Weekly Update - May 13, 2022
This week in Math, we continued our coverage of Perimeter, Area and Volume. The students can expect an assessment next week. Please see video below for a review.
Math Antics Volume
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJwecTgce6c
This week in science, we continued with our studies of Trees and Forests. The students will need to know the differences between coniferous and deciduous trees. Our main focus
ADLC Alberta trees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXCCepfflKA
ADLC tree cookies
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sZJyoURNYc
Weekly Update - May 5, 2022
All classes were diving deep into the Math Part A PAT this past week. Operational skills are transferable to most other areas in math, from probability to area and perimeter. Practice the multiplication facts to assist with whatever division strategy you like to use as well!
With a great weekend upcoming, get outdoors when you can to experience the seasonal changes! Whether it is just a walk around the pond, or going out to the mountains, appreciating nature and the outdoors in person can never be replaced! Look closely at the different types of trees as many of them adjust to the seasons through a variety of ways.
Weekly Update - April 29, 2022
Math:
With the year winding down and with provincial achievement tests around the corner, our grade 6 classes have been practicing and working through strategies to be successful when using a variety of operations. Whether your child’s class is focusing on decimals, percentages, or BEDMAS, all of these are excellent skills that your child will learn to apply to a range of problems. Practice on a variety of multiplication/division strategies and becoming more efficient when answering problems using mental math are great opportunities to reinforce the learning at school while at home.
Science:
As the weather warms up and the trees begin to blossom, we are going to be spending more and more days outside to observe the natural world around us. Students will be encouraged to ask questions and to be curious about what they see as the weather continues to warm. Inquiry is a transferable skill that can be applied to a variety of situations and problems. Make sure that your child has appropriate clothing/protection prepared for the warm weather (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.)
Weekly Update - April 22, 2022
Math – This week we are finishing up our work on understanding Percent. Specifically, converting between decimals, fractions and percent. Additionally, we were looking at which is bigger as a comparison between decimals, fractions and percent and placing those numbers in order from largest to smallest.
Looking ahead we will begin to explore linear measurement by looking at the perimeters of two dimensional shapes, the area of two dimensional shapes and finally the volume of regular shaped rectangular prisms.
Science – This week within our Trees and Forests unit, we looked at the concepts of producers, consumers and decomposers. We learned the mantra: “The sun is the source of energy for all living things” that follows the sugar molecule-building blocks from origin in the plants (producers) through to animals (consumers) and finally on to the decomposers. Additionally, we looked at the four main levels of the forest and the plants and animals that live in each level. Looking ahead to next week, we will examine the nutrient cycle, oxygen cycle and the process of photosynthesis.
Weekly Update - April 1, 2022
This week in Math, we continued our coverage of decimals. Multiplication, division, addition and subtraction. The students can expect an assessment next week. Please see video below for a review.
Math Antics Decimals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwh4SD1ToFc
This week in science, we continued with our studies of constellations and how we can use the stars to navigate. We also touched on comets and asteroids.
Bill Nye- comets
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R3XIMewsi4&t=187s
Weekly Update - March 18, 2022
Over the past week, students in grade 6 have continued their work with fractions or decimals. As we move into spring break and beyond into later years, these topics will continue to play a large focus on future learning. If your child is having difficulty with understanding either fractions or decimals, using hand held materials are a great way to continue their learning. Handling coins and money are fantastic methods to teach students about decimals and the practical nature that cents are a fraction of dollars. Check out https://mathigon.org/polypad resource for a visual way to represent these mathematical concepts with your child!
As sky science continues, students can “wish upon a star” in the next major focus of this unit. Stars, constellations, meteors and comets are all fantastic topics we will investigate further after spring break. While the day times are getting longer, see if you can check out any planets or constellations in the night sky! A way to continue your child’s learning is to have a discussion about their favourite planet or interstellar object that they have learned about.
Weekly Update - March 4, 2022
This week in Math, our classes are either finishing up work with fractions or starting to focus on the topic of decimals. Depending on the progression in each group, both topics are interrelated and go hand-in-hand with each other. A way to support your child, if fractions and decimals are challenging for them, is to use hands-on supplies; such as money for the upcoming work with decimals. Showing them budgets, grocery store lists and flyers, discussing money in person is an effective way to re-introduce this topic before working on it over the next few weeks.
So far in Science, classes have watched various videos and held fantastic classroom discussions about the different planets of our solar system. Speaking of which, students in grade 6 will be starting a project next week by terraforming Mars! Looking forward to diving more into the red planet!
Weekly Update - February 25, 2022
This week in math we have continued our work on fractions. Specifically, we have looked at how to make equivalent fractions with the rule, “whatever you do to the bottom (denominator) you do to the top (numerator). Additionally, we continue to look at comparing fractions using (greater than) >, (less than) <, or (equal to) =. After that, we have compared these fraction we are now starting to place them on a number line, both with predetermined benchmarks as well as student chosen benchmarks.
As always, we encourage the students whenever possible, to know their basic facts. This is noticeably the greatest impediment to greater success in math learning.
Here’s a few videos to preview
MathAntics- Fractions are Parts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA9XLJpQp3c
MathAntics- Working with Parts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDc_-GTipBk
MathAntics- Fractions are Division https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xwDryouw6o
MathAntics- Types of Fractions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17IgK9b6P2M
In Science we continue to work on Sky Science. This week has been all about the planets. We will continue to work on these next week. One recommendation for all students would be to look at the short (4-ish minutes) videos title National Geographic 101 with the planet’s name.
The example below is Mercury:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KBjnNuhRHs
Weekly Update - February 11, 2022
This week in Math, we started proper fractions. Soon we will be moving on to improper fractions then mixed numbers.
Here’s a few videos to preview
MathAntics- Fractions are Parts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA9XLJpQp3c
MathAntics- Working with Parts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDc_-GTipBk
MathAntics- Fractions are Division
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xwDryouw6o
MathAntics- Types of Fractions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17IgK9b6P2M
In Science, we finished our studies on the moon. We are now moving on the Sun. We have four outcomes to learn about the sun. One very important one is to never look directly at the sun. If you know a welder ask him or her about viewing the sun with a welder’s helmet. They know their stuff.
Bill Nye- Sun
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0uK0HhTaMk&t=42s
Weekly Update - February 4, 2022
In Science we have started our new unit on Sky Science, we were introduced to the sky, what is actually up there and beyond and have been looking at the different phases of the moon. We will continue our space exploration over the next month and into March!
In math we have started learning about ratios. We have learned what this word means, how we can represent ratios in different ways and how to write equivalent ratios. Next week we will be writing a Ratio Quiz and will be moving on to fractions next.
Weekly Update - January 28, 2022
In January, we focused on a range of topics and units, such as; Flight and Aerodynamics, Scientific current events, transformations, and multiplication. With the grade 6’s finishing up units this week/early next week, we will focus on our weekly update looking toward February. In math, we will be working with fractions, decimals, ratios and division strategies. In Science, we are looking at what is beyond our Earth, such as the moon, planets, and stars. Next month should be "out of this world!"
Weekly Update - January 21, 2022
This week in Math, we began to wrap up our study on multiples and factors.
The math team would like the students to improve their accuracy and fluency of multiplication skills up to 12 times 12. This skill will be beneficial for their upcoming fraction unit. Please see this website for self correcting multiplication quizzes.
https://www.multiplication.com/quiz/multiplication-self-correcting-quizzes
This week in Science, we continued our studies in Air and Aerodynamics and Flight. We will be completing these units shortly and moving on to Sky Science.
The Thrill of Flight
https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/setf/html/StudentResource/source/Welcome.html
Bernoulli’s principal
https://easyscienceforkids.com/best-bernoulli-principle-video-for-kids/
Bill Nye Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJVPOTv1O7k
Weekly Update - January 14, 2022
This week in Math, we studied multiples and factors
The math team would like the students to improve their accuracy and fluency of multiplication skills up to 12 times 12. This skill will be beneficial for their upcoming fraction unit. Please see this website for self correcting multiplication quizzes.
https://www.multiplication.com/quiz/multiplication-self-correcting-quizzes
This week in Science, we continued our studies in Air and Aerodynamics and Flight. Please see attached unit plan
The Thrill of Flight
https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/setf/html/StudentResource/source/Welcome.html
Bernoulli’s principal
https://easyscienceforkids.com/best-bernoulli-principle-video-for-kids/
Bill Nye Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJVPOTv1O7k
Weekly Update - December 10, 2021
This week in Math, we studied Transformations and prime and composite numbers
Transformation Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6MQTpBSNBk
Transformation project- Starring Mr.R
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwH9qria6LA
Prime Factorization
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGbOiYhHY2c
This week in Science, we continued our studies in flight with regards to the four forces of flight. Please see unit plan below.
The Thrill of Flight
https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/setf/html/StudentResource/source/Welcome.html
Bill Nye Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJVPOTv1O7k
Weekly Update - December 3, 2021
This week in Math, we studied multiples and transformations.
Transformations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6MQTpBSNBk
This week in Science, we continued our studies in Air and Aerodynamics and Flight. Please see attached unit plan
The Thrill of Flight
https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/setf/html/StudentResource/source/Welcome.html
Egg in a bottle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28TIyWdfxxc
Exploring Air and Air Pressure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Grziaq-caVE&t=4s
Weekly Update - November 19, 2021
This week continued to focus around patterns, input/output tables, and graphing. Students continue investigating the relationships between the values and how they translate into graphical representations of data. In addition, science revolves around the study of flight and the scientific properties of air. Lastly, students continue to explore scientific events around the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. Next week, students will build upon their understanding of the scientific method when observing in-class demonstrations.
Weekly Update - November 12, 2021
This week in Math we created two step linear patterns, created/wrote rules for these patterns and worked on input and output tables for two step pattern rules. Most classes wrote their second linear patters check in this week. The rest of us will write ours next week. We will then be moving on to graphing.
We started our unit on Air and Aerodynamics by learning more about Amelia Earhart and the mystery surrounding her plane crash and read a current event article regarding a way to solve the mystery of her disappearance. Next week we will be learning more about air and its properties.
Weekly Update - November 5, 2021
This week in Science, we started our new units, Air and Aerodynamics and Flight. Please see attached unit plan
The Thrill of Flight
https://www.learnalberta.ca/content/setf/html/StudentResource/source/Welcome.html
Bill Nye Flight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJVPOTv1O7k
This week in Math, we studied Input/ Output machines and how to complete T charts and determine a pattern rule for each table.
Input/ Output video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz9LsQBdCOM
Weekly Update - October 29, 2021
This week in Grade 6 Mathematics, students begun their first learning cycle around the Patterns and Relations stem, with a focus on input/output machines and building patterns. Earlier in the week they completed a pre-assessment. The pre-assessment helps teachers determine student strength and growth areas going into a new unit and a great measure of improvement at the end of the unit. Below are some helpful links as an introduction to the unit.
Introduction to Number Patterns
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV7C7bXm4VI
This week in Grade 6 Science, students concluded the Evidence and Investigation unit. By the end of this week or early next week, students should have completed and submitted their Crime Scene Project as well as the Evidence and Investigation Unit Quiz. Please check PowerSchool next week to see your child’s mark and feedback. Next week, students are beginning the next unit – Air and Aerodynamics.
Weekly Update - October 15, 2021
This week in Math we continued learning about Angles. More specifically, we learned how to classify angles as acute, obtuse, straight, reflex or right angles. We also learned how to measure and draw angles using a protractor. Next week we will be finishing up our unit on angles with a Quiz later in the week.
In Science we continued our evidence and investigation unit by continuing to learn about various types of evidence important to an investigation such as tire tracks, animal tracks, DNA, hair and fiber. Next week we will be starting our final project for this unit ! Ask your kids what DNA stands for they might be able to answer it!
Weekly Update - October 8, 2021
This week in Math, we studied angles and how to identify them as Acute, Right, Obtuse and Straight angles. We started to learn how to use a protractor to draw these angles.
MathAntics
Angle basics
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGKwdHMiqCg
Angle and Degrees
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_n3KZR1DSEo
This week in Science, we continued with our study of Evidence and Investigation. Once we wrap up all the concepts we will make our own mystery cartoon and crime scene diagram (No Death or Blood). A rubric will be posted on Google Classroom for the students to follow.
WhoDunnit? Test Your Awareness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubNF9QNEQLA&t=8s
Weekly Update - October 1, 2021
This week in Grade 6 Mathematics, we concluded our Integers unit with a quiz. Students should have brought their Integers quiz home and discussed their grades and feedback. Their grades and feedback are also posted in PowerSchool. Later in the week we began our Angles unit. The learning intentions for this unit are for students to be able to name, estimate, describe and classify angles, as well as draw and label angles. Students will be provided with a protractor to use during the unit.
This week in Grade 6 Science, students enjoyed a field trip to the YouthLink Interpretive Centre where they worked together to solve a fictitious crime and engaged in programs about online safety, drugs and healthy relationships. A big thank you to our parent volunteers who attended - we couldn’t have attended without you! Back in class, students are learning more about handwriting analysis where they compared handwriting samples to identify potential matches.
Weekly Update - September 24, 2021
In grade 6 science, we continue to focus on topics within the Evidence and Investigation unit. This week there were a variety of topics covered such as; witnesses, observations, footprints and other forms of evidence. The students are learning about these topics to prepare themselves for the exciting Youthlink Police Interpretive Centre field trip that will occur over the next couple of weeks.
In grade 6 math, integers remain a large concept discussed within classrooms this week. Students continued to work to identify, explain, and utilize integers within mathematical problem solving and activity based tasks. Number lines activities and integer tiles are examples of some of the tools students used this week to wrap up this unit. Looking toward next unit, students will be learning about different types of angles.
Weekly Update - September 17, 2021
In Grade 6 Science, we are well into our unit on Evidence and Investigation. At the moment we have been focusing on observations and inferences as well as the role witnesses play in an investigation. Students have learned about the difference between qualitative and quantitative observations and the difference between observations and inferences. We looked at a variety of comic strips and then made observations and inferences based on what we saw and inferred was happening.
In grade 6 Math, we are well into our first unit, Integers. We first started with a focus on place value and representing large numbers in various ways such as through written, expanded and standard form. We have explored the meaning of the mathematical term “integers” through a Frayer model, and have been introduced to negative and positive numbers and their placement on a number line.
Weekly Update - September 10, 2021
This week in Math, we completed our MIPI tests and tested the basic facts up to 12 times 12.
We started studying integers, decimals and place value
MathAntics
Integers (negative numbers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAoLCXpao6s
Place Value
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Qf0qSSJFI
Self correcting multiplication quizzes
https://www.multiplication.com/quiz/multiplication-self-correcting-quizzes
This week in Science, we started learning new terms of Observation and Inference and the differences between them. We then proceeded to learn Qualitative and Quantitative observations.
Observation and Inference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdYdVPjxLm8