History Topic 1 Test is Wednesday, October 7th! Study guide has been posted in Google Classroom!
The skills below represent the major learning goals aligned with the California Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for Grade 6 English Language Arts. This is a general overview of our instructional priorities. We will primarily use our novel studies (A Long Walk to Water, The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, Refugee, and Tuck Everlasting), along with supplemental resources and activities to enrich student learning. Additional skills and lessons may be taught throughout the year to meet the needs and progress of each class.
The skills below represent the major learning goals aligned with the California History–Social Science Content Standards for Grade 6 and the Historical and Social Sciences Analysis Skills. This is a general overview of our instructional priorities. We will primarily use the Savvas myWorld Interactive: Ancient Civilizations curriculum, along with supplemental resources and activities to enrich student learning. Additional topics and lessons may be taught throughout the year to meet the needs and progress of each class.
Evidence & Inferences: Find and cite explicit textual evidence to support key ideas, inferences, and conclusions. (RL.6.1, RI.6.1)
Theme & Central Idea: Determine the theme or central idea of a text, track how it develops, and write an objective summary free of personal opinion. (RL.6.2, RI.6.2)
Plot & Character Development: Analyze how a story’s plot unfolds in episodes and how characters change as the story moves toward a resolution. (RL.6.3)
People, Events, & Ideas: Analyze how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced and elaborated in informational texts. (RI.6.3)
Point of View & Purpose: Explain how an author conveys their point of view, narrator's perspective, or overall purpose. (RL.6.6, RI.6.6)
Craft, Tone, & Word Choice: Analyze how an author’s choice of words impacts meaning, tone, and mood. (RL.6.4, RI.6.4)
Text Structure & Features: Explain how chapters, scenes, stanzas, or text features (like headers and captions) fit into the overall structure and contribute to the text. (RL.6.5, RI.6.5)
Compare & Contrast: Compare different genres, stories vs. media adaptations, or how two authors present the same event or topic. (RL.6.7, RL.6.9, RI.6.7, RI.6.9)
Reading Stamina & Complexity: Independently and proficiently read and comprehend complex grade-level literature and informational texts. (RL.6.10, RI.6.10)
Context Clues: Use context clues (e.g., overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph) to determine the meaning of unknown words. (L.6.4a) [Click Here for Anchor Chart]
Roots & Affixes: Use Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to determine word meanings. (L.6.4b)
Reference Tools: Use print and digital reference materials (dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find pronunciation, part of speech, and exact definitions. (L.6.4c, L.6.4d)
Figurative Language: Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification, metaphors) and figures of speech in context. (L.6.5a)
Word Relationships & Associations: Use word relationships (cause/effect, item/category, synonyms, antonyms) to better understand words. (L.6.5b)
Connotation vs. Denotation: Distinguish between subtle differences in word meanings and emotional associations (e.g., thrifty vs. stingy). (L.6.5c)
Academic & Domain Vocabulary: Learn and correctly use grade-appropriate academic and subject-specific words. (L.6.6)
Evaluate Arguments: Trace an author’s argument, distinguishing between claims supported by clear evidence and unsupported claims. (RI.6.8)
Research Projects: Conduct short research projects using multiple reliable digital and print sources to answer a specific question. (W.6.7)
Evaluate & Paraphrase Sources: Assess source credibility, quote or paraphrase data without plagiarizing, and provide basic bibliographic citations. (W.6.8)
Pronoun Cases: Correctly use subject, object, possessive, and reflexive pronouns. (L.6.1a)
Intensive Pronouns: Use intensive pronouns correctly for emphasis (e.g., myself, himself). (L.6.1b)
Correct Pronoun Errors: Recognize and correct vague antecedents and improper shifts in pronoun number and person. (L.6.1c, L.6.1d)
Punctuation & Spelling: Use correct punctuation (commas, apostrophes, quotation marks) and spell grade-appropriate words accurately. (L.6.2a, L.6.2b)
Sentence Variety: Vary sentence patterns to enhance style, readability, and reader interest. (L.6.3a)
Style & Tone: Maintain consistency in formal style, tone, and conventions across writing and speaking tasks. (L.6.3b)
Argumentative Writing: Write arguments that support claims with clear reasons, relevant evidence, logical organization, and a formal tone. (W.6.1)
Informative Writing: Write informative texts to explain a topic using definitions, classification, details, transitions, and clear summaries. (W.6.2)
Narrative Writing: Write real or imagined stories using effective narrative techniques (dialogue, pacing, sensory details, and clear event sequences). (W.6.3)
Textual Evidence in Writing: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. (W.6.9)
The Writing Process: Plan, draft, revise, edit, and rewrite to strengthen writing with guidance from peers and adults. (W.6.5)
Digital Publishing: Use digital tools and technology to produce, publish, and collaborate on writing. (W.6.6)
Writing Stamina: Write routinely over extended timeframes (research and revision) and shorter timeframes (single sitting or a day or two). (W.6.10)
Multimedia Interpretation: Interpret and integrate information presented in charts, graphs, images, maps, and video formats. (RI.6.7, SL.6.2)
Collaborative Discussions: Prepare for and participate in class and group discussions, posing and responding to specific questions with evidence. (SL.6.1)
Evaluate Oral Presentations: Describe a speaker's argument and specific claims, distinguishing supported statements from unsupported ones. (SL.6.3)
Presenting Knowledge: Present claims and findings logically, using clear speech, appropriate volume, and formal English. (SL.6.4, SL.6.6)
Multimedia Presentations: Include visual displays and multimedia components in presentations to clarify information. (SL.6.5)
Student General Overview for Ancient Civilizations:
🌍 Explore the development of early humans and the world's first civilizations.
🗺 Analyze how geography influenced where civilizations developed, how they grew, and how they interacted with their environment.
🔍 Analyze cause-and-effect relationships to understand why civilizations, governments, and empires developed, flourished, changed, or declined.
💡 Examine the innovations and achievements of ancient civilizations and their influence on the modern world.
🌎 Examine continuity and change over time by exploring how civilizations adapted, interacted, and continue to shape today's world.
📜 Analyze historical sources and evidence, including maps, artifacts, primary sources, and timelines.
💭 Develop historical thinking skills by asking questions, comparing perspectives, evaluating evidence, and drawing conclusions.
🗣 Communicate historical understanding through discussions, writing, presentations, and evidence-based explanations.
🏛 Study the civilizations of:
🏺 Compare civilizations by examining their 'GRAPES':
Books will be available in class and accessible online outside of class.
Academic Strategies is a Pass/No Pass class designed to help students develop the organizational, study, and communication skills needed for success across all middle school classes. Students will practice transferable strategies using their current classwork whenever possible. Instruction focuses on building independence, responsibility, and effective learning habits. Lessons may be adjusted to meet class needs.
Digital Citizenship is a Pass/No Pass class intended to help students develop the skills needed to safely, responsibly, and thoughtfully navigate the digital world. Using lessons from Common Sense Education along with teacher-created activities and discussions, students learn how their online actions affect themselves, others, and their future opportunities. The course focuses on real-world application, reflection, and responsible decision-making in digital spaces.
Organize notebooks, folders, and digital materials
Track assignments, due dates, and missing work
Use Google Classroom and Aeries to monitor progress
Manage time and prioritize tasks
Develop stress-management and focus strategies
Build healthy study and homework routines
Practice habits that support academic success (sleep, organization, balance)
Complete work neatly and clearly
Develop legible handwriting and strong presentation skills
Revise work for accuracy and completeness
Use school platforms responsibly (Google Classroom, Aeries)
Write professional emails to teachers and peers
Practice responsible digital citizenship and academic integrity
Participate in academic discussions
Work effectively with peers
Develop presentation and speaking skills
Practice active listening and teamwork
Set and monitor academic goals
Build focus, responsibility, and independence
Develop effective study routines
Reflect on academic progress and growth
Take effective notes (Cornell notes, outlines, graphic organizers)
Use strategies for studying, memorization, and test preparation
Break assignments into manageable steps
Apply active learning strategies using class content
Understand safe and responsible online behavior
Recognize digital risks, scams, and unsafe interactions
Learn strategies for protecting personal information and privacy
Identify and respond to cyberbullying and online conflict
Understand how online actions create a digital footprint
Analyze how posts, images, and comments impact reputation
Make thoughtful decisions about what to share online
Explore how digital behavior affects future opportunities (school, careers, etc.)
Identify credible vs. unreliable online information
Recognize clickbait, ads, misinformation, and hoaxes
Analyze how media is designed to influence thinking and behavior
Evaluate sources for accuracy and bias
Practice respectful and appropriate online communication
Understand tone, audience, and consequences of digital messages
Demonstrate positive behavior in digital interactions
Learn strategies for handling digital conflict and drama
Understand how personal data is collected and used online
Explore privacy settings and app permissions
Learn how websites and apps use data and algorithms
Make informed choices about digital sharing and consent
Reflect on personal screen time and media use
Develop healthy balance between online and offline life
Practice stress management related to technology use
Build awareness of emotional responses in digital environments