Dear Parents of 2010-2011 Sixth Graders:
In response to several requests for the names of the textbooks that we use in 6th grade, we’d like to provide you with some information and make some recommendations. For reading instruction we use the Medallion Edition of the Houghton Mifflin Sixth Grade Reading Series “Triumphs”. The new medallion edition is actually the old textbook enhanced with a supplemental unit and a set of new lessons for teaching vocabulary, reading strategies and skills. At Bonita Canyon we are fortunate to have enough copies of the main text book to be able to send one copy home and keep one at school. So, there is no need for you to purchase this text. Our recommendation about summer reading is to encourage the student to do as much independent reading as possible. For Math we use Holt California Mathematics Course 1: Numbers to Algebra. This textbook is available online so, again, there is no need to buy it. Our recommendation about summer math practice is to review math concepts from 5th grade that were challenging and make sure the basic facts and concepts are solid. You also still have access to the First in Math online program, and regular use of this program is advisable. There is no separate text for teaching writing. There are some lessons in the Houghton Mifflin Medallion Series. We use many lessons from other sources as well. Our recommendation is to encourage daily writing. This can be in the form of letters, a journal, or stories. The textbook we use for Social Science is McDougal Littell World History: Ancient Civilizations. Our recommendation for Social Science is to encourage independent summer reading from fiction or non-fiction that covers the areas of study in 6th grade. In this grade we focus on the development of Ancient Civilizations, roughly in this order (which changes a bit in our instructional calendar from year to year): Ancient China, Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, Early Man, Ancient Mesopotamia and Babylonia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Hebrews, Ancient India. Many non-fiction books can be checked out from public libraries on these civilizations. In addition to the obvious selection of history books, think also about books about famous people from the past, such as Confucius in Ancient China, and Socrates in Ancient Greece. Reading about the various myths of Ancient Greece and Rome is always popular. The textbook we use for Science is the Glencoe California Grade 6 Focus on Earth Science. The exact portions of the book we will use in a bit difficult to say before the school year starts, since the schedule of units of instruction changes every year. We will certainly be studying plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes. We will also be studying ecosystems and oceanography. Our recommendation for Science is similar to the previous recommendation for Social Science: encourage independent summer reading from fiction or non-fiction that covers the areas of study in 6th grade. For instance, it is always suitable to read about the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Ancient Rome, as this touches both on Science and Social Science content. Our most important recommendation is to enjoy the summer, and to not overdo preparatory studies. The sixth grade year is academically intense with lots of assessments and projects. So, we want students to have a fun summer, and look forward to starting sixth grade. Sincerely, Mr. Dodge, Mrs. Pipp, and Mr. Ngo Sixth Grade Teachers Textbook Links 6th Grade Social Science McDougal Littel ClassZone: Ancient Civilizations http://classzone.com/books/ms_wh_ancient/index.cfm 6th Grade Science Glencoe Online Learning Center http://glencoe.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078741831/ Math Holt Online Textbook Go to website: my.hrw.com Username and password information can be obtained from your child's teacher. Other Resources Rand McNally Classroom User Name: bonitacanyon2 World Book Online Reference Center Log in ID: Irvine Internet Safety Information from Irvine Police Department
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