This is the third year of your child’s intermediate-level education. This academic year, the focus will be on fostering your child’s spiritual and academic development. In the Grade 6 class this year, the goal is to provide students with numerous opportunities to learn through a variety of strategies. In addition to teacher-led instruction, your child will experience a variety of field trips, “hands-on” activities, research and analysis opportunities, and individual and group-work assignments. This year’s program builds on the Grade 5 curriculum. Outlined below are the basic themes for the various subject areas and some important information regarding the weekly specialist classes.
GRADE 6 CURRICULUM
The Archdiocese’s three-year theme is “Living, Celebrating, and Proclaiming Our Faith.” This is the third and final year of exploring this focus, with a particular emphasis on what it means to “proclaim our faith” as Catholics. The Christian Education program will draw on a variety of resources, including Christ Our Life, Image of God, and Growing in Faith, Growing in Christ textbooks. Students will deepen their understanding of Catholic life by studying the Ten Commandments, the Beatitudes, Salvation History, and the Corporal Works of Mercy. They will also experience various forms of prayer, including Lectio Divina and Eucharistic Adoration. In addition, students will have opportunities to participate in schoolwide assemblies during the Advent and Lenten seasons. Each October, the Grade 6 class leads the Living Rosary for the entire student body to experience. Also, Catholic students are offered the opportunity to go to confession, usually twice throughout the school year. The Catholic faith is infused throughout all areas of the curriculum.
In Language Arts, students will be expected to develop greater independence and begin demonstrating mastery in both written and oral work. They will have numerous opportunities to enhance their writing skills through various extended activities, including writing letters, short stories, reports, and essays, as well as preparing current event presentations, presenting a point of view, and integrating technology into the publication of polished final drafts. Students will also participate in small-group reading instruction and Literature Circles, as well as read-alouds to deepen comprehension and fluency. A special focus will be placed on poetry. Students will read, analyze, and write their own poems, allowing them to explore language, imagery, and expression creatively. Students will also be assigned a variety of reading tasks designed to build comprehension, strengthen skills, and broaden background knowledge. In the Library, the Book Exchange will take place every Wednesday.
In Math, students will study perimeter and area, algebra, plane geometry, transformations, fractions, decimals, integers, probability, and data management. They will also explore many integrated connections with information technology throughout the program. For example, students will use calculators and computers, as well as work with various data management representations. Throughout the year, there will be a strong emphasis on applying concepts to authentic, problem-solving situations. In addition, students will log in to Mathletics, an online math skills program, approximately three times per week. Please encourage your child to access this program from home for additional practice.
The big ideas in Science this year include Newton’s Laws of Motion, the Solar System, Mixtures, and Human Body Systems (Excretory, Reproductive, Hormonal, and Nervous). In studying these topics, students will focus on developing core competencies through hands-on experiments, investigations, and inquiry-based learning.
This year’s Social Studies program encompasses a diverse range of topics. Students will compare Canada to other countries in terms of governance and rights and freedoms. They will investigate how economic self-interest can lead to conflicts between individuals and governments. Students will also examine how global problems often require international cooperation. Finally, they will explore how media sources can both positively and negatively influence our understanding of important events and issues.
Ms. O’Gorman will be responsible for delivering the Music program this year. As in past years, the students will have two 30-minute classes per week (Tuesdays and Wednesdays).
Mr. Campanile is the Physical Education specialist. He will deliver the P.E. program for the Grade Six students every day (except Wednesdays). Please help your child come to school with a complete gym strip on these days: St. Jude shorts and T-shirt, and runners. Students may be expected to be active even on non-gym days to fulfill the daily physical activity (DPA) requirements outlined by the ministry. Have your child bring their gym strip so they can be prepared for daily physical activity. Since we do not have changing rooms, the students should wear their strip under their uniform to make a speedy transition.
REMINDERS
The students already have a clear sense of the expectations for Grade 6. If you speak to your child, they should be able to explain the classroom routines and their purpose.
In addition, the students should recognize the need for high-quality work at all times of the year. I expect students always to be:
- Polite
- Punctual
- Focused
- Hard-working
- Self-motivated
It is expected that students in Grade 6 will complete approximately 30-40 minutes of homework daily, in addition to 20 minutes of independent reading. They are usually finishing activities started in class. When students use technology (such as an iPad, laptop, or Chromebook) for homework, please check in occasionally to ensure they stay focused on their assignments and are not distracted by messaging or social media.
It would be a great help if you could ask to see your child’s agenda each night. This gives you an idea of the homework assigned. Some students will need help with planning their time and organizing their notebooks or binders. The key is to have your child act on this with parent guidance only. I encourage you to look at your child’s notebooks and/ or binders daily. Question them on what you see.
I encourage you to email me, use your child’s agenda to share information, or pass on a handwritten note – any of these is acceptable. I can also be contacted by phoning the office and leaving a message; I will return your call at the soonest available time.
Additionally, I am usually available to answer quick questions before or immediately after school. We would greatly appreciate setting up a time in advance to ensure that we have enough time to address your concerns fully.
HOMEWORK HINTS
Homework serves an important purpose in your child’s school life. It is a means of reviewing and reinforcing the lessons taught in school. Homework is also a way to help your child develop work and study habits that will assist them throughout their academic years.
Students in Grade 6 have Student Planners or Agendas in which they and/or I may include messages for parents and vice versa, as well as daily homework assignments, projects, or quiz/test dates.
You can help your child develop routines that will assist in successfully completing homework assignments.
- Ask your child if he or she has homework that day. Check the agenda for yourself. If the information is missing, insist that your child fully complete the agenda with the subject /instructions/ and due date. When you read their agenda, there should be no question of what has been assigned.
For example:
Math/pgs. 20-21 / questions 1 to 10 / due Friday
Science / read Ch. 9 / due Tuesday
Religion / Chapter 1 Quiz / next Wednesday
Field Trip – Science World consent form / due Thursday
- Help your child set a regular homework time each day and remain with that commitment.
- Provide your child with a quiet place to work and study where he or she is not disturbed by younger children, pets, TV, or iPads. While homework is a valuable way to reinforce the skills learned in the classroom, I appreciate that many other family and individual activities are part of each student’s life. Please inform me of any special concerns or if family obligations prevented your child from finishing their daily work. Send a note to school, your child, and I can work out an action plan to complete the missed homework. Projects should be handed in fully completed and on time, as your child would have had ample time to complete a more detailed assignment.
- Have a box with all the necessary supplies that your child will need to begin work quickly at home. For example, pencils, a sharpener, pens, erasers, a ruler, pencil crayons, felt pens, a dictionary, and a thesaurus.
- Become interested in your child’s homework. Ask them to show you the homework and explain what it’s about. Showing an interest in your child’s work reinforces the importance of homework and helps the child to understand that you are interested in his or her progress. Looking at your child’s homework also keeps you informed about your child’s progress and how they can complete the assigned work.
Remember that homework is your child’s work – not yours. You should not do the work for your child, but you should be concerned about whether or not your child did the work. If your child is having trouble with a homework assignment and cannot complete it, please write a note or give me a phone call to explain the problem. Together, we can work out a plan to address any concerns.
Helpful Websites:
Vancouver Public Library (VPL) – Homework Help for Grades K–7
- VPL offers a range of resources to assist students in Kindergarten through Grade 7. They provide access to books, eBooks, audiobooks, and online databases to support homework and research. Additionally, library staff are available to guide students in navigating these resources effectively.
https://www.vpl.ca/guide/homework-help-grades-k-7
Care.com – Homework Help in Vancouver
- Care.com connects families with tutors offering homework help across a range of subjects. Parents can find local tutors in Vancouver who specialize in assisting elementary students with their homework, providing personalized support to enhance learning outcomes.
VSB
- The Vancouver School Board provides information to help parents understand the role of homework in BC elementary schools. This resource offers insights into how homework supports learning and provides tips for parents to help their children develop effective study habits. What’s also great is that the website provides information in a variety of languages.
https://media.vsb.bc.ca/docs/40202434-88c1-4944-83a1-cd094ce817b5_Study%20Tips.pdf