The Year In Sixth Grade

Last Week

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:09:00 +0000

Two semester exams on Monday and Tuesday and then movie time for two days!

Christopher turned in his PE uniform and cleaned out the PE locker on Tuesday. He cleaned out his school locker on Monday.

No backpacks on Wednesday or Thursday. He just took his phone and a pencil. He did have one last tutoring session Wednesday a.m. to re-work a quiz he took the day he got back from our baby weekend.

I can't believe the year is done.

Seventh Grade Football

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:08:00 +0000

We had our meeting last night for seventh grade football. There are many forms to fill out -- and we need to get a physical done, which I've already scheduled for mid-June.

The coach said about 70 percent of the kids who play football have never played before -- I find that hard to believe, but maybe because my son has been playing football for years now, I cannot comprehend it!

I'm so excited that practice will be after school at school -- no more driving from downtown in pre-5 p.m. traffic to get him and then going back toward downtown in 5 p.m. traffic. And, games are on Tuesdays -- not Saturday a.m. And, everything is free. All we have to buy are cleats.

I'm ready for seventh-grade school football.

Intramurals

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:31:00 +0000

We have it at 7:30 am Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

We play basketball.

Jake and Brandon are on my team most of the time. Sometimes we win.

Nepal Project

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Wed, 20 May 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Wrapping up the year with a project. Uh, why now?

It's a social studies project so that means all kinds of Internet searching.

Christopher selected the Asian country of Nepal. Oh, and he was supposed to include it's history. Seriously, a 1500 year-old-country's history on a poster board.

He was most excited about the flag and using a font for Nepal that looks "Chinese."

When will homework be done? School's almost out!?

Monthly

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:57:00 +0000

It seems to be monthly postings these days -- we used to be so on top of this stuff.

Recap:
Athletics -- Christopher is in the athletics class for next year and has been doing intramurals at 7:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He loves it.

TAKS -- Oh, our favorite. This is not a pass/fail year, meaning we just take it to take it. He had Reading and Math last week. He said the math was easy -- he only missed two -- one he had to ask me about which in turn we had to ask Allison -- definition of an acute angle. He said reading was tough. I think it's just exhausting. Six passages with about 10 questions each. But it's over and again, it doesn't matter.

Academics -- Oh, yeah, the important stuff. He's making As again, but math has dropped to a B. I'm sure he'll pick it up before the end of the nine weeks. He's struggling with English right now -- his teacher reads aloud from a book and the kids then take a quiz. He had tutoring this morning (no intramurals which he hated!) to help him with his listening comprehension skills. I think the teacher dims the lights -- and it is the last period of the day -- perfect combination for falling asleep, right!?

He's growing up and I've seen such a change from this time last year to now. His conversations are so much more grown up and the questions he asks -- whew. Girls still aren't a big deal. And, he still calls me everyday as he walks home -- actually, walks about a block and then Garrett's grandparents pick him up. He will still tell me he loves me and hold my hand from time to time. But there are times when he says "mom" in that voice of a pre-teen. Aggravated, frustrated, irritated type voice. Yeah, hormones.

Today he had a science test and said it was easy. He likes to study last minute -- hmmm, where did he get that from?! -- but has a great memory.

Only a few weeks left and we're on to seventh grade.

Time Flies

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 22:58:00 +0000

It's been over a month since Christopher and I posted. Time flies.

Christopher wrapped up his third nine weeks with straight As. He's done so well this year. I can't believe his only B in the first nine weeks was an 89!

He's enjoying his art class so much -- his basketball piece was in the district art show and received a blue ribbon.

Science and Math are still the top core subjects with him. Social Studies falls in and out of favor based on the day and the project.

His recent Reading "Heritage" project earned him a 100. He started off thinking Petri was a Greek last name so when we explained the Lithuanian background and the fact he was a mix of German, Lithuanian and British from my side . . . he was really confused. Then, throw in African and he didn't know what country's flag to put on the project.

Tomorrow, he begins sixth-grade intramurals at 7:30 a.m. I'm sure this is a way for coaches to see the kids in action before seventh-grade sports. He's kind of nervous, but excited at the same time. His concern is the clothes he will wear.

Only nine weeks of sixth grade to go . . .

Spring Break by Chris

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:49:00 +0000

It's Spring Break. We have no school for a week. I'm glad.

We're In!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 15:48:00 +0000

We received the letter informing us Christopher will be at Harris next year for seventh grade. Thank you God!

He's thrilled. We're thrilled.

I e-mailed the principal to thank her for her encouragement. Now, to the woman at the desk accepting the forms . . .another story.

Oh, yeah, school

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:47:00 +0000

We are so busy with packing and planning for the move that we have kind of forgotten about school. I guess that is what you get with a child such as Christopher who is making good grades and doing well.

But a quick update:
Turned in the school choice form February 19. The receptionist defines our chances as "slim." Panic sets in so I e-mail the principal. Principal Clemons informs me there should be no problem -- she'll call the superintendent if need be! Love that go straight to the top approach.

Christopher moved out of debate into an AIM Reading course. Why, I ask the teacher via e-mail. He's a bubble student. What? He passed the fifth-grade Reading TAKS, was one point shy of commended and is currently making a 98 in reading. So again, why? He was disappointed initially that he was moved out of debate. Now, he said he's OK with it. Alright.

Social Studies and Science tests. Science was "easy" according to Christoper. Social Studies -- on European history -- was a bit harder. He said, "If I have one more ism to learn . . . " Socialism, Capitalism, Colonialism, Nationalism . . . they get confusing for me, too.

So, as I wrote above, school is humming along.

School Choice

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:02:00 +0000

Christopher needs to pick up a school choice form at school so we can get in his request to stay at Harris next year for seventh grade. It's a bit aggravating that the form isn't online.

The form is due by March 31 so we have plenty of time, I just want us to be at the head of the line. Harris isn't capped so it should not be a problem.

Author Visit by Chris

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Obert Skye came to visit our school today. In first period, we went to hear him. He was interesting.

Michael Phelps and Debate

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:32:00 +0000

Last night, as we watched A-Rod claim naivety and stupidity for steroid use (how about greed, maybe?), Christopher said "I know all about that."

Apparently, in debate, the for and against topic was if Michael Phelps should go to jail for smoking pot. Alright, welcome to middle school.

Christopher said he was for Michael Phelps going to jail because he was just a guy like everyone else. He also said he won't do drugs because you get addicted and then your whole life changes. Sweet. Good answer.

Art Class by Chris

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 02:31:00 +0000

I like art. We did this painting with latex paints. Mrs. Fox had this big pump thing where we could pick the colors.

My colors didn't match exactly, but Mrs. Fox said she liked the difference.

Prepping for Seventh Grade

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 01:08:00 +0000

We've only started the second semester of sixth grade and preparations have already started for next year. Could this stuff go by any faster?

Today, Christopher brought home his choice sheet for seventh grade. He'll have eight classes next year (as he does this year).

He will continue with Art as his main elective. Instead of PE, he'll take Athletics. He told me he'll ask his coach about it tomorrow, but he thinks he'll make the list for seventh grade athletics.

He'll take English, Science, History and Reading. We'll sign him up for Pre-AP Math.

And, for his AIM class -- it is used as a study hall for some kids who need extra help or as a UIL Academic class for GT kids. He can choose from a handful of classes -- this year was debate. Next year will be . .oh, I'm so excited about this . . .

Journalism! I beamed when he told me. Then, he said for me not to get too excited. "It's just the best thing for boys of the choices. Everything else is for girls." Well, OK. Whatever. He is going to take journalism. I'm so happy!

It's Official

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:35:00 +0000

Received the report card in the mail . . .

Straight As for the second nine weeks and the first semester.

Yippee!

End of Nine Weeks

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 20:13:00 +0000

Without the official report card in hand, it is being mailed, but after checking my favorite website Parent Portal, I feel confident I can write . . .

CHRISTOPHER MADE ALL As!! For both the second nine weeks and the semester!!

Talk about achieving a goal. We are so proud.

Attendance Office

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:24:00 +0000

I called the attendance office Tuesday morning from our plane as we left Boston. I needed to notify the school Christopher would be out.

What a difference middle school is.

In elementary school, we told his teacher before he would be out for a trip and we would get the homework prior to his missing school. And, the teacher would be thrilled about the adventure. No worries about notes, excuses, absences.

When I called the school the day he would be out (no calls prior to the day), the call went as follows:

Me: My son will not be in school today.

Attendance Office Guy: Grade?

Me: Sixth

Attendance Office Guy: Team?

Me: Y, Rockets

Attendance Office Guy: Name?

Me: Christopher Petri-Adams

Attendance Office Guy: Petri- Adams?

Me: Yes

Attendance Office Guy: I have it marked down that Christopher Petri-Adams won't be in school today.

Quite an official call. Tuesday evening, we received a call at home from NEISD reminding us to bring a note because our child missed one or more periods.

Wednesday a.m. Christopher brought his note to school, which I wrote with the basics -- he missed school January 20, 2009, due to personal reasons. The end.

He went to the attendance office, got his slip, had each teacher sign and he was done.

Just the facts. Get back to class.

Backpack by Chris

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:22:00 +0000

I'm trying to use my Under Armour backpack. It's smaller than my Nike backpack.

It's hard to get your binder out. It's small and my backpack is huge. The backpack then looks huge so I don't want to wear it.

I had a hard time getting it out today. I was struggling.

I'm just going to keep on trying to stretch it out.

I'm not sure if I'm going to wear it tomorrow or not. It depends if I can stretch it out.

Emo

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 00:04:00 +0000

Apparently, the clique labels of jock, prep or kicker have been joined by a group called Emo. Not sure what it stands for, what it is an abbreviation of or what it really means, but it's a group.

This group dresses somewhat goth-like -- dark clothes, dark stringy hair, skinny jeans, dark eyeliner. And, it's both boys and girls, sixth through eighth grade. I've seen kids matching this description walking to and from school -- plus Christopher points them out to me. He has no desire to dress like them or hang out with them, but he knows who they are.

Today, while he and his friend were walking home, there were more than the usual numbers of Emos walking home. When he called me to tell me his was on his way home, he made a comment about the Emos and how they looked. He wasn't scared, but I thought it was interesting he pointed it out.

I told him, just ignore them and they will ignore you. I think there appearance bothers Christopher . . . and a big group of them didn't help either.

He and his friend made it home. They are OK and they aren't Emos.

Forgetful Day by Chris

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:19:00 +0000

Today I forgot everything.

I forgot my test in PE.

I forgot my sketchbook for Art.

I took my test to PE later and got a 100.

Since a lot of people forgot their sketchbook in Art Mrs. Fox said we could bring it tomorrow.

It was a forgetful day.

Elective Decision

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:26:00 +0000

The time of year is coming 'round where Christopher puts together his seventh-grade schedule. We plan on putting him in pre-AP math and if it is available Science. His grades and interest this year indicate he should be successful. Of course, we'll talk to his teachers before signing off on the classes.

The highlight of next year's schedule is getting to take two electives. One being Athletics so he can play football and basketball. He doesn't quite understand why he has to take Athletics to get to play sports, but I think it will eventually sink in. The other elective will probably be Art. He's really taken to it this year. But, if he takes Spanish in the seventh and then the eighth grade, he earns a high school credit. High school requires two language credits.

He loves Art so shouldn't he continue with it? Or do we get him ahead of the game and knock out a credit? And then there's other electives -- computer class for one.

Decisions, decisions . . and we haven't even finished the second nine weeks!?

News from English

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:45:00 +0000

Christopher is at an 89 again in English. We have one week left in the nine-week term.

I e-mailed his teacher to ask about getting that grade up because again, this is his only B . . . all As in his other classes.

She responded this time. The previous e-mail inquiry about the first nine-weeks 89 was answered by her telling Christopher, "I got an e-mail from you mom." Alright.

The response indicated he had a quiz today and a test next Tuesday along with a couple of grades not posted. Plus, he turned in a vocabulary packet today which will result in a 100. With that in mind, she wrote "he should be OK." I took that to mean he will get an A.

I'm watching parent portal these next few days to see if indeed he is OK.

Mosaic by Chris

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:43:00 +0000

My mosaic for art was hard on my fingers. I did a sea lion and used a bunch of blue paper. I had to go to tutoring yesterday to work on it. It took a long time. Mrs. Fox wanted me to do the lips and whiskers. I didn't plan on that.

I'm finished now.

Bedtime

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 02:29:00 +0000

Christopher does a great job waking up in the morning. On days without tutoring it is 7:15 a.m. He takes a shower, brushes teeth, does the hair, gets dressed, eats breakfast and does a devotion all in time for us to get out the door by 7:55 a.m. Tutoring days, he gets up at 7 a.m. so we can leave at 7:35 a.m. Most days are easy. It's just the occasional clothes drama that sets us back.

Bedtime is another story. I go to bed by at least 10 p.m. each night -- most nights I'm knocked out by 9:30 p.m. We try for Christopher to get to bed by 8:45 p.m., but more often than not it is 9 p.m. That's still right around 10 hours. He is a sleeper and needs that amount of sleep. If not, he is one cranky mess.

He wants to stay up later. With evening activities, dinner, homework, brushing teeth and reading, I do sometimes feel like we are on a chain gang knocking things out to get to bed. Sometimes, I just want to talk with him or play a game. My motivation for getting him to bed early is so I can then get my sleep.

Maybe we'll officially name 9 p.m. as bedtime. We'll see how that goes for a while and then maybe push it to 9:15 p.m.

Once basketball season is over, there will not be as many evening activities -- Christopher's practice is Friday nights and tournaments are on the weekends. We may be able to avoid the rush and still get to bed early come March.

I need to read up on sleep time for pre-teen boys and call our pediatrician. In my heart, I know my child needs his sleep. He has always been a sleeper, for which I am grateful because I am a sleeper.

In fact, I need to start getting ready for bed now!

Debate Sub by Chris

noreply@blogger.com (Jill and Chris) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:49:00 +0000

We had a substitute in debate. He asked us two questions and told us to talk to our parents about our answers.

The first was should women and children have been allowed to get off the Titanic first? I was on the no side because I said it should have been families first then handicapped.

The second was should there be rules at the beach? I was on the yes side and I said there should be rules because if there is broken glass on the beach and someone steps on it they will get hurt. Rules keep glass off the beach.