Last Updated:
June 20, 2008

WELCOME TO MEADOWS' SIXTH GRADE

The sixth grade mathematics curriculum, aligned with state standards, is taught through the district adopted Connected Mathematics Program. The curriculum is devoted to inquiry-based learning, and is organized around appealing and engaging problems. The materials are structured around problem situations that help students learn an important set of related mathematical ideas and become skillful at using these ideas to solve problems. The curriculum is established to help students learn to communicate their strategies and their reasoning so that the child's conceptual frameworks are much deeper and connected from one math standard to the next. In solving these problems, students are able to observe and generalize patterns and relationships which are vital in acquiring a solid understanding of mathematical ideas. The mathematical strands that are assessed are: Statistics, Geometry, Measurement, Probability, and Patterns, Functions and Relationships.

As a literary based school, where reading and writing are viewed as intertwined and dependent upon each other, the Madison Meadows language arts program is founded on the belief in the Teaching Learning Cycle. Through the TLC, teachers continually assess student needs and make plans to address those needs. Then, based on those plans, teaching occurs with an evaluative piece following. Whole group, small group, and individual attention are seen as ways to meet the needs of all students.

When reading a specific genre, students are often writing that same genre so deeper understandings can be made. Teachers model the reading and writing process daily, allowing students to gain valuable insight as well. Students work through the writing process by planning, drafting, revising and editing. Independent reading is relished as well as novel studies by whole group and small group. The novels are chosen for their theme or strong teaching value. Students and teachers work together to help build better readers and writers for today and tomorrow.

The sixth grade social studies program follows state standards in teaching world history and geography. Special emphasis is given to the early civilizations including Egypt, Rome, and Greece. Emphasis is placed on the contributions these civilizations have on modern day government and culture. Other early cultures are also investigated including the changes in China, Japan, and the growth trade in the carious African civilizations.

Students learn science concepts through a hands-on, minds-on approach which includes implementation of the scientific method and fosters inquiry through the FOSS (Full Option Science System) program. Units investigated include Models and Designs, Earth History, (with emphasis on the rocks of the Grand Canyon), Environments, and Lever and Pulleys. Many hands-on experiments and field trips help support this curriculum. The science program is fully aligned to the state and district standards.

Welcome back to the 2008-2009 school year. Please read the following supply list and come prepared on August 11th with the following supplies:
Six Grade Supply List 2008-2009
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The list below includes materials needed by our incoming Sixth grade students. Please plan to purchase these items before the beginning of the 2008-2009 academic year. Not listed are a dictionary and thesaurus, which you may already have at home for personal use. If you do not posses a dictionary and thesaurus, then please purchase one (your students will be using them at home). Please note that the listed materials are a minimum; additional supplies may be requested by a particular teacher. We wish to emphasize that NO TRAPPERS will be accepted. We are hoping that the weight of the backpacks will be kept to a minimum. In an effort to alleviate the amount of material in students’ backpacks, items marked with an asterisk* will be collected by their teacher.

At the start of the academic school year Math teachers will organize and label sections with their classes. Students may arrive on the first day with the supplies; notebooks need not be put together. These 3-ring binders will be used AND KEPT in class, so not to weigh down backpacks. Notebooks will be streamlined occasionally with teacher supervision and will be collected and assessed on a regular basis.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE IN YOUR CHILD’S BACKPACK

6th GRADE:

3 ring math binder
3 folders
composition book
2 spiral notebooks
literature book
Math book
tool bag (pencil, pens, highlighter, markers, glue, scissors, colored pencils)
calculator
planner

Please click on: Madison Meadows Library Media Catalog at school or Madison Meadows Library Media Center Catalog from home to access materials and educational websites from the Meadows Library Media Center. Students and parents can read free e-books on either Page by Page Books or Read Print Books or Google Book Search, free books for students, teachers, and the classic enthusiast.You can search by title or by author and read these classic books. For assistance contact Ms. Sally Roof, Teacher-Librarian Information Specialist at sroof@msd38.org or 602 664-7640.

Meet the 6th Grade Teachers