6th Grade Team Update
The end of the year has been BUSY with all the final projects, tests, presentations, etc. We'll be working hard right up to the end!
WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE PARENTS FOR A GREAT YEAR! We appreciate all of your support.
It was a successful year and students are ready for 7th grade!
A couple reminders:
1. Once again this year, we will be collecting school supplies that are unused or in good shape. We are collecting new and used: pens, pencils, markers, crayons, paper, notebooks, and miscellaneous items. Students will have the opportunity to donate items when they do their final locker clean out of the year. If you would like your child to bring their supplies home instead, please communicate that with them.
6th Grade Locker Clean out- 9th period Tuessday, June 2
2. As we prepare for summer break, student device collection will be on Tuesday, June 2nd at the end of the day.
Please make sure all items are returned:
• Laptop/iPad
• Laptop bag
• Charging cable
• Charging adapter (wall brick)
• iPad case should remain on the device
If your child’s device is damaged or having issues that have not already been reported to the Help Desk, please submit a Work Order so the Tech Department can document and address the issue.
Thank you for helping make the collection process smooth and organized!
3. Our last day of school is Wednesday, June 3rd. It is an early release day with an 11:45 dismissal.
Happy ALMOST summer!!
Math - falout
We finish the year by diving into the exciting world of Statistics and Probability, and our unit will culminate in an epic Zombie Apocalypse event! Students are learning how to look at data like real scientists, discovering how to ask statistical questions that anticipate variations and summarize their findings using data distributions. They are practicing how to display these numbers visually using tools like dot plots, histograms, and box plots. By calculating measures of center (like the mean or median) and variability, they will use their new skills to track "zombie outbreaks" and predict survival rates.
MATH - Novotny
The 6th graders showed great growth on their Spring Diagnostic test in i-Ready last week, and I couldn't be more proud of their hard work and effort this year!
We will be wrapping up the year with some work on STATISTICS and RANDOM SAMPLING. Students will be using DATA to calculate the MEASURES of CENTER and MEASURES of VARIABILITY. They will be COMPARING data from data displays, such as BOX PLOTS and LINE PLOTS. We will also be making INFERENCES from SAMPLES about POPULATIONS and deciding if they are REASONABLE.
For some summer fun, I will be sending students home with CUMULATIVE PRACTICE sheets so they can keep their math skills sharp for the upcoming school year. Please keep an eye out for them in your child's backpack.
SCIENCE
We have covered SO many topics this year in Science and I am releasing back to you soon to be 7th graders who are are full of knowledge that will help them make a difference on Earth! I encourage them all to follow through with those goals!
Check out our 6th Grade 'Life Cycle of a Starry Night' paintings:
Our final pictures for the year (including Save the Penguins) been added to my 6th Grade Google folder.
Church’s Language Arts Class
Dear Families,
As we wrap up another incredible school year in Mr. Church’s class, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support throughout the year. We recently completed our mythology unit, where students explored ancient stories, heroic journeys, and important life lessons through texts such as Ramayana: The Divine Loophole and The Odyssey. Students worked hard analyzing themes, characters, and the idea of what it means to be a hero.
It has been a privilege getting to work with this group each day. Thank you again for sharing your children with me this year. I hope everyone has a safe, relaxing, and well deserved summer filled with fun, family, and great books.
LA- Rudolph
Our smaller class has truly grown into a family this year. We have shared so many fun memories together while also making incredible academic progress. I am so proud of all that the students have accomplished through their hard work, perseverance, and positive attitudes. It has been wonderful watching their confidence and growth throughout the year.
As summer begins, please continue encouraging daily reading at home. Even just a little reading each day can help students maintain the strong skills they worked so hard to build this year. I hope everyone has a safe, relaxing, and joy-filled summer!
Advanced LA
What a year it has been! We shared so many fun projects, activities, discussions, and, of course, lots and lots of learning along the way. I am incredibly proud of everything the students accomplished this year in Advanced LA. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and genuine love of learning have been outstanding, and I have truly been in awe of them all year long.
I know many of these students will continue reading over the summer, but please continue encouraging them to pick up a book whenever you can! Summer reading is one of the best ways to keep their minds active and growing. I hope everyone has a wonderful, relaxing, and well-deserved summer break!
6th Grade Team Update
It's hard to believe but the end of the year is approaching!!
Some important end of year dates:
- Homework Club will officially end on Thursday 5/21
- All late or missing work that is still eligible (within one week of the original due date) is due by Wednesday, May 27th at 3:30pm. Students must submit AND message the teacher in order for work to be accepted.
As a 6th Grade team we celebrate that and all our hard work this year with a spirit days countdown. We will share the doc again on Schoology but wanted to share ahead of time here as well :) Our 'BYE SIXTH GRADE 'Countdown is linked below:
SCIENCE:
More pictures have been added to my 6th Grade Google folder. Last week we did our Meteorite Moon Crater Lab and those videos and images have been update.
In the next couple weeks, we will have even more fun things going on, so make sure to check out the pictures: Science Photo Album 2025-2026
We're continuing to fly through Space and our final lessons in our unit. We've explored gravity, galaxies, The Big Bang Theory and stars!
This week w explored galaxies and learned about the different types: irregular, spiral, and elliptical. We looked at the famous image from the Hubble Deep Space Telescope and used what we learned to try to categorize some of the shown galaxies. We found out it wasn't as easy as we thought. We worked in groups to do some GALAXY Stations to read, analyze data, categorize/classify, and even create some cool graffiti space art.
We discussed The Big Bang Theory (the scientific theory and not the show). We learned how all the objects in our universe came to be from a science perspective! We then shifted our focus to learn about the life cycle of a star! Stars are actually born and die and from the stars comes all we have today here on Earth! It's one of my favorite units to teach and one of the favorite assessments to give! We will work on that next week! Be on the lookout for a link that showcases our artwork assessments called 'Life Cycle of a Starry Night.'
We still have a few more mini units to complete before we end with our Climate Change unit! The year ends with another fun challenge- just like it started!
Charting success and moving into data - Falout Math
Our mathematicians have just wrapped up an exciting exploration of the coordinate plane, a foundational tool that helps us visualize mathematical relationships. Students mastered graphing points across all four quadrants using ordered pairs and learned how to use absolute value to calculate the exact distance between points sharing the same first or second coordinate. We also explored the concept of symmetry by reflecting points across the x-axis and y-axis, noting how the signs of the coordinates change while their distance from the axes remains the same. We are now shifting gears into our final unit on Statistics, where students will begin by learning to ask "statistical questions" that anticipate variability, such as "How many hours of sleep do 6th graders get?".
Advanced LA
Our class is continuing to thoroughly enjoy reading The Roar! The sci-fi novel continues to keep us engaged as we explore internal and external conflicts, symbols, and themes throughout the story. This week, students participated in a Socratic Seminar focused on the novel. It was wonderful to see students build upon their understanding by listening to and discussing different perspectives with one another. As we near the end of the novel, we will continue deepening our analysis of the chapters and will conclude the unit with an Independent Reading Project.
In vocabulary, we are finishing our final lesson in Caesar’s English this week. Next week will be a review week covering Lessons 19 and 20. The following week, students will take their final Caesar’s English test, which will include vocabulary words and stems from the entire school year. Study guides for both tests will be linked in the homework chart to help students prepare.
Thank you for your continued support!
LA- Rudolph
We have begun reading Ramayana, by Sanjay Patel, and students are truly enjoying learning about Hindu mythology through this engaging retelling. As we read, we will continue exploring important themes, character development, and cultural connections within the story.
We also completed our final vocabulary lesson and have been reviewing in preparation for our unit test this Friday. Next week, students will review the vocabulary stems and words from the entire year in preparation for our end-of-year test, which will take place next Friday. Study guides for both tests will be linked in the homework chart to help students prepare and feel confident.
Thank you for your continued support throughout the school year!
6th Grade Team Update
It's hard to believe but the end of the year is approaching!!
Some important end of year dates:
- Homework Club will officially end on Thursday 5/21
- All late or missing work that is still eligible (within one week of the original due date) is due by Wednesday, May 27th at 3:30pm. Students must submit AND message the teacher in order for work to be accepted.
As a 6th Grade team we celebrate that and all our hard work this year with a spirit days countdown. We will share the doc again on Schoology but wanted to share ahead of time here as well :) Our 'BYE SIXTH GRADE 'Countdown is linked below:
SCIENCe
We've rolled through quite a few units in Science: seasons, moon phases, eclipses, tides, and gravity. Coming up we've got quite a few more left in the unit: The Big Bang Theory, galaxies, scale model of our solar system and so much more!
Our unit on gravity was challenging! We read about the roles of gravity in creating and maintaining the universe and created a resume for gravity. We used a virtual lab to test how two variables, mass and distance, impact the force of gravity. We used the lab to prove the ideas that as distance increase, gravity decrease. We also were able to prove that objects with more mass have a greater gravitational force.
Falout Math
We are wrapping up a fantastic unit on Equations, where students have been honing their skills in solving one-step equations by using variables to represent unknown numbers. Up next, we are diving into The Number System to explore the world of positive and negative numbers. Students will learn how these numbers describe real-world opposites—like temperatures above and below zero or credits and debits in a bank account—while practicing how to locate them on number lines and coordinate planes.
Advanced LA
We have been thoroughly enjoying the dystopian novel The Roar by Emma Clayton. Students love diving into each chapter to discover the shocking and suspenseful events taking place in this unusual world. We are currently working on an independent reading assignment during class time, but students will also need to complete portions of it on their own at home. The assignment will be due when we finish the book later this month.
Our Caesar’s English test covering Lessons 18 and 19 has been postponed until next Monday
LA- Rudolph
We have completed our nonfiction novel Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World and have been working on an essay analyzing the author’s purpose: how Jennifer Armstrong portrays Antarctica as a hostile environment that challenges the survival of Shackleton’s crew. We have come so far with our writing this year!
We will have another vocabulary test next Friday, May 8th, as well as a final unit test the following week on May 15th. Be sure to look out for the study links posted on the homework chart. We all did so well on the last quiz, and I’m hoping we can continue this great pattern!
Church - LA
We have officially completed our study of Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World and the incredible journey of Ernest Shackleton. Throughout this unit, students explored themes of perseverance, leadership, and resilience in the face of extreme hardship.
We are now transitioning into our next unit of study: mythology. Students have begun reading Ramayana: The Divine Loophole, an ancient Indian myth that follows a warrior as he faces a series of challenges in pursuit of his ultimate goal. This text will serve as the foundation for our exploration of the concept of the “hero’s journey,” as students analyze the stages, traits, and obstacles that define a hero.
As we move forward, students will continue to build their reading comprehension and analytical skills while making connections across cultures and time periods. We are excited to dive into this new unit and all that it offers!
venchuk-Social Studies
We are currently in the final stages of our Document Based Question assignment centered on Ancient Greece. This is a significant milestone for 6th graders; it moves them beyond simply memorizing dates and into the role of a historian. Students are analyzing primary sources, weighing different perspectives, and synthesizing that information into a cohesive written argument.
We will end our unit with a DBQ Essay, and the unit test. Students will receive a study guide a week before the test. Then, we will be moving forward to our final unit on ancient Rome.
6th Grade Team Update
Church - LA
As we move forward in Mr. Church’s classroom, students are working hard to finish Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World and our study of Ernest Shackleton and his crew. Throughout this unit, we have been focusing on the themes of hardship, perseverance, and heroism in the face of extreme challenges. Students have been engaging in thoughtful discussions and written responses that analyze how strong leadership and resilience can impact survival during difficult times.
In addition, we are preparing for our fifth vocabulary quiz, which will take place this Friday. Students should continue reviewing their vocabulary packets and studying consistently throughout the week to ensure they are well prepared.
Thank you for your continued support.
Falout Math - Diving into algebraic expressions
We are moving into an exciting unit where students are transitioning from basic arithmetic to the world of Algebraic Thinking! This month, your mathematicians are learning how to use variables to represent numbers and write expressions that describe real-world situations, such as "subtracting y from 5." We are also practicing using the distributive property to create equivalent expressions (e.g., turning 3(2 + x) into 6 + 3x) and learning to simplify longer expressions by combining like terms to make them easier to work with. These skills are the building blocks for solving complex problems and help students see the logic and patterns behind the math they use every day!
NOVOTNY MATH - Algebraic equations
Students will be writing and solving multi-step equations using rational numbers. We will be COMBINING LIKE TERMS, EXPANDING/DISTRIBUTING, and using INVERSE operations to ISOLATE the VARIABLE when solving equations. It is very important that students show these steps when solving multi-step equations! The best thing about equations is that there is a built in way to CHECK your SOLUTION....it is called SUBSTITUTION. Because of this, students should have GREAT ACCURACY in these LESSONS : )
science
Wowza! Our 6th grade science brains are on overload lately with our challenging space unit! The topics are not easy but students are working so hard to figure it all out! My favorite moments are the 'light bulb moments' when all the facts, data, and ideas just click! We had several of those moments this week when we finally figured out WHY the Manhattanhenge (and Chicagohenge) takes place! Ask your student to explain why! Be ready for a pretty complex answer :)
This week we also moved onto our Moon unit! We are trying to discover WHY the Moon changes its shape/phase daily! The relationship between the Earth, Sun, and Moon is tricky to model! We went back to the light bulbs and styrofoam balls to help map it all out!
We have one of my favorite units coming up- STARS!! If I've had your student in previous years then you know all about the fun art project as our assessment! If it's new to you- just wait!! You'll love it!
Advanced lA
We are continuing our Perspectives of Power unit this week by studying Susan B. Anthony's "Women's Right to Vote" speech and how she used rhetorical strategies to persuade her audience. Speaking of that, we had so much fun before Spring break creating commercials using ethos, pathos, and logos to get the viewer to buy their products. Such a creative group!
As we move forward, we will read Yertle the Turtle by Dr. Seuss and analyze the abuse of power within the story. To close out the year, we will explore this theme further in a dystopian setting by reading The Roar by Emma Clayton.
**Commercials in the making:
LA
Students are continuing their journey reading and analyzing Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong. As we read, we are discussing how the author blends narrative and expository writing to make the story both engaging and informative. Students are recognizing how storytelling techniques help bring real historical events to life while still teaching important facts.
This Friday will be our vocabulary assessment, which covers the previous 5 lessons. Students have been working hard reviewing in class, but it is important that they study at home, as well. They have study links on their homework chart that they should be using to review the words.I'm looking forward to seeing some good scores!
venchuk-Social Studies
It’s been a monumental week for our 6th graders as they’ve traveled back to Ancient Greece to explore the legendary stories of Greek Mythology and the revolutionary birth of Democracy. Students have spent the last few days comparing the rival city-states of Athens and Sparta, debating the merits of a life dedicated to the arts and education versus one built on military discipline and strength. To wrap up this unit, students will have a quiz this Friday covering the gods, government structures, and the unique cultures of these two civilizations.
Looking ahead to next week, our focus will shift toward the lasting achievements of Ancient Greece. As well as historical figures, like Socrates and Alexander the Great, who shaped the world. This will serve as the perfect bridge into our upcoming DBQ (Document-Based Question) project. During this assignment, students will dive into primary and secondary sources to showcase their knowledge of Athens and Sparta through analytical writing. It is an exciting time for our young historians as they begin to see how Ancient Greece still influences our lives today!
6th Grade Team Update
UPCOMING DATES:
No School 3/27 (unless there is a snow day)
Spring Break 3/30- 4/6
Late Start 4/17
Earth Day 4/22
SCIENCE
These last two weeks have been all about DATA!! We analyzed data from Kansas that recorded the amount of daylight and sun angle throughout the year. Students analyzed that data for patterns- ask your student what we concluded! We also analyzed data from NOAA from past and future years to answer the question: "What patterns did we find in the amount of daylight and the angle of the sun for both our current data and historical data?"
We did a jigsaw assignment where each group listened to a different podcast and then shared with the class. Each podcast was an interview of a different scientist. They discussed their culture, the event that connected them to science, and most importantly how cultures around the world are connected to the sky!
And who doesn't love a quick Science lab the day before break :) We used light bulbs, styrofoam balls, popsicle sticks, coffee stirrers, push pins, and tape measures to collect the data.
Students did well modeling the Sun-Earth System to track the path of daylight vs. darkness, We will continue to work on following lab directions to collect ACCURATE data, today was a little bit of a struggle, but I blame the spring break brains! We have another lab modeling the Earth, Sun, AND Moon after break that can be tricky- so we'll make sure to take some more prep time for that!!! Check out the pictures below:
We have some fun mini-units coming up too! Be on the lookout for an email for supply donations. I truly appreciate all your support and help with my crazy ideas and labs. :)
Advanced LA
What a successful Wax Museum we had last Friday! Thank you to all the parents who were able to visit — it was wonderful to see our students in action, confidently sharing everything they learned about their Greek gods.
Next, we are continuing our Perspectives of Power unit by diving into rhetorical analysis. Students will be learning about ethos, pathos, and logos as they analyze commercials and then create their own using one of these strategies.
Wishing everyone a relaxing and enjoyable Spring Break!
LA- Rudolph
We have begun Module 4, Courage in Crisis, by starting our new narrative nonfiction story, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World by Jennifer Armstrong. Students are learning about Ernest Shackleton and his crew’s journey to Antarctica and recognizing how challenges in a harsh environment can inspire heroism.
The week after Spring Break will be a vocabulary review week covering the last five lessons. The test will be on Friday, April 10th, and students are expected to study at home and come prepared.
Just a reminder that students are expected to complete homework on time, including Freckle assignments. There has been an increase in late work. All assignments can be found on the homework chart each night.
Have a wonderful Spring Break!
Falout math
After Spring Break, we will begin Understand Percents and Use Percents to Solve Problems. Students will dive into the essential world of percents. In this unit, your child will learn to treat a percent as a rate per 100, developing the skills to find the "whole" when given a part and a percentage. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to see the immediate real-world relevance of math, from calculating discounts while shopping to determining sales tax.
Language Arts - Church
We have officially transitioned into our new unit focused on the incredible journey of Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew during the Endurance expedition. Throughout this unit, students are exploring the extreme challenges the crew faced, including harsh weather conditions, limited resources, and moments of uncertainty. We are placing a strong emphasis on how Shackleton’s leadership, perseverance, and decision-making helped his crew endure and ultimately survive such difficult circumstances. Students are engaging in thoughtful discussions and written responses that analyze themes of resilience, teamwork, and overcoming adversity.
In addition to our reading, students have been working diligently on their vocabulary packets. These assignments are designed to strengthen their understanding of word meanings, roots, and usage, all of which directly support their reading comprehension and writing development. Please continue to encourage your child to review and complete their vocabulary work carefully, as consistent practice will lead to continued growth.
As we approach Spring Break, I want to thank you for your continued support. I encourage students to take time to rest and recharge, while also considering light reading to maintain their skills.
Wishing you and your family a safe, relaxing, and enjoyable Spring Break.
NOVOTNY MATH
We will be continuing our ALGEBRA unit after break, and students will be working with expressions, equations, and inequalities. Students are currently applying their rational number skills to expressions by combining like terms with rational number coefficients . This can be tricky because the subtraction and addition sign in expressions are now also used as positive and negative symbols. We are also trying to simplify expressions, so that we can more easily evaluate them when we know the value of the variable. Simplifying can be done by combining like terms, distributing or expanding the expression and using order of operations.
Venchuk-Social Studies
As we finish our unit on Ancient China in 6th Grade Social Studies, students are preparing to demonstrate what they’ve learned in two ways. Students will have a unit test on Tuesday 3/17 and finish their DBQ writing during the week. It will covering geography, major dynasties, key inventions and ideas, and the impact of Chinese culture and government.
We are finishing up our DBQ planning where students be able to think like historians using several pieces of primary and secondary evidence from the Silk Road to guide their thinking. They will analyze these sources and use them to support a short written response about how trade along the Silk Road helped spread goods, ideas, and culture between different civilizations. This work helps students practice important critical thinking skills such as analyzing evidence, making connections, and supporting their ideas with proof.
If you have any questions about our Ancient China unit or the upcoming assessments, please feel free to reach out. Thank you for your continued support!
6th Grade Team Updates:
1: ABSENCES:
If your child is going to be absent for an extended period of time for a trip, please remember to let the office AND teachers know.
2: Fidget Policy
Fidget reminder: An email was sent last week with and update on our new fidget policy. Please see below:
Dear 6th Grade Parents and Guardians,
We are writing to inform you of an important update regarding student use of fidget items at school. Per direction from Highlands Middle School administration, fidget tools will no longer be permitted during the school day unless they are documented as an accommodation in a student’s official IEP or 504 plan.
This decision comes after a significant increase in misuse of these items. We have observed that fidget tools are frequently becoming distractions to the learning environment, being used as toys rather than for their intended purpose, taken from other students without permission, and in some instances used to damage school property. As a result, administration has determined that limiting their use is necessary to maintain a focused and respectful classroom setting.
Students were informed of this policy change during Homeroom on Monday 3/9. Beginning Monday, any fidget item that is not formally approved through an IEP or 504 accommodation will be confiscated.
We appreciate your partnership in reinforcing this expectation at home by ensuring that unapproved fidget items are not brought to school. Our goal is to provide the best possible learning environment for all students, and your support is greatly valued.
Thank You,
The 6th Grade Team
UPCOMING DATES:
Spring Musical 3/12 and 3/13
No School 3/27 (unless there is a snow day)
Spring Break 3/30- 4/6
SCIENCE
Last week we officially wrapped up our Plate Tectonics unit!! Woohoo! Another unit checked off which means more knowledge learned!! We learned about Steno's Laws of Stratigraphy and solved some rock puzzles to learn about relative dating. Then, we learned about absolute/actual dating. We completed a fun radiometric dating lab using a new element called 'Skittles.' Students used the process of finding a half-life to determine the age of their element 'Skittles.'
Our next Space unit is underway!!! We have spent this week learning about and beginning to develop an explanation forour new phenomenon: Manhattanhenge. We are working with models to explain the movement and relationship between the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
Next week we will analyze data from Kansas to observe the amount of daylight and sun angle throughout the year.
Falout Math
We are wrapping up our exploration of Ratios by mastering how to compare one group to another (part-to-part) and comparing a group to the entire set (part-to-whole). This skill is essential for everything from following a recipe to understanding statistics in the news. Next week, we are leaping into the exciting world of Unit Rates and Percents, where students will learn to find the "best buy" at the grocery store or calculate exactly how many lawns they can mow in a weekend. Our goal is to help students see math in the world around them by practicing skills like finding a "rate per 100" to solve real-world problems.
NOVOTNY MATH
We will be using all 4 operations with rational numbers in our next lesson. Students will focus on using estimation to approximate the results of calculations. Approximating an answer first can help to determine whether an answer is reasonable. Students will also use their knowledge of Order of Operations to evaluate the exact value of expressions with rational numbers. We have been working with PEMDAS all year in our bellringers, so this should be a quick lesson for us : )
Advanced LA
We are heading into one of my favorite units of the year: Perspectives of Power – ELA Lessons for Gifted and Advanced Learners (Grades 6–8). This curriculum explores the nature of power through literature, historical documents, poetry, and art. Throughout the unit, students will engage in rigorous, evidence-based discussions while analyzing common themes across challenging nonfiction and fictional texts.
There are many exciting activities planned, including creating a commercial that focuses on ethos, pathos, and logos. We will conclude the unit by reading the dystopian science fiction novel The Roar by Emma Clayton.
Just a reminder that our Wax Museum will take place next Friday, March 20th in the middle school commons. Please check your email for the specific time your child will be presenting if you would like to attend. I will send another reminder email next week!
Students will also have a Caesar’s English quiz on Thursday, March 19th, covering Lessons 15 and 16. Online practice links will be posted on their homework chart next week to help them prepare!
LA-Rudolph
We have begun a new story entitled Written in Bone by Sally Walker. This nonfiction text connects to our previous realistic fiction novel, Blood on the River, as it explores the remains of Jamestown and what archaeologists have discovered there. While reading, we are focusing on identifying the main idea and supporting details, and students are becoming very skilled at this!
Our vocabulary this week includes words built from the stems fort, forc, dynam, and dynast. Students will have a vocabulary test on Friday, April 10th, covering the previous five lessons. It is important that students study at home to prepare. I personally recommend using notecards as a helpful way to review vocabulary words and their meanings. Online practice links will be posted on the homework chart during the week of April 6th.
Church Language Arts
Our class has officially wrapped up our Jamestown unit, and the students did a fantastic job learning about the challenges faced by the early English settlers in the New World. We explored survival, leadership, and the difficult decisions people had to make while trying to establish the colony.
We have now begun a new unit focused on the incredible expedition of Ernest Shackleton and the ship Endurance. In this unit, students will learn about Shackleton’s Antarctic journey and the extraordinary determination, teamwork, and leadership required to survive in one of the harshest environments on Earth.
A major focus of this unit will be overcoming hardships. Students will analyze how Shackleton and his crew faced extreme cold, isolation, and limited resources while still working together to survive. Throughout the unit, we will connect these themes to resilience, perseverance, and problem solving.
Students will be reading, discussing key moments from the expedition, and completing writing activities that focus on explaining how individuals respond when faced with difficult situations.
I am excited to dive into this powerful story with the class and to see the thoughtful discussions and writing it will inspire.
As always, thank you for your continued support.
6th Grade Team Update
We had a great field trip to the Field Museum.
Make sure to use the link below to check out pictures in the next week or so as they are uploaded!
Science
Our ‘Plate Tectonics” unit has come to an end! We are closing it out with some fun lessons on fossils, relative and absolute dating, geologic time and evolution. This week leading up to our field trip we watched a super informative movie called “The History of Earth” that explains exactly how Earth came to be and how life developed and evolved on the planet! Watching students explore how our planet came from a mass of rock in space and seeing them make connections to how humans evolved over time from bacteria in water is always such a fun experience for me as a teacher! So many great questions and discussions come from it! Our trip to the Field Museum on Thursday will be the perfect time to explore “The Hall of Evolving Planet” and walk through geologic time. They will also have the opportunity to see Sue (the T-Rex) and many rocks and minerals that we have investigated in class.
Falout Math
We are officially diving into our unit on Ratios and Proportional Relationships! This week, our students are beginning to understand the concept of a ratio by using specific ratio language to describe how two quantities relate to one another—like comparing the number of boys to girls in a classroom or the ratio of wings to beaks in a birdhouse. To help visualize these connections, we are practicing with simple models. As we move forward, we will focus on finding equivalent ratios by creating tables to solve real-world problems, such as adjusting a recipe or calculating travel speeds.
Novotny Math
Students are experiencing more POSITIVES than NEGATIVES when multiplying and dividing with rational numbers in Lesson 12. They have a strong understanding of the integer rules and their fluency is improving every day!
We will be heading into Lesson 13 to express rational numbers as terminating or repeating decimals. There will likely be many discussions about Pi and how this famous irrational number neither repeats or terminates. This all happens right in time for Pi day on March 14th!
Advanced LA
We have completed The Odyssey by Gillian Cross and are now shifting our focus to writing our own Hero’s Journey! Next week, we will be watching How to Train Your Dragon as we identify the different stages of the hero’s journey — just as we did with Odysseus. Once students feel confident with the structure, they will begin writing their own original Hero’s Journey narratives.
Students have also selected their Greek gods and goddesses for our upcoming Wax Museum and have been busy gathering information and important facts to prepare.
he Wax Museum will take place on Friday, March 20th during your child’s scheduled Language Arts period (specific times were shared in the email sent on 2/24). We would love for you to attend if you are able!
Please let me know if your child will not be at school on that date.
We are excited to see all of their hard work come together!
LA- Rudolph
We have completed our novel study of Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone, and next week students will begin writing a four-paragraph persuasive essay. In their essays, students will argue which character had a greater influence on Samuel — Captain John Smith or Reverend Hunt — supporting their claim with clear reasoning and evidence from the text.
We are becoming experts at writing strong introduction paragraphs and thoughtful conclusions and will continue to focus on strengthening those important parts of an essay.
Students are also doing well with our weekly vocabulary packets. We have been concentrating on building new words using common stems. For the next two weeks, we will focus on the stems:
-
dynam, dynast = power, strength
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am(i) (from amor, amat) = love
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phil(o) = love, friend
See if you can think of some words and their meanings from these stems with your child!
6th Grade Team Update
It is hard to believe but the end of Trimester 2 is near! All late/missing work that is still within its one week from due date, is due by 8:45am on Wednesday, February 25th. Please remember to have your student check the final due dates listed in the comments. We will only be accepting late work that falls within the ONE-WEEK extension from the original due date. Previous late work from earlier in the trimester is not accepted.
We realize many students will be out for trips over the long weekend, and wanted to send a reminder!
Thanks,
6th Grade Team
Upcoming dates:
2/13 Late Start
2/16 No School
2/25 IAR Interim Assessment
2/26 6th Grade Field Trip to the Field Museum
2/27 End of Trimester 2
SCIENCE
It’s been a busy two weeks in Science! We learned all about the different tectonic plate boundaries around the world. Students modeled the boundaries and the artwork is hanging in the hallway. We spent time studying the divergent plate boundary in the Atlantic Ocean and in Iceland. Students then did a fun edible lab as their assessment this week. Students not only analyzed the lab but also were asked to create a video that narrated one of the plate boundaries we learned about. Their narration explained what took place at the boundary, the landforms it created, and tied it to the mountains or landforms we’ve been discussing in class over the past weeks of the unit. Check out the pictures added to the 6th Grade Google Folder:
Edible Plate Boundaries Lab Pictures
This week we also tested our knowledge with a pretty challenging group assignment that asked students to predict how the features on Earth will change in the future due to the movement of the plates and what occurs at the boundaries.
We are quickly approaching the end of our unit! We have figured out why mountains grow and move. We will do a short unit on the History of Earth including evolution and geologic time before moving onto our next unit. It will all wrap up really well to walk through the Evolution of Earth exhibit at the Field Museum! :)
🔢 Dive into Fractions: From Model to Measurement 📐
We are making incredible strides in our Number System and Geometry units as we tackle fractions! Our mathematicians have moved from using visual models to mastering the standard algorithm for dividing fractions, which helps them solve real-world problems, such as determining how many 3/4-cup servings fit into a larger container. Up next, we are taking these skills into the third dimension by calculating the volume of rectangular prisms with fractional side lengths. It is wonderful to see the students apply their computation skills to understand the space inside objects, and I am proud of the persistence they are showing with these complex multi-step problems.
Math - Novotny
Unit 3: Multiply & Divide Rational Numbers
Students have been showing fluency when calculating with rational numbers! We just finished Unit 2 with addition and subtraction of rational numbers, and we are now learning to multiply and divide with rational numbers.
Students have a strong understanding of real-world situations that can be expressed as either positive, negative or zero. They will be applying their addition skills to discover the rule for multiplying with negatives, since multiplication is repeated addition. They will also be modeling this concept on a number line or by using mathematical properties like the commutative, distributive or zero property to better understand the rules.
ADVANCED LA
We continue to explore Greek mythology and the hero’s journey as we read The Odyssey by Gillian Cross. Next week, students will begin preparing for our Wax Museum project, in which partners will research a Greek god or goddess, create a poster, and present their character to other classmates and parents. Stay tuned for more details!
In addition, students have been preparing for upcoming Interim testing by strengthening their essay-writing skills. We are focusing on crafting an effective introduction, two strong body paragraphs, and a clear concluding paragraph. It has been amazing to see how much their writing has grown!
LA- Rudolph
We are continuing our novel study of Blood on the River by Elisa Carbone. Students are beginning to craft an opinion essay arguing who they believe would be the best president for the Jamestown colony. We are working hard on building writing stamina and crafting full essays independently. Students have shown tremendous growth in their writing skills this year!
In vocabulary, we are focusing on building words using the lesson’s stems. Students have been playing engaging games to strengthen their understanding and memorization of word meanings and definitions.
SS-Venchuk
We have officially wrapped up our student interview projects. Students were able to learn fundamentals of a quality interview, and demonstrate their knowledge of their chosen historical figure from ancient India. It's been great to see students express their creativity, learning, and build community through this project.
This week, we will be moving on to ancient China where we will begin with focusing on its geography. Over the unit we will be covering several dynasties, political systems, and noteworthy achievements of ancient China.
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