August 29, 2025

Social Studies

Thanks for coming to BTSN! If you couldn't make it, the presentation is attached here. We are off to a great start! We have been learning the Depth & Complexity (D&C) Icons and many of the Eduprotocols (EP) that we will be using in our class to increase rigor and the Depths of Knowledge (DoK). We have also introduced GRAPES: the six categories civilizations must have.

Next week, we will continue learning D&C and EPs using GRAPES. We will introduce reading timelines and begin learning about geographic features.

Alexander Back to School Night Presentation 25/26

Science

Science students built their Interactive Science Notebooks (ISNs) this week. The notebook has 10 pages of resources in the front and an appendix that we use 6-8th grade. Please take a moment to look at the Table of Contents (ToC) in the front of your child’s notebook.

If you were unable to join us on Back to School Night, here is the slideshow.

Math

We’re currently finishing up our diagnostic assessments and will soon begin our first curriculum unit: Statistics! Students will start the year by getting to know each other through data collection, graph creation, and data analysis. It’s a fun and interactive way to build both math skills and classroom community.

If I didn’t get a chance to meet you at Back to School Night, you can view the presentation slides [linked here].

Back to School Night

PE/Study Skills

Rembrandt PE: We are finally getting fully up to speed with our PE lockers and uniforms, and moving forward with our Volleyball Skills unit. Students spend time with a ball each day to refine their passing skills, as well as participate in our daily warm up routine (calisthenics and stretching). We will also play some all class lead up games and drills that will help the class advance their skills and comfort level.

Uniforms have been distributed this afternoon, and we made sure names were written on most. Double check your child's uniform to be sure their materials are properly labeled. And finally, please help your child remember to have appropriate shoes for PE, when their schedule requires.

Corbolotti (Study Skills): We’ve had a great start in our Study Skills class! Students have participated in fun team-building games to help strengthen collaboration and communication. We’ve also introduced the key concepts of executive functioning, including planning, organization, time management, and self-monitoring. Students have begun to reflect on what their strengths and weaknesses are and how we can improve using various strategies.

Band

So nice to meet everyone at Back To School Night! Both bands are coming along. I decided to start at the beginning of the standard of excellence book, in order to help those students who switched instruments and/or aid those students who are inexperienced. My pace will be faster than it would be if this was their first year in music, but I want to make sure the more experienced students feel challenged (and take on a leadership role in their section) and the less experienced students don't get left in the dust. There's a wide gap of abilities in both classes. So far, we've gotten through the first 7-8 exercises in the book and started some notre identification practice. It's really important for kids to be able to read music and understand rhythm. Next week, we'll be hitting those two fronts pretty hard. I'm excited to be working with your kids!

Music Exploratory

So nice to meet everyone at Back To School Night! We're having lots of fun in Music Exp. They've pretty much learned an entire song in about 4-5 days, a piece called "I have a voice." They're learning how to identify notes and rhythm and that will continue on, as we reach new levels of difficulty with our pieces. I plan on ordering new music for the kids next week and I'd like them to have some say in what we sing, so we'll continue doing some singing/listening in order to find cool pieces they dig. I'm excited to continue making music with your kids!

Language Arts

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS.

Hello 6th Grade Parents,

Here is what to expect in 6th Grade Language Arts in the next 2 weeks.

The newly adopted reading curriculum is off to a great start!

Students are deep into reading Percy Jackson's "The Lightning Thief".

We are reading the book together as a class during "in-class" reading time.

However, students are welcome to read ahead during their nightly reading homework time and page level assignments.

Each chapter is aligned with our Student Workbook analysis and assignments.

This is studying how Greek Mythology is the underlying theme of "The Lightning Thief".

We are currently starting Unit 1 - Lesson 2 in the Student Workbook.

The plan is to complete Unit 1 - Lessons 2, 3 & 4 in the next 2 weeks.

Additionally, the students will continue with Writer's Workshop. This will narrative writing in their ELA Notebooks.

The topics will include the "Fall Season" & "My Identity" assignments.

Early this week, the students are completing the i-Ready Assessments.

It was so nice meeting you all at Back to School Night! Here's a link to the slides

Dana Koch & Ted Stoeckley

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