Weekly Newsletters

Week 36 - 37: 5/14 - 5/23

Hello Telluride Core Families!

We've successfully made it to our final day of the school year (tomorrow!), and it has been an absolute privilege working with your 6th grader this year.  I've thoroughly enjoyed being a part of their first year of middle school, and so much so, that I am EXCITED to announce that I will be moving up to 7th grade science next year to join the Avalanche Core!  With that, there's a possibility I'll be able to pleasantly "interrupt" their lives again!  I hope they will be as equally as excited as I am!

We wrapped up our year in 6th grade with the students developing Public Service Announcements for saving the ecosystem.  They were so excited to present these to the class, and if they didn't have a chance to do so yesterday, we'll wrap them up in class tomorrow.  Here's our schedule for our final day together:
  • 8:30 - 8:40 am - 1st Hour
  • 8:45 - 9:30 am  - 6th grade Breakfast
  • 9:30 - 9:55 am - Rotation 1 (with 5th hour class)
  • 9:55 - 10:21 am -  Rotation 2
  • 10:21 - 10:55 am - Lunch
  • 10:59 - 11:20 am - Core Awards (C200 Pod)
  • 11:20 - 11:55 am - Rotation 3
  • 11:55 am - 12:30 pm - Rotation 4
  • 12:30 - 1:30 pm - End of Year Awards (Gymnasium)
  • 1:31 - 2:15 pm - Period 7 Elective

Have a wonderful, relaxing, and SAFE summer break together.  As I tell all of my students before extended breaks, please come back safely to us!

Week 35: 5/7 - 5/11

Hello Telluride Families!

I’d like to start this week’s newsletter with a HUGE thank you to the families who helped provide meals for our Rocky Top Staff, in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week!  My heart is full and so is my tummy! With the sweet cards, the thoughtful letters, and the special gifts students showered me with this week, I’m reminded of how BLESSED I am to be in your student’s life.  THANK YOU!

We wrapped up our Environmental Interactions unit this week.  Your 6th grader will receive his/her graded assessment on Monday, and ALL reassessments need to be completed before or after school on Tuesday, May 15th.  We wasted no time with jumping right into our final mini-unit on Human Impact and Climate Change. The students will begin researching organisms that are affected by climate change on Monday, in preparation for their PSA project, due at the end of next week.

A few announcements: 
  • We will clean out lockers next Friday.  If you know that your 6th grader has 4 jackets and 6 lunch boxes stored up in there, it might be a good idea to have them start bringing items home now!
  • Please, please, PLEASE remind your 6th grader to charge his/her chromebook EVERY night.  As stated above, the students are expected to work on their chromebook EVERYDAY for the remainder of the school year.

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school). 
  • What specific evidence do we have that climate change is occurring?
  • Provide a specific example of how climate change can impact an ecosystem.

Have a wonderful weekend together!  Happy Mother's Day to all the special mommies out there!

Week 34: 4/30 - 5/4

Hello Telluride Families!

Wow!  What a busy and inspiring week it has been!  I LOVED my “Pizza Wicha Teacha” lunch date this week...our students are the absolute BEST!  We ended the day today with our annual dodgeball tournament, and I have to say, the 6th grade teachers gave our 6th graders a little run for their money in the game today!  “Grizzlies Give Back Week” is always a little bit chaotic because the kids are more amped up than usual, but to see them cheering each other on and to witness their giving spirits (and yours!) is really what it is all about.  Thank you SO MUCH for all you do! It was an amazing week!

Another celebration for the week is our Science MAPs test results.  As a core, 80% of our 6th graders demonstrated GROWTH in Science over the course of the year, with 87% of them MEETING or EXCEEDING the end of the year benchmark for 6th graders in Science.  WOW!!! As I’ve been telling our 6th graders the whole year, they truly are CHAMPIONS!

Next week, your 6th grader will complete the Unit 3 Ecology Assessment (open-note) on Tuesday.  Over the weekend, the students are encouraged to go through their “Unit 3: Environmental Interactions” tab in Google Classroom to organize/review their notes.  After our unit assessment, we will venture into our last mini-unit on abiotic factors and human impact on our environment.

A quick reminder… 
  • Please, please, PLEASE remind your 6th grader to charge the chromebook EVERY night.  We still have two-and-a-half weeks of school, and the students should expect to work on their chromebooks everyday for the remainder of the year!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school). 
  • What happens to an ecosystem when a species is completely removed.  Provide an example.

Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 33: 4/23 - 4/26

Hello Telluride Families!

I hope you are enjoying your beautiful Friday!  My daughters and I are looking forward to a fun time with the community tomorrow morning for the “Grizzlies Give Back” 5K - we’d love to walk with you, so please make sure to find me!

We spent much of the week exploring how energy is transferred through an ecosystem.  In our hands-on lab, the students set up a “bucket brigade” of dixie cups with different numbers of holes in the bottom. They passed water along their brigade, demonstrating how water/energy is lost as it passes through the trophic levels of a food web. In addition to the content, we worked on data collection and lab skills. It was an eye-opening, wet experiment!  We ended the week with a simulation of how the availability of resources in an ecosystem can impact a deer population. Ask your 6th grader about the pattern in the deer population data over the course of the 10 trials.

Important Announcement: 
  • “Grizzlies Give Back” Week kicks off TODAY with our online auction!  Please be sure to keep an eye on the Schedule of Events for the upcoming week.  It’s going to be a GREAT, INSPIRING WEEK!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school). 
  • What is the 10% rule as it applies to Ecology?
  • We know that energy is lost in the ecosystem, as it is passed from one trophic level to the next.  Where does it go, then?

Have a wonderful, long weekend together!

Week 32: 4/16 - 4/20

Hello Telluride Core Families!

Happy Friday!  We’ve continued working hard in our Ecology unit and took a little break when we went on our “Math at the Mall” field trip.  I didn’t realize how much energy and brainpower it takes to spend $5K! The students and teachers all agreed that it was a fantastic field trip and gave them plenty of practice on number crunching and budgeting!  Special “thank you” to our parent volunteers...we’re unable to conduct these extended learning opportunities without you!

Lions and tigers and bears…oh my!  Actually, it’s more like phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, sharks and microorganisms!  Ecology vocabulary, food webs and trophic levels have been the focus of our week.
The 6th graders will take an open-note quiz on Monday to check-in on their understanding of food webs.  For the remainder of next week, we will investigate how changing variables impacts different components of an ecosystem.

Important announcements: 
  • To ensure a t-shirt, TOMORROW is the LAST day to register for our 4th Annual GGB 5K Fun Run/Walk (or Hibernate), which takes place on Saturday, April 28th.
    • Sign up by clicking HERE - please help me (Mrs. Lombardo) WIN the staff competition and type my name on your registration form
    • For the full schedule of events for Grizzlies Give Back Week, clickHERE
  • Science MAP testing - Thursday, April 26th
  • NO SCHOOL for students on Friday, April 27th - please see the emailed letter from Superintendent Gdowski

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school) 
  • Where do decomposers fit into the food web?  What’s their role?
  • Which trophic level do you eat from, most often?  (pick a food item and figure out which level it came from)

Have an enjoyable weekend together!

Week 31: 4/9 - 4/13

Hello Telluride Families!

We have a short note this week, as we’ve been busy with CMAS testing.  The 6th graders have done so well persevering through the testing sessions and “showing what they know” on these state assessments!  Earlier this week, we continued our exploration on Ecosystem Interactions, and the students are fascinated by some of the interactions animal species have for survival!

***IMPORTANT NOTE: Our “Grizzlies Give Back” Week is quickly approaching and to kick it off is our 4th Annual GGB 5K Fun Run/Walk (or Hibernate) on Saturday, April 28th 
  • Sign up by clicking HERE - please help Mrs. Lombardo WIN the staff competition and type her name on your registration form
  • To ensure a t-shirt, please complete your registration by April 22nd

A quick reminder… 
  • Our “Math at the Mall” field trip is NEXT Thursday, April 19th.  Students should bring a sack lunch or money for lunch. Please direct all questions to Mr. Cramer, as he is the master organizer for this field trip - I am only a messenger :o)

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school).
  • Describe a mutualistic relationship in an ecosystem.  Which organism benefits or do both?
  • Describe a parasitic relationship in an ecosystem.  Which organism benefits?

Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 30: 4/3 - 4/6

Hello Telluride Families!

We have jumped into our last big unit of the year--Ecology. This is a fun unit, as kids have so much background knowledge and can make many great connections as we lay the foundation with the new vocabulary.  This week, we have been focusing on interactions in an ecosystem and how those interactions affect an organism's survival in its environment.

A couple reminders… 
  • CMAS testing for 6th graders begins NEXT week on Wednesday, April 11th and will conclude on Friday, April 13th.  Please help your student remember to bring the following items on each day of testing:
    • sharpened pencils
    • hand held pencil sharpener (optional)
    • book or magazine to read (must be paper, not electronic)
    • water and healthy snacks (optional) for break time
    • ***NOTE:  Electronics of any kind are NOT allowed in classrooms during CMAS testing.  This includes phones, Chromebooks, e-readers, smart watches, etc.  Thank you for talking with your 6th grader about this and ensuring that our testing rooms are free of electronic devices!
  • Our “Math at the Mall” field trip is on Thursday, April 19th.  Please be sure to turn your permission slip in to Mr. Cramer and make your payment ONLINE.  Teachers cannot accept cash or check payments.

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school).
  • What is an abiotic factor?  List a couple of examples.
  • What is a biotic factor?  List a couple of examples.
  • Explain how biotic factors and abiotic factors interact in an ecosystem.

Have a wonderful weekend together!  Stay WARM!

Week 29: 3/19 - 3/23

Hello Telluride Core Families!

Happy Spring Break!  Our study of energy resources has finally concluded!  The 6th graders worked diligently this week on creating board games (or video games) to teach the facts, advantages, and disadvantages of each energy resource.  Between all of the hustle and bustle, tape and glue, scissors and construction paper… our classroom has never seemed so messy, BUT the mess was proof of their hard work this week!  The students enjoyed playing one another's games in class today, and it was a really nice way to end our third quarter. 
Grades for the energy game have been added to IC, and if your student was absent and/or would like to improve his/her grade on this project, all "re-do's" and "additions" need to be completed by Friday, April 6th.

Earlier this week, your 6th grader should have brought home an Xcel Energy Kit.  The Xcel Program is a great way to launch energy saving discussions in your home.  Each energy kit contains LED light bulbs, a low flow shower head, sink aerators, an energy saving night light, a furnace filter whistle, toilet bowl leak detectors, and a thermometer.  Installation of the products is completely optional. The full kits are yours to keep! Directions and activities are provided in the kit.
I do ask that each student completes the Home Energy Worksheet (white paper) and returns it to class by Wednesday, April 4th.  If you'd rather, you are welcome to complete this same survey online by clicking on this link: http://hews.nef1.org/.  My teacher ID is 79771.  THANK YOU for talking about and participating in energy savings in your home!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school). 
  • What energy resource did your project focus on?
  • What are the advantages of your energy source?  What are the disadvantages?
  • Which energy source do you think we should be using more of?  Less of? Why?

Have a WONDERFULLY AMAZING Spring Break!  Be safe!

Week 28: 3/12 - 3/16

Hello Telluride Core Families!

This week, we wrapped up our natural energy source research and presentations, and I was very impressed with how comfortable the 6th graders were with presenting in front of their classmates!  The 6th graders completed their final piece of work on their natural energy source by writing an informational paragraph in class today. If your 6th grader was absent today, s/he can either complete the writing at home ( CLICK HERE for outline and directions) and turn in on Monday OR your 6th grader will be called in for lunch to complete the written paragraph.  We finalized our week by discussing the science behind electronic cigarettes and vaping.  Thank you for talking with your 6th grader about this alarming epidemic.

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school). 
  • What dangerous chemicals are found in electronic cigarettes and vape pens?
  • If smoking/vaping is so bad, why are tobacco companies making their products so appealing to children and teenagers?

Have a wonderful, relaxing weekend together!

Week 27: 3/5 - 3/9

Hello Telluride Core Families!

I still can’t believe it is already March!  We have been busy this week exploring where energy comes from to power our homes, schools and communities, as well as to make all of the things we use in our everyday lives.  The 6th graders took part in a heated game of natural resources BINGO and discovered just how many natural resources are used to produce everyday items. Today, the students were introduced to the group research project on natural resources, and they will begin their work on Monday.  The group research assignment will consist of completing research, compiling a slide presentation, and presenting their energy source research to the class.

A few quick announcements... 
  • Spring pictures are right around the corner (March 21st) - your 6th grader should be bringing home a yellow slip for more information
  • On Tuesday, our school counselors will be visiting our science class to help the students register for their 7th grade electives.  Please feel free to peruse the 7th Grade Registration Guide with your 6th grader over the weekend and discuss the elective options for next year!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school).
  • How would you describe a non-renewable natural resource to a 3rd grader?  What are three examples?
  • How would you describe a renewable natural resource?  What are three examples?

Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 26: 2/26 - 3/2

Hello Telluride Core Families!

This week in Science, we have "channeled our inner rock" as we made our way through the Rock Cycle.  The 6th graders worked on a "Rock Cycle" doodle, so be sure to ask them about their work!   We are taking our Rock Cycle Quiz first thing on Tuesday, March 6th, at which time your 6th grader should have his/her Rock Cycle Study Guide complete and ready to turn in.  We will give students the opportunity to reassess on this quiz because it is their final chance to improve their Earth Science score; however, students will not be able to reassess on this quiz UNLESS they have a completed study guide.

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school).
  • What are the three types of rocks and how are each formed?
  • What processes in the Rock Cycle are energized by the sun?
  • What processes in the Rock Cycle are energized by the core? 

Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 25: 2/20 - 2/23

Hello Telluride Core Families!

Happy Friday to you!  We’ve spent this short week investigating the various forms of sediment that make up sedimentary rocks.  The 6th graders completed a Sedimentary Rock Lab to test which form of sediment deposits first in a body of water.  Today, we began our study of metamorphic rocks and are well on our way to wrapping up our mini-unit of the Rocky Cycle next week!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school).
  • Explain the procedure of the Sedimentary Lab Investigation.  What was the purpose of the lab?
  • Why is Limestone a “special” sedimentary rock?

Stay warm and have an enjoyable weekend together!

Week 24: 2/12 - 2/14

Hello Telluride Core Families!

Happy Valentine’s Day!  My heart is full on this special day, as I'm reminded of how much I absolutely LOVE the opportunity to spend time with your 6th grader!  We really do have a special group of students this year!  This short week, we’ve defined and observed various igneous and sedimentary rocks, and we’ve made connections to our study on plate tectonics by documenting where rocks form on (and in) Earth.

A few reminders… 
  • NO SCHOOL for students tomorrow, Friday, and Monday (Feb. 15th, 16th, and 19th).  Students return to school on Tuesday, February 20th.
  • Drop-in parent/teacher conferences are tomorrow evening, from 4:00 - 8:00 pm.

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school).
  • Why would you only find fossils in a sedimentary rock?  Why couldn’t you find fossils in an igneous rock? (think about how each rock type forms!)

Have a wonderful, long weekend together!

Week 23: 2/5 - 2/9

Hello Telluride Core Families!

We have rocked and rolled our way into rocks and the rock cycle in 6th grade Science!  The kids had fun this week adopting a pet rock, naming it, and then writing the story of how it changed over time to become the rock it is today.  Ask them to read their stories to you!  Students began to explore how each rock type forms, and they are making connections to our plate tectonics unit, as they think about where the different rock types form.  

Grades for our Unit 2 test on Plate Tectonics will be entered into Infinite Campus over the weekend and those graded tests will be returned to students on Monday (1st hour students received their tests back in class today).  Students have the opportunity to reassess if they earned a 1 or 2 on the assessment.  In order to do so, students MUST attend a study session before reassessing.  Reassessments for this unit test are ONLY available on the following days next week:
  • Tuesday morning, 7:50 am
  • Tuesday after school, 3:50 pm
  • Wednesday morning, 7:50 am

A quick reminder and an announcement... 
  • Lately, many students have been coming to school with Chromebooks not fully charged.  Please remind them to do this each night, as this is one of our "Chromebook Commands" and should be part of their nightly routine!
  • Beginning next week, students will only have two bathroom passes per week in Science.  Unfortunately, students are taking it upon themselves to leave the classroom EVERY day to use the bathroom and are missing out on several minutes of science instruction each week.  While we understand that bathroom emergencies arise, students are encouraged to use the bathroom during their passing period. 

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school).
  • What are some of the forces or energy sources that changed your pet rock over the years?
  • Why is  basalt is the most common igneous rock?
  • How can the size of the crystals in an igneous rock help you identify how it was formed?

Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 22: 1/29 - 2/2

Hello Telluride Families!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and had a chance to catch the Super Bowl game! Way to go, Eagles! 

Today, your 6th grader demonstrated his/her learning on the unit assessment for our second unit on Earth's Processes. For the remainder of the week, we will discuss pangaea and continental drift, as well as other related theories. By the end of the week, we will move onto our final unit in Science: Environmental Interactions. 

Second Semester Conferences will be held from 4:00 - 7:45 pm on Thursday, February 15th. The Telluride Core teachers will be in the cafeteria for drop-in conferences. Your 6th grader should have brought a conference slip home with conference information and indicating if, whether or not, we have any academic or behavioral concerns at this time. You are still welcome to attend conferences, whether we have indicated concerns or not. Please sign the conference paper and return to school as soon as possible. If we do not receive the signed conference form, you should expect a phone call from your 6th grader during school on Wednesday.

Have a wonderful week!

Week 21: 1/22 - 1/26

Hello Telluride Core Families!

It has been a FULL week of reinforcing the plate tectonics concepts, through a variety of hands-on activities and visuals. The 6th graders explored how plate movement can either add crust to the earth or remove (destroy) crust on Earth. We’ve learned the direction of movement for each type of plate boundary and, more specifically, the events and geologic features formed at each of the boundaries. We even “mapped” the depths of the ocean floor, right below where Columbus “sailed the ocean-blue!” We ended the week with a short quiz over plate boundaries. 

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school).
  • What evidence can you use to identify a divergent boundary?
  • Why do you think Earth is staying about the same size? (using what you know about plate tectonics)
Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 19 & 20: 1/9-1/12, 1/16-1/19

Hello Telluride Families! 

I was out of the classroom on Friday last week, so I did not have the opportunity to properly welcome you back from Winter Break. I hope you all had a relaxing, enjoyable break with your family! I also want to extend a HUGE thank you for the special gifts that were given to me prior to the break...I sincerely appreciate each and every gift. Your generosity and kindness are heartwarming.

Since returning from our break, we’ve been hard at work as we've continued analyzing of plate movement. The 6th graders have explored high-level evidence from a variety of maps to identify plate boundaries. Additionally, they researched and learned about the three types of plate boundaries, which they will rely on next week to identify specific boundaries around the world, using evidence from the maps. Talk about impressive science! This is not an easy unit and the students have been rock stars! We will have a short quiz late next week (open note) for the students to show off their new understanding of plate boundaries and types of movement. 

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • What type of plate boundary formed the Himalayan Mountains? Are the Himalayas (and Mt. Everest) still growing?
  • Since Iceland is at a divergent boundary, is it growing or shrinking? Why? Have a wonderful weekend together!
Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 18, 12/18 - 12/22: 


Hello Telluride Families!


We made it!  I am so impressed by the kids’ ability to stay focused in the midst of all the holiday cheer and extra doses of sugar.  We worked until the bitter end, and then we all had a great time letting loose at Winter Fest!  After break, we will be picking up our study of earth’s tectonic plates.  Ask your 6th grader to tell you about the real-word data that scientists (and now your 6th grader!) have used to identify plate boundaries. 



Progress grades will be posted after break.  "Physical Science" is the only grading bucket that is final, as we have addressed all of our 6th grade physical science standards for the school year.  The "Earth" score and the "Scientific Practices" score are both a "work in progress" and will continue to evolve as we address current and new standards in each of those buckets.  You will also see five "Scholarly Habits" scores for each class.  Your 6th grader completed a self-evaluation of his/her scholarly habits in science class, so please ask your student what score s/he marked for each habit.  Please also take the time to view the Scholarly Habits Rubric by clicking on THIS LINK, as scores might be interpreted differently than we might think.  For example, according to the rubric, "Respect" focuses on respect of one’s learning (staying on task, being a positive peer leader, etc.), not necessarily if whether or not your 6th grader is solely respectful to his/her teacher.  Please let me know what questions you might have...I am happy to help!



A few reminders…

  • Earbuds would be a great thing for Santa to bring!  Many kids do not have a pair at school, which makes watching video clips a challenge.  
  • Pencils would also make a great stocking-stuffer.  Inexpensive and so very useful!!!


Again, I am SO incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of your 6th grader's life.  We certainly have a very special group this year, and my heart is SO full.  Have a wonderful, relaxing break with your family!  I will see you all in the new year!

Week 17: 12/11 - 12/15

Hello Telluride Core Families!

Whew...we’re almost to our final week before winter break! This week, we have been using our knowledge of how molecules “ behave” to begin our study of convection currents in the mantle of Earth.  All of the work students have done this year with atoms and molecules has helped make this concept so much easier to understand for the kids.  Next week,  we will be exploring plate boundaries, where the kids will look at how shifting plates help shape the Earth.

A few reminders… 
  • The Personal Care Products (for men) Drive will continue through December 20th.  Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed!  We are still in need of men's hats, and if you are able, please consider donating.  Please drop off new men’s socks to the big box in the main office.
  • WinterFest is taking place on Thursday, 12/22 from 2:15 - 3:45 pm - tickets for games and food items go on sale during lunch on Monday - students are not required to purchase tickets, as admission to WinterFest is FREE and there are plenty of FREE games for the students to play, too!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school) 
  • How does a lava lamp work?
  • How does energy cause the tectonic plates to move on Earth?

Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 16: 12/4 - 12/8

Hello Telluride Families!

This week we immersed ourselves in density… density of water, density of pine, density of copper, aluminum, acrylic, oak, and the list goes on!  We were able to predict materials that would float and materials that would sink in water, simply by calculating density.  Pretty cool stuff!  We ended our week with our Density Quiz, and we will be moving right along with Earth's Processes on Monday!

A quick reminder… 
  • The Personal Care Products (for men) Drive will continue through December 20th.  Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed!  We (Mountain House) are currently in the lead for collecting men's hats - way to go, CHAMPIONS!  The drop-off location is in the main office - THANK YOU for your generosity and support!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school) 
  • Which is more dense, a bag of potato chips or a can of sweet peas?  Explain why.
  • Does changing the size of an object affect its density? 

Have a wonderful weekend together and enjoy the beautiful way-too-warm-for-December weather!

Week 15: 11/27 - 12/1

Hello Telluride Families!

Happy December!  This week, we wrapped up "The Water Project" with a Padlet (a digital “sticky note” board) of projects being done to help communities around the world.  Seeing all of the projects displayed on our board, filled us with both hope and inspiration.  We will definitely think twice before taking our water resources for granted!   To finish up the week, the 6th graders completed a pre-test for our second unit "Earth's Systems" and began our investigation of mass versus weight.  Next week, we will be learning about density, as we explore earth’s interior.  We will quickly move into plate tectonics and how those interactions shape Earth.

Your 6th grader should have showed you his/her graded Unit 1 assessment.  Students are eligible for a reassessment ONLY if they earned a 1 or 2 on any part of the assessment.  In order to reassess, students must do the following:
  1. ​​complete test corrections on their test - corrections can be made directly on the test in a different color pen/pencil OR can be made on a separate piece of paper
  2. bring test corrections to ONE study session with Mrs. Lombardo - options for test study session NEXT WEEK: Monday (after school until 4:10 pm) OR Tuesday (before school beginning at 7:50 am)
  3. complete the reassessment during ONE of the following study sessions NEXT WEEK: Tuesday (after school until 4:10 pm) OR Wednesday (before school, beginning at 7:50 am)

A quick reminder…the "Personal Care Products (for men) Drive" will continue through December 20th.  Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed!  The Telluride Core is part of the Mountain House, and we are collecting men's hats.  Donations can be placed in the wrapped box labeled "Mountain House" in the main office.

Are Y​ou Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • ​What community did you study for the Water Project?  What problems did they face?  What improvements have been made?
  • Are mass and weight the same?  Explain why or why not.

Have a wonderful weekend together and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Week 14: 11/13 - 11/17

Hello Telluride Families!

The 6th graders have been working so hard this week that we’v e decided to give them next week off! Really...all staff and students are off for Fall Break next week, and we will all return to school on Monday, November 27th.  Happy Thanksgiving!

This week, we started “The Water Project” and students have been hard at work learning about water abundance and water scarcity through a variety of hands-on activities.  We have had rich discussions about the global struggle for clean water, as we compared this to our own access to water here at home.  It has been eye-opening for many students to see (and experience) what it might be like to have a lack of good, clean water resources.  I have been so impressed with the connections our students have made and the empathy they show.  We will wrap up “The Water Project” when we return from Fall Break and begin our next unit, Earth Systems.

A few announcements... 
  • We beat Stargate in the canned food drive - whoop whoop!  Our AMAZING Grizzlies donated just over 3000 canned and nonperishable food items for the Thornton Police Department food drive.  Our Rocky Top students and families are SO generous and supportive, and I know our community is overwhelmingly grateful for the food we have been able to provide for their Thanksgiving meals.  We are still awaiting the results for the school-wide competition, and I am confident we gave Mr. Brunecz a run for his money...we will see!
  • Schoolwide Hygiene Item Drive - Student Council has been making and delivering sack lunches to the Salvation Army Men’s Shelter (Downtown Denver) for several years.  Recently, the people that run the shelter have indicated that the men they serve are in need of hygiene products and warm, winter clothing.  Each “house” is collecting a different category to donate.  If you are able to donate new items, our Telluride Core (Mountain House) is collecting men’s winter hats.

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • What percentage of the Earth’s water is freshwater?  What percentage of that freshwater is accessible?
  • Share Gladys' story.  How would your life be different without indoor plumbing?

THANK YOU for sharing your children with me.  It is an absolute privilege to spend each day with them, and I am SO grateful to be a part of their 6th grade year.  My heart is full!

Have a safe, relaxing, enjoyable break together!

Week 13: 11/6 - 11/9


Hello Telluride Families!

November has delivered some chilly weather this week and fits perfectly into the end of our discussion on phase changes!  Students completed their unit assessment this week, and we jumped right into the water cycle.  We made connections to what many 6th graders already know about the basic water cycle, and we will work on correcting some misconceptions and extending their learning with additional scientific jargon (ask your 6th grader what that is!) next week.  While the kids are familiar with some of the concepts from elementary school, we continue to take them to the next level by further analyzing these concepts on a molecular level.



A few quick reminders... 

  • There is NO SCHOOL TOMORROW, in observance of Veteran’s Day.
  • BRING ON THE CANNED GOODS - the Thornton Police Department has extended our deadline for donations, and with that, our neighboring school Stargate has challenged Rocky Top to beat them in the canned food drive.  Let’s ACCEPT this challenge and help support our community and continue donating canned goods.  The final deadline for donations is next Friday, November 17th.  SPECIAL NOTE: Because I am SUPER competitive and love getting our 6th graders involved in our community, I am offering one Lombardo Loot point per item donated - let’s see who reads this special note! :o)



Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)

  • Why is it important to learn about and study the water cycle?
  • Why should we care about the water cycle?  


Have a wonderful, LONG weekend together!

Week 12: 10/30 - 11/3

Hello Telluride Families!

Happy November to you!  We are wrapping up phase changes on Monday and will take a quiz next Wednesday.  While evaporation, condensation, freezing and melting may not sound like a ton of fun, we’ve had a great time speeding up cloud formation in a cup system (condensation), watching a cast iron bomb explode from mighty molecular attraction (freezing), and designing and implementing a lab to increasing the rate of melting.  On Monday, the 6th graders will be conducting their own investigations for increasing the rate of melting an ice cube - I am excited to see them carry out their own scientific procedures!  The students will also receive a study guide on Monday to prepare for their quiz on Wednesday.  In the meantime, please visit our "Unit Resources" tab on our science blog for Quizlet reviews.

A few quick reminders…


  • Daylight Savings is THIS WEEKEND! Set your clocks BACK one hour before going to bed on Saturday night and enjoy one EXTRA hour of sleep!
  • We’re still collecting CANNED FOODS in your student’s FIRST HOUR classroom until Thursday, November 9th. Thank you for supporting those in need right here in our own Thornton Community!
  • NO SCHOOL on Friday, November 10th in honor of Veteran’s Day.

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)


  • ​Explain why potholes form in the winter when temperatures are colder.
  • What is your table team's testable question for your ice cube investigation on Monday?  What is your independent variable?  What is your dependent variable?


Have a wonderful weekend together! 
COME ON BRONCOS!!!

Week 11: 10/23 - 10/27

Hello Telluride Families!

It's so hard to believe that October is coming to an end!  This week, we focused on evaporation and condensation.  While the 6th graders are familiar with these concepts from elementary school, we take them to the next level by analyzing them on a molecular level.  Additionally, we spent some time addressing common misconceptions about the state of matter of a cloud (it’s not a gas!).

Announcements:
  • HALLOWEEN COSTUMES & FALL FESTIVAL  - Tuesday, October 31st -- thank you for those of you who have already contributed to our candy and cookie stash for Fall Fest.  If you haven't had the chance to contribute yet, we will gladly accept your donations on Monday!  The 6th graders are SO EXCITED for this event!
  • SPIRIT WEEK!
**Monday: Pajama Day!
**Tuesday: Costume Day!
**Wednesday: Black Out Day!
**Thursday: Country vs. Country Club Day!
**Friday: Pep Assembly & House Color Day - Mountain House wears GREEN!
FALL DANCE:​ 6 - 8 pm

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • ​Look for real world examples of evaporation and condensation.  In each example, is energy being added or taken away?  What’s happening to the molecules?  
  • Explain why liquid water collects​ on the outside of a glass of ice water.

Have a wonderful, safe weekend together!

Week 10: 10/16 - 10/20

Hello Telluride Families!

This week, we continued to observe the effects of adding and subtracting thermal energy to solids, liquids, and gases.  We learned that heat causes molecules in both a liquid and a solid to move faster and spread apart.  Ask your 6th grader to explain whether or not the heated brass sphere fit through the ring when heated.  We applied this same concept to gases with a great lab on blowing bubbles.  Science is so much fun!

Our "Rocky Top READS" event was a big success today!  Thank you to all of you who donated your time and your money to support your kiddos and our classrooms.  Ask your child who his/her favorite speaker was today.

A few quick announcements...

FALL FESTIVAL
On Tuesday, October 31st, we are planning a 6th grade "Fall Festival" for our students.  Students will be participating in various games and activities with their peers.  We are asking for your help with a donation for our Fall Festival to use for activities and prizes:
  • ​store-bought packaged cookies (i.e. Oreos, Chips Ahoy, Nilla wafers, etc.)
  • bags of individually-wrapped Halloween candy (this is what we need the MOST!)

Students can give these items to Mrs. Lombardo before or after school, through Monday, October 30th.  Thank you!

HALLOWEEN
On Halloween, your 6th grader is welcome and encouraged to wear a costume to school.  We have just a couple of reminders regarding costumes:
  • ​They must be school appropriate and adhere to our dress code.
  • They can’t wear full face masks or full face make-up.
  • They can’t bring fake weapons.
  • No clown costumes.


Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • ​Do the molecules in a solid move?  What happens to the molecules when they’re heated?
  • How can you use heat to blow a bubble?


Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 9: 10/9 - 10/12

Hello Telluride Families!

I hope your 6th grader is enjoying this Friday off!  It was so nice to see many of you at conferences this week.  We appreciate your time and support!  This week in Science, we began bridging the connection between Energy and Matter.  Through several different mini-labs and demonstrations, we learned that molecules have kinetic and thermal energy.   Students have also been working on communicating the effect temperature has on the speed of molecules in a liquid.

A quick reminder...
our "Rocky Top READS" event is happening NEXT FRIDAY, October 20th.  Keep working on those donations, as 100% of the money generated through this event will go directly to Rocky Top classrooms.  Donations may be made in cash, check or with a credit card through www.payforit.net.  Your child can turn in the donation sheet and any funds collected to his/her first hour teacher next week, but donations may be made through October 27th.  Thank you in advance for your support!!!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • Explain your observations of the yellow and green food coloring in the cold water beaker.  Explain your observations of the yellow and green food coloring in the hot water beaker.  What do your observations tell us about the speed of water molecules in cold water?  In hot water?
  • When using a thermometer, explain why the red liquid level increases when placed in a beaker of hot water (explanation should go beyond "because the water is hot").
  • When liquid molecules are cooled, describe the types of energy the molecules have and if whether or not the molecules have a high or low attraction to other molecules.

Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 8: 10/2 - 10/6


Hello Telluride Families!



I apologize for my tardiness in getting this week's email to you - I'm sending my best all the way from Lindsborg, Kansas, as we visit several colleges in the area for our oldest daughter!



This week in Science, we discovered just how amazing water really is!  We jumped into our next section of the "Water and States of Matter" Unit and made lots of connections to the atoms and molecules discussions and learning objectives within the unit.  We will be taking an in-depth look at changing states of matter on a molecular level.


***CONFERENCES!!!  Drop-in conferences will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11th from 5:00 - 7:45 pm and Thursday, Oct. 12 from 4:00 to 7:45 pm.  While we’d love to be able to chat with every family, the time goes very quickly over these two evenings.  Please be respectful of our time and that of other families and consider limiting your conversations with each teacher to about 5 minutes.  Another suggestion would be to meet only with the teachers in the classes in which you feel your 6th grader could use a little bit more support.  If middle school is running like a well-oiled machine for your child, feel free to stop by and say "hello" to your 6th grader's teachers and leave early for a delicious ice cream treat!  The Telluride Core teachers will be in the cafeteria during the evening of conferences.  PLEASE have your 6th grader bring his/her chromebook that evening, as that will be the best avenue for helping explain your child's progress in class.


Our "Rocky Top READS" fundraiser has begun!  100% of the money generated through this event will go directly to Rocky Top classrooms.  Your child received a donation sheet this week in 1st hour.  The read-a-thon will be held on October 20th (with some amazing guest readers from the community), but donations may be made through October 27th.  Donations may be made in cash, check or with a credit card through payforit.net.  Thank you in advance for your support!!!

Are You Smarter than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk about when your 6th grader says s/he did nothing at school)

  • ​Students investigated with water droppers and popsicle sticks.  Ask your 6th grader to explain why the water was so hard to separate with a popsicle stick but so easy to put drops back together.
  • We did a demo with water and food coloring.  Ask your child to explain why the food coloring mixes into the room temperature water on its own (without mixing or stirring the water).


Have a wonderful, relaxing rest of your weekend together!

Week 7: 9/25 - 9/29


Hello Telluride Families!

Happy Friday!  Things have been a bit sticky this week, as we built molecule models out of gumdrops and toothpicks.  The 6th graders counted gumdrops - er, atoms - and applied bonding rules like CHAMPIONS!  Once we were a bit more comfortable with the concept, we ditched the gumdrops in favor of virtual diagramming!  Much less sticky!  



Drop-in conferences will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 11th from 5:00 -7:45 pm and Thursday, Oct. 12th from 4:00 to 7:45 pm.  While we’d love to be able to chat with every family, the time goes very quickly over these two evenings.  Please be respectful of our time and that of other families and consider limiting your conversations with each teacher to about 5 minutes.  Another suggestion would be to meet only with the teachers in the classes in which you feel your 6th grader could use a little bit more support.  If middle school is running like a well-oiled machine for your child, feel free to stop by and say "hello" to your 6th grader's teachers and leave early for a delicious ice cream treat!  The Telluride Core teachers will be in the cafeteria during the evening of conferences.   


Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?...(great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school!): 

  • ​Ask your 6th grader how many atoms (gumdrops) make up a molecule of water (H2O), a molecule of hydrogen gas (H2), or a molecule of methanol (CH3OH).
  • Ask your 6th grader to draw his/her favorite molecule and explain the bonding rules for each atom.  


Last announcement...next Wednesday (October 4th) is National Walk/Ride to School Day, and I will be walking to school with the students that morning!  I will meet a group of students on the corner of 145th and York (other locations will be announced in "News From the Top!" later today), if you'd like your student to participate and walk with me and their peers.  We will begin walking at 8:00 am.



Have a wonderful weekend together!  GO BRONCOS!!!

Week 6: 9/18 - 9/22

Hello Telluride Families!

Autumn has arrived!  We traveled back in time earlier this week, as we continued to explore our understanding of the atomic theory over time.  I am always so impressed with the level that our kiddos are willing to think.  The content is very challenging and they have done such a great job using multiple resources to create a digital timeline and write a paragraph summary of how our understanding of the atom has changed over time.  We also had our first quiz over the atom, periodic table and writing a good testable question.  Today, we discussed Safety Practices in the Science classroom, as we will have our first official lab investigation on Monday!  Yay!

A quick reminder… we don’t require a lot of supplies in Science, but please remind your kids they need to bring pencils to class everyday.  My supply is quickly depleting!  Additionally, some students are already getting lazy about charging their Chromebooks each night.  They need enough juice to last ALL day!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school):
  • ​Explain how the theory of the atom began. (hint: Democritus) 
  • How is the "chocolate chip cookie model" of the atom different from the model we know today?
  • Identify two safety practices in our science classroom.

Have a wonderful weekend together!  GO BRONCOS!!!

Week 5: 9/11 - 9/15

Hello Telluride Families!

It has been a busy week in Science, as we've continued to explore various elements on the Periodic Table!  We mastered atomic math and spent time researching specific elements with an interactive periodic table. We also took a step back in time and began looking at the history of the atom (atomic theory).  Students have been navigating through several resources to understand how we have come to know the currently accepted model of the atom.

New this week...students had the opportunity to use "Techbook", which is our online textbook, to delve into the Periodic Table.  Each student has a login and can use this resource/extension anytime.  In addition to finding the link here, the "Techbook" is linked on my blog. The username is the student's Adams 12 email address and the password is "rockytop".  

We will have our first quiz on Wednesday over atoms and the periodic table.  To prepare, students should review their e-vocab (found in Google Classroom), warm ups, and their Atomic Math handout (will be handed back on Monday).  If your 6th grader missed any e-vocab definitions, they can find an updated copy in the "Unit Resources" page on my blog.

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • ​Explain how the Periodic Table of Elements is organized. (by an element's atomic number and mass, which also relates to specific properties of the element - i.e., metal, non-metal, gas, flammable, etc.)
  • Explain why it makes sense that we can calculate the number of neutrons by subtracting the atomic # from the atomic mass. (the nucleus is the heaviest part of the atom, which is composed of protons and neutrons.  We subtract the atomic #, which is the number of protons, from the atomic mass and we are left with the # of neutrons)

Your 6th graders are fantastic!  Have a relaxing weekend together!   GO BRONCOS!

Week 4: 9/5 - 9/8

Hello Telluride Families!

It was a short but BUSY week in 6th grade Science.  Unfortunately, we had to start the week with Science MAPs testing, BUT your 6th graders approached the test with a CHAMPION mindset and are excited to see their growth in Science over the next several months.

We introduced and have continued exploring the information on the Periodic Table of the Elements, and we learned how to calculate the number of protons, neutrons, and electrons in an element. In addition to practicing our atomic math, we had a lot of fun trying to sing our way through every element on the Periodic Table - it's a catchy tune! Ask your 6th grader about the special performance they witnessed in class today! :o)

A quick reminder…
  • ​Kids need earbuds or headphones frequently in class.  The Dollar Store has a good supply if your kiddos tends to misplace things easily
  • ​Grades are being entered into Infinite Campus - please check those with your child frequently

Are You Smarter than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • ​Why do scientists use models? (to investigate/learn information about things in our world that are too small and/or too big to see or hold)
  • ​Name three pieces of information you can gather from looking at the Periodic Table (atomic #, # of protons and electrons, atomic mass, element symbol, element name)
  • ​If an element has an atomic # of 3 and an atomic mass of 7, how many protons, neutrons, and electrons make up an atom of that element? (3 protons, 4 neutrons, 3 electrons)

Have a wonderful weekend together! GO BRONCOS (on Monday!)!!!

Week 3: 8/28 - 9/1

Hello Telluride Families!

Happy Friday to you!  We've finished another great week at "The Top"!  The 6th graders have been busy exploring the parts of an atom, the charge of each particle in an atom, and how to identify is whether or not an atom is neutral.  Next week, we're jumping right into the Periodic Table of Elements - can't wait!

Please note: completing classwork after an absence is SUPER important!  Please encourage your 6th grader to check the Science Blog and Google Classroom each day. All warm ups, class activities, and any homework (we haven't had science homework yet :o) needs to be completed.  My study sessions are Thursday afternoons, from 3:50 - 4:15 pm (please remember to print a hall pass from the Rocky Top webpage).  I am also available before school (with a pass), during lunch, and after school on most days to help with assignments and to answer any questions.  Please have your kiddo check with me, in advance, if they need to come in during these times.    

Are You Smarter than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school) 
  • ​Identify the three particles of an atom and their respective charges - [proton (+), neutron (neutral - no charge), electron (-)]
  • ​Explain what happens to the overall charge of the atom if there's more protons (+) than electrons (-) - (the atom is positively charged)
  • ​Ask your 6th grader if s/he can sing "The Atoms Family" song to you (or any part)!

Have a wonderful, LONG weekend together!

Week 2: 8/21 - 8/25

Hello Telluride Families! 

It has been an excellent first, FULL week in Science. We did lots of team building activities and were able to set up Chromebooks.  The kids have become experts on navigating hallways, changing classes, and opening lockers (weeeellll... a few lockers are still a bit of a challenge, but I'm confident they'll conquer those next week!)  Today, we began learning about very tiny things.  We started exploring the term "atom" and read  What's Smaller than a Pygmy Shrew?" in class.  Next week, we will journey even further into this atomic adventure!

A couple important announcements...
  • My classroom phone is currently down and the district is in the process of replacing it for me.  If you need to share anything with me or have any questions, please email me.
  • Please remind your child to plug in his/her Chromebook each night.
  • Student IDs should be worn EVERY single day at school.  Thank you for helping your 6th grader make this a part of their "outfit" each school day!
  • We will GRACIOUSLY accept donations of tissue and black dry erase markers, as we use our AMAZING white board tables in class everyday.  Thank you!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk to your kids about when they say they did nothing at school)
  • What’s a fear that your child overcame this week?
  • What is your child’s favorite part about middle school, so far?
  • Ask your child if s/he accomplished the task of cutting the piece of paper down to the size of an atom.  Why or why not?

Have a wonderful weekend together!

Week 1: 8/16 - 8/18

Hello Telluride Families!

Welcome to Rocky Top! This has been an excellent first week in Science!  It has been so wonderful getting to know your 6th grader!  I have told all of them several times already, but they are the reason I love to come to school everyday!  Thank you for sharing them with me!

This week, we were able to complete some "get to know you" activities and learn about solar eclipses.  We are anxiously awaiting the viewing of the total solar eclipse on Monday!  I am missing a couple permission forms for participation on Monday, so PLEASE check in with your student if you have yet to sign a permission form.  Per district policy and for the safety of our students, no student will be allowed outside during the solar eclipse without a signed permission form.

Also, if you haven't done so already, please read the Parent and Student Handbook, sign the verification form, and have your student submit to his/her 1st hour teacher.

Students should bring their Chromebooks to school on Monday.  We hand-engrave the students' Chromebooks to help ensure each student keeps his/her own Chromebook and for theft protection.  If you do not want your child's Chromebook engraved, it is not required.  You can use stickers or another method for identifying your student's Chromebook, but we highly suggest at the minimum, that your student's name is written/labeled somewhere on the Chromebook.  The Science teachers will engrave on Wednesday, and if you DO NOT want your child's name engraved on his/her Chromebook, please send me an email BEFORE Wednesday.  Thank you!

Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?... (great things to talk about with your kids when they say they did nothing at school!)
  • What is one thing you learned about another student in your science class?
  • Explain the moon relative to the sun and the Earth during a total solar eclipse.
  • What is the most important thing you learned about safety during a solar eclipse?

Have a WONDERFUL weekend together!

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