Happy Summer!

Congratulations on completing another year at Charles Ellis!  It was a pleasure to be your teacher this year.  Please enjoy your time off with your friends and family.  I'll see you on August 3!

Mr. Trent

Pizza Pi Lesson

This week we previewed 7th grade work by taking a look at finding the area of circles.  In the lesson, we created personal pizzas and then found the area of them using the formula: pi x radius squared!  YUM!

finding the area of our personal pizzas

End-of-the-Year Ice Cream Social

On Friday, May 20^th at 11:00 1:30 the 6^th grade will enjoy ice cream treats as part of our end of the year celebration.  Ice cream will be provided by your teachers, and we are asking you to send in any toppings you believe would make a tasty frosty treat.  Some ideas include peanuts, small candies, crushed up cookies, and syrups.  In addition, we will be watching Part 3 of The Hunger Games Trilogy.  Please be aware that this is a PG 13 movie.  If you do not wish for your child to watch the movie, simply let us know and we can arrange for an alternate activity.  Contact trent.kissinger@sccpss.com or susan.torrance@sccpss.com if you have any questions.

The Week of May 16, 2016

Well, the end of this school year is in sight.  It's time to close up our classroom after another successful year at Charles Ellis Montessori Academy.  The goal of the last week of school is to find closure with your 6th grade year, and make a smooth transition into your summer break.  

After the craziness of the musical and field day, we are finally able to have "normal" work periods once again.  During your work time, you will complete the following ungraded choice sheet.  

Sailing Into Summer 

While you are working, I will be asking a few people at a time to help me with a number of practical life activities.  I appreciate your help with these tasks.  It is important that you make your nominations for the Student Superlatives by Wednesday.  Awarding of the superlatives will take place Friday.  Friday is also a free dress down day!  

Parent/Teacher/Student conferences will continue this week.  Please contact me if you forget when your conference has been schedule or if you need to reschedule.  It is important that all conferences are completed before the last day of school.  

Have a nice weekend,

Mr. Trent

Congratulations on a Job Well Done!

This year's Charles Ellis Presents was a smashing success! Congrats!

Charles Ellis Presents: The Work of Nature

The Week of May 9, 2016

It's finally the week of Charles Ellis Presents: The Works of Nature!  We've come so far in preparing for the show, and we have a few last days to perfect our performance.  This week will be devoted to putting those last finishing touches on our skit, song, choreography, costumes, and props.  I've been very impressed with what you've done so far, and I'm so excited to see what the finishing product looks like Thursday.  Tickets are on sale for $5 each in the media center. They will also be available at the door. The doors open at 6:00 for a look at the beautiful "Gallery on 49th" art exhibit with entertainment from your schoolmates.  The actual show starts at 7:00.  Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on.  Please remember to hand in your permission slip, if you haven't done so already.

This Friday will be Field Day in Daffin Park!  We will walk to Daffin Park and enjoy fun games planned by Coach Leslie.  Pack a picnic lunch, and don't forget your sunscreen!

Finally, parent/teacher/students conferences will take place over the next two weeks.  If you haven't turned yours in already, please hand in the conference request form as soon as possible. This will be the last conference of the school year!

I'll see you tomorrow morning,
Mr. Trent

Preparations for Charles Ellis Presents: The Works of Nature

Tybee Island Field Trip Check List

As you pack for tomorrow's trip to Tybee, please be sure you include the following items:

Lunch (that can be prepared without a microwave)
Water
Sunscreen
Towel
Hat
Shorts
Tee shirt (all tanks must have WIDE straps)
Light jacket
Tennis shoes
Flip flops

Term 4 Parent/Teacher Conference

End of Year parent/teacher conferences will take place over the next two weeks.  Please sign and return the request form.  I will send home a confirmation note stating your scheduled conference.  I look forward to taking with you about this year at Ellis!

Building Bobcat River

Today we talked about environmentalism and how we can minimize the negative affect we have on our planet.  Our lesson culminated with a trip back to Bobcat River where we reimagined our original designs for land use with a focus on "reducing, reusing, and recycling".  Rachel Carson would be proud of the earth-smart choices!

Bobcat River Surrounded by Earth-friendly Structures

The Week of May 2, 2016

Happy first day of May!  I hope you're ready for a good FIRST week of the LAST month of school!

Monday, we will continue our discussion on environmentalism.  We will talk about the history of the environmentalism movement, the natural resources we must protect, and ways you can do your part to be environmentally friendly.  I enjoyed seeing your designs for land usage along our fictional "Bobcat River".  After our lesson, I'm going to challenge you to redesign your land usage so that it incorporates some of the environmentally friendly ideas we will discuss.  I'm excited to see how creative you can be with this challenge!

The reminder of our week will focus on preparing for Charles Ellis Presents:  The Works of Nature!  If you have a part in our skit, be sure to have your part memorized.  In addition, we will be busy making costumes, the set/scenery, and creating choreography for the song.   We have a lot to do, and I'm trusting that you will use your time wisely to make our show the best it can be.  Tickets go on sale for $5 Monday in the media center.  Please return your permission slip, if you have not done so already.

Charles Ellis Presents: The Works of Nature

Friday will be our field trip to Tybee Island!  We will be touring the light house property and climbing to the top to see a birds-eye view of the Georgia coast!  After that, we will do a beach walk that will include seeing some awesome sculptures made during the SCAD Sands Arts Festival!  We will end our beach day with a relaxing picnic by the ocean.  I can't think of a better way to end our week!  Be sure to bring in your permission slip and $1 to participate no later than Wednesday, May 4.

I'll see you Monday morning,
Mr. Trent