Grade Six
Mrs. Linda Kohler-204
Mrs. Helen Romes-203
Religion-Mrs. Romes
The sixth grade will be using a new series by RCL/Benziger called Blest Are We: Faith & Word Edition. The emphasis of this program is for children to understand what we believe as Christians and how to live out those beliefs. This is implemented through the themes of what Catholics believe, how Catholics worship, live, and pray, and through Sacred Scripture. Some of the topics presented in the sixth grade are the Bible/Scripture with an emphasis on the Old Testament-its timeline and literary forms, salvation, the Holy Spirit, cardinal and theological virtues, social justice, and prayer.
In addition, throughout the year, we will have various lessons, activities, and prayer services to acknowledge various saints or events in the Church. Each day begins and ends with prayer. The students will attend weekly Masses and/or prayer services.
InControl, a chastity awareness program, will be presented to the students in March.
Religion website: blestarewe.com
Language Arts-Homeroom teachers
Vocabulary/Spelling-Vocabulary Workshop and Everyday Spelling
New words are introduced into everyday reading, writing, and speaking usage.
Each vocabulary unit takes two weeks to complete.
Two sections of a vocabulary unit are assigned each week, usually due on Thursday.
The first week the students will have a spelling test on the vocabulary list words.
The second week there will be a definition test on the vocabulary words.
Spelling assignments will also be given from the Everyday Spelling series.
Vocabulary and spelling tests are usually given on Fridays.
Vocabulary assignments and test scores are part of the reading grade.
Vocabulary website: www.vocabularyworkshop.com (online audio program)
English- Grammar and mechanics are taught as tools in writing and speaking.
A strong emphasis is placed on capitalization, punctuation, and parts of speech. We are continuing to use the Better Answers program to improve the students’ writing using restating, gists, details, and conclusions.
Writing is developed in various methods.
-Creative themes
q Paragraph development
q Business letter
q Essays
q Narratives
q Persuasive
q Compare & contrast
-Poetry booklet
-Research project
-Diagramming sentences
This year, students will also be using Simple Solutions-English Grammar and Writing Mechanics. Students will be assigned nightly lesson(s) to complete with a weekly quiz usually given on Wednesday. These quizzes will be part of the classwork grade for the quarter.
Reading- Various genres are introduced to foster an appreciation of literature.
A variety of sources is used.
· Prentice Hall Literature series
· Basal reader for Middle Ages unit
· Novels-
Summer Reading:
q The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynn Reid Banks
q Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm
Class Novels:
q Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix
q Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
q Holes by Louis Sachar
q Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
q Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
q Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
q Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
· Reading assignments
· Accelerated Reader Program- (AR) a computer generated testing program that assesses students’ comprehension on selected books. Students are required to read two AR books a quarter, in addition to the novels read in class. The list of titles, point values, and reading levels will be available on the teacher's websites. The books must be at least a 4.0 reading level, worth a minimum of two points, and be approximately 100 pages or more of text. (IF IN DOUBT, ASK!) An AR book over 400 pages will count as two books. Please encourage your child to read various genres and appropriate reading levels.
Students will take the AR tests on these books. The average of the AR test scores is a test grade used for the reading average. If a student takes more than the required two AR tests per quarter, the highest two grades will be averaged with the required class novel AR tests.
For the summer reading assignments, after classroom review, students are required to take the Accelerated Reading tests. These will count as part of the AR test grade.
Social Studies- Mrs. Romes
The sixth grade will continue the same book, Scott Foresman-The World, used by the fifth grade last year. This year will be a transition year for the Archdiocesan Graded Course of Studies for Social Studies. The sixth grade will study the Byzantine Empire and Islam to the present. Areas of study will include the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, French, Russian and Industrial Revolutions, WWI, WWII, Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War, Gulf War, and concepts of imperialism, nationalism, communism, and socialism. There also will be a study of the American Revolution and Africa. Students will learn that each historic event is shaped by its geographic setting, the culture of its people, economic conditions, governmental decisions, and citizen action. Connections are made to the current world situations.
Students will be using their text, completing projects and activities, reading supplementary materials, watching videos, using the Internet, going on field trips, and having speakers.
We will be discussing current events using newspapers, magazines, television, and other forms of media. We also will be using the magazine, Junior Scholastic.
Homework/Classwork: Throughout the quarter will consist of worksheets, answering section review questions, reading and jotting down ideas/notes from the text, or finding information for in-class projects. Students should study notes and vocabulary terms throughout the week. Written homework assignments are included in the Social Studies grade.
Quizzes can be given on assigned reading or for review of concepts covered.
Tests are announced at least one week before being given. We will review before the tests using various techniques. A week prior to the test there is usually a study guide on the website.
Social Studies website: www.sfsocialstudies.com
Math- Mrs. Kohler
The sixth grade will be using a new book this year! It is Prentice Hall - Mathematics Course 2. Your child will also have a math workbook to go with the text, as well as a Simple Solutions Math book. We are back to a traditional book and approach! Topics of study include: decimals, integers, operations with fractions, equations, ratios, rates, proportions, percents, geometry, probability, pre-algebra, and problem solving. We will also be using Simple Solutions and will have homework every day in this.
Quizzes: We will have math quizzes through the week as concepts are learned. There will also be a simple solutions test every week that will cover the last four lessons we learned about. Each will count as a separate grade. A failing grade on a quiz shows that the student needs more practice and will be required to stay in a recess or come in at 8:30 for extra help before the test on that unit.
Tests: One week’s notice will be given for tests. Study guides will be posted on the website.
Homework: There will be homework every night. Students are expected to finish all homework before arriving at school. Homework is usually not checked by me for accuracy, but it is checked for completion. Each student will begin the quarter with a 100 in the homework section, with 2 points being deducted for each assignment not completed. We will then go over the answers with students checking their own work. Students having problems should come to see me, and I will help them. If they do not say anything, I assume that they understand the material. Please avoid math meltdowns at home! When you and your child get to that point, it is not productive! Please stop and sign your name next to the problem(s) that are causing difficulty. This would not be for an entire assignment, rather a small section of work. As long as a parent signs the unfinished part, it will be counted as complete. No parent signature will result in the assignment being incomplete. If this happens, your child needs to come and tell me upon arriving at school, before 9:00, that they need help. Not understanding is their responsibility to let me know.
Websites: See page xxiii of your child's book. It gives directions about how to get to the site, and gives the chapter web codes for vocabulary quizzes and chapter tests. Each code is different so you need to look in the book. There are also directions for a homework video tutor for every lesson.
Science and Health- Mrs. Kohler
We have brand new textbooks this year in Science! It is called: Prentice Hall: Life Science. The emphasis in sixth grade science is life science. Students will study the similarities and differences among the classification systems, which include bacteria, protist, fungi, plants, and animals. Students will also focus on the study the cell, cell theory, and genetics. Plant life and the animal kingdom, emphasizing mammals, will be explored. How society, the environment, and technology affect science will also be studied.
At the end of the year, students will have the health component, which will focus on the body systems.
Homework throughout the quarter will consist of worksheets, science workbook pages, lab worksheets, making vocabulary cards, answering section review questions, reading and jotting down ideas/notes from the text, or doing projects. Students should study notes and vocabulary terms throughout the week. Written homework assignments are included in the Science grade.
Quizzes can be given throughout the chapter based on assigned reading or concepts covered in a unit.
Tests will be announced at least one week before being given. We will review before the tests using various techniques. A week prior to the test there will usually be a study guide on the website.
Science website: www.SciLinks.org. In the book on some pages, the website is listed and a code is given to access that section of the book. You will need the code printed n the book.
General Information
Specials Schedule:
Monday-Computer
Tuesday-Library
Wednesday-Art
Thursday-Gym
Friday-Music
Birthday Treats: These are optional; however, some students still like to celebrate their birthday. If a student would like to bring in a treat, it must be simple-cookie, cupcake, candy bar, etc. NO drinks, gum, or cakes. Please be aware of food allergies of some of the students.
Discipline: There are revisions to the discipline policy (Handbook pages 17-21) and the dress code (Handbook pages 24-27) for John Paul II this year. Please read the handbook carefully. Behavior cards will be issued the first day of school.
Missing Assignments: The sixth grade policy for missing assignments (homework and/or class assignments) is the following:
For Simple Solutions-Grammar and Math: Since it is a daily assignment, all students begin with 100 points. For each missed assignment, two points will be deducted from 100. This will count as the homework grade.
For all other assignments:
1 day late=10 point deduction for the assignment
2 days late=20 point deduction and completion of assignment, if not already completed, will take place during recess.
Missing assignment slips will not be issued. Chronic missing assignments will be addressed on an individual basis.
Cheating: If a student is found to be copying and/or providing answers to assignments-class work or homework-both students will be given 5 points and a 0% on the assignment. This also includes correcting of assignments. If a student is found to be cheating or providing answers on a test, the student(s) will be given 15 points and a 0% on the test.
Honors: In sixth grade, students are recognized quarterly for achieving first or second honors. To receive first honors, a student must achieve a 3.5 or higher grade point average. A second honor requires a 3.0 to 3.4999. All subjects are included. Spelling is included as a once a week class. To be eligible, a student may not have a grade lower than a C. If a student receives 5 points on the behavior card in a quarter, the students is disqualified from receiving honors. (Handbook page 13).
Grading: Parents and guardians of students can access the student’s grades on-line through OptionC throughout the quarter. Missing and late assignments will also be posted. Option C will be updated every two weeks on Monday. Parents can check after 4 P.M. every other Monday. (Handbook page 16).
Absences: State law requires that a written excuse stating the reason for the absence, the date, and the parent’s or guardian’s signature be given to the teacher on the day the student returns to school. (Handbook pages 7-9)
Dismissal: Any variation of the normal dismissal procedures requires a written note from the parent or guardian. This includes sports, scouts, changing to a walker and/or car rider. Students without a note will be expected to go home the normal way. Students are not allowed to call home if they forgot their notes. (Handbook page 11).
John Paul II Website: www.jpiics.org
The website includes calendars, homework assignments, test dates, and other important information. Please check regularly.