This month has been a fantastic journey for our sixth grade reading class. We have just completed our Non-Fiction Reading Unit where students learned how to determine the central idea, summarize, and synthesize non-fiction text with ease. They have honed their critical reading skills and are ready to tackle any reading challenge.

We are now starting our Social Issues Book Club Unit, and students are excited to delve into thought-provoking books that explore various social issues such as racism, bullying, learning differences, and ageism. In this unit, students will be grouped and get to choose their books from an array of options. With their groups, they will complete homework assignments and in-class tasks that center around themes of individuality and group identity. This unit is designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of social issues and encourage them to be active citizens who make a positive impact in their communities.

We hope this unit will provide students with a unique opportunity to connect with others, engage in meaningful discussions, and develop a lifelong love of reading.

Stay tuned for more updates on our exciting reading journey!

This winter in language arts, our sixth grade class completed two articles about an animal of their choice. The first article was a descriptive piece that highlighted the unique features, behaviors, and habitats of the animal. Students learned how to use credible sources, such as encyclopedias and scientific journals, to gather information and develop their writing skills. They also honed their descriptive language skills to make their writing more vivid and engaging.

The second article was a compare and contrast piece, where students compared and contrasted two different animals, highlighting the similarities and differences between the two. They learned how to organize their writing to effectively communicate their ideas and use transition words to link their ideas together. Additionally, students learned about citation making and how to create a works cited page to give credit to the sources they used. These research skills will be valuable for future projects and assignments.

Now that our animal writing unit has come to a close, we are moving on to a new writing unit focused on activists. In this unit, students will write a five-paragraph essay about three inspiring activists: the children's marchers, Mari Copeny, and Malala. These individuals prove that anyone, no matter their age, can make a positive impact on the world. Students will use the writing skills they learned during the animal unit, such as using credible sources and creating a works cited page, to write a compelling and well-researched essay about these activists.

This past month, our sixth-grade history class has been diving into the elements of civilization of Ancient Israel. We learned about the development of the Jewish religion, the laws and government established by King David, Abraham, and Solomon, and the cultural and economic achievements of this civilization. To bring our studies to life, we created scroll projects that showcased the reigns of King David, Abraham, or Solomon. Each student had the opportunity to research their chosen leader and present the key events and accomplishments of their rule. This hands-on project allowed us to better understand the significance of these leaders in the history of Ancient Israel.

In addition to Ancient Israel, we also studied the geography of Ancient India and the ancient city of Mohenjo-daro. We learned about the Indus Valley Civilization and how the geography of the region, including the Indus River and the surrounding deserts, influenced the development of this civilization. We also explored the city of Mohenjo-daro, one of the largest cities of the Indus Valley Civilization, and discovered the advanced plumbing and sewage systems, as well as the complex social structure and architecture of the city. These studies provided us with a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of ancient civilizations.

Overall, this month has been filled with exciting lessons and engaging projects. We have gained a greater understanding of the elements of civilization and how they have shaped the world we live in today. As we continue to delve into the history of different civilizations, we look forward to expanding our knowledge and perspectives.