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Math
We will be using the “Everyday Mathematics” program in 6th grade. Everyday
Math emphasizes many content strands: numeration (place value, fractions, negative
numbers, decimals, powers of 10), operations and computation (fractions, decimals,
percents), data and chance (probability, data manipulation), geometry, measurement,
and algebra. Students will build on topics from 5th grade, using a problem-solving
approach based on everyday situations that help develop critical thinking.
Language Arts
In 6th grade language arts this year we will be utilizing a variety of reading materials and genres. We will be taking a close look at biographies, novels, short stories, magazine and newspaper articles, and plays. During our writing workshops we will have the opportunity to navigate through the writing process (pre-writing, drafting, revising, editing, publishing) to compose a variety of genres including descriptive, procedural, summary, narratives, biographies, advertisement, and persuasive writing. We will also be studying and composing poetry and myths. Our writing will be organized using the color coded “stoplight” approach to writing organization. Grammar, reading comprehension strategies, and vocabulary will be interwoven throughout the curriculum where relevant and will also be taught in isolation. Many of our reading selections will be integrated with the social studies and science curriculum and will provide us with relevant background knowledge about what we are studying in those subjects.
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Fall Cleanup at the Butterfly House
Green Woods students clean-up the Schuylkill Center's Butterfly House. More...
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Reading and Writing Activities:
Literature Circle Discussions
Shared/Guided/Independent Reading
Journaling/Reflecting
Independent and Partner Reading
Individual and Group Projects
Book Reports (There will be one book report each
trimester.)
Shared/Guided/Independent Writing
Writing Portfolios
Texts and workbooks to be used:
Grades 5-6 Houghton Mifflin Anthology
Grades 5-8 Language Exercise (Steck Vaughn)
Special Grade Level Activities:
Grade 6-Buddy Reading with younger students
Social Studies
The focus of sixth-grade social studies is the ancient trade and transportation. We will begin with the major geographic features of the world, we will focus on early humans, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Ancient Egypt to examine the different ways the environment affected early economic systems and the impact transportation had on the growth of civilizations and trade. We will then examine ancient trade routes such as the Silk Road in China, the spice trade in India, and the Roman Empire. We will then be using these ancient trade routes as a vehicle (no pun intended) through which to study how transportation affected trade in the ancient world and how the location of resources affected ancient world economies. We will wrap things up with a look at the ancient Central and South American civilizations such as the Mayans, Aztecs, and Incas.
Physical Science
6th Grade begins the year by exploring Newton’s basic Laws of Force & Motion. There will be a lot of pushing, pulling, and objects in motion! This leads to investigations of the 6 simple machines, and how they have been used throughout history. Next we investigate how the properties of fluids (air and water) create buoyancy and lift – and how concrete and steel can float and fly. By wintertime we’ll be investigating the properties of matter and the Periodic Table of the Elements. |
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Language Arts
In LA we just finished writing our personal narrative essays. We now are beginning to take an in-depth look at poetry. We will be looking at a poem each day and will be critiquing each poem using a glossary of poetic terms. Our poetry studies will be the foundation for creating our own poetry books. We have also been reading a story each week from our anthology textbooks and end the year honing our comprehension skills.
Math
6th Grade Mathematics has been building on students’ prior knowledge working with data interpretation and display. We have reviewed operations with whole numbers and decimals, and have been developing skills to work with large and small numbers using scientific and standard notation. In the upcoming months we will be bringing to closure many of the topics begun in K-5 Everyday Mathematics including: the notation for rational numbers, ordering fractions, operations with fractions and mixed numbers and the use of percents. We will also transition to the geometry taught in middle school and secondary school courses, as we focus on the relationships between geometric figures and angles.
Social Studies
In SS we have been continuing our study of ancient civilizations. We have looked at the impact roads and trade had on ancient Rome and Africa. We learned about the current state of western Africa from a guest speaker who served in the Peace Corps in Burkina Faso. Next we studied ancient Meso-American civilizations and looked at some of the different goods they traded; this included an in-depth research project about the history of chocolate. In end the year with a study of ancient Greece.
Physical Science
6th Grade spent their year learning about the basic laws that govern the universe. We began the year by exploring Newton’s basic Laws of Force & Motion. This led to experiments with the 6 simple machines, and learning how they have been used throughout history. The 6th grade built astounding catapults to demonstrate what they knew! Next we investigated how the properties of fluids (air and water) create buoyancy and lift. One of our favorite units was on the properties of matter and the Periodic Table of the Elements. Using what we learned about the behavior of electrons, we then investigated electricity, magnetism, and the electromagnetic spectrum. We built simple circuits and simple motors, created electromagnets, built solar models, and had lots of fun with mirrors and lenses.
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