Welcome to Maryann Ayers' Grade 6 Classroom!
Welcome students and parents to Maryann Ayers’ 5-6 looping classroom! Click on the Rm. 235 Photos button above to link to the photo page.
The conference schedule has been added to the conference page. Please let me know your top 3 choices as soon as possible!
Check out our first eBook:
We created a book about our class turtle, Splash. We made an epub that you can download and put on your iPad or iTouch. You need to have iBooks downloaded from the App Store, onto both iTunes and your device to read eBooks, so do that first. Then, to get the book, click on the side navigation bar, then Student Showcase, and then Splash ePub. Once the file is downloaded, drag it into iTunes and onto your device.
To get the PDF version, which can be viewed on your computer or an eReader, just click on the Splash PDF on the sidebar and it will download onto your desktop. Then drag to your device (you need iBooks on your iPad or iTouch to read PDFs too).
Specials Schedule:
Monday: ASM, PE
Tuesday: Library, Buddies
Thursday: Art
Friday: Music, Computer Lab, and ASM
School Info:
Begins: 8:30
Ends:2:45
Thursday Dismissal: 12:15
SchoolLunch: $2.35
Milk: $.50
Elementary Band Website:
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Day to Day:
Language Arts
We will continue working on many of the same skills from last year. Students made great progress last year in their reading and writing skills. Students will continue to practice a variety of writing formats such as journaling, narrative stories, analysis, and research. They will also practice a number of reading comprehsnsion strategies while reading both fiction and nonfiction. As part of our skills practice, we will be using the Wordly Wise vocabulary program this year. The following link provides practice activities for weekly lessons. The book we are using this year is Book 4 but on the website the book is #7.
Math
We will be using the Everyday Math Program again this year.The University of Chicago School Mathematics Project developed this research-based program. The program emphasizes a real-life approach that includes a variety of hands-on activities as well as routine practice and math games. This program “spirals”, which means that topics are revisited regularly in order for students to fully comprehend and retain concepts. We will be working on all of the mathematic strands this year including: number and numeration; operations and computation; data and chance; measurement, geometry, patterns and algebra. Students will have daily homework practice an average of four days a week in order to reinforce the concepts and skills presented in class. A family letter precedes each unit of study. These letters contain an overview
of concepts taught in the unit, math vocabulary (this can come in handy during homework sessions!), and a description of math games that are played in class to practice skills. The letter also contains the answers to homework assignments so that students may check their work. Please remember that answers alone are not acceptable on homework assignments—it is necessary to show all work and/or explain your thinking! These math letters can be found at the link below.
Social Studies
We will be exploring ancient civilizations this year and will begin by examining the field of archaeology. The sixth-grade classes will take part in a simulated archaelogical dig in the back field of Merriam, facillitated by real life archaelogist, Dr. Kimberly Hughes. We will then move on to a study of early hominids and the transition from hunting-gathering to early settlements and cities. Some of the fascinating civilizations we will experience this year include Catal Huyuk, Mesopotamia, Indus Valley, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Our studies of Egypt and Greece will be active simulations similar to our wagon train simulation in grade 5. Students may read the Holt Ancient Civilizations text online and have access to tools that allow them to highlight, take notes with interactive graphic organizers, and listen to a
reader. They may also test their knowledge with online quizzes. Students have their login and password information noted in their agenda books. They may access the Holt site from the grade 6 portaportal (social studies--online texts).
Science
In science we will balance both life science and physical science topics. We will begin the year with a unit on Microworlds. Students will explore lenses and their properties and eventually move on to a study of microscopic creatures. We will also continue looking at how to remain safe in today's world by learning ways to combat peer pressure. Particular topics we will address include body image, drugs, alcohol, and the Internet. In physical science, we will explore the concept of energy-its sources and the ways it transfers. Our engineering for the year will focus on bridges and the forces that act upon them. Our science units provide students with opportunities for hands-on learning, cooperative group work, and a variety of language arts skills including reading comprehension, various writing forms, organizational skills,
and self-reflection.
Open Circle
Even though I have described all of these content areas as distinct entities, they are closely interrelated. Throughout the science and social studies units, students also work on reading comprehension skills, notetaking skills, research skills, and writing skills. Math and science are closely related and math skills are critical components of many projects. Science and social studies are taught in cooperative groups. Students learn how to work within a group by practicing the different roles within a group. Our Open Circle program is a consistent way to discuss, model, and practice the social skills necessary for successful group interactions. It also provides a structure for conflict resolution, not to mention the fun that can be had through team building games and activities!
Maryann
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