To view the Ontario Curriculum documents:
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/grade6.html
Term 1 Units of Study
Math
Our Grade 6 team Numeracy Focus this year will be on problem solving as well as development of mental math skills. We will be practicing the problem solving process throughout the school year. Generally students will be given a word problem to solve using a process such as those found below once a week.
A Problem Solving Process
Think: What do I Know? (List key information)
What do I Need To Find? (Restate the question)
Plan: To solve this problem I will...
Try: Using your chosen strategy, try to solve the problem
Look Back: To solve this problem I..... (Explain the process)
I did this because...(Explain why the strategy was chosen and how it worked)
This problem reminds me of... (Make a connection)
GRASS (A Problem Solving Method)
G -given
What information does the problem give you?
I know that........
R - required
What does the question ask you to find?
I need to find.......
A - action plan
What strategy will you use to find the solution?
I will try by......
S - solution
Show your work.
S - statement
Write the answer in a sentence.
Explain how you got your answer.
I know because.....
Additionally, we will be following the following units from the Math Makes Sense text for Term 1:
Unit 2: Operations with Whole Numbers
Unit 1: Patterning
Unit 3: Geometry
Unit 4: Operations with Decimals
Unit 5: Data Management
Unit 6: Measurement
Literacy
Our Grade 6 team Literacy Focus this year will be on persuasive writing as well as Reader and Writer's Workshop. We will complete weekly journal entries, many of which will focus on developing persuasive writing skills.
Reading
We will be exploring the reading process throughout Term 1, using strategies to make predictions, complete retells, make connections, and review a variety of texts. We will be examining non-fiction biographical readings, as well as a book talk project on a self-selected fiction text. We will be completing a book talk assignment before the winter break, and will also be examining how text features enhance non-fiction books.
Writing
We will begin the year by examining writing informational passages. We will review basic paragraphing structure, as well as writing linked paragraphs and basic five paragraph essays. Students will have the opportunity to complete a biography on a self-chosen person of interest and will also examine how text features are used to enhance their writing. Emphasis will be placed on the writing process, using the steps of brainstorming, organizing ideas, drafting, and editing for a final written piece.
Oral Communication Skills
We will be completing a variety of individual and group presentations for all subject areas. We will also be focussing on attentive listening for Term 1.
Science
We will be examining two strands of science in Term 1 - Space and Flight. Firstly, we will examine the solar system, investigating how Earth rotates around the sun, and how our moon remains in our orbit. We will also be examining space travel, investigating the environments of other planets, and how humans can survive in space. Secondly, we will examine the principles of flight, with emphasis on Bernoulli's Principle as well as the four fources of flight which determine whether an object attain lift. We will be conducting experiments to test these principles, and will also be constructing various objects of flight.
Social Studies
In Social Studies we will explore Canada's trading partners and Canada's international interactions. We will examine the history of trade, as well as Canada's current trading partners. We will explore how Canada's economy is tied to that of the United States, and examine similarities and differences between Canada and its trading partner countries. We will be looking closely at how and why Canada offers international aid and through which organizations Canadians are able to offer support to countries around the world. Finally we examine issues of fair trade, with students role playing to examine how trade affects both developed and developing countries in the world.
Health / Physical Education
In our first term of Health, we will be examining issues of healthy eating. We will examine the lifestyle choices and types of foods that lead to a healthy body, as well as examining the effects of the media on body image. We will also aspects examine personal safety and injury prevention.
In Phys-Ed we will be focussing on a variety of co-operative games, as well as the development of fundamental volleyball and basketball skills.
Term 2 Units of Study
Math
We will be continuing to explore problem solving strategies. Additionally, we will be following the following units from the Math Makes Sense text for Term 2:
Unit 6 - Metric Conversions, Perimeter, Area
Unit 7 - Transformational Geometry
Unit 8 - Operations with Fractions, Percents and Ratios
Unit 10 - Geometric Patterning
Unit 9 - Perimeter, Area, Volume and Surface Area
Unit 11 - Probability
Literacy
Reading
We will continue exploring the reading process throughout Term 2, using strategies to make deeper connections and inferences from increasingly complex texts. We will be completing reading assignments independently, in small groups, and as a whole Grade 6 group, looking at a variety of fictional texts, as well as fiction and non-fiction texts using graphics. Students will complete a group novel student assignment, again using a book of their choice, as well as a unit on poetry.
Writing
Our writing emphasis for Term 2 will be on writing to persuade and again to entertain. For example, we will be completing persuasive business letters, focussing on expressing an opinion in a compelling way. We will also examine poetry, developing preferences for certain styles and genres. Additionally we will be completing a creative writing piece.
Oral Communication Skills/Media
We will continue completing a variety of individual and group presentations for all subject areas. We will also be completing our unit on speech writing, presenting for our class at the beginning of May. Additionally, we will be creating an advertising campaign around a student-invented product.
Science
We will be completing our final strands of science, Biodiversity and Electricity. First, we will examine the organization of the five kingdoms, with emphasis on the animal kingdom. We will also explore issues of biodiversity, focussing specifically on the importance of sustaining biodiversity in our own communities. Finally, we will be investigating static and current electricity. We will study, in detail, the construction of simple circuits. Our final culminating task for electricity will focus on the design and construction of a battery operated vehicle.
Social Studies
In Social Studies we will be examining the diversity of Canadian communities, emphasizing how historical social interactions as well as current communities contribute to the concept of a Canadian identity. We will be examining contributions of various religious, political, and cultural groups to the goal of inclusiveness in Canada, examining how various groups who settled in Canada have affected how Canadians view themselves and how Canadians are viewed internationally. We will be focusing on whole class discussion, small group debate, and inquiry research to enrich our understanding of what it means to be Canadian.
Health / Physical Education
We are very excited to be exploring the BRAVO program (formerly the DARE program) for Term 2. This program will help students develop the skills to avoid involvement in high-risk behaviour to ensure they grow up healthy, safe, and secure. We will also continue to investigate basic first aid safety techniques, and discuss issues related to growth and development.
In Phys-Ed, students will continue exploring a variety of co-operative games, as well as the development of fundamental badminton, gymnastic, and track and field skills.