Welcome to 6B

We are excited and looking forward to having a wonderful 2022-2023 school year!

Thank you for all of your continued support. Please know that our greatest goal is to keep the children and families safe, as well as provide quality education.

Let us continue together as we are called to be One Body in Christ. This is the Diocesean theme this school year 2022-2023.

      School Mission Statement
St. Mary Magdalen School, in partnership with parents, parish, and community, seeks to nurture, develop, and educate the whole child by faithfully carrying out the example of Christ through education, service, and worship.

 

   Welcome to 6th Grade!  We are grateful for all of your help and support as we navigate this year together as a team! I teach the 6B homeroom in Language Arts, Religion and Science. I also teach math to some students in both 6A & 6B. Lastly, I also teach the 6A homeroom Science. 
   Welcome to March & April! Students have off 3/13 for teacher professional development. Tuesday 3/14 is a TAG day, and Friday 3/17 is a green TAG day. We have school Penance and Reconciliation on Tuesday, 3/28 from 10:35-11:05. We have a half day on Wednesday 4/5 for the start of Easter break. Easter break is through Sunday 4/16, with a Monday 4/17 return to school. 


Here is the school newsleter link:  https://www.smmschoolde.com/newsletters

6B Daily Schedule:

   1.  8:05-8:48 Language Arts
   2.  8:48-9:31 Language Arts
   3.  9:31-10:14 Language Arts
   4. 10:14-10:57 Specials
   5. 10:57-11:45 Math
   6. 11:45-12:31 Lunch/recess
   7. 12:31-1:14 Social Studies
   8. 1:14-1:58 Science
   9. 1:58-2:42 Religion

Mondays – Music in 6B
Tuesdays – Spanish in 6B
Wednesdays – Art in the art room
Thursdays – Media in the Library
Fridays – Gym

***Upcoming Language Arts Test Dates*****
Grammar unit 5 lessons 1-4 test 3/31
Minotaur test 4/4
 

Reading
We will be continuing with the Journeys series that the children are familiar with since first grade.
There are some changes in 6th grade, as we are a bridge year to the Middle School program.
We will be focusing on Reading skills, as well as the selection in the text. We do not use the workbook or the spelling words in the Journeys series. 
(The Journeys series is available in an online version, with access to a suite of support material, such as the Write-in Reader, which we may use as a supplement.

Vocabulary/Spelling
In 6th grade, we use the Vocabulary Workshop series that begins in the 6th-grade level and is also used in 7th and 8th grade, as well as many of the surrounding high school programs. The focus is on improving vocabulary and building a robust base for writing. 
The tests will focus on Vocabulary usage, rather than Spelling. As the students increase their vocabulary skills, they also increase their reading comprehension. 

English/Grammar
In 6th grade, we use a separate text called English, although we often refer to the book as Grammar.
It is a familiar series in its format of examples for the practice exercises. We do have separate English tests for grammar; they are not part of the Reading tests.


Writing
We see writing as a skill that needs to be reinforced, developed, and practiced throughout the curriculum. Some writing assignments will be cross-curricular. For example, the students may do a writing assignment or research in Religion and it will receive a grade that counts both in Religion and in Writing. We stress the need for the students to use their skills in an integrated manner as they become more independent students. 

***Chapter 8 open book test Tuesday 3/21***
 

In 6th grade, we are using the We Believe series. This year's focus is on Old Testament leaders.  We also work on the Diocesean theme which is Companions on the Journey, with the Spiritual Works of Mercy as the focus. 

Both 6A & 6B have me for science class. Our book is called Science Fusion. We are currently in "The Dynamic Earth", which is the first volume of the Science Fusion series. Topics in order, in the Dynamic Earth series include: Earth's surface, Earth's history, Minerals and Rocks, and the Restless Earth. Expect quizzes, tests, and small projects, which will all be given at least 4 days notice. I am the 5th & 6th grade Science Olympiad moderator, and look forward to practices and competition to come in the months of December to February.

Some in both the 6A & 6B homerooms have me for math class. Our math book is called Big Ideas. Topics in order in our math book include: expressions and factors, fractions and decimals, ratios and rates, percents, algebraic expressions and properties, equations, area surface & volume, integers and coordinate plans, statistical measures, and data display. Expect daily homework, Mondays through Thursdays. There may be a few small math projects. Expect quizzes and tests given with at least four days notice.


***Science homework & tests are listed here***
Completed project due the last week in April, Tuesday 4/25

SMM Science Fair 2023

This year’s Science Fair will be held at the end of April. Every student in 6th grade will complete a project for a grade either individually or in a pair.  Prizes and certificates will be awarded to several category winners. 

PLANS AND COMMITMENT: 

Projects will be completed outside of class time, but some planning and work will be done during class.  Each student should talk with Mrs. Watts throughout the process for guidance.  Students must receive approval for their projects by March 17th or sooner. We will brainstorm in class and several science teachers are willing to plan times to help at lunch and after school if needed. Your poster is due in school Tuesday, April 25, 2023.

TRIFOLD BOARD: 

Your trifold board is where you display all of your information about your project.  One board was given at school on 3/23 to each group. Be sure to include pictures or clipart or labels on your poster. Each of those boxes below needs to be seen on your poster, along with its answer. Neatness counts.

PROJECT TOPICS:

Students selected their own fun science topics, and they are using either the Scientific Method OR an Engineering Method. Good luck, have fun, YAY Science!

***Watts Math homework & tests listed here*********
Math test on chapter 7 Thursday 3/23 on 7.1 area of a parallelogram, 7.2 area of a triangle, 7.3 area of trapezoids and kites & composite figures pg 300, and 7.7 volume.  **I will allow an index card with formulas of area and volume on it to help during the test****

week of 3/27/23
Mon 3/27 worksheet
Tues 3/28 worksheet
Wed 3/29 worksheet
Thurs 3/30 worksheet
Fri 3/31- no hw