6th Grade Science: A Year of Discovery

Science is all about asking questions, making observations, solving problems, and discovering how our world works. Throughout the year, we'll think like scientists as we investigate real-world phenomena through hands-on labs, interactive notebooks, engineering challenges, discussions, and scientific writing.

🔬 Quarter 1 – Thinking Like a Scientist & Thermal Energy

We begin the year by learning what scientists do. We'll practice making careful observations, asking questions, designing investigations, working safely in the lab, and communicating our ideas through scientific writing and CERs (Claim-Evidence-Reasoning). Then we'll explore how thermal energy moves, how matter changes as it gains or loses energy, and how engineers design materials to control the transfer of heat.

🌦️ Quarter 2 – Weather & Climate

Why does weather change? What causes hurricanes, storms, and ocean currents? We'll investigate the water cycle, air masses, weather patterns, and the Earth's atmosphere and oceans to understand how energy drives our weather and shapes Earth's climate.

🌎 Quarter 3 – A Changing Earth

Earth is constantly changing! We'll discover how rocks are formed, how weathering and erosion reshape our planet, and how plate tectonics create mountains, earthquakes, and volcanoes. We'll also examine natural hazards and learn how science helps people understand and prepare for these powerful events.

🧬 Quarter 4 – Cells, Body Systems & Growth

We'll finish the year by exploring life itself. We'll investigate cells, learn how body systems work together, and discover how plants and animals grow, reproduce, and respond to their environments. Along the way, we'll see how living things survive, adapt, and interact with the world around them.

🌍 Social Studies

Welcome to 6th Grade Social Studies!

Social Studies is so much more than memorizing maps or learning about places. This year, we'll explore how geography shapes the way people live, work, solve problems, and connect with one another around the world. Together, we'll discover how landforms, climate, resources, culture, economics, and history all influence the decisions people make every day.

Our journey will take us across North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, and even Antarctica. Along the way, we'll investigate ancient civilizations, learn about Indigenous cultures, examine current global issues, and make connections between the past and the world we live in today.

Students will think like geographers by asking questions, analyzing maps and data, evaluating multiple perspectives, and using evidence to support their ideas. Through discussions, hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and current events like CNN10, we'll develop the critical thinking skills that help us better understand our world.

My hope is that every student leaves this class not only knowing more about the world—but also becoming more curious, more thoughtful, and more confident in asking questions about the people, places, and events that shape our global community. There is always something new to discover, and I can't wait to explore it together!

6-1 Rester Science

6-1 Rester Social Studies

6-1 Homework 2026/27

I truly love being part of the Hill family and can't wait to share my love of learning, curiosity, and all things science and social studies with the amazing Team 6-1!

One of my favorite things about teaching is that I get to keep learning right alongside my students. I ask lots of questions, try new ideas, and believe that some of our greatest learning happens after things don't go quite as planned. Learning isn't about getting everything right the first time—it's about being curious, trying again, and growing from every experience. I hope our classroom is a place where questions are encouraged, mistakes are welcomed, perseverance is celebrated, and everyone feels confident to keep learning.

You'll often find me around Hill long after the school day ends! I'm proud to be an assistant coach for both the boys' and girls' soccer teams, and I love helping at our Student Council Hilltopper (all school dance/activity event). And, you will almost always see me as you leave each day at the bus :)

Home is just as busy and full of laughter. My husband is a newly retired middle school teacher and coach—so yes, we really do love middle schoolers! We spend as much time outside as we can, enjoy a healthy board game rivalry, never pass up live music, and usually have a podcast (or two!) playing.

We have five amazing kids, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and a few "bonus kids" who have become part of our family over the years. They keep life exciting as teachers, graduate students, college students, and a busy high schooler involved in Color Guard. Add our dog, Bowie, and our three cats—Birdie, Blue, and Belle—and it's safe to say our house is rarely quiet... and we wouldn't have it any other way!

I believe every student can grow. Curiosity is more important than having all the answers, kindness makes every classroom stronger, and learning should be filled with wonder, laughter, and discovery. Whether we're investigating a science phenomenon, exploring cultures and history, or cheering each other on through challenges, I hope every student knows they belong, they are capable of great things, and that learning is one of life's greatest adventures.

I can't wait to learn, explore, and grow together this year. Welcome to Team 6-1!

Here is our Science Expectations and Safety Guidelines

All students are required to have a signed Flinn Safety Contract to participate in ANY lab activity. PAPER copy will need to be signed and returned.

Flinn Safety Contract - Spanish.pdf

Flinn Safety Contract - English.PDF

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