SJCS Sixth Grade Academy News
Read about what's happening in 6th grade this week
Altruism in Action: Water of Life
On Thursday, as an extension of our quarterly virtue study of compassion, students got to hear about the life-changing work of the Water of Life organization. This group not only strives to provide clean drinking water around the world through the development of wells, but they also work to get children out of slavery. The children were incredibly moved by the event, as were the teachers. The children were most surprised to find out that there is still child slavery in the world. Sarah explained to the children that many of the brick and slate mines in India are solely run on child slave labor. Mrs. Connelly will have more of the handmade elephants for sale for the next week, if students would like to purchase one (or more) to help raise money for this worthwhile organization. More information about Water of Life can be found at their website: http://www.givefreshwater.org
Math Memos
This week in math:
- We continued our study of operations with fractions by adding and subtracting fractions and mixed numbers with like and unlike denominators.
- The students will be renaming the mixed number when subtracting (not changing them to improper fractions first). We also worked on multiplying fractions and mixed numbers.
- Next week, we will tackle dividing fractions and mixed numbers and then move to our study of customary measurement and conversions of these measurements.
Foundations Facts
- Foundations started reading and discussing O. Henry's classic, "The Gift of the Magi" this week. We talked about symbolism, sacrifice, and love, along with some literary devices.
- Next week, the students will write a group essay about the story, as well as participate in the Hour of Code, and have a binder and planner check.
- Finally, please encourage your child to continue working on their book report. It is due Friday, December 14th.
Literature Lines
- Each of the Literature classes is working on a class newspaper from 1776. The students have all picked a topic. They are supposed to write from the perspective of a person in 1776. The typed rough drafts are due Dec.3. My expectation for the rough draft is factual ideas on paper and 12 sentences. We will spend next Wed./Thurs. Dec. 5/6 on revising with individual help from me. The final paper will be due on the 14 of December. A rubric will be provided during the Wed/Thurs. classes. The project is focusing on a well written paragraph - Introduction, 3 factual topics, and a solid conclusion that draws it all together.
- We will also continue to read Chains and should finish it the last week of school. If your child has really enjoyed this book I would recommend getting them the other 2 books in the trilogy. The whole series is fascinating!
- The students will be given their last Literature TEST of the quarter on Dec. 7. It will cover Chains chapters 18-31 and the grammar concepts, direct objects and clauses (dependent and independent).
Religion Review
- The students are finishing up the short lesson on the Tower of Babel and will be starting Lesson 6 - Abraham, Our Father in Faith. Unlike the people of Babel, Abraham put God first in his life. In reading Genesis, the students will see how Abraham always strives to do whatever God wants him to do. Like Abraham, we all need to listen to God's call and be ready for it. How does God call on each of our families?
- Besides seeing the tremendous faith of Abraham, the students will see how Abraham practiced the Corporal Works of Mercy. These works are mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew 25:31-46.
Corporal Works of Mercy
- Feed the hungry.
- Clothe the naked.
- Give drink to the thirsty.
- Shelter the homeless.
- Visit the sick.
- Visit those in prison.
- Bury the dead.
- Maybe in this Advent season your family might find a little bit of time to share Christ with someone through one of the Corporal Works of Mercy.
History Hints
- This week in history we started a new chapter about the Phoenicians and the Hebrews. This is a great unit because it ties in with religion and the students get to see some connection between the two subjects -- they do, in fact, bounce off of one another!
- One of the major topics we will be discussing is Moses and the Ten Commandments.
- We will also look at the Hebrews' movement in the Middle East, and how they were finally able to make it back to Canaan under an agreement between the people and God.
- Next week, we move on to Military and Empires, starting with the Assyrians. I think the students will really enjoy learning about the history of the military and will have a great time staying engaged throughout the chapter.
Science Summary
- This week we moved from electric currents and circuits to magnetism.
- Next week, in lab, we will continue exploring the relationship between electricity and magnetism by constructing electromagnets.
- We will end our unit of Electricity and Magnetism with a unit test on Monday, December 10th!
Volunteer Sign-Up
Please take a minute and see what volunteer opportunities are available in the Academy.