Grade 6

Science classes have been studying the relationships between energy generation, natural resources, and pollution. Students created their own batteries by making voltaic stacks out of paper, vinegar, pennies, and nickels. Series circuits were investigated and students applied their knowledge of voltage to small electric motors, including one particular motor that was encased in the Annual Magazine Drive racing pig!

Next, students learned about energy generation. They learned where the electricity in their homes comes from as well as about other forms of energy they use every day. The pros and cons of different energy production plants were evaluated. From energy production, we expanded our understanding of our impact on the environment to include our use of renewable and nonrenewable resources. Ask your child how long it takes a disposable diaper to decompose in a landfill! Glass? Newspaper? Currently, we are finishing our studies on the hydrological cycle—water. How is it recycled and what is its impact on our physical and economic landscape? 

The sixth graders took their annual field trip to the high school to attend the World’s Fair. It is an amazing event put on by the eleventh grade students for their world studies class. Sixth graders were given the opportunity to learn about various countries around the world and to partake in cultural festivities that were offered by each country. Students were required to complete a question sheet that would encourage them to ask focused questions to enhance their knowledge of world cultures. As always, it was a wonderful opportunity for our sixth graders. Many thanks to the eleventh grade students and to the world studies teachers. 

In language arts classes, students have spent much of the second quarter reading poetry and working on grammar skills. We are now writing poetry and looking at the structure of a research paper. 

Reading students have been working with nonfiction and learning how it is set up differently from fiction. They are working in Literature Circles and have chosen their topics. Each person has a different role representing one of the many ways nonfiction works are organized (cause/effect, problem/solution, question/answer, compare/contrast, description, or sequence). Each person has written one paragraph about his/her topic using one of the above formats and has contributed to the group poster. This is not a big project, but it is intended to help students learn about how to read nonfiction. In addition, students took notes using one of many different formats that have been introduced in both social studies and in reading classes. The next step will be to write a research paper on a topic of their choice about ancient Egypt.

Both Course 2 and Course 3 students have covered a lot of math in the past three months! All students have covered (at different times and involving different degrees of difficulty): integer computation, writing and solving equations, scientific notation, identifying and continuing sequences, divisibility, prime factorization, and finding GCF/LCM. In addition, the Course 3 students have learned about rational numbers and have practiced computation with rational numbers.

After the first three rounds of this year’s Continental Math League competition, Aditya Shah is the grade 6 leader (18/18 correct answers), followed closely by Hayden Udelson, Sam Olson, and Michael Malette who are tied for second. Laura Zbelhik, Justin McCully, Casey Day, Kenzie Evans and Alex Leger are tied for third.

The sixth graders proved to be very talented hunters and gatherers! They also learned a lot about the development of early man. The students then learned about how the development of agriculture changed everything. Next, they dazzled their classmates with their versions of prehistoric villages, which are displayed on the bulletin boards and in the library, paying close attention to details, including the need for shelters, natural defenses, land for crops, hunting grounds, a water source, and the important jobs of the villagers. Just when we thought we had seen it all, someone created a village with a central fire that actually lit up!

To top that, the students moved on to the topic of ancient Mesopotamia. They became scribes and wrote messages in clay using cuneiform symbols. They learned about the harsh laws of Hammurabi. There were some active classes when students formed city-states and negotiated to obtain what they needed to survive—access to water, more farmland, and the support of an army.  

Finally, the sixth graders prepared either a brochure, written project, or twenty questions/answers about the Israelites, Phoenicians, or Lydians. Each student “taught” classmates about these special people to prepare for a rousing Quiz Wizard session! Currently lessons are about the amazing Egyptians. A variety of note-taking techniques are being practiced for the upcoming research project.

Mythology Club will start soon—look for a flyer within a week.