Sixth Grade

Math

• Open Middle - Deep, challenging problems, often with multiple right answers. Lead to great discussions about mathematical thinking. 

• NRICH - Covers just about every math topic with interesting problems that get kids thinking. I would suggest stage 2 or 3 for sixth grade gifted. You can start with a 1 star challenge level and work students up to 2 or 3 star problems or simply choose a topic.

• Problem of the Week - Ongoing opportunities to solve interesting math problems. This PDF provides all the problems from Data Management and Probability, Geometry and Spatial Sense, Measurement, Number Sense, and Patterning and Algebra from a year. 

• K-6 Math Extensions - Help students dive deeper into their current grade level content. 

• Alcumus Art of Problem Solving - Alcumus offers students a customized learning experience, adjusting to student performance to deliver appropriate problems and lessons. Alcumus is specifically designed to provide high-performing students with a challenging curriculum appropriate to their abilities. 

• Greg Tang Math - A great website with resources for teachers and engaging games for students that will reinforce their current math skills as well as help them advance to the next level. In addition, they regularly run challenges that students can complete in class or at home. Students who complete the challenges are entered for prizes through the site and receive a certificate of completion as well!

• Number Sense Routines - Designed to be used as class starters to engage your students, foster mathematical discourse, and create a classroom community. Help students go beyond the basics to really think about math holistically! Includes middle school math concepts as well as advanced concepts including algebra, geometry, calculus and more!

• Mashup Math - While you can get access to a variety of resources with a paid subscription, the free resources provided are more than enough reason to check out Mashup Math! Fun, engaging puzzles that students enjoy solving as well as a variety of ways to get students to have conversations about their thinking process! Check out the selection of Which One Doesn't Belong- a series of images where students decide which image they think doesn't belong. The best part? There are no wrong answers, as long as they can justify their thought process!

• Steve Wyborney - Steve Wyborney's blog provides insightful methods for engaging students in math. Best of all, he's got a TON of free resources! The Esti-Mysteries are a favorite with my students! Be sure to check out his YouTube Channel as well. 

• Mathigon - I recently discovered this amazing site while looking for lessons on polygons and platonic solids. Create a free account, then set up classes. Your students join for free with a class code, and you're on your way! There are multiplication flash cards, math games, and best of all- the polypad, a place to play with and manipulate a variety of mathematical concepts! From polygons to algebraic balance scales, it's a FUN way for kids to interact with math!

• Yummy Math - A variety of activities organized by grade and standard, with lots of fun seasonal activities!

Reading

• Grades 3+ Gifted Reading List - Lexile number and description included. 

• Gifted Middle School Reading List - Lexile number and description included. 

• High Ability/Age Appropriate Books - Extensive book list; click the tabs at the bottom to get a more narrow grade level. 

• Books with Gifted Characters - Almost 60 pages of books with gifted characters. Most have an interest level (IL) and a lexile, along with a brief description. 

• CommonLit - A free selection of fiction and non-fiction texts for grades 3-12

• Read to Lead - An interactive approach to reading and community issues!

Reading Continuum 

Writing

Independent Writing Projects - This example has lessons on starting a great story, creating a compelling character, a  page-turning plot, and an immersive setting.

Poetry Example (students can choose 1/3 options)

• Poetry Independent Writing Project

• Analyzing and Writing Social Justice Poetry Project

• Hosting a Spoken Word Poetry Jam and Examples and Evaluations of Spoken Word Poetry

Science

• Live Animal Webcams - Live webcams in zoos, shelters, and the environment where you can observe a variety of animals!

• NASA For Kids - NASA website dedicated to sharing information about the space and the Earth

• Mystery Science - Currently FREE to teachers who sign up, Mystery Science has a lot of fun resources and activities geared toward elementary students!

• Exploratorium - The website for the San Francisco Exploratorium has free teacher resources and activities to help you incorporate their interactive learning tools!

• Biointeractive - This website is full of great 3-D interactive, virtual labs, and printable activities for you to use. Its material is both engaging and interesting for science-buffs of all ages. 

• Science Vocabulary Hangman - Science content vocab hangman- you can use the puzzles already created, or add your own vocab words! 

• Bitesize Science - Science resources from BBC, including fun games, videos, and quizzes

• Tumble - A science podcast for kids! Check out the searchable database for podcasts on specific topics. 

Social Studies/History

• History for Kids - Games, worksheets, quizzes and more to help share history with students

• America's Story from America's Library - Website about America's history sponsored by the Library of Congress

• Best U.S. History Websites for Students - A curated list from Common Sense Media of websites for students to explore U.S. History 

• Timemaps - Timemaps allows students to explore the history of the world by time period or region

• Teaching Tolerance - A variety of resources and lessons to help educate students on key issues in our world today

• The Knotted Line - Although the interactive timeline is no longer functional (thanks a lot, Flash!), the curriculum and lessons available on The Knotted Line help connect current events to similar events throughout history. A powerful way to bring history to life by making relevant connections. 

• That's Your Right! - An interactive card game that allows students to practice with the Bill of Rights. Can be played individually or in multi-player mode, and students can choose the amendments they want to focus on or it can be randomized. 

• Newsfeed Defenders - An interactive game geared towards teaching students fact-checking and reliable sources in social media posts. Students create a "profile", identify interests, and interact with content. They can explore sources and determine if it is credible and whether or not they want to promote it. 

• History's Mysteries - Interactive case files for students to explore historical mysteries

• History Mystery Labs - 1 hour lessons where students examine a variety of sources, both primary and secondary, to reach a conclusion. They must integrate multiple forms of information from maps to video clips and defend their conclusions with cited evidence from the exhibits.