Throughout the first quarter of sixth grade we have been working on fluent use of the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and decimals. We have also included multiplication and division of fractions. Other important concepts that should be mastered are number theory ideas of Greatest Common Factor, Least Common Multiple, and Prime Factorization. Use of ratios and proportions to solve problems are a big part of the end of the quarter and the beginning of the second quarter. This includes the real life skill of using unit rates to solve problems.
Basic algebra concepts will be studied in the second quarter. They will be used in a variety of problem-solving settings. Understanding, writing, and solving equations will be a major concept that students should be able to use.
Students should recognize and be able to solve problems with the following terms: order of operations, exponents, prime numbers, prime factorization, least common denominator, greatest common factor.
Much time will be spent on solving real-world problems... using proportions in money and food problems.
Feel free to question your children about any of these concepts. All of them will be assessed on the PSSA test and they will be expected to show proficiency in each of them.
We have recently been involved with a Berks County and National math competition on Sumdog.com. Our students have done very well and have a high level of energy for this competition.
Science -- Mr. Yoder's and Mrs. Dierolf's homerooms The first unit of study this year is "Variables". Throughout this unit we asked the question "What if...?". Using the steps of the scientific process we learned how to determine the results of changing variables in an experiment.
Our science study for the second quarter will be learning about Mixtures and Solutions. There will be a variety of experiments to determine the effect that changes in the make-up of a solution have on its properties.
Social Studies -- Mr. Yoder's and Mrs. Dierolf's homerooms We will be studying the Western Hemisphere this year to learn about the geography, history, culture, government, and economy of Canada and then later the Mexico, the Caribbean area and Central America. As we get nearer to the end of the school year we will travel farther south to learn about South America.
Reading/Language/Writing/Spelling Mrs. Dierolf will be the teacher for these subjects. Check her page for information.