Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

Religion:  We have taken another detour from our journey through the Old Testament; this time, we seek to better understand the seasons of Lent and Easter.  These chapters, which include a section on Holy Week, focus on the traditions and symbolisms of these special seasons.  Like the chapters on Advent and Christmas, the test will be made of questions from each season.  After the Easter Break, the students will continue where they left off before the Lenten season.  Chapter Seven will discuss the Commandments (and Jesus's reinterpretation/summary of them) and Chapter Eight will tell us about the journey to the Promised Land after the death of Moses.

Language Arts:  During this final trimester, Vocabulary will be included in your child's Reading/Literature grade.  The Sitton Spelling Program will be used this trimester so that all Spelling assignments will formulate your child's Spelling grade on the Report Card.

Literature--The students have been studying "all things Harry Potter" lately, as we plan to finish up Book Two before Easter Break. They have been working, both individually and in groups, on various projects related to these first two books of the series.  Some examples of their work include creating their own chapter quizzes, teaser posters (containing a quote and a picture to attract new readers), and character analyses.  The unit will end after Book Two.  After Easter Break we will read Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements and move into the theme section of our Literature Books.

Vocabulary--We will finish Lessons 17 & 18 before the break, but our use of Vocabulary for Achievement will end there.  After the break we will switch to Sadlier's version of Vocabulary, which we will use until the end of the year.

Spelling--Our spelling program does not have a formal book; instead the students are to use worksheets and a notebook to track their progress.  The tests will be given semi-weekly, and are much less formal than the Vocabulary tests.

SIXTH GRADE TEXTS

Religion (Mr. Eaton):

Silver, Burdett, and Ginn’s Blest Are We, Level 6

Benziger’s Benziger Family Life 6

Language Arts (Mr. Eaton):

Prentice Hall’s Literature

Great Source’s Vocabulary for Achievement

Sadlier-Oxford's Vocabulary

English (Mrs. Bennett):

Houghton Mifflin’s English, Level Six

Loyola Press’ Exercises in English

Social Studies (Mr. Wakefield):

Glencoe’s Ancient Civilizations

Science (Mr. Santich):

Prentice Hall’s Focus on Earth Science

For content standards at the sixth grade level please visit the following website:  http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/index.asp

SIXTH GRADE SUPPLY LIST 2007-2008

1 box of #2 pencils with erasers

2 boxes of pens (blue or black ink)

1 box of pens (red ink)

1 set of crayons, colored markers, and/or colored pencils

1 small set of watercolor paints

2 glue sticks and/or glue bottles

1 white-out pen and/or correctional tape

4 highlighters (green, yellow, pink, blue)

1 protractor

1 compass

1 twelve-inch ruler with centimeters and inches

1 pair of scissors

1 packages of binder paper (8.5 x 11)

2 reams of white computer/copy paper (8.5 x 11)

8 pocketed folders (optional: a large binder to hold the folders)

3 Bound/stitched composition/journaling books (two for Mr. Santich, one for Mr. Eaton). Addendum: Mrs. Wayne has requested one for English as well.

4 perforated spiral notebooks

(Recommendation: try to vary the colors of folders, journals, and notebooks)

2 boxes of tissues

2 rolls of paper towels

1 small bottle of soap

Students should already have one dictionary and one Bible; there is no need to buy new ones.

PLEASE NOTE: THE TIME FOR KIDS SUBSCRIPTION HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  You do not need to send in the $5.30 for your child’s subscription.

SIXTH GRADE EXPECTATIONS

So what are some more typical attributes of a sixth grader?

(From www.familyeducation.com):

Where They Are

The average eleven-year-old is heading towards adolescence. He:

    * Shows more self-assertion and curiosity.

    * Is socially expansive and aware.

    * Is physically exuberant, restless, wiggly, and talks a lot.

    * Has a range and intensity of emotions.

    * Is moody and easily frustrated.

    * Can relate feelings.

    * Is competitive, wants to excel, and may put down the "out group."

    * Exhibits "off-color" humor and silliness.

    * Teases and tussles.

Where They're Going

At eleven years old, your child is making the transition to adolescence. You can help by encouraging her as she:

    * Copes with changes.

    * Transitions to adolescence.

    * Works on her interpersonal skills.

    * Handles peer groups and pressure.

    * Develops personal interests and abilities.

    * Takes on greater responsibility for her behavior and decisions.

Middle-schoolers undertake more formal study in all subject areas, and reading and writing skills are more critical than ever. Students are expected to develop the ability to think hypothetically, to appreciate cause and effect, and to discover multiple approaches to solving a problem. Their knowledge of economic and historical concepts and principles will be expanded, and scientific methodology will be strongly reinforced.