5/4:  Reading SOL

5/12:  Math SOL

5/29:  Memorial Day  (no school)

There are no reminders at this time.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Reading:  Unit 8 Part 1: Functional Text–students learn to use what they know about nonfiction text features and text structures to critically analyze and interpret functional texts.
• Reading:  Unit 8 Part 2: Testing As a Genre–Students combine reading knowledge with  test taking strategies to prepare for the SOL.
• Writing:  Unit 8: Persuasive Essay–Students  consider multiple perspectives to develop their positions on an issue that they are passionate about.  They will learn to craft their essays using voice, word choice, and credible arguments.

HOME PRACTICES

• Read stories for at least 20 minutes a day (books, MyOn, Newsela).
• Pay attention to functional texts seen outside of school.
• Complete assigned homework and review for tests.
• Use spelling patterns learned in word study to decode unfamiliar words when reading.

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

Unit 9: Data Distribution

• Students will apply knowledge of fractions, decimals and percents to the creation and interpretation of circle graphs. They will work with measures of center to determine how changes in the data affect the mean, median, and mode. They will learn how to use a line plot and other data representations.

SOL Prep!

HOME PRACTICES

• SOL Test is on May 12th
• Look for real life examples of measurement
• Follow up on homework
• There are always assignments that need to be completed. Have your student get on to Desmos or Schoology, if they need to finish anything. 
• Reflex math and SOL Pass

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

Unit 9: Surface Area and Volume

• Students will develop an understanding of and fluency with solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable by applying the properties of real numbers.

SOL Prep!

HOME PRACTICES

• SOL Test is on May 12th
• Look for real life examples of various shapes. 
• Follow up on homework
• There are always assignments that need to be completed. Have your student get on to Desmos or Schoology, if they need to finish anything. 
• Reflex math and SOL Pass

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Social Studies: Unit 8: New Nation:Explain the outcomes of the first Constitution of the United States established by the Articles of the Confederation. Students will also learn about the first five Presidents of the United States.
• Science: H20: 

HOME PRACTICES

• Students can read more information about the Constitution and the first 5 Presidents on Newsela and Edpuzzle
• Students can think about water conservation and how they can practice this at home
• Students can practice their knowledge by playing educational review games on SOL pass

A few of the AAP curriculum and strategies that sixth grade students have engaged in this month are:  Making Thinking Visible Strategies, Vocabulary web, Michael Clay Thompson Vocabulary, and Jacob's Ladder..  Ask your child more about which strategies they engaged within their classroom in this month.

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Reading and Writing:  Unit 6: Content Area Research.  In this unit, the students will gain a deeper understanding of a topic related to the 6^th grade social studies curriculum through inquiry-based research.    

HOME PRACTICES

• Read any fiction or nonfiction text for at least 20 minutes a day (MyOn, MyOn News, Newsela, library books).
• Read nonfiction books or browse appropriate websites related to the research topic.

January

WHAT WE ARE LEARNING

• Reading:  Unit 5—Poetry.  In this unit, the students will analyze the effects of poetic devices used by the poet and will interpret the poem by considering the author’s and their own perspectives.
• Writing—The students will experiment with writing poetry.  

HOME PRACTICES

• Encourage your child to read any fiction or nonfiction text for at least 20 minutes a day (MyOn, MyOn News, Newsela, library books, etc.).

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Reading–Unit 4: Critical Literacy.  In this unit, students will read critically all text and analyze the author's implicit and explicit beliefs while comparing them to their own.  The students work to revise and deepen their own beliefs and understandings. about the topic.
• Writing –Unit 4: Investigative Journalism.  In this unit, the students take on the role of investigative journalists to uncover the aspects of news stories that warrant further investigations to put the events into perspective.  

HOME PRACTICES

• Encourage your child to read any fiction or nonfiction text for at least 20 minutes a day (MyOn, MyOn News, Newsela, library books, etc.)
• Discuss with your child the underlying assumptions and biases in media messages such as TV advertisements.

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 6: To develop an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions, decimals and integers.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of integer computation (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive & negative whole numbers)
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4: Integer Operations - We are developing an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions, decimals, and integers (including negative numbers).

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of negative numbers
• Look for real life examples of integer computation (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive & negative whole numbers)
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4: Integer Operations - We are developing an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions, decimals, and integers (including negative numbers).

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of negative numbers
• Look for real life examples of integer computation (adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing positive & negative whole numbers)
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

Unit 5: Introduction to Functions- To develop an understanding of and fluency with multiple representations of functions that model a multiplicative or additive relationship.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of linear relationships
• Follow up on homework
• There are always assignments that need to be completed. Have your student get on to Desmos or Schoology, if they need to finish anything. 
• ST Math

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 5: Introduction to Functions- To develop an understanding of and fluency with multiple representations of functions that model a multiplicative or additive relationship.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of linear relationships
• Follow up on homework
• There are always assignments that need to be completed. Have your student get on to Desmos or Schoology, if they need to finish anything. 
• ST Math

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4: Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities - We are learning to develop an understanding of and fluency with solving expressions, linear equations and inequalities in one variable by applying the properties of real numbers.

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of linear relationships
• Follow up on homework
• There are always assignments that need to be completed. Have your student get on to Desmos or Schoology, if they need to finish anything. 
• ST Math

February

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Social Studies: Unit 6: Revolutionary War- Students will learn about events and political ideas leading to war, roles and impact of war on various groups, key events and the outcome of war.
• Science: H20: Students will learn about water quality, water usage & treatment, elements, atoms, chemical formula, chemical reactions, properties of water.

HOME PRACTICES

• Students can read more information about the Revolutionary war on Newsela and MyOn
• Students can practice their knowledge by playing educational games on SOL pass

January

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Colonial America: We will begin this unit when we return to school in January. In this unit students will look at multiple perspectives of daily life in the American colonies, specialization and interdependence. 
• American Revolution: We will finish the quarter learning about the American Revolution. In this unit students will understand the events and political ideas leading to war, roles and impact of war on various groups, key events and outcome of war

HOME PRACTICES

• Students can read articles on Newsela to get more information about these events.
• Students can go to the “Finished Early” folder on Schoology for some extra practice and games about these events

December

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Science: Unit 2- Patterns of weather- Students will learn what causes weather and understand that weather follows predictable patterns based on scientific evidence

• Social Studies- European Exploration and Colonial America- Students will learn about specific explorers and the impact that European exploration had on colonization. Students will be analyzing multiple perspectives of daily life in the American colonies, specialization and interdependence.

HOME PRACTICES

• Students can start watching and observing the weather online or on the news. They can look at the weather maps to predict the weather for the upcoming days.
• Students can use Newsela to gain more knowledge on specific European explorers and understand different perspectives.

November 

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Reading–Unit3, Part 2: Nonfiction.  In this unit, we explore and think critically about nonfiction texts and revise our own beliefs on the topics based on new information and different perspectives.  We learn to use text features and text structures to enhance our understanding of the text. 
• Writing–Unit 3: Narrative Nonfiction.  In this unit, we examine how the authors use an engaging story format to present factual information.  We also analyze and uncover the authors’ own beliefs about a topic and compare them with our own.

HOME PRACTICES

• Encourage your children to read just-right, high interest fiction books at home for at least 20 minutes per day.
• Encourage your children to broaden their background knowledge by keeping up with current events.  Newsela and MyOn News are great resources.
• Encourage your children to read nonfiction books of their choice.

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Reading
  • Unit 2–Character study.  We are learning to develop an understanding about the characters through their struggles and relationships with others.  We also evaluate character development against our own experiences to create new understandings about human experiences.
  • Unit 3—Narrative Nonfiction.  In this unit, we examine how the authors use an engaging story format to present factual information.  We also analyze and uncover the authors’ own beliefs about a topic and compare them with our own.
• Writing
  • Unit 2–Memoirs.  We are learning to analyze the significant moments in our lives for larger lessons and ideas. We learn to use a combination of narrative and expository writing techniques to develop our message.
  • Unit 3—Literary Nonfiction.  In this unit, we learn how to take a topic that we know well and weave it into an engaging and informative story.  We learn to use story writing techniques to enhance understanding of the information and the underlying messages.

HOME PRACTICES

• Encourage your children to read just-right, high interest books at home for at least 20 minutes per day.  
• Encourage your children to broaden their background knowledge by keeping up with current events. Newsela and MyOn News are great resources.
• Encourage your children to jot down and reflect on significant moments in their lives.

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Reading:
  • Unit 1–we are learning to choose just-right books that are of high interest and to build reading stamina.
  • Unit 2–Character study.  We are learning to develop an understanding about the  characters through their struggles and relationships with others.  We also evaluate character development against our own experiences to create new understandings about human experience

• Writing:
  • Unit 1–We are learning to collect seed ideas for writing.
  • Unit 2–Memoirs.  We are learning to analyze the significant moments in our lives for larger lessons and ideas. We learn to use a combination of narrative and expository writing techniques to develop our message.

HOME PRACTICES

• Encourage your child to read just-right,  high interest books at home for at least 20 minutes per day.  
• Books can be checked out from the school library, classroom library, or Fairfax County public libraries.  Your child can also find digital books on  MyOn, United For Literacy, or Story Online, which can be accessed from the Student Web.  
• Read together with your child and discuss the story together.  You can talk about what character traits were displayed, why the characters made certain choices, or what they would've done in a certain situation.  
• Encourage your child to jot down, take pictures, or record on paper or phones anything that is of interest to them.

November 

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 3: Rational Numbers & Exponents - We are developing an understanding of the connections among ratios, fractions, decimals, and percents. (4 weeks)
• Unit 4: Integer Operations - We are developing an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions, decimals, and integers (including negative numbers). (4 weeks)

HOME PRACTICES

• Look for real life examples of ratios, fractions, decimals, and percents
• Look for real life examples of negative numbers
• Practice multiplication facts
• ST Math

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 2: Fractions and Decimals (4 weeks)
  • Students will be able to develop an understanding of the connections between rations, fractions, decimals and fractions. With this in mind, students will begin to build fluency with multiplication and division of fractions and decimals. 

HOME PRACTICES

• ST Math is an effective way for students to interact with math concepts they have learned at school. I have assigned particular concepts that would be most helpful for them individually, but also concepts that align with our current standards.

Encourage your student to do the homework that is assigned to them. I plan to assign your student homework about 2 times a week. This will help reinforce ideas and thinking

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 1 - Ratios: We are learning to represent a relationship between two quantities using ratios and using the notations a/b, a:b, and a to b. Within ratios, we are learning to identify and describe parts of a whole as fractions, decimals, and percents.

HOME PRACTICES

• ST Math is an effective way for students to interact with math concepts they have learned at school. I have assigned particular concepts that would be most helpful for them individually, but also concepts that align with our current standards.

Encourage your student to do the homework that is assigned to them. I plan to assign your student homework 2-3 times a week. This will help reinforce ideas and thinking.

November 

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 4: Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities - To develop an understanding of and fluency with solving linear equations and inequalities in one variable by applying the properties of real numbers. (6 weeks) 

HOME PRACTICES

• There will be homework assignments sent home 1-3 times a week. Please encourage your child to do their homework and submit it on time.
• ST Math

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 2: Proportions and Linear Relationships (4 weeks)
  • Students will solve single step and multistep practical problems using the concepts of ratios, rational numbers, and proportional reasoning. Students, when given a proportional relationship between two quantities, will need to create and use a ratio table to find missing values. When given a proportional relationship, they will also need to find the missing values.

HOME PRACTICES

• Real Life Applications: Students will be solving real life problems that include tips, taxes, discounts, etc. Include your student in those practices if presented. 

• ST Math is an effective way for students to interact with math concepts they have learned at school. I have assigned particular concepts that would be most helpful for them individually, but also concepts that align with our current standards.

Encourage your student to do the homework that is assigned to them. I plan to assign your student homework 2-3 times a week. This will help reinforce ideas and thinking.

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 1 - Rational Number System: Within real world problems, we are learning to order positive and negative rational numbers (in fraction, decimal, and percent form) on a number line. 
• Unit 2 - Proportions and Linear Relationships: We will be exploring proportional reasoning to compare unit rates, scale models, and percent applications. They will be able to determine the proportional relationship between two quantities, especially in a real world context. 

HOME PRACTICES

• ST Math is an effective way for students to interact with math concepts they have learned at school. I have assigned particular concepts that would be most helpful for them individually, but also concepts that align with our current standards.
• Encourage your student to do the homework that is assigned to them. I plan to assign your student homework 2-3 times a week. This will help reinforce ideas and thinking.
• Real World Problems:
  • When at the grocery store, using proportional reasoning to compare unit rates to find which item is a better buy. 
  • When calculating a tip, assist your student in solving the amount. 
  • When baking or cooking at home, assist your student in adjusting recipes. For example, if you are using half the recipe, assist your student to adjust all the measurements to half.

November 

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Social Studies Unit 3: West African Empires- In this unit we will learn about the cultures, values and the way of life for the West African empires. This unit will allow students to understand that cultural values, norms and belief systems help shape the identity and behavior of a group.
• Science: Unit 2- Patterns of weather- Students will learn what causes weather and understand that weather follows predictable patterns based on scientific evidence

HOME PRACTICES

• Encourage students to start talking about and asking questions about their culture. This will help make connections in class.
• Students can also work on their Newsela readings 
• Students can watch the weather channel to see the scientific patterns

October

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Unit 1: Astronomy
  • Students will investigate and understand the relationship between the Earth, moon and sun. Students will also be able to compare and contrast the various bodies in the solar system. 

HOME PRACTICES

• Within our Astronomy unit, students will be using their math and language arts skills to demonstrate their learning. At home students can log onto  Newsela and practice reading articles about our topic.
• Students can also use the Astronomy websites located on Schoology to look into topics in more detail.

September

WHAT ARE WE LEARNING

• Social Studies:For the next two weeks students are learning to locate geographic features and regions on maps, diagrams and photographs to understand how places differ and their importance to the early history of the United States.
• Science:In two weeks, we will start our first science unit on Astronomy. Students will learn about the different planets and will be using graphs and charts to understand the scaled sizes in space. Students will also explore the cause of the changing seasons on Earth by graphing temperatures in different places.

HOME PRACTICES

• Discuss different places you have traveled or the countries and continents that represent your culture and compare them to where we live now.
• Compare the different places you have been or seen pictures of by describing their geographic features

• Students can start by looking at pictures from NASA about the planets and the sun. There is some interactive information on the NASA kids' website provided below.

https://spaceplace.nasa.gov/

• Students can also start observing the change in temperature as we switch from summer to fall
• Students can get familiar with graphing different numbers and data on a graph