Sixth GradeNOTE: If you are interested in enrolling your student at Pacific School, please complete the appropriate Interest Form. More information about our enrollment procedures is Here.
William Steele ("Mr. Bill") teaches the sixth grade classroom and is assisted by Gianna Geary, classroom aide.
The class meets from 8:30 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. except on Wednesdays, when students are dismissed at 1:10 p.m. Independent study students attend school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays only, while five-day students attend Mondays through Fridays. After School Recreation is available Monday-Friday. Sixth Grade Curriculum
History: We will study the history of the ancient world through the TCI curriculum. We begin with Early Man in the Paleolithic Era and continue through Mesopotamia, Egypt, Kush, the Hebrews, Greece, India, China, and Rome. In each of these areas, we will analyze the geographic, religious, political, economic, and social structures of these ancient peoples and their contributions to modern society.
Science: Our science curriculum includes a blend of field-based and laboratory studies. Using the highly hands-on FOSS curriculum, we will be focusing on water and weather, the variety of all living things and their interactions on Earth, and human systems and interactions. These will have a focus to include local and state-wide study sites such as San Vicente Creek, Davenport Beach, Waddell Creek and Beach, Big Sur, Lassen Volcano National Park, etc. To supplement these units, we will participate in the LIMPETS program, in which students collect data, which is used by research scientists, on sand crab populations at Davenport Beach. In addition, the Coastal Watershed Council will guest teach the class about the ecosystem and environmental issues pertaining to San Vicente Creek. Groundswell Coastal Ecology will also lead a multi-week unit on native plant restoration on the school grounds and at local beach sites. 6th grade students have worked to collaborate and create a website about the climate zones from our water and weather unit. To see their work please see here: https://sites.google.com/pacificesd.org/6thclimatezones/home Engineering: Our 5-day students also engage in studies of Engineering that are project- and problem-based with the overarching theme of making a positive impact on our society and world. Student projects follow the engineering and design process in its entirety while also integrating as many subject areas as possible through STEAM to guide student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking for future-focused learning. Students begin with a problem to guide their projects and create a solution using a variety of resources, the most exciting being a 3-D printer that students will use sketch-up to create Computer Assisted Design (C.A.D.) files and print their solutions. Engineering will be taught in collaboration with Ms. Milette, our Technology and GATE teacher. English: Our English studies include the four language arts domains: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. We incorporate literary classics, informational texts, poetry, creative writing, and grammar instruction into our studies of all topics. Students read, analyze, and respond to texts, cite from texts, write in various styles, and work both independently and collaboratively on projects and presentations. Respectful listening, tolerance of differing opinions, and peaceful coexistence are practiced. We utilize the Benchmark Advanced curriculum and work through it with three overarching writing domains of informative, narrative, and argumentative written works. Math: Sixth graders are introduced to the foundational frameworks of sixth grade math through the San Francisco Math Curriculum. The curriculum focuses on ten main units for students to interact with that are: Numerical expressions and factors (order of operations, GCF, LCM), +/-/x/÷ fractions, +/-/x/÷ decimals, integers on the number line and coordinate plane, algebraic expressions and equations, variable inequalities, ratios and rates, percentages, statistical measurements, data displays, surface area, and volume. They are supported through the curriculum with organized note and homework packets to individualize units. These math domains focus on hands on and real world applications to allow students to see how the math affects the real world around them. Math Goals. Honors Math: Students are evaluated and placed in leveled math grades as appropriate. Previous graduating 6th grade honors math students have placed in Mission Hill's Accelerated Math Program at 8th and 9th grade levels (which can lead into Santa Cruz High School's Math Academy Program). Language Ambassadors: This county-wide program encourages students to become multilingual. Each of the 6th grade students will have the option to choose a language to study, either individually or in a small group. They practice interacting, creating, and presenting in their chosen language and can earn their certificate of recognition from the county. The have the option to participate in the Santa Cruz County Language Ambassadors Student Expo. Media Literacy and GATE: All students participate in weekly media literacy classes, and students meeting appropriate criteria participate in weekly GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) classes. Both classes are taught by our expert instructor, Jennifer Konicke. FoodLab: Students in sixth grade participate in our award-winning FoodLab program. FoodLab is a weekly class in which students participate in the planning, preparing, and serving of school lunches as part of the integrated school lunch program headed by Emelia Miguel, Food Services Director. Students learn about nutrition and food science and practice math skills such as fractions and ratios while developing expertise and confidence in a commercial kitchen. FoodLab includes traditional culminating activities for sixth graders, including planning their own lunch menu for the whole school and planning and cooking the sixth grade luncheon, served to graduating sixth graders and staff. Other Subjects and Activities: Students also receive instruction in art, drama, music, and PE. They visit the school library to check out books that are of interest to them and/or support their studies. Every year, students are encouraged to make a short film for Pacific School's annual Student Film Festival. In addition, students are paired with a second grader as a part of the weekly Reading Buddies program, in which each student is paired with a younger student and they read aloud to each other. Field Trips: In addition, during their 6th grade year, students participate in field trips, camping trips, and community outreach. The main field trip being science camp, a weeklong overnight trip where students engage with hands-on learning opportunities with the world around them with each other to build community and knowledge. Students work with their families and teachers to fundraise for these trips. Homework
To promote a love for literature, as well as to further practice their skills, students will be asked to read for 30 minutes every night. They will also be asked to share and discuss with an adult at home what they have read. Occasional projects or writing assignments may require additional work time at home as well. Mr. Bill's Teaching Philosophy
A love for learning... That is the primary goal. Through asking questions, exploring and respecting various answers, seeking to understand how such and our lives are all connected, what it means for the future, while learning from the past...this is the journey we will embark upon in our class, striving to always be present for each other, as a community, where everyone feels respected and has a sense of belonging. While working to become proficient in the standards for their grade level, students will seek to find what interests them most, what they’re passionate about, and with excitement, look forward to pursuing those worthy endeavors each and every day. Communication As 6th grade students are becoming more independent and responsible, it remains essential that we maintain effective communication between school and home. With this in mind, I will keep everyone posted of any upcoming projects, fundraisers, events, etc..., as well as provide families with regular updates on student progress in class. Throughout the school year, there will also be times when students will be asked to discuss their learning and work with adults at home. Lastly, please feel free to reach out to me if you should ever have any questions and/or concerns.* Email: wsteele @ pacificesd.org *To allow teachers to focus on the education of their current students, prospective families are asked to direct all questions to the office, not to teachers.
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Bill Steele, Teacher
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