Welcome to Grade Six Social Studies

I hope you are all looking forward to a great year.  I certainly am!  Make sure that you check this page every day for new assignments or updates on existing assignments.  Parents, please sign up to be notified automatically whenever this page is changed

Week of Feb. 6  Update

I've attached the three pages of information about the research paper if anyone would like a copy to keep at home. 

Due Feb. 10 :  Reading worksheet on Fertile Crescent (8points)

Reminder--some students have not returned the cover letter for the research paper.  Please bring it in by the end of the week.

Reminder--Reading packet/questions which was distributed on Monday due tomorrow (Thursday).  Remember, it's worth 25 points, so check your work carefully.

Week of Feb. 1

On Friday students will bring home a packet of information regarding the research papers we will be starting next week.  Please sign and return the cover letter.  There is a timeline for this paper, but please keep in mind, it is likely to change if we have delayed openings, snow days, or other as of yet unannounced interruptions to the daily schedule.  Also, there will be extra help available every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the project. If your child is absent, he/she should plan on staying after to make up the time missed.   Students should have one package of white lined 3 X 5 cards for taking notes starting Monday.  All of the work for this project will be done in school except for the final copy.

Week of Jan. 17th:UPDATE

Mr. Sanford sent an email to the staff yesterday afternoon telling us that parents were unable to access PowerSchool grades.  So that everyone has up to date information, I am sending home a social studies grade sheet with each student today. 

Reminder:  Kente/mask project and essay due tomorrow 1/20.

Due Wed.:  Read and highlight article on African history and complete vocabulary.

Due Fri. (1/20)  Kente and mask project and 4 paragraph essay (typed, Times New Roman, double spaced, MLA heading)

Week of Jan. 9th:  UPDATE

Due Fri., Jan. 13th:  Rough drafts of mask and kente paragraphs must be completed before you can work on the art part of the project.  The packet is attached.

Due Wed. Read and highlight article on Kente.  Be sure you have also read the mask article that was due Tues.  We will be using information from both of these articles in a project later this week.

Week of Jan. 3:  UPDATE  Update

On Tuesday, January 10^th, Dr. Raouf Mama, a well known storyteller from Benin and a professor of English at Eastern Connecticut State University, will visit Wheeler.  In addition to entertaining the sixth graders with his stories, he also leads them through a discussion about the elements of stories and the role of storytelling in West African cultures.  In 2006 he published Why Monkeys Live in Trees and Other Stories from Benin. Copies of his book will be available for purchase on Tuesday for $10.00 (cash only).  Please let Ms. Johnson know on Monday if you plan to buy a book so that Dr. Mama can bring enough copies.

Due 1/5:  Read and highlight article on Slavery in Ancient Egypt.

Due 1/4:  Read article on Ancient Egypt.  Complete vocabulary and reading questions. (attached for those who want to type)

Week of Dec. 19th:  Essays are due Thursday.  Remember all of the pieces are turned in with the final copy. 

Week of Dec. 12th: Update

Thesis statement for essay is attached.

Tonight's homework is just to review the pillars for body paragraphs one and two.  Students can start writing those paragraphs if they wish.  We will complete the pillar for paragraph 3 in class tomorrow. This is a change from the timeline.  We should be back on schedule for the timeline after tomorrow's class.  Extra help is available Mon. until 3:00 and Tuesday until 4:00 in addition to daily SRBI.

Week of Dec. 5th:  UPDATE

I've attached the detailed timeline and the body paragraph organizer for the essay.

Dec. 6th  Vocabulary quiz on Ch. 1 National Geographic words.

Due Dec. 7th:  Read the article on the Sahara and the Caravan and answer the questions.  (7pts.)

We will begin discussing background information for an essay on Wed. in class.  We will continue the discussion Thurs. and Fri. and begin the pillar in class.  Unlike the previous essay that was done entirely in class, this essay will be the students' responsibility to complete based on class notes and hand-outs.  It is essential that students keep all papers about Africa in their pocket folders as we will refer to them multiple times from now to February.  Please ask before discarding anything.  The assignment will be attached later this week.

Week of Nov. 28th:

Map check Tues., 11/29  All rivers, lakes, and mountains should be on the map.  Corrections suggested during last week's check should also be made.  I've noticed that some students have used internet sources.  Please use only the sources from the classroom  (Jr. Scholastic, National Geographic, and your textbook).  There is plenty of time during SRBI to use the materials in my classroom.  Reminder:  students can stay after school until 4:00 again Tuesday, Nov. 29th.  Bring a note or have parents send an email to let me know how your are getting home.

Due Wed., 11/30  Read article on Sahel and answer questions.  This is a graded assignment.

12/1  Map check--Great Rift Valley and coloring.

12/2  Maps Due.

12/6  Vocabulary Quiz  National Geographic chapter 1 words.  Quiz will be structured similarly to the last one, so study how words are connected.

Week of Nov. 22nd:

Materials for the Africa map were distributed on Friday.  The final product is due Dec. 2nd.  Attached are typed labels which can be used as well as directions.  Students are reminded that each of the items is worth 2 points--one for correct placement and one for correct spelling and capitalization.

Week of Nov. 14th:  UPDATE  UPDATE

Due 11/18  Precipitation Crossword Puzzle.  If needed refer to map on pg. 228 in textbook.

Correct errors on snapshots worksheet.  Due 11/16.

Snapshots worksheet due 11/15.  Make sure you read the charts and graphs carefully.

We will be starting our study of Africa this week.  You will have a 50 point map project due Dec. 2nd, so when you receive the information later this week, start planning your time. 

Remember to bring in permission slip and $5.00 for the walk this Friday supporting the eighth grade student.

Week of Nov. 7th:  Chapter 3 vocabulary quiz Friday, 11/11.  Remember to study by being able to explain relationships among the words.

Week of Oct. 31: Update UPDATE

Finish chap. 3  vocabulary and reading guide.  Due 11/4

Please sign and return the empty report card envelopes by Friday.  You keep the grade sheet.

Chap. 3 section 2 vocabulary and reading chart due Nov. 2;  vocabulary sheet is attached if you want to type.

Due Nov. 1st (If not finished in class on Mon.) Chapter 3 Sec. 1 Reading Guide chart and vocabulary words.  Vocabulary sheets are attached if you want to type.

Week of Oct. 24th:  UPDATE Update:  We did not finish the essays on Friday, so they will be the first grade of the second quarter.

Students will write the essay during Thursday and Friday's classes.

Instead of a chapter test, students will be writing an in class essay about seasons and climate. On Monday we brainstormed vocabulary words that should be used to explain these concepts.  On Tuesday students will prepare graphic organizers during class.  They will use the graphic organizer to write the essay in class on Wednesday.

For practice at home, students should be able to explain how Earth's revolution around the sun creates seasons,  what role latitudes (Polar zones, temperate zones and tropics) play, how air and water currents, proximity to large bodies of water, and vertical climate zones affect climate, etc. 

Week of Oct. 17th

   Due 10/19--signed test; all chapter 2 vocabulary

   10/21 Chapter 2 vocabulary quiz

Oct. 14th:  Due 10/17--Chap. 2, sections 1 & 2 vocabulary; don't forget to draw the eight pictures on the back of the packet!

Week of Oct. 3: Update  Update--reflection attached

Finish Chapter 1 reflection.  Due 10/7.

Finish Arab Spring map (to be distributed Friday)  Due 10/10.

Chapter 1 Test Wednesday, Oct,5

We have spent Monday and Tuesday reviewing in class.  Students also know the format and point values for the test and we have talked about strategies for studying.

Week of Sept. 26th UPDATE UPDATE Update

Vocab. Quiz Sept. 30 on chapter 1 section 2

Today I gave each student a print out of grades from Power School because some students indicated that they had not been on the site.    I explained all of the information on the sheets.  I would suggest that parents and students together check twice weekly for changes.  We are approximately half way through the quarter, so those whose grades are lower than they would like still have plenty of time to bring them up.

Due 9/29: Read pages 18-19 and complete the Map Projections chart.  Be thorough!  (Chart attached.)

Due 9/28:  Ch. 1, sec. 2 vocabulary sheet (attached)

Due 9/27:  Read pages 16 and 17 in textbook and complete the chart (attached if you want to type).

Week of Sept. 19:UPDATE Thank you Mrs. Marsh and Mrs. Hundt for volunteering to coordinate the Fun Nights.

Update:  Relative Location sheet will be distributed on Thurs. and is due Fri.  The quiz is still on Friday.

Due Wed.:  Finish vocabulary for Ch. 1, sec. 1.  Quiz on all information in Ch. 1, sec. 1 this Friday, Sept. 23rd.

Complete worksheet on latitude and longitude for Tuesday. (10Pts.)

Week of Sept. 12:  UPDATE UPDATE Remember to sign up for "Notify me" so that assignments are emailed to you whenever this site is updated.

Due Tues., 9/13:  Write a paragraph summarizing what you learned about 9/11 and what you will remember.  Instruction sheet attached above.  Due Tues. (5 points)

Due Wednesday, 9/14  Using your textbook sheet.  Don't forget to get a parent/guardian signature for extra credit! (20 points)
 

Update--Due Thursday:  Write definitions for the first 8 words from Chap. 1, sec. 1.  Remember, look in key terms for 7 definitions all on the same page.  The eighth word is defined immediately across the page in the section titled, "Location".  I've attached the page above if you want to type.  Be sure to use colored pencils for your six drawings.  The total time for this assignment should be about a half hour or less.