook help parents of rising
6th graders know what to expect.
Remember my door is always open. If I can be of service to you and your
family in the future through recommendations or as an academic reference,
please don't hesitate to contact me.
Have a fun and safe summer!
Kendra
June 2-6 TA-DA!!! Wednesday it all culminated as we took the
Statewide SOL Social Studies Test. I did an informal poll and it seems
overall everyone seemed to think they did a good job on the test. Some felt
it was "easy" others commented, "it was really hard". Bottom line: If you
studied and tried your best, be proud of your accomplishments. Parents and
students, you should receive the results of your test in the mail this
summer. We ended the week with a couple of celebrations. Students were
treated to the movie National Treasure II. It's a historical fiction take on
the assassination of Lincoln. Friday was the school-wide celebration of the
Lynnhavens rain garden. Students were treated to popsicles outside, courtesy
of our wonderful PTA. Have a beautiful weekend!
May 26-30 This week we drilled hard ALL the facts and figures we had
learned ALL YEAR. Students continued their reviewing for the Social Studies
SOL Test coming up on June 4, 2K8. This week we reexamined the Colonial
Times, American Revolution, New Government, Civil War and Westward
Expansion. Mid week was spent playing review games and earning credits for
their SOL logs. Keep reviewing at home!
May 19-23 We are just a little over two weeks away from the 6th Grade SOL
Social Studies Test. Students reviewed the following units: Geography, Major
Rivers and Bodies of Water, American Indians, and Exploration. Each day
students reviewed questions on each subject and were asked to again review
that evening. Parents asked to get involved by reviewing with their child
and or signing the students SOL Log as verification of review. The next day
students took self-checking SPEED QUIZZES to test their knowledge. Thank you
for your support! Let us not forget the men and women who
serve this country on Memorial Day. Have a great long weekend!
May 12-16 The week began with the students examined what our country went
thru after the Civil War and into Reconstruction. They watched a very
important video on Robert Smalls which showed his impact on African Americans
during this time of our history. Students continued their study of
Reconstruction. We reviewed the 13th Amendment which banished slavery in all
US states and territories, the 14th Amendment which granted citizen ship to
persons born in the US, and the 15th Amendment which ensured all citizens the
right to vote regardless of race or color. One group that still was not
allowed to vote was women. By weeks end students leaned about the
assassination of President Lincoln, his predecessor Andrew Johnson and a
quick trip to the computer lab to brush up on SOL facts. Students also
tackled such reconstrutionist vocabulary as Scalawag and Carpetbagger. Be
sure to ask them what they mean. Progress Reports were sent home on Friday.
Have a great weekend!
May 5-9 Students concluded their study of the Civil War by examining
the effects of the war on the North and South populations. Women played and
important role as nurses namely Clara Barton who started the Red Cross.
African Americans were utilized in navel crews yet did not receive the same
pay or rights as white American soldiers. One famous African American during
the Civil War was Robert Smalls. Students learned he later became one of the
first freed slaves to serve in a government position. Students ended the
week reviewing past objects by playing online games. Happy Mother's Day! Mom
I love you. <3
April 28- May 2 Students quickly picked up where we left off
covering the key leaders during the Civil War: Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson
Davis, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, and
Frederick Douglass. We then moved on to the major key battles and events:
Firing on Fort Sumter which started the war, the first major battle of Bull
Run/Manassas, the Emancipation Proclamation which ended slavery in the
confederate states, the battle of Vicksburg which gave the North control of
the Mississippi River, the battle of Gettysburg which was the turning point
of the war, and finally Lee's surrender at Appomatox Courthouse. Enjoy your
weekend!
April 21-25 The week began reviewing for our Road to Civil War test which was
was a Take-Home Test. Wednesday was a fun day of Trash Can Trivia.
Thursday was a mix bag of City Wide Quarterly Testing and classroom building
by playing Blind Pictures
April 14-18 It was a short week but, not short on learning with 99% of the
students passing the Abolitionist/Suffrage Test. Well done! Students
continued their SOL Question review and spent the rest of the week examining
the cultural, economic, and constitutional difference between the North and
South prior to the Civil War. See if they can list some of those issues. My
guess is, they will nail them all! Later in the week we looked at the causes
of the Civil War and all of the compromises our nation attempted to keep our
union together. The US tried relentlessly to appease both the North and
South thru the Missouri Compromise, The Compromise of 1850, Fugitive Slave
Act, and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. The idea of popular sovereignty was also a
huge topic of discussion. We ended the week with our customary SOL Review
Quiz and a trip to the Computer Lab for research and reviewing. Have a
beautiful spring weekend!
April 7-11 It was an awesome week of learning! We examined three key figures
of the suffrage movement: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and
Sojourner Truth. Stanton organized the first women's convention. Anthony,
spoke publicly for co-education and was arrested for voting in a presidential
election. Sojourner Truth was an educated slave who traveled and preached
for women's rights and the abolitionists movement. Students will have a test
on the Abolitionists and Suffrage Movement next week. Updated progress
reports were sent home and as usual we continued our SOL reviewing. Have a
great weekend!
March 31-April 4 Welcome Back! We began our study on famous Abolitionists
and Suffrage leaders. Students should be able to define abolitionist:
someone who fought to end slavery. They should also be able to tell you the
main ideas behind the abolitionist movement. Abolitionists believed slavery
was morally wrong, cruel and inhumane, and violated the principles of our
democracy. We discussed the following abolitionists and their
accomplishments: Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and William Lloyd
Garrison. We continued our SOL questioning by reviewing Colonial Times. We
ended the week with the laptops and a websearch thru the Underground
Railroad. Have a terrific weekend!
March 24-28 SPRING BREAK! Have fun. Be safe.
March 17-21 We concluded our study on Westward Expansion and the
Industrial Revolution by examining the impact of such inventions as: the
cotton gin, reaper, steamboat, and steam locomotive. Ask your child who
invented each machine and what effect it had on peoples lives. Mid week we
took our test and I'm thrilled to say the students did a terrific job. Tests
were sent home on Friday. The students got to attend the theatre departments
production of The Divinci Cold, featuring our own Michael Mc. Bravo Michael
for a fantastic performance. Have a wonderful and safe Spring Break everyone!
March 10-14 A big welcome to our new student teache Ms. Tate. She comes to
us from Longwood University. This week, students continued their exploration
of the expansion of the United States from 1801-1861. Students also examined
geographic and economic factors that influenced westward movement: Population
growth in the eastern states, economic opportunity, e.g. Gold Rush, cheaper
and faster transportation, e.g., Erie Canal, steamboats, and overland trails
like the Oregon and Santa Fe. They created a booklet illustrating the reasons
people moved out west. Finally, we learned a song about expansion to help us
recall all the added territories. We have soome great crooners! Finally, we
continued our SOL review with a quiz on Explorers. Have a great weekend!
March 3-7 This week we delved into the expansion of the United States.
This was a time in our history viewed by writer, John O'Sullivan as our
Manifest Destiny. “Manifest Destiny”—The idea that expansion was for the good
of the country and was the right of the country. Each day we mapped a
different territory: Louisiana Purchase, Florida, Texas, Oregon Territory,
and the Mexican Cession which gave us California & Southwest. Students
learned how we acquired each territory: Spain gave Florida to the United
States through a treaty. Texas was added after it became an independent
republic. The Oregon Territory was divided by the United States and Great
Britain. War with Mexico resulted in California and the Southwest territory
becoming part of the United States. We ended the week with our second of SOL
review quizzes and visiting the computer lab to traverse the Oregon Trail.
Have a great weekend!
Feb. 25-29 Students did a great job on the First Five Presidents test.
Evidence of this will be sent home in their Progress Reports this Friday. We
continued our study of Westward Expansion by examining the purchase by our
third President Thomas Jefferson that more than doubled the size of our
United States; The Lousiana Purchse. Students went to the computer lab to
engage in a websearch wherein they became a part of the Lewis and Clark
expedition. In addtion to working in our Interactive Notebooks, this week
also brought about a new addition to our routine. We started our weekly SOL
review quizzes. Students will reviw past objectives each day that culminates
in a quiz each Friday. Happy Birthday to leap-year babies!
Feb. 18-22 It was a short week due to President's Day. We started the week
with a review of the First Five Presiden'ts to gear up for our test on
Wednesday. The rest of the week was spent introducing the new unit on
Expansion. We first watch a short United Streaming exploring how we acquired
all fifty-states. By the end of the week we were examining the types of
transportation that were available during the 1800's. Students couldn't
imagine not being able to travel with ease like they do today. Not to
mention no electricty for video games. Sheesh. They also, got to find out
the tremedous effort and sacrifice other went thru to get to the west coast
when I read to them "The Donner Party" saga. Finally, they had the task of
creating their own futuristic mode of transportation. Have you ever heard of
a vehicle running on soda? Have a great weekend!
Feb. 11-15 We concluded our research on the First Five Presidents adding to
our list James Madison and James Monroe. Number four James Madison presided
during The War of 1812 and caused European nations to gain respect for the
US. James Monroe continued to build our nation by introducing the Monroe
Doctrine, warning European nations not to interfere in the Western
Hemisphere. We watched short videos on each of these presidents and
uncovered interesting facts about them and their families. Did you
know Dolly Madison's favorite ice cream flavor was Oyster? Yuck! Happy
President's Day! No classes on Monday. Have a terrific long weekend.
Feb.4-8 The month of February means the celebration of Black History Month!
We started our exploration with Benjamin Bannekar. The great surveyor and
astronomer. Bannekar's expertise was brought to light when he helped design
our national capitol, Washington DC. Additionally, students are busy
learning about the first five Presidents. We started out with non-other than
the Father of our Country~George Washington. Mid-week we were up to our
second president~John Adams, Along the we reviewed the rise of political
parts, namely Federalists lead by Alexander Hamilton and Democratic
Republicans, lead by Thomas Jefferson. On Friday students spent the day in
the computer lab researching their famous African American. Afterwards, they
created cinquain bio poems for display. Have a great weekend!
Jan.28-Feb.1 We started the week viewing short videos and reviewing for our
New Government Test. By mid-week we worked in cooperative groups to
understand the first ten amendments, written by James Madison, otherwise
known as the Bill of Rights. Fun was had by all when we all joined together
in a sing-a-long on the Bill of Rights. This catchy number was a sure-fire
hit. Ask them to share it with you. Wednesday we tested. We lost no ground
on Thursday or Friday....students used the laptops to learned about the first
political parties: The Democartic-Republicans, lead by Thomas Jefferson and
The Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton. Report cards went home on
Friday. Have a great weekend!
Jan.21-25 We are concluding our unit on a New Government by identifying the
basic principles of our government including separation of powers and checks
and balances. We have a Constitution based on a federal system of
government that shares the power between the national government and state
governments. Additionally, we examined the three branches of government:
Legislative (Congress) makes the laws, Executive Branch (President) carries
out the laws, and Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) interprets if laws are
constitutional. By mid-week we worked in cooperative groups to understand
the first ten amendments, written by James Madison, otherwise known as the
Bill of Rights. Thursday, students got to test their knowledge on all
material cover so far in the school year by taking the City-Wide quarterly
test. Enjoy your long weekend!
Jan.14-18 We started the week examining what could be considered our first
constitution: The Articles of Confederation. We learned there were some
definite weaknesses: weak national governement, no common currency, no
judicial or executive branch, only one vote in congress no matter how large
they population and no power for Congress to tax. Students noted the
challenges faced by the new nation and that basic principles would need to
be established in our Constitution. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!
Jan.7-11 It was our first full week back. Students examine all the key
events and battles of the American Revolution: The shot heard 'round the
worlk ~ Battle of Lexington and Concord. The turning point of the war~
Battle of Saratoga. The final surrender by Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. By
mid week we were ready for a test review. Students had a musical review by
singing along and watching SchoolHouse Rock~History Rock. They enjoyed such
selections as; No More Kings, Fireworks, and Shot Heard 'Round the World.
Thursday we had our final test on the Revolutionary War. We ended the week
working in groups to brainstorm answers to the question, "what does a new
country need to survive?" Students also designed freedom flags to represent
the new found liberty of the United States. Progress reports were sent home
on Friday. Have a great weekend!
Jan 2-4 Welcome Back. Students reviewed the Key Individuals of the
American Revolution. What famous patriot said, "Give me liberty, or give me
death?" Did you remember that was Patrick Henry? We also explored the key
ideas of John Locke: Life, liberty and property. Later Thomas Jefferson
turned those words into the famous declaration of Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness. The students ended the week by joining the framers of
the Declaration of Independence. They too got to sign the delclaration. Be
sure to ask to see their copy!
Dec. 17-20 I always love teaching the American Revolution. The students
seem to enjoy learning about fair -vs- unfair issuses, and what better to
examine the issue than thru the birth of our Nation. We started the week
reveiwing for the Road to the Revolution test. Students completed their
study guide questions then played a group game using the actual test. I'm
excited to say scores look thru the roof! The balance of the week was spent
gearing up and participating in our own Boston Tea Party! Thank you to all
the parents who donated sugar cubes and or all those delicious cookies. The
students had a great time and so did I! Have a safe and blessed holiday
break. See you next year.
Dec.10-14 It was such a fun week of learning! Students got to reinforce
their knowledge on the events that lead up to the American Revolution by
viewing the LibertyKids videos. They read about key players who helped guide
Americans during this turbulent time of history and those who helped
construct our Declaration of Independence such as John Locke, Ben Franklin,
Thomas Paine and Patrick Henry. "Give me liberty or give me death!" The
week
ended with an official progress report senthome on Friday. Our test for the
Road to Revolution will be on Wednesday, December 19th. Have a great
weekend!
Dec.3-7 We started the week off with our test on the 13 English Colonies.
The ballance of the week was spent on the "Road to Revolution". Students
examined the Political and Economic relationships between the colonists and
England. They learned Britain had a huge debt to pay after the French and
Indian War, and they were enlisting the help of the colonists to help pay it
down. All week we examined the legislative acts King George III enacted to
keep control over the colonists and there were quite a few: Proclamation of
1763, Writs of Assistance, Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Declaratory Act, Townshend
Acts, Coercive Acts and Intolerable Acts. But the colonists didn't take
these new rules from the monarchy lightly because they will soon retaliate.
Stay tuned to find out more! Have a great weekend!
Nov.26-30 We started the week in the computer lab doing some interactive
research online with Libertyskids. This is a great website. Students
enjoyed learning about the early days. Did you know crushed brick was the
toothpaste of the times? Or that the average colonist only attended school
until the 3rd grade? We reviewed the different types of people in the
colonies and their social positioning: Large Landowners, Farmers, Artisans,
Women, Indentured Servants and Slaves. Students worked on their interactive
notebooks and created Colonial Couplets describing the different types of
people of the colonies. On Friday we created flashcards on the laptops to
ready ourselves for the test on the 13 English Colonies on Monday. Have a
wonderful weekend!
Nov. 19-21 Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 12-16 This week we extended our understanding of the 13 Colonies by
examining the political, social, and geographical qualities of the New
England, Mid-Atlantic and Southern Colonies. Students also learned the two
key reasons why the English came to America: religious freedom and economic
venture. The Puritans, Separatists, and Quakers all settled to avoid
religious persecution for not wanting to follow the Church of England.
Jamestown, Roanoke Island (The Lost Colony) and Georgia were all settled for
economic reasons. We ended the week with a quiz on all the material we had
covered. Additionally, students were issued their first official report
card for the nine weeks. Have a wonderful weekend!
Nov. 5-9 It was a short three day school week but just enough time to start
our new unit on The Thirteen Colonies. Students participated in a Sensory
Visualization activity wherein they had to use their senses to describe what
someone on the Mayflower might have been experiencing. They followed up the
activity by reading a letter from Lizzy, who was a passenger on the
Mayflower. Finally, they wrote their own "Friendly Letter" home. Students
also created maps identifying the locations of the thirteen English
colonies. We ended the week constructing a 13 English Colony Puzzle.
History, patriotism, courage--our nation's veterans teach us many lessons.
Remember them on Veteran's Day!
Oct. 29-Nov.2 Students began the week working in their Interactive
Notebooks
reviewing the objects for their Explorers Test. Students took their test on
Tuesday and I'm excited to report a 95% pass rate. Way-2-Go! On Wednesday
students began a reflection writing. They had to create a story which
included five topics that they had learned so far in the school year. The
balance of the week was spent taking the Quarterly Test. This is a city-
wide
test given to all sixth-graders to see what information is "sticking" and
what might need to be revisited. We ended the week and the first nine weeks
with a video to gear us up for our new unit on Colonial America. Thank you
to all the parents who sent in candy for the children. They really enjoyed
the treats. A reminder no school for students on Monday and Tuesday.
Consider taking your child along with you to vote on Tuesday. Have a great
weekend!
Oct. 22-26 Each day we reviewed the 3-4-3: Three MOTIVES of exploration,
four OBSTACLES and three ACCOMPLISHMENTS. By mid-week we had covered all
four of the major European Explorers, who they explored for and their claim
to fame: Cabot~England~ Eastern Canada, Coronado~Spain~Southwestern US,
Champlain~France~ Quebec and La Salle~France~ Mississippi River Valley.
Thursday we had short quiz and the remainder of the day was spent
discussing
and mapping the Portuguese and the trade they conducted with the three West
African empires: Mali, Ghana, and Songhai. We ended the week in the
computer
lab conducting research on the African Societies and a Mali Scavenger Hunt.
The Explorers test will be on Tuesday, October 30. Pumpkin carving
time...Enjoy your weekend!
Oct.15-19 13 We started the week out by reviewing for our Native American
test. By mid-week we were beginning our new unit on European Explorers
(US1.4a,b. Students first examined the MOTIVES behind why people wanted to
explore. The three G's: GOLD, GOD, and GLORY. They read about just how
dangerous life was for an explorer on the seas during the 1400-1600's.
Students uncovered the OBSTACLES that explorers faced such as disease,
starvation, lack of supplies, poor maps & navigational tools, and of course,
fear of the unknown. We colored and labeled the parts of the explorer's
ships which are called CARAVELS and enjoyed coloring sailors, solving a
shipwreck maze, and labeling a diseased sailor. Lastly, we uncovered the
ACCOMPLISHMENTS that were gained from early exploration. These include:
improved maps & navigational tools, new empires, and exchange of goods and
ideas. An updated progress report was sent home on Friday. Have a terrific
weekend!
Oct.8-12 It was a fast paced week of learning. Early on we discussed in a
Socratic Seminar, how the first Native Americans were able to adapt to their
geography and climate in order to meet their basic needs (US1.3a). By mid-
week we were identifying the five different Native American Tribes (US1.3b)
These first Americans included: Inuit, Kwakiutl, Pueblo, Sioux and
Iroquois. We colored territorial maps, viewed short videos and sang songs
to reinforce the information we need to know about each tribe. Students
also played a card sorting game to reinforce their learning and
understanding of each tribes Region, Climate, and Characteristics. Have fun
playing the game at home while helping your child study. The big test is
Tuesday!
Oct.1-5 We started the week reviewing for our Geographical Regions test.
Students were tested on Tuesday and by mid-week we had moved on to exploring
the major waterways. Students worked in their interactive notebooks
creating maps and noting key facts about each river or waterway. We ended
the week with more map work on the five Native American Tribes: Inuit,
Kwakiutl, Sioux, Pueblo and Iroquois. Informal Progress Reports were sent
home on Friday. Happy Birthday to my wonderful daughter. Have a beautiful
weekend!
Sep. 24-28 It was a week of testing. Students participated in the Stanford
10 Testing on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This test compares the same
basic knowledge of all 6th graders nation-wide. By mid-week we were
creating maps of the 8 Geographical Regions and learning their locations and
descriptions. Do you know what geographical region we live in? Students
practiced their knowledge by creating a study-guide foldable and playing
testing games on laptops. Have a wonderful Fall weekend!
Sep.17-21 WOW! It was a busy week. We started out the week reviewing and
then testing the seven continents and oceans. The sixth grade dance was
held on Tuesday and Open House followed on Wednesday. Thank you to all the
parents and caregivers who ventured out. Your support is very important.
The remainder of the week was spent working in our Interactive Notebooks.
Take a moment to look over all their hardwork. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sept 10-14 It was another successful week of learning. Yipee!!
Academically, we started the week out by taking a Citywide Pre-test. This
diagnostic test allows me to see areas your child might already have
commanding knowledge. We also tackled our first quiz which reviewed the
seven continents and major oceans. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sept.4-7 So much has already been accomplished in just 4 short days.
Students learned all about middle school rules and classroom expectations.
We reviewed the seven continents, major oceans and key waterways. Lockers
can be an obstacle to overcome. But, they are such a wonderful rite of
passage. :-) It has been a fantastic week. Let your child know how proud
you are of them; they are doing a great job transitioning into middle school
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