Grade 6
June 18, 2021
While it may feel like summer, the first official day of the season kicks off on Sunday when the sun reaches its northernmost point.
If you ask any Hilltop teacher, it’s always a perfect time to read. But the leisurely months of summer are a great time to read and let the literature take you someplace new.
Books take us to places when we cannot leave our homes. They introduce us to people we may never have the opportunity to meet. They place us in situations that we have never experienced ourselves. Books can transform us in ways that can change our thinking and teach us the most important life lessons.
English teacher, Sarah Weeks, focussed this year's summer reading selections on New York City. As COVID restrictions begin to lift, we can look forward to taking day trips, and why not to places near our own backyard. Whether you stay close to home or venture out, the books on this summer's book list take you to the Big Apple.
As you begin your summer reading, remember that audiobooks are great for travel or listening as a family.
All Upper School students are assigned one book that has been chosen for the class; additionally, each student should select and read one appropriately-leveled book of the choice (see recommendations).
BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
Backpack or tote to carry books and supplies. (No wheeled backpacks)
Smock for art (an adult's old t-shirt works perfectly)
Four 1 subject spiral bound notebooks and four folders for Language Arts, Science, Mathematics and History (Suggestion: Folder and notebook match for easy organization)
Pencil case loaded with: 1 highlighter, Sharpened #2 pencils, Pens (blue or black), Earbuds/headphones labeled with student name, eraser.
All students are encouraged to bring a filled, personal water bottle to school each day. For health reasons, students may not refill their bottles or drink from the school's communal fountains. Water stations will be set up in each classroom. All students are encouraged to bring a filled, personal water bottle to school each day. Water stations will be set up in each classroom. The students will have access to the bottle fill station.
LANGUAGE ARTS
In Upper School Language Arts, students have two required novels to read and the choice of a response activity to accompany each novel.
Required Text: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
The story follows twelve-year-old Jeremy Fink and his neighbor Lizzy Muldoun as they attempt to retrieve four keys that unlock a wooden box delivered one month before Jeremy's 13th birthday.
Independent Study: Your pick!
Choose a grade-appropriate book for your summer reading! Need help deciding? We have a great list of recommendations! Click here
Upper School Summer Writing Assignments
(CLICK THE ARROW TO VIEW)
For the NYC-themed required text, students must complete ALL of the following THREE text connections:
I. Text-to-Self
-Write a 300-500 word highly personal connection (or series of smaller
connections) between your class book and your own life experiences.
-For example, "This reminds me of a day I spent in Brooklyn eating all kinds of pizza with my grandfather..."
II. Text-to-Text
-Write 300-500 words on how your class book reminds you of other things you have read (other books by the same author, stories from a similar genre, or
something else you’ve read on the same topic).
-For example, “Last year, I read a book that included a character that was very similar to the main character in this story...”
III. Text-to-World
-Write 300-500 words on a larger connection that you, as a reader, bring to your understanding of the class book; beyond our own personal experiences and what we learn in school, we gain knowledge of world events via television, movies, magazines, and the internet.
-For example, "I saw a documentary on Netflix about The Statue of Liberty, which is one of the first New York City landmarks mentioned in the book. Because of this, I already knew that…”
For the independent text, students must choose ONE of the following prompts:
❏ “Enjoy the Ride”
Using examples from the book you chose, write 300-500 words about appreciating life’s ups and downs; how do challenges and disappointments always seem to have a positive side?
❏ “Once Upon a Time…”
Using examples from the book you chose, write 300-500 words about the
importance of storytelling.
OR
❏ “Inside Out”
Write 300-500 words about the problems a main character in your book faces -- those from within ( internal conflicts ) and those that the world presents ( external conflicts ).
Upper School Recommendations for Independent Reading Books
Summer Mathematics: Game On!
Sixth are challenged to take mathematical concepts and turn them into a game! Flex your skills and review topics of fractions, circumference and perimeter. Be creative, there are many different types of games: card games, board games, dice, jeopardy, puzzles. See below for guidelines and ideas. Please bring your completed game in on the first day of school.
Math Game Guidelines. Click for Details
Create a Math Game or Puzzle
Objective : Create a math game about a concept you have learned or skill you want to practice. Game types could be but are not limited to:
Card game
Board game
Dice game
Jeopardy game
Strategy game
Puzzle
Domino game
Bingo
Digital game
Name: give your game a name- be creative
Theme: Create a theme for your game. It can even cross over and involve a history, science, art, sports or English theme- or from your hobbies and interests. Be creative and have it run through all aspects of your game: the name, the goal, the packaging etc. It should attract students and make them want to try it out!
Game Concept: Your game should cover concepts that you have learned or know something about. It should help students practice, learn and gain confidence that they’ve practiced skills throughout the game.
Ideas - patterns, number lines, fractions, factors, multiplication, division, integers, graphs, equations, percents, $, decimals, polygons, 3d shapes, surface area, volume, perimeter, circles, probability, perfect squares, time, distance, rate, simple interest, sales, coupons, discounts, ratios, timelines, Roman numerals, and more…..
Game directions : Clear step by step instructions how to play the game.
Number of players
Materials needed
Goal of the game
Instructions including how to win
Answer key
Game pieces: Choose or create game pieces or characters to match your theme
PACKAGING: Create a package for your game . It should be able to fit on a shelf and be attractive to students. Large posters do not fit on a shelf- make your game compact or create a foldable game board. The game must be in a box, envelope or bag- folder game? If you create a digital game- make a card or box to advertise it- such as something you may see on a shelf in the store.
Neatness: Your project should be attractive and neat - make it colorful and stand out so that someone wants to pull it down from the shelf and play it.
Co-Curricular Reading: Hilltop Specials
Looking for a new interest? Something different? Browse through the titles curated by our specialists and choose a piece of interest.
BYOD SPECIFICATIONS (CLICK FOR DETAILS)
BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE (BYOD) SPECIFICATIONS
Hilltop encourages upper school students to bring a Chromebook or laptop to school that they are comfortable with to enhance the use of technology in the classroom. The use of personal devices is a privilege, not a right. Each teacher has the discretion to allow and regulate the use of personal devices in the classroom and on specific projects.
As with school-owned devices, BYOD student-owned devices may only be used to access applications, files, or Internet sites which are relevant to the classroom curriculum. Devices may not be used for non-instructional purposes, such as making personal emails, voice calls, messaging, playing non-educational games, viewing videos, etc. Devices may not be used to record, transmit or post photographic images or video of a person or persons on campus during school activities and/or hours.
Equipment Knowledge Expectations
A student should be familiar with the operation and function of their device, able to navigate through its programs and establish a connection to Hilltop’s WiFi network. It is expected that the student will arrive at school with the device fully charged and have battery life to last through the school day.
Hilltop recommends the following specifications:
minimum of a 10” screen, permanently attached keyboard (no iPads or Tablets)
capability for wireless Internet access
ability for image capture/recording, sound recording
Hilltop’s WiFi network is expected to be the primary method of connection to the Internet. The use of cellular Internet service (3G/4G on tablets, phones, etc) is prohibited without teacher permission. Connection to third party access points or the establishment of adhoc network access via Internet connection devices (hotspots, air cards) is not permitted.
Security and Damages
Responsibility to keep the device secure rests with the individual owner. Hilltop Country Day School is not liable for any device lost, stolen or damaged, including lost or corrupted data on a device. It is strongly recommended that if the device has a locator feature that it is enabled. It is also recommended that skins (decals) and other custom touches are used to physically identify your device from others.