Welcome to Grade 6 Math!

During the first week of school, we begin by getting to know our students and exploring the beautiful and creative aspects of mathematics. Students will engage in activities that help build a growth mindset. This type of mindset supports students' growth throughout their learning journey. 

Additionally, we will explore number and visual patterns in math and learn the value of taking risks and learning from our mistakes.

From there we will begin our first two units of study. This year Grade 6 Math will be using DESMOS, an online learning platform. In Unit 1, students extend their knowledge of areas of rectangles to reason about areas of parallelograms and triangles, and to calculate surface areas. Unit 2 is students’ first formal introduction to ratios, a concept that they will revisit several times throughout the year and in later grades. Students learn several ways to represent ratios—with double number lines, tables, and tape diagrams. 

We will use Google Classroom as the primary means to share class materials. All homework will also be posted there.

 Students can expect about 20-30 minutes of homework after each math class in order to practice and reinforce skills learned in class. Students will be assessed on learning targets in two ways:

• Fluency 

• Explaining & Reasoning 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

Grade 6 Math Teachers:

Jeff Jacobsen jjacobsen@jisedu.or.id

Courtney Berry cberry@jisedu.or.id

Welcome to Grade 6 Science with Mr. Fox and Ms. Johnson!

In the first quarter, students will begin developing their scientific observation and investigation skills to explore how magnetic and electric forces affect objects.  Students will be working to model fields and design investigations.  By the end of the year, students will be well on their way to becoming young scientists!

Our three Science Powerschool Strands are:  

• Knowledge: 

  • Scientific content from each unit

• Investigating:

  • Asking Questions 

  • Planning & Carrying Out Investigations / Designing Solutions

  • Mathematical & Computational Thinking

  • Analyzing & Interpreting Data

• Communicating: 

  • Engaging in Argument from Evidence

  • Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

  • Constructing Explanations

  • Developing & Using Models

How can parents help from home?

You can help support your child at home in science by asking them to tell you about what they are learning and to have them teach it to you.  Ask to see their Google Classroom assignments on a regular basis. Use the time at home to listen to what they are thinking and how they are reasoning.  A resource document will be posted on the topic of the Google Classroom classwork.  

Please don’t hesitate to contact the Grade 6 Science teachers if you have any questions!

Adam Fox 

afox@jisedu.or.id 

Shanieka Johnson sjohnson@jisedu.or.id

Welcome to Grade 6 English!

We will begin by setting the foundations for a successful year. This will include asking the students to complete a series of reading and writing tasks to help us assess their current skills and identify areas for growth. From there, we will begin our first major writing unit: crafting a personal narrative. One way parents can help with this task is by chatting with their child about fun, interesting, or significant life moments that might spark a good story idea. 

For reading, our students will explore a range of strategies designed to deepen their understanding of character, plot, and the author’s craft. It would be helpful for students to keep small Post-It notes in their reading book so they can mark passages and pages where they notice something important about the characters in the stories. Our core homework expectation is that students engage in independent reading for approximately 150 minutes per week.

Parents can play a valuable role in supporting this routine at home. One of the most effective ways to help is by creating an environment that encourages reading. This might include setting aside a regular, device-free time and space for your child to read. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

Grade 6 English teachers:

Moon Jang mjang@jisedu.or.id 

Peter Gibson pgibson@jisedu.or.id

Welcome to Grade 6 Social Studies! 

During quarter 1, we will examine fundamental elements of culture and how it shapes our interactions and experiences as human beings. The unit explores how people share many common characteristics; while at the same time, we all have different backgrounds, values, and beliefs. Furthermore, we will discuss the development of our own personal, communal, and national identities and why cultures vary so widely from place to place. Students will examine how individual experiences shape personal identity, how communities influence our sense of belonging, and how national identity is formed through shared history, traditions, and values. Additionally, the unit will address stereotypes, exploring how they form and their impact on our perceptions of different cultures and identities.

How can parents help from home?

As the unit progresses, we encourage you to check in with your child frequently and offer support in discussing the nuances of the vocabulary they are exposed to. We hope that through this process, students will gain a deeper understanding of their own cultures and beliefs.

Google Classroom is the online platform that we will be using for students to access their classwork and turn in their assignments. Encourage your child to always use the turn-in feature on Google Classroom when they have completed their work.

Students will begin to familiarize themselves with the JIS research portal.

The sequence of units that will be taught in social studies this year is as follows:

• Quarter 1: Culture and Identity

• Quarter 2: Bias and Perspective

• Quarter 3: Traditional and Modern Societies

• Quarter 4: Ideal Governments

All units will have evidence of learning (midpoint of the unit) and application of learning assessments (end of unit) which will serve as indicators of your child’s mastery of the unit's standards and concepts. 

Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. 

Grade 6 social studies teachers:

Nathan Berry nberry@jisedu.or.id 

Jennifer Zenick jzenick@jisedu.or.id

Welcome to Grade 6 PE!

In Grade 6 Physical Education, students will participate in a variety of activity units throughout the year, including eight different units:

• Surf or Turf (Aquatic strokes and Water safety)

• To Infinity and Beyond (Bouldering and Wall Climbing)

• Ultimate Invaders (Flag Football and Touch Rugby)

• Space Invaders (Endball and Benchball)

• Games of the East (Badminton and Smashball)

• Strike Force (Striking and Fielding Games)

• Body in Motion (Health-Related Fitness)

• Invasion IQ (Korfball and Netball) 

Throughout each unit, students will build a range of movement skills such as throwing, kicking, dodging, balancing, striking, and swimming. They will also learn how to apply strategies to solve movement challenges, work as a team, and take on different roles and responsibilities to support safety and cooperation. Students will be encouraged to adapt their skills to different games and situations, think critically, and reflect on how they can improve their performance.

In addition to game-based learning, students will explore concepts of health and fitness. They will learn how to monitor their heart rate, understand different activity intensity levels, and create a personal fitness plan that includes strength, endurance, flexibility, and body awareness. Across all units, students will be supported in developing confidence, resilience, and responsibility in physical activity. The goal is to help students enjoy being active, grow in their physical literacy, and build lifelong habits that support a healthy and active lifestyle.

How Can Parents Help from Home?

You can support your child’s success in Physical Education by helping them come to class prepared and ready to participate. Please ensure they get enough sleep the night before, bring a full water bottle, wear the PE uniform, and pack any additional items needed for specific units—such as swimwear and a towel for aquatics, or appropriate footwear and sunscreen for outdoor activities. If lessons are held outside, a hat and sunscreen are also recommended. Taking a few minutes to talk with your child about what they learned in PE or how they felt during an activity can help reinforce healthy habits and build confidence in their physical abilities.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Grade 6 PE teachers:

📧 rsetiawan@jisedu.or.id

📧 lclaydon@jisedu.or.id