6th Grade
Welcome to 6th Grade
Current Units of Instruction
Unit 5- ELA-Families Throughout Time
What are we learning?
Students will analyze how an author uses text structure in his/her writing. Students will compare and contrast reading a text to listening to the text. Students will practice pronoun shifts and correcting pronouns that are vague. Students will research their novel's time period and create a Google Site for their presentation.
What to expect in this unit?
In this unit we will be focusing on historical fiction novels. Students will be conducting research about the historical time period of their novel, and then putting together a presentation to share with the class. Students will need to keep up with their nightly reading according to the reading calendar they are given.
Why does this unit matter?
This unit matters because students will explore the meaning of families, why they matter and what makes a strong family. Students will investigate how families have changed throughout time.
Unit 9 - Math- Statistics
What are we learning?
We will be embarking on our statistics unit. This unit is our unit 9 (yes right now we are skipping unit 8 we will come back to that after we do Statistics). During this unit we will be diving into data and looking at how to read it through using measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and also measures of variation. We will dig deep and graph this data.
What to expect in this unit?
During Unit 9, students will get formal notes and homework each night. They will learn how to graph and analyze data.
Why does this unit matter?
Knowing how to gather data is a life long skill. Understanding how to read and analize graphs is a skill that will continue with the students throughout their schooling.
Science Unit 6 - Earth's Landscapes
What are we learning?
We are learning about the rock cycle and how the Earth's landscape changes as a result of those forces.
What to expect in this unit?
This unit is structured around another summative project, the National Parks presentation: students will research how a particular national park's landscape and rocks were formed and how the landscape of the park became the way it is now, showing their mastery of the rock and water cycles.
Why I like this unit? Why does this unit matter?
I enjoy this unit because it is so concrete--we are able to perform labs, physically look at and touch different rocks, and use plenty of real-life examples. The unit is all about being able to understand the world around us and to be able to look at a hill or a mountain or a valley and have an idea of how it got that way; I really enjoy the final project because it gives students a sense of the incredible beauty of the land around us while also showing their mastery of the concepts.
Social Studies Unit 4: Debating History part 2
What are we learning?
We just finished up our first DBQ (document based questioning) experience with Athens and Rome, focusing on citizenship and government within those civilizations. Next round of DBQs we will focus on the Great Wall of China and Hammurabi's Code.
What to expect in this unit?
Now that I have taught how to analyze the documents and participate in a debate, this next DBQ will be a little quicker and more independent. We will follow the same process as before: learning background knowledge, annotating and analyzing primary and secondary source documents, creating a claim, evidence, and reasoning, and finally debating our classmates.
Why does this unit matter?
Learning the past is great, but it's critically thinking about issues that really matters. This unit stresses the real world skills that students will use in their life (such as backing up their opinion with evidence and reasoning) and connects it to the ancient world that we learned last unit.
2Unit 2 - Intro to FACS
Unit 1 -FACS 6th grade
What are we learning?
I can identify ways to prevent common kitchen accidents. NS 8.2
I can describe what to do if a kitchen accident occurs. NS 8.2
I can measure ingredients properly. NS 9.6
What to expect in this unit?
We will review kitchen safety and proper measuring techniques.
Students will demonstrate these skills while preparing foods in the cooking labs.
Why does this unit matter?
This unit will teach skills and knowledge that will be used throughout the trimester as we do a variety of fun cooking labs safely and collaboratively.
Cadet Band - Unit 5
What are we learning?
Students are preparing for their third trimester playing test and their end of the year concert. The playing test includes a new key signature, several new notes, chromatics, 6/8 time, and a variety of sixteenth-note patterns. The concert music includes songs from many different styles.
What to expect in this unit?
The spring concert is here at Westview Hills on Wednesday, May 22 at 6:00 PM with a 5:40 PM warm-up.
The playing test will include formative assessments in Smartmusic and an in-person playing test.
Why does this unit matter?
The playing test will help students become more confident playing several new skills.
The concert music will help students review and learn the ensemble skills necessary to perform songs in various styles.
Unit 1 - Grid Drawings: 6th Grade Art
What are we learning?
I can use a grid to draw more accurately
I can learn to measure and draw lightly (making erasing easier)
I can use and learn a variety of colored pencil techniques
I can take the time to fix mistakes, and use my class time well
What to expect in this unit?
Students will get a chance to get to practice using a grid first on a formative assessment before moving onto our summative project.
Students will get to choose an animal they wish to draw.
Why does this unit matter?
This is a useful drawing technique regardless of experience level. In addition to working on their drawing skills, I will also demonstrate some coloring techniques that will be helpful on this project.
Spanish - 6th Grade
What are we learning?
Students are learning sounds of the Spanish alphabet, correct pronunciation, basic conversational speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in the target language.
What to expect in this unit?
Students will learn to express and understand ideas on topics such as basic conversational Spanish, using numbers, letters of the alphabet, parts of the body, days of the week, months of the year and colors.
Why does this unit matter?
It will help prepare students to be successful Spanish language learners and to begin to build a strong knowledge and foundation of the basics to expand upon in 7th and 8th grade and beyond.
Special Project:
Students will also have the opportunity to choose a Spanish-speaking country to research and will present their findings to their classmates. This will give Westview students an opportunity to learn about other countries traditions and values and to help gain an appreciation and respect for the diverse cultures we get to see everyday.
Intro to STEM, Unit 2: The Design Process
What are we learning?
I can describe the design process and how it is used to aid in problem solving.
I can recognize design criteria and constraints.
I can describe the purpose and importance of working in a team.
I can use the design process to solve a technical problem.
I can explain a design brief and apply the concept when using the design process.
I can operate effectively as a member of a team to complete a design project.
I can use a decision matrix to select the best solution to a design.
What to expect in this unit?
In this unit, students will be reviewing the steps of the design process of engineering, with a focus on the requirements of a given design challenge (the criteria and constraints). Students will then be applying the process to completing a design challenge such as a catapult or balloon-powered car. In 6th grade, the focus is on the process of engineering rather than on the product, to strengthen students' inquiry, communication, and documentation skills.
Why does this unit matter?
Using a systematic, thoughtful planning process that addresses project criteria and constraints to solve engineering problems helps students achieve an optimal design solution, which is the foundation of engineering and of future work in STEM courses here at Westview.
Trimester 3 Unit 2: Soccer
We will be focusing on the following standards:
Apply basic offensive, defensive, and cooperative strategies in selected activities, games, and sports. (19.C.3b)
Demonstrate the rules and procedures outside, in the gymnasium and locker room. (19.C.3a,21.A.3a,b,c)
20.A.3b Identify and participate in activities associated with the components of health related and skill related fitness.
What to expect in this unit?
You will be performing 1 midpoint check in
You will be performing 1 summative
Concepts learned in Soccer will include:
Passing
Dribbling
Striking
Trapping
4 common soccer positions: forwards/midfielders/defenders/goalie
Soccer concepts including: game play, line markings, throw in, corner kick, goal kick, kick off, and common fouls.
Why I like this unit? Why does this unit matter?
This unit is important as soccer is a world wide sport that is super fun and easy to play. The purpose of this unit is to help students develop their soccer related skills, improve their hand eye coordination, and cardiovascular endurance. Students learn teamwork, communication, and cooperation strategies to become more effective players when on a team. I also love this unit because I enjoy watching the students compete and have fun while engaging in physical activity.
Trimester 3: Unit 2: Health and Wellness: Healthy Lifestyle Choices
We will be focusing on the following standards:
STATE GOAL 22: I can understand principles of health promotion and the prevention and treatment of illness and injury
STATE GOAL 23. I can understand human body systems and factors that influence growth and development.
STATE GOAL 24: I can promote and enhance health and well-being through the use of effective communication and decision-making skills
What to expect in this unit?
You will be performing a 1 pre-assessment, 1 formative, and 2 summative assessments (all are content based).
You will be participating in activities that improve your understanding regarding our Body Systems using reliable resources with factual information in order to make healthy informed decisions.
Why I like this unit? Why does this unit matter?
This unit will set students up for success by guiding the students to understand the importance of identifying the risk factors within our control and not within our control associated with Body Systems that can reduce short and long term health concerns. They will also be able to identify how maintaining their own health can impact their overall wellness and enabling them to advocate and teach others how to maintain their overall wellness through a Body Systems advocacy project of their choice,