ELA
✏️ From Readers to Researchers to Writers!
Our sixth graders are wrapping up their What Was...? nonfiction books and finishing their
reading presentations on historical events. It has been wonderful to see students build
background knowledge, strengthen comprehension skills, and confidently present their learning
to their peers.
As we move forward, students are beginning the next exciting phase of our
unit—research-based informative writing!
After completing the foundational lessons in Bend 1 of our research-based informative writing
unit, students are now prepared to choose their own research topics. They will apply the skills
they’ve learned to gather credible information, evaluate reliable sources, properly attribute
evidence, and organize their ideas in meaningful ways.
Students will explore a variety of informational text structures, including:
● Sequence of events
● Cause and effect
● Problem and solution
● Compare and contrast
They may even design a structure that best fits their topic and purpose.
Throughout this process, students will draft both by hand and using technology, strengthening
their ability to write clearly, organize effectively, and communicate factual information with
confidence. They are learning that strong informative writing goes beyond listing facts—it
requires thoughtful organization, clear explanations, and strong connections between ideas.
We are excited to see the wide range of topics students choose and look forward to having them
share their published pieces with classmates at the end of the unit.
Happy Writing! ✍️
Advanced Math
Our 6th graders have been hard at work mastering new mathematical concepts! Here’s a look at what they’ve been learning. Students in Block 3 have been focusing on geometry. They began by learning formulas to calculate the area of various polygons, including triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and composite figures. From there, they transitioned to calculating the surface area and volume of three-dimensional shapes.
As they wrap up their geometry unit, they will be moving into data analysis. This upcoming unit will introduce statistical questions and different methods of displaying data, such as dot plots, histograms, frequency tables, and box plots. Additionally, students will learn to determine measures of center, interpret data displays, and draw conclusions from data sets.
We are so proud of our students' hard work and dedication to learning these challenging concepts! Thank you for your continued support.
Math
Our 6th graders have been hard at work mastering new mathematical concepts! Here’s a look at what they’ve been learning. In Module 8, students have been exploring algebraic expressions. They started with a review of order of operations (PEMDAS) and extended their knowledge by incorporating exponents. Additionally, they learned about variables and how to solve algebraic expressions when given a variable’s value. This process requires multiple steps, including substituting values into expressions and solving using order of operations. The students have been diligently practicing these skills and making great progress!
Looking ahead to Module 9, students will shift from expressions to algebraic equations. Unlike expressions, equations require students to determine the value of a variable by applying inverse operations rather than being given the variable’s value. This next step in their learning journey will further develop their problem-solving abilities. We are so proud of our students' hard work and dedication to learning these challenging concepts! Thank you for your continued support.
Science
Students are finishing their unit on energy after weeks of interactive stations and labs that allowed them not just to learn about energy, but to experience it firsthand. From observing energy transformations to analyzing inputs and outputs, students have built a strong understanding of how energy moves and changes. Next, we’ll begin our unit on relationships in ecosystems, a student favorite! This unit includes engaging simulations and games that help students understand concepts like competition, limited resources, and survival.
Social Studies
Currently we are studying the Constitution. They are looking at each amendment, and we are talking about the rights and freedoms that are protected. Each student is also writing a letter to an elected official to state their position on an issue or topic. The students are inviting the officials to write back to share their ideas. We are also starting a Black History Month study of contributions made by African Americans in our nation's history.
