Grade 6
Welcome to the Sixth Grade!
GRADE 6 WRITER’S WORKSHOP
The workshop approach to teaching writing is built on principles designed to directly address the literacy needs of our students. Students are given extensive time, everyday, to think, confer, read, write, listen and share. Workshop practices are intensely student-centered, with thoughtful organization and comfortable, efficient teaching and learning routines well known to the students. Students have consistent opportunities to shape and discuss their ideas and review their work critically. They receive direct and strategic instruction about the writing process, content, structure, craft and genre. The workshop approach to teaching writing provides student with the time and opportunity to practice successful strategies that writers use.
EXPECTED STUDENT OUTCOMES:
Students will engage in independent and small group activities to support their development as independent and strategic writers. Students will utilize their writer’s notebook regularly and with proficiency. The quantity and quality of students’ written work will improve, as demonstrated in the writer’s notebooks, published pieces, and periodic writing prompts. Students will increase their knowledge of the writer’s craft and use this knowledge to improve their critical understanding of different literary genres, as demonstrated through classroom discussions and oral/written responses to literature, their own work, and the work of their peers.
WRITER’S WORKSHOP LEARNING CYCLES AND GRADING
The school year is broken into learning cycles. Each cycle is focused upon a particular objective or genre of writing, and encompasses all steps of the writing process. Within each cycle, mini lessons are developed to complement the elements of the genre, meet student needs, and address specific skills aligned with the Massachusetts State Frameworks.
The children will be responsible for one rough draft (quiz grade) and one final draft (test grade) within each cycle. In addition the students will be graded on the completion of writer’s notebook assignments, their adherence to the writing process, evidence of the mini lessons within the cycle, and the effectiveness of their participation and conferring.
Evident of significant effort, adherence to the guidelines of the product, grammar and spelling will constitute the final draft grade.
LEARNING CYCLE TOPICS:
How A Writer Gathers Ideas and Focuses a Topic (genre choice_ Feature Article Memoir Essay
In addition children will become familiar with letter writing for various purposes, literature response, book review, and summary.
Science Topics
Topics:
Water and Weather Human Body Systems
September
The Scientific Method Using the 5 senses to observe Recording data Working in small groups/Safety in Science class
October to January:
Weather and Water (see attached)Mid-term exam in JanuaryThe Atmosphere Tools and Instruments in Meteorology Clouds and Wind Patterns Hurricanes and Tornados The Physics of Heat Energy and Heat Transfer The Chemistry of Water on Earth
February – May:
Human Body Systems (see attached)Digestive System Musculo-Skeletal System Circulatory System Respiratory System
June:
Review of all topics
BPS FINAL EXAM FOR 6TH GRADE SCIENCE
Continuous focus on:
Nutrition Hygiene Exercise Safety
Grades for this class will be based upon a combination of the following:
Classroom participation, scientific questioning and correct experimentation Lab reports and classwork Homework Tests and quizzes – Research "Trivia" is due every Friday and counts as a full quiz grade. Non-completion will seriously lower the final semester grade.