Grade 6 Curriculum Night August 28th, 2012

WELCOME TO GRADE 6

• FINAL YEAR OF PYP• INDEPENDENCE• TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

GRADE SIX TEACHERS:

• CARRIE WILTON (LEAD)• KEVIN AHERN • DONNA JACKSON• JENNIFER RYNER• MEAGAN DOUGLAS• KERRY PEIRCE• TRIXI KUBALLA• HEIDI COLLYER

Units of inquiry

6 Transdisciplinary Themes = 6 Units of Inquiry (UOI)

•Where We Are In Place and Time - Geography focus•Who We Are – Unit to be changed (science/biological focus)•How the World Works – Energy focus•Sharing the Planet – Peace and Conflict focus (Exhibition) •How We Organize Ourselves – Supply and demand, consumption and production•How We Express Ourselves – Music focus

Central Ideas – 2011/2012

•A country’s geography can influence development which can impact lifestyle (Open Minds)

•Beliefs and Values underpin how we live our lives (Unit to be changed)

•Scientific investigation explains how electricity works

•Understanding the cause of conflict can help us reach a peaceful resolution (The Exhibition)

•Supply and demand is connected to the relationships between consumers and producers

•Music provides a commentary on societies as they evolve.

Unit of Inquiry (UOI)*Through inquiry children gain essential knowledge and skills in science, social studies and technology.

Use of concepts to guide questioning and inquiry

A country’s geography can influence its development which impacts lifestyle

•Connection – How is it connected to other things?•Causation – Why is it like it is?

Transdisciplinary skills - specific skills are focused on during each UOI – Thinking Skill

The Open Minds ProgrammeLearning Through Field Research

•Open Minds is a site-based, 4 day programme.•One day per week (if the schedule permits)•All classes participate in off-site primary-based research.•Sites are chosen which best support the inquiry.•Connects with out first unit of the year, Where We Are In Place and Time•The research conducted during the programme is integrated into the student’s studies back at school•The programme focuses on building student knowledge with an emphasis on developing skills in thinking, observing, and analysing•Parent volunteers are a necessary part of the programme so please consider joining us on at least one of the days

• Occurs in the last year of the PYP, as a culminating event

• A major focus for the 6th grade• Collaborative learning• Mentors• Presented to schools

and parents• Sustained inquiry into a significant

issue• January – March 2013

MATHEMATICSThe Mathematics program will enable students to make sense of the world around them and will involve the development of strategies, a body of knowledge, skills and attitudes. It will involve active inquiry that will engage students and teachers in answering and solving real life problems. Mathematical knowledge and skills will provide students with a body of understanding upon which to build and reflect. This will include:•Mathematical Processes•Number, Algebra, Pattern and Function•Measurement•Data Handling and Statistics•Shape and Space

MATHEMATICS•Pre-assessment at the beginning of each unit•Teachers will group where appropriate based on the needs identified. •Lessons are taught and modelled through WALT statements (We Are Learning To…) and anchor charts or modelling books are used to record concepts. •As well as ongoing informal assessments throughout the unit, post-tests, journal responses or more inquiry based tasks will be used to assess learning.•Weekly updates will give more specific details as to content being covered

RESOURCES•International Mathematics for the Middle Years and its affiliated website•MATHLETICS www.mathletics.com

LANGUAGE ARTS

The Language program at CIS encourages children to use language as a vehicle for inquiry, self expression and communication in a range of contexts and for a variety of purposes. Students will engage in the acquisition of language concepts, understanding, skills and attitudes that will empower all students to :•Frame and Express their thinking and respond to the thinking of others•Communicate effectively•Understand, comprehend and appreciate

We recognize that all individuals are on a different journey of acquiring and applying increasingly complex language understandings, skills and attitudes and that the approach to learning must differentiate for these variable learning needs. Skills will be developed in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Language Units are based upon 3 essential components:•Mini Lessons with explicit instruction, independent practice and group sharing. •Teachers will teach specific skills and strategies to help students become better readers and writers. •The program is balanced in that we aim to work on learning language, learning about language and learning through language, we are looking at the child’s whole language experience.

LANGUAGE ARTSGrade 6 reading program:•reading set-up•reading strategies•determining importance and reading partnerships•reading for information and summarizing•reading comprehension strategies•reading poetry

Grade 6 writing program:•writing set-up/writing process•writing mechanics•report writing•fable writing•procedural writing•creating conflict in story endings•writing short stories using figurative language•writing poetry•Writing essays

The spelling program in grade 6 is a combination of word study, phonetics and thematic words. Each week, students will be tested on these words. There will be some exceptions throughout the year.

SPECIALIST

Tech Coach: Peter WestallMusic: Tom Anderson

Shanhong HughesDrama: Kevin Epp

Shanhong HughesVisual Art: Lisa Little

Paul VothP.E: Gemma Wolfe

Neil GriffithsXavier Mahdavian

Language B (Mandarin/French/ELL/LS): Anca Tom (LEAD), Bruce Caverly, Katelyn O’Rourke

Technology*Log into: m.socrative.com.*Join Room # 993126 Integration approach

Using Macbook computers

Building skills

Online tools and Social networking

Digital Citizenship

Grade 6 – Beginner Band

G6 Overview Getting to Know My Instrument

An orientation to their new instrument and beginningsounds.

Preparing My PerformanceStudents explore and develop skills for their first performance as an ensemble

Expanding My Skills in Performance & NotationStudents expand their playing range, improve technique and study notation

Music in SocietyA UOI connection focusing on how music provides a commentary on societies as they evolve.

Introducing Smart Music

Interactive, online music practice tool for all CIS students for 2012-2013

Smart Music in action: Demo

Physical EducationThe philosophy of the MS PE department is to

motivate students toward an involvement in, and an appreciation for life-long physical activity,

healthy nutritional choices, and optimal physical, mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Just a brief reminder about PE uniform

Grade 6 Language B

Language B - foreign language students in the mainstream classroom take.CIS offers Mandarin and French.

MANDARIN•6 teachers offering 5 different levels, or phases, from Beginner to Advanced/Near-Native•4 units differentiated across the various levels of proficiency

FRENCH•4 teachers offering 4 different levels, or phases, from Beginner to Advanced/Near-Native•4 units differentiated across the various levels of proficiency

Assessment of Skills •Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing are assessed each term based on criteria which will be shared with students.

Questions? - Ask your child’s Lang B teacher, or Ms. Toma, Languages Learning Leadat anca.toma@cis.edu.sg

ELL – English Language Learner

• ELL classes will help students to develop enthusiasm, confidence and the ability to use English in meaningful and relevant contexts.

• Focus will be on developing both their written and oral language skills.

• I will be working in close collaboration with homeroom teachers to connect and reinforce vocabulary and concepts relating to class curriculum.

TIMETABLE• Students spend the majority of their day with their

homeroom teacher for Math, Language and U.O.I.

• Throughout the week they will have 5 periods of Lang B, 2 periods of Visual Arts, 3 periods of P.E and 2 periods of music and drama. Technology is integrated into classes

• Self management and organizational skills are vital. Students must be responsible for bringing their musical instruments and P.E. uniform on the required days.

HOME LEARNING•Homework should never be more than 1½ hours (including 30 minutes of reading as well as specialty class work) •Designed to be meaningful support to work we are doing in class and not a “stand alone” task.

Homework may include:• completing daily classroom and specialty class assignments and project work•weekly spelling program•practicing Math concepts•reviewing and studying for tests•proofreading and editing written work•reading for a minimum of 30 minutes (this is a daily expectation)•practice playing musical instruments•reflecting on the learning of a specified period

HOME LEARNING

Considerations• Comfortable learning space without distractions• Suitable daily time• Materials: pencil, eraser, ruler, computer• Online learning: research, email, Edmodo, Google Docs,

Word/Pages, mathletics.com, International Math for the Middle Years (website), spellingcity.com

• Hydration, nutrition• Agenda/organizational tool

COMMUNICATION

•Weekly email – curriculum and class information from the current week and week ahead, including specialist classes. (Final Site)•Week at a Glance (WAG) – accessible through the school’s website. Information pertaining to specific division of the school, upcoming dates, sports announcements.•Email responses 24-48 hour turn around.•Phone call to Ms. Winnie or Ms. Suzi for urgent messages

EXCURSION WEEK

• Taman Negara, MALAYSIA• Monday 15th April- Thursday 18th April 2013• Approximate cost $750.00• Transport- flights to and from Kuala Lumpur,

bus to Taman Negara• Accommodation- resort nestled in rain

forest.• Activities: hike and canopy walk through

rainforest, river ecosystem, visit to local village, cultural exchange with local primary school, evening cultural activities.

ROOM PARENTS

• 1-2 per class• Assist with planning Holiday Party and End of Year

Party (if needed)• Contact new families to welcome them and offer

support• Teacher support when needed (individual teacher

discretion)

www.cis.edu.sg

Thank you for attending.