USD 240 6th Grade

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I was born in Howell, Michigan and attended Kansas State University.  Go Cats!  I achieved my Bachelors and Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis in math.  I am a proponent of using technology and hands-on activities in the classroom as much as possible.  I want you to know, I love what I do!  I will come to class everyday with a smile on my face and an expectation that all can learn.  Currently, I am the teaching 6th grade Math, Science and Reading.  I’m also the BJH Girl’s Head Basketball Coach.  I teach and coach because I love investing my time in our future!I have many hobbies, I love to fish, work with cattle, coach youth sports and spend time helping others in the community with whatever they need help with.

What students will learn in 6th grade

English Language Arts (ELA):  Reading and Writing are the basis for learning and for telling others what you have learned. To help teach these skills we will use our new literature textbook, “Journey’s” and other various resources.  Students will use Journey’s to help learn the many skills lessons in vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and speaking that sixth graders need to become successful readers and writers. Students will take part in oral reading, silent reading, literary discussions, and a variety of projects.  The sixth grade will focus on comprehension, vocabulary, literary elements, speaking, grammar, and writing. Students will be involved in reading and writing using a variety of texts including poetry, expository, persuasive, narrative and descriptive.  Sixth grader students will also take writing to the next level and perform various speeches and presentations in front of their peers.  Sixth grade students will be encouraged to complete books for their Accelerated Reader (AR) goals each 9-weeks, participate in school reading challenges, William Allen White reading, and to complete various comprehension tests over completed books.  Below are the course objectives in more detail:

• To communicate effectively through writing, speaking, and active listening.
• To effectively use steps in the writing process: prewriting, writing, revising/editing, and publishing.
• To use the Six-Traits writing model: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, and conventions.
• To understand word parts and relate these to spelling practice and writing.
• To determine meanings of words and phrases.
• To understand the purpose of text features, text structure, and the author’s purpose.
• To use the literary elements in reading and comprehending literature.
   

Science:  The USD 240 Science curriculum is designed to expose students to a variety of subject matter and related life skills.  Sixth grade concentrates on Earth Science, particularly studying the Sun, earth’s climate, moons, planets, rock cycle, plate tectonics, weathering of land, the flow of fresh-water, understanding weather, and environmental education.  Laboratory experiences, technology, and field trips will be used to supplement textbook material covered.  Objectives for this class include making students more aware of themselves, their environment, and what they can do to help conserve it for future generations.

Math:  The USD 240 Math curriculum believes students learn best through hands-on activities and having fun.  We will utilize various items in class as well as our I-Pads to make this happen.  Our main source of learning math will involve using the Pearson Digits online math series.  Even though we are using digital learning, students will be expected to show their work.  Students will take their I-pads home daily and complete various homework assignments on the I-Pad.  Below are the course objectives in a bit more detail:

• Ratios and Proportional Reasoning

  • Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

• The Number System

  • Apply and extend previous understandings of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions.

  • Compute fluently with multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples.

  • Apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational numbers.

  • Expressions and Equations Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions.

  • Reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.

  • Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables.

• Geometry

  • Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume.

• Statistics and Probability

  • Develop understanding of statistical variability. Summarize and describe distributions.

History/Social Studies:  The USD 240 History/Social Sciences curriculum believes:

• Choices have consequences

• Individuals have rights and responsibilities

• Societies are shaped by beliefs, ideas, and diversity

• Societies experience continuity and change over time

• Relationships between people, places, ideas, and environments are dynamic

These standards outline the expectations for Kansas students in all classes and courses in History/Government/Social Studies (HGSS). These standards and expectations lay out the skills and knowledge that are being developed through the curriculum and instruction at USD 240.

The course covers the time period from the birth of the river civilizations to the Middle Ages in Europe. Students will examine the impact of geography on the development of civilizations. They will investigate major religions and their impact on governments, society, and culture. The course will include an examination of the spread and transformation of culture and ideas across these regions. Students will draw conclusions about the significance of various civilizations and their connection to events, ideas, andculture today.  Students should be learning to . . .

• Analyze and interpret a variety of texts and media

• Discuss the significance of the author of a document and communicate its importance in historical terms

• Discuss why the time and place a document was written is important in understanding history

• Demonstrate their understanding by categorizing the causes and impact of significant events

• Identify the relevance of sources to a particular inquiry

• Demonstrate the connection to personal interest, civic virtue, and democratic principles in their own lives

• Use a criteria to make judgments about particular issues and to take positions on those issues

• Clearly state their position on an issue and communicate that position, with argument, to policy makers

• Work cooperatively to build coalitions, negotiate, compromise, and build consensus

• Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between local environment, and human political and economic activity

• Make reasoned judgments and analysis to solve authentic real life economic problems

• Answer questions and construct knowledge in order to make connection to the real world

Strategies for success

• Learn Time Management skills

• Develop Note-taking Skills

• Ask for help!

• Always show your work.

• Complete and hand in homework on time

• Practice math facts

• Read 20 minutes daily

Know the standards

Kansas State Department of Education

English Language Arts (ELA)

History/Social Science

Science (page 33)  6th Grade standards are included in the Middle School Category.  Here at USD 240 6th grade concentrates on Middle School Earth and Space Sciences.

Math (page 32)