MATH 6

• In the previous unit, students developed an understanding of ratios and rates. They used terms such as ratio, rate, equivalent ratios, per, constant speed, and constant rate. They learned that “at this rate” means the situation involves equivalent ratios. Although they began to compare ratios and rates to a unit of 1, they did not use the term unit rate.
• In this unit, students will be introduced to unit rates. They will find the two values and associated with the ratio a : b. Students also learn when one of the two values is most useful given different situations. They will use unit rates to solve problems in context and specify units for their answer. They will find when something is a better deal based on the unit price. Given distances, they will determine which object is moving faster. They will observe that equivalent ratios have the same unit rate. They will see that in a table of equivalent ratios, the values in one column of the table can be multiplied by the unit rate to produce the values in the other column.
• Students will learn that percent means “per 100” and indicates a rate. They will use tables and double-number line diagrams to connect percentages with equivalent ratios and reinforce their understanding that percentages are rates per 100. Students will also internalize the meaning of important benchmark percentages like 75%. They should connect 75% of a number and 0.75 times a number. Students will use their understanding of multiplication as scaling to interpret that a percentage less than 100% will produce a value less than the original number and that a percentage greater than 100% will produce a value greater than the original number.

MATH 6+

• In Unit 4, students learn about scaled copies and apply what they have learned to scale drawings. The concept of scaling prepares students for working with proportional relationships later on in grade 7 and dilations in grade 8. They start by identifying scaled copies and learning that if the scale factor is greater than 1, the copy will be enlarged, and if the scale copy is less than 1, the copy will be reduced. They learn how area changes in scaled copies.
• Next, students use the same strategies they used when identifying scaled copies, and apply them to scale drawings. They work mainly with maps and floor plans, learning that not all scales have units. Students will be able to calculate actual lengths by multiplying a scale factor and the corresponding length in the scale drawing. They will be able to calculate the length in the scale drawing by multiplying the length and the reciprocal of the scale factor.

ELA

• Reading information excerpts to make inferences
• Identify details in a text to answer research questions
• Summarize the relevant details for research purposes.
• Write a draft of an essay
• Use transitional words and phrases to make the essay flow smoothly

SCIENCE

• Students will be learning about waves and light through hands-on investigations and labs. They will explore the properties of waves and determine whether they are transverse or longitudinal using rope and slinky demonstrations. Students will also study how waves travel along the Earth, investigate the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum to learn about different types of EM waves, and explain what light is. They will also explore how light behaves and how it interacts with the eye to allow us to see. By the end of this unit, students will understand how waves move energy, the different types of EM waves, and how light enables vision.

SOCIAL STUDIES

• Sixth grade has started Quarter 2 with the World Religions unit. In this unit, students are introduced to the basic beliefs, traditions and cultural practices of people from the past through today. Students will learn ways that religion, tradition and cultural practices influenced the ancient world by studying events, people and groups who played a role in transforming civilizations. Students will learn about religious beliefs from the ancient world that are no longer practiced, as well as some of the major world religions and philosophies still followed today. A quiz on Ancient Polytheism will be given on Thursday, November 13th, and an end-of-unit test will be given before Thanksgiving break.

MATH 

• Unit 3, Features of Functions, builds upon the previous unit, where students realized the significance of the domain of a function. In this unit, students are introduced to functions that are neither linear nor exponential. They are given a variety of different graphs to consider, like continuous graphs with endpoints, as well as discontinuous graphs, to become fluent in identifying key features of functions. Students’ understanding of a function deepens as students realize that a relationship can be a function without having a predictable rate of change.
• In the first three lessons, students consider the following situations: draining and filling a small pool, measuring the depth of the water while floating down a river, and measuring distance traveled while floating down a river to develop a conceptual understanding of the key features of a function by analyzing its graph. Students also develop proper notation to use when describing intervals of the graph.
• In the last two lessons, students focus on interpreting function notation with or without a context, while still continuing to practice identifying key features using precise notation. Throughout the unit, students refine their understanding of the definition of a function, with the idea of a unique output for each input being continually reinforced.

ELA

• Analyze photos, videos, and quotes to find a central theme.
• Analyze how plot, character, and setting interact in Lyddie
• Analyze how the author’s word choices create vivid descriptions in Lyddie
• Choose relevant and compelling reasons supported by strong evidence

SCIENCE

• Students are now focused on their new Weather Unit.
• The first focus that students have been learning about has been the composition, properties and structure of Earth’s atmospheric layers.
• Students will then study why the good health of humans requires  monitoring of the atmosphere, maintaining air quality and good stewardship.
• Toward the end of the month, students will determine how the cycling of water in and out of the atmosphere, the movement of air masses, high and low pressure systems, and frontal boundaries all impact Earth’s weather patterns.

SOCIAL STUDIES

• Seventh grade will begin the next unit on absolutism and the Enlightenment. This unit covers the changes from the ancient world and the governments they implemented to the creation of the modern society. It focuses on new ideas about who should process and distribute knowledge and power change. The middle class became more engaged in their society after obtaining autonomy and economic success in the age of Colonialism. There is a search for knowledge and understanding fueled by the Scientific Revolution and the Protestant Reformation. This search and feeling of discontent increases and spreads, eventually leading to the independence movement in several societies.

MATH

• Unit 3, Features of Functions, builds upon the previous unit, where students realized the significance of the domain of a function. In this unit, students are introduced to functions that are neither linear nor exponential. They are given a variety of different graphs to consider, like continuous graphs with endpoints, as well as discontinuous graphs, to become fluent in identifying key features of functions. Students’ understanding of a function deepens as students realize that a relationship can be a function without having a predictable rate of change.
• In the first three lessons, students consider the following situations: draining and filling a small pool, measuring the depth of the water while floating down a river, and measuring distance traveled while floating down a river to develop a conceptual understanding of the key features of a function by analyzing its graph. Students also develop proper notation to use when describing intervals of the graph.
• In the last two lessons, students focus on interpreting function notation with or without a context, while still continuing to practice identifying key features using precise notation. Throughout the unit, students refine their understanding of the definition of a function, with the idea of a unique output for each input being continually reinforced.

ELA

• Analyze the main character, setting, and conflicts in A Midsummer Night’s Dream
• Get the gist of Shakespeare’s writing in a scene
• Cite evidence from the text to support ideas.
• Analyze the theme of control in A Midsummer Night’s Dream

SCIENCE

• The first Science NC Check-In (Physical Science) was taken on November 5th and 6th.
• Students are now moving into Earth Science and are beginning our next unit, the Hydrosphere.
• Throughout November, students will use models to explain the structure of the hydrosphere including: water distribution on earth, local river basins, estuaries, and water availability.
• The first week or two will be spent reviewing water properties and Earth’s water cycle. This background knowledge will help students explain where Earth’s water can be found and the role it plays within these areas.

SOCIAL STUDIES

• Unit 3 offers students a North Carolinian perspective on key events and ideas that shaped early America, including the Road to Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitutional Convention. Through the Revolution and New Government unit, students will analyze the causes of the American Revolution, North Carolina's contributions, and the war's effects. They will also examine the founding ideals of the United States and compare its first two governments: the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution.