6th Grade

What should my child be working on?

Reading

• Determine purpose for reading and select texts based on the intended purpose. (TEKS 6.5A)
• Read informational text and recognize why authors choose certain structures and features when writing them. (TEKS 6.9A and 6.9B)
• Read literary texts and analyze how word choice and figurative language bring about the author’s intended meaning. (TEKS 6.9D)
• Respond to reading through note-taking, written response, and class discussions. (TEKS 6.1A-D)
• Infer themes within and across text and use evidence to prove their inferences.  (TEKS 6.7 A)
• Analyze how the characters’ internal and external responses develop the plot. (TEKS 6.7B)

Writing

• Use a prewriting strategy such as a list, graphic organizer, or sketch to plan for writing. (TEKS 6.10A)
• Write stories, real or imagined, that have a clear lesson or theme. (TEKS 6.11A)
• Edit his/her own writing for common errors such as spelling. (TEKS 6.10D)
• Respond to what they read in writing while analyzing the literary elements (character, plot, etc) (TEKS 6.6A-I)
• Link to Texas TEKS for 6th grade ELA

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child (Reading and Writing)?

• What are you reading at school? At home?
• What is your reading goal? What is your writing goal?
• What is happening in your book?
• What is the perspective of the author? How do you know?
• What are you writing about? Tell/ read me your favorite line or paragraph.
• Who can help you in your ELA class when you need it?

How can I help my child learn at home?

In the 6th grade, students will not only develop skills to become more proficient readers, but they will also analyze texts more closely to begin understanding why authors do what they do.  To better accomplish this, it’s important that students build their reading stamina. Just like a runner in a race, a student who reads a variety of texts for extended periods of time will have the endurance necessary to read and analyze texts more closely.

We recommend:

• Students spend 20-30 minutes a day reading, writing, or a combination of both outsides of school.
• Talk with your student about their reading and writing life. Discuss their goals in reading and writing and what they are currently working on at home or in school.
• Encourage students to read a variety of genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama).
• Check with the teacher to get a list of at-home reading titles.

What should my child be working on?

• Rational Number Relationships
• Classify numbers as natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers using visual representation (example: Venn Diagram) (TEKS 6.2A)
• Identify the opposite and absolute value of numbers (TEKS 6.2B)
• Extend representation for division to include fraction notation such as a/b (TEKS 6.2E)
• Generate equivalent Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (TEKS 6.4F, 6.4G, 6.5C)
• Order Rational Numbers (integers, negative and positive rational numbers) (TEKS 6.2C, 6.2D)

Integer Operations

• Add, subtract, multiply and divide positive and negative whole numbers (with and without models) (TEKS 6.3C, 6.3D)

Operations with Positive Rational Numbers

• Multiply fractions and decimals (TEKS 6.3B, 6.3E)
• Divide fractions and decimals (TEKS 6.3A, 6.3E)

Ratios, Rates, and Proportions

• Compare two ratios or rates (TEKS 6.4B, 6.4C, 6.4D)
• Solve prediction problems using proportions (TEKS 6.4B)
• Convert measurements using proportions (TEKS 6.4H)

Percents as Ratios

• Represent ratios and percents with concrete models (TEKS 6.4E)
• Find the part when given percent and whole (TEKS 6.5B)
• Find whole when given percent and part (TEKS 6.5B)
• Find percent when given part and whole. (TEKS 6.5B)

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child?

• What is the problem asking you to solve?
• What information is important to help you solve the problem?
• What problem-solving strategy can you use to solve the problem? (Draw a picture, make a table, write an equation, number line)
• Do you have notes that can help you solve the problem?

How can I help my child learn at home?

Problem Solving

• Is there an activity on IXL, Imagine Math, or ST Math (whichever campus uses) to help with the topic?

What should my child be working on?

Rational Number Relationships

• Classify numbers as natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, and rational numbers using visual representation such as Venn diagram to describe the relationships between sets of numbers (TEKS 6.2A)
• Identify the opposite and absolute value of numbers (TEKS 6.2B)
• Extend knowledge of sets and subsets using visual representation (7th grade)(TEKS 7.2A)
• Extend representation for division to include fraction notation such as a/b (TEKS 6.2E)
• Generate equivalent Fractions, Decimals, and Percents (TEKS 6.4F, 6.4G, 6.5C)
• Order Rational Numbers (integers, negative and positive rational numbers) (TEKS 6.2C, 6.2D)

Integer Operations

• Add, subtract, multiply and divide integers (with and without models) (TEKS 6.3C, 6.3D)

Operations with Rational Numbers

• Multiply and divide fractions and decimals (TEKS 6.3A, 6.3B, 6.3E)
• Add and subtract fractions and decimals (7th grade) (TEKS 7.3A, 7.3B)
• All operations including positive and negative fractions and decimals (7th grade) (TEKS 7.3A, 7.3B)

Ratios, Rates, and Proportions

• Compare two ratios or rates (TEKS 6.4B, 6.4C, 6.4D)
• Solve prediction problems using proportions (TEKS 6.4B)
• Calculate unit rate (7th grade) (TEKS 7.4B)
• Convert measurements using proportions (TEKS 6.4H)

Percents as Ratios

• Represent ratios and percents with concrete models (TEKS 6.4E)
• Find the part when given percent and whole (TEKS 6.5B)
• Find whole when given percent and part (TEKS 6.5B)
• Find percent when given part and whole. (TEKS 6.5B)

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

6th Grade TEKS

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

7th grade TEKS

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child?

• What is the problem asking you to solve?
• What information is important to help you solve the problem?
• What problem-solving strategy can you use to solve the problem? (Draw a picture, make a table, write an equation, number line)
• Do you have notes that can help you solve the problem?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Is there an activity on IXL, Imagine Math, or ST Math (whichever campus uses) to help with the topic?

What should my child be working on?

Space

• Describe gravity as the force that governs the motion of our solar system. (TEKS 6.11B)
• Describe examples of the future of space exploration including the types of equipment and transportation needed. (TEKS 6.11C)

Matter

• Differentiate between an element and a compound. (TEKS 6.5A)
• Compare the physical properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids. (TEKS 6.6A)
• Describe the formation of a new substance using evidence of a chemical change: production of a gas, change in temperature, production of a precipitate, and color change. (TEKS 6.5C)

Thermal Energy Transfer

• Describe how thermal energy moves in a  predictable pattern from warmer to cooler until all the substances attain the same temperature through conduction, convection, or radiation. (TEKS 6.9A)

Earth’s Structure

• Build and interpret models that illustrate the layers of Earth: inner core, outer core,  mantle, crust, asthenosphere, and lithosphere. (TEKS 6.10A)
• Calculate the density of an object using mass and volume measurements in order to identify an unknown substance. (TEKS 6.6B)
• Describe the physical properties of minerals, including their hardness, color, luster, and streak. (TEKS 6.6C)
• Classify rocks by how they are formed: metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary. (TEKS 6.10B)

Plate Tectonics

• Identify the major tectonic plates: Eurasian, African, Indo‐Australian, Pacific, North American, and South American. (TEKS 6.10C)
• Describe how plate tectonics causes major geological events like: ocean basin formation, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and building mountains. (TEKS 6.10D)

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child?

Space

• What factors influence gravitational attraction?
• What is gravity?

Matter

• What is the difference between an element and a compound?
• How are chemical changes different from physical changes?
• How is density calculated?

Thermal Energy Transfer

• How does heat travel through convection? Conduction? Radiation?

Earth’s Structure

• How can you model the physical and mechanical properties of Earth’s layers?
• What are the similarities and differences between sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks?

Plate Tectonics

• What evidence do we have that Earth’s surface is changing?

How can I help my child learn at home?

Space

• Visit the kids’ NASA Solar System site and choose a game, craft, activity, or media to engage in with your child.

Matter

• Cook dinner with your child. Have your student document different chemical changes that take place during the process, then verify using an internet search (or using your child’s class notes).

Thermal Energy Transfer

• Bake something at home then watch a video on YouTube about how heat traveled throughout the baking process. Discuss how the outcome may have been different if heat traveled in a different way.

Earth’s Structure

• Make or draw a model of the Earth’s layer. Encourage your child to design it, provide feedback, then if possible: gather the materials, and get creative!
• Read this article on Rock Types - SIM.

Plate Tectonics

•  Play the Plate Interactions interactive game. Or model plate movement using your hands.

What should my child be working on?

World Cultures is a study of geography and culture throughout the world. In this course, students will gain a better understanding of how history has influenced the development of current societies, including how cultures organize government and economic systems in various ways. Additionally, students will learn and apply historical processing skills with secondary and primary sources in order to think critically about the world around them. These skills are embedded through a thematic and comparative inquiry of the United States to other countries around the world.

What should my child be working on in the 1st semester of school?
The first semester, student learning will include:

• Exploration and Colonization- exploring both the reasons for and its impact:  economically, politically, and socially. (TEKS 6.1A)
• Rebellion - examining the economic, political, and social reasons (an impact of) conflict/war. (TEKS 6.17A)
• Government - The Rule of the Land - examining the development/existence of different forms of government and how they impact societies/relationships.

(TEKS 6.12A)
Students analyze each of the above from economic, political, and social perspectives.

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child?

Government

1. How does our government compare to governments around the world?
2. How does power affect people and societies? Why?
3. How does politics influence the government and/or its people? Why?
4. How does a government affect people and societies? Why

Exploration and Colonization

1. Why do you think people move to other, unfamiliar parts of the world?
2. How does economics affect where and why people move?
3. How do geographic features affect where and why people move?
4. How do culture and the values of a culture affect where and why people move?

Rebellion

1. Can culture impact rebellion? Why or why not?

How can I help my child learn at home?

1. Provide opportunities to watch and discuss local and world news. Share with them how you cast your vote in local and national elections.
2. Talk with them about the reasons for your settlement (movement too) the area/city/country for which you live.

Digital citizenship in the middle school grades focuses on deepening student understanding of the concepts of media balance & well-being, privacy & security when online, digital footprint & identity, and relationships & communication online introduced in the primary grades.

Media Balance & Well-Being

Lessons on media balance & well-being in middle school continue to build on the foundations of healthy balance created in elementary school. Students begin to explore the motivation behind their media usage, and behind the companies who are creating the media. As they discover motivation, they are encouraged to create a plan to keep their media usage balanced and to weigh the consequences of unbalanced media balance on their health and relationships.

Privacy and Security

Middle school-aged students want more freedom to use media and technology, so it is important that they understand how to protect their privacy and security when they go online. In earlier grades, students built a foundation about what they should keep private and secure. In the middle grades, the focus shifts to why and how they should keep things private and secure. Lessons tackle big data, phishing, and how knowing more about the tools they are using will keep them safe online.

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

TEKS: 126.14 (5) (C-D)

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

How can I help my child learn at home?

Middle school children are more likely to emulate behaviors than they are to follow rules set out in lectures by their parents. Helping your children see how you balance media usage and monitor your own media well-being by pointing it out to him will go a long way in helping him make his own healthy choices. Another way to engage your child is to help her understand how tech companies make money. Demystifying why companies want to have users spend more time online will help children make informed media choices.

Share with your children how you can tell the difference between posts from friends, posts from “influencers”, and the posts that are advertisements. Many forms of media, such as Snapchat and Instagram, use advertisements that are hard to distinguish from other posts. Helping children spot these and know when it is okay to share information will help them make good choices.

Overview

As a parent of an English learner, there is a lot you need to know, including how your child is:

• Identified as an English learner
• Taught English and other subjects
• Tested
• Determined to be proficient in academic English

This guide will help you support your child on their journey as an English learner (EL).

How does the school know that my child is an English learner?

When you register your child in school for the first time, you are asked to fill out a home language survey that asks two specific questions: (1) What language is spoken in the child’s home most of the time? and (2) What language does the child speak most of the time? If the survey indicates that your child speaks a language other than English, he/she will then be tested at the Multilingual Department’s Welcome Center. If the assessment indicates that your child is not yet proficient in English, the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) will make a program recommendation for your child.

How will my child learn English?

English as a Second Language program (ESL) targets English language development, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, through academic content instruction that is linguistically and culturally responsive.

What questions should I ask my child?

• What was one interesting thing you did at school today?
• What did you learn in your_____ class?
• Who did you talk to the most in your classes?
• What is your homework for today?

What can I do?

• Get a public library card for your child and borrow books in English or your child’s home language.
•  Encourage your child to read daily in English and/or his /her home language.
• Encourage your child to use a bilingual dictionary.
• Be sure to attend parent-teacher conferences scheduled by your child’s school.
• Schedule time every day for your child to do homework.

Resources

• The 50 Best ESL Resources for Kids
• Parent guide
• U.S. Department of Education - English Learner Tool Kit
• U.S. Department of Education - Especially for Parents

In the 6th grade, all students will complete a survey in Naviance called “Career Key.” This survey matches students to careers based on their interests and personality traits. All students and families can access this survey and other Naviance resources at home. Parents, reach out to your child’s professional school counselor to get access to your parent Naviance access code.

What should I ask my child's counselor?

1. When will my child be completing the “Career Key” survey?
2. How will you be using these results to guide my child in making decisions about their future?
3. What other college and career exploration activities will my student be completing this school year?

Resources

• https://student.naviance.com/

Bullying

If your child is experiencing bullying at school, it can be a difficult and sometimes scary time for both students and families. Spring Branch ISD has policies and procedures in place to help support and protect your child. You can reach out to your child’s assistant principal for help investigating bullying situations at school, or to your child’s counselor for social-emotional support during a bullying investigation. Spring Branch ISD also has an anonymous reporting link, as required by state law.

Signs to Look Out For

Often as students start middle school, they become more private with their social lives. As families, it’s important to recognize warning signs that your child is being bullied so that you can seek help and intervene. You may notice your child starts to withdraw at home, complains about headaches or stomach-aches, or has difficulty sleeping. They may also have unexplained injuries or broken or lost personal items.

Laws Regarding Bullying and Cyber-bullying

Texas law covers both in-person bullying and cyber-bullying, whether it happens on- or off-campus. These laws cover training for teachers, reporting to parents, and counseling support for victims of bullying.

Suicide Prevention

Unfortunately, one of the major consequences of experiencing bullying is having suicidal thoughts or engaging in self-harming behaviors. If your child has experienced bullying, you can refer them to their professional school counselor for more resources, or refer them to a therapist or psychologist for more in-depth support.

What questions should I ask my child?

• Who is an adult who supports you on campus?
• How do you get in to see a counselor if you need help?
• What kinds of social media do you have?
• Do you know how to make an anonymous report?

What can I do?

• Listen without judgment
• Offer support and advice while helping your child advocate for themselves
• Monitor social media use

• Resources

• Suicide hotlines
  • English: 713-529-8336
  • Spanish: 713-526-8088
• Stop Bullying
• The Skill of Listening

What should my child be working on?

Reading

• Continuously read a variety of texts and make adjustments when comprehension breaks down. (TEKS 6.5)
• Analyze how authors use diction and figurative language to create a tone and mood. (TEKS 6.9 F-G)
• Compare messages in two texts and provide evidence to back up their claims about them. (TEKS 6.7A)
• Understand how authors use literary elements and characters to create a deeper meaning in fiction and literary nonfiction texts. (TEKS 6.7)
• Apply skills to correctly answer multiple-choice and open-ended questions while providing evidence from the text they read. (STAAR Prep)

Writing

• Plan for writing by choosing the appropriate form and prewriting strategy. (TEKS 6.10)
• Use what they learned through reading informational and argumentative texts to create their own opinion piece. (TEKS 6.11)
• Revise their drafts for clarity, audience, and purpose. (TEKS 6.10C)
• Edit errors they make and mistakes made by others. (TEKS 6.10D)
• Publish a finished piece that is relatively free of common errors. (TEKS 6.10E)

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child's teacher?

• How has he/she performed on assessments until this point?
• What reading skills does he/she need to strengthen before the end of the year?
• When do you offer to tutor?
• What are some titles you recommend for at-home reading?

How can I help my child learn at home?

By now, students should be very familiar with the secondary school daily routine, but they may still need help staying organized.  Our goal is for students to be able to take transfer the work they are doing in school and apply it to any text. Students should be aware of what they are working on in both reading and writing. Standardized tests are in the near future, and parents can help their kids by:

• Providing a quiet place to study.
• Continue to talk to students about their reading and writing.
• Encourage students to read books in series as well as explore different genres.

What should my child be working on?

Equivalent Expressions 

•  Find the prime factorization of a number (TEKS 6.7A)
• Generate equivalent expressions using Order of Operations (TEKS 6.7A)
• Generate equivalent expressions using properties (Inverse, Identity, Commutative, Associative, and Distributive) (TEKS 6.7D)
•  Determine if two expressions are equivalent (TEKS 6.7C)

Equations and Inequalities

• Distinguish between expressions and equations (TEKS 6.7B)
• Write a one-step equation to represent a real-world situation (TEKS 6.9A)
• Write a real-world situation to represent a one-step equation (TEKS 6.9C)
• Write a one-step inequality to represent a real-world situation (TEKS 6.9A)
• Write a real-world situation to represent a one-step inequality (TEKS 6.9C)
• Model and Solve a one-step equation (TEKS 6.10A)
• Model and Solve a one-step inequality (TEKS 6.10A)
• Represent the solution to an equation or inequality on a number line (TEKS 6.9B)
• Determine if a given value makes a one-step equation or inequality true (TEKS 6.10B)

Linear Relationships

• Graph ordered pairs in all 4 quadrants on a coordinate grid (including fractions and decimals) (TEKS 6.11A)
• Identify independent and dependent quantities from a table and graph (TEKS 6.6A)
• Differentiate between additive and multiplicative relationships (TEKS 6.4A)
• Represent situations with ratios and rates using scale factors, tables, graphs, and proportions (TEKS 6.5A)
• Represent a situation using a table, graph, equation, and verbal description (TEKS 6.6C)
• Write an equation (y = kx or y = x + b) when given a table that represents the relationship between independent and dependent quantities  (TEKS 6.6B)

 Describing Data

•  Represent numeric data with dot plots, stem-and-leaf plots, histograms, and box plots (TEKS 6.12A)
• Summarize categorical data with numerical and graphical summaries, including mode and percent values, to describe the data distribution (TEKS 6.12D)
• Summarize numeric data using the mean, median, range, and interquartile range to describe the data (TEKS 6.12C)
• Represent numeric data graphically to describe the center, spread and shape of the distribution (TEKS 6.12B)
•  Interpret numerically and graphical representation (dot plot, stem-and-leaf plot, histograms, and box plots) of data (6’13A)
•  Determine whether situations yield variable data (TEKS 6.13B)

Geometry

•  Find the measure of one angle of a triangle when given the other two (TEKS 6.8A)
• Determine when three lengths will form a triangle (TEKS 6.8A)
• Develop area formulas for parallelograms, triangles, and trapezoids (TEKS 6.8B)
• Find the area of rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and triangles (TEKS 6.8D)
• Write equations to represent the area of rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and triangles (TEKS 6.8C)
• Find the volume of right rectangular prisms (TEKS 6.8D)
• Write equations to represent the volume of right rectangular prisms (TEKS 6.8C)
• Personal Financial Literacy
• Compare the features and costs of a checking account and debit cards offered by different banks (TEKS 6.14A)
• Understand the difference between credit and debit cards(TEKS 6.14B)
• Balance a checkbook including deposits, withdrawals, and transfers (TEKS 6.14C)
• Understand the information of a credit report and how long it is retained (TEKS 6.14E)
• Understand the value of having a good credit report to a borrower and lender (TEKS 6.14E and 6.14F)
• Understand different methods to pay for college (savings, grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study) (TEKS 6.14G)
• Compare salaries of different jobs and the education or training required for the jobs (TEKS 6.14H)

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child?

• What is the problem asking you to solve?
• What information is important to help you solve the problem?
• What problem-solving strategy can you use to solve the problem? (Draw a picture, make a table, write an equation, number line)
• Do you have notes that can help you solve the problem?

How can I help my child learn at home?

Problem Solving

• Is there an activity on IXL, Imagine Math, or ST Math (whichever campus uses) to help with the topic?

What should my child be working on?

Equivalent Expressions 

•  Find the prime factorization of a number (TEKS 6.7A)
• Generate equivalent expressions using Order of Operations (TEKS 6.7A)
• Generate equivalent expressions using properties (Inverse, Identity, Commutative, Associative, and Distributive) (TEKS 6.7D)
•  Determine if two expressions are equivalent (TEKS 6.7C)

Equations and Inequalities

• Distinguish between expressions and equations (TEKS 6.7B)
• Write a one-step equation to represent a real-world situation (TEKS 6.9A)
• Write a real-world situation to represent a one-step equation (TEKS 6.9C)
• Write a one-step inequality to represent a real-world situation (TEKS 6.9A)
• Write a real-world situation to represent a one-step inequality (TEKS 6.9C)
• Model and Solve a one-step equation (TEKS 6.10A)
• Write a two-step equation to represent a real-world situation (TEKS 7.10A)
• Write a real-world situation to represent a two-step equation (7.10C)
• Model and Solve a two-step equation (7.11A)
• Represent the solution to an equation on a number line (TEKS 7.10B)
• Model and Solve a one-step inequality (TEKS 6.10A)
• Represent the solution to an equation or inequality on a number line (TEKS 6.9B)
• Determine if a given value makes a one-step equation or inequality true (TEKS 6.10B)

Linear Relationships

• Graph ordered pairs in all 4 quadrants on a coordinate grid (including fractions and decimals) (TEKS 6.11A)
• Identify independent and dependent quantities from a table and graph (TEKS 6.6A)
• Differentiate between additive and multiplicative relationships (TEKS 6.4A)
• Represent situations with ratios and rates using scale factors, tables, graphs, and proportions (TEKS 6.5A)
• Represent a situation using a table, graph, equation, and verbal description (TEKS 6.6C)
• Write an equation (y = kx or y = x + b) when given a table that represents the relationship between independent and dependent quantities (TEKS 6.6B)
• Represent constant rate of change from numbers in real-world problems, table, graph, and equations (7th grade) (TEKS 7.4A)
•  Determine the constant of proportionality (k = y/x) in mathematical and real-world problems (7th grade) (TEKS 7.4C)
•  Represent linear relationships using verbal descriptions, tables, graphs, and equations in the form of y = mx + b (7th grade) (TEKS 7.7A)

 Describing Data

•  Represent numeric data with dot plots, stem-and-leaf plots, histograms, and box plots (TEKS 6.12A)
• Summarize categorical data with numerical and graphical summaries, including mode and percent values, to describe the data distribution (TEKS 6.12D)
• Summarize numeric data using the mean, median, range, and interquartile range to describe the data (TEKS 6.12C)
• Represent numeric data graphically to describe the center, spread and shape of distribution (TEKS 6.12B)
•  Interpret numerically and graphical representation (dot plot, stem-and-leaf plot, histograms, and box plots) of data (6’13A)
•  Determine whether situations yield variable data (TEKS 6.13B)

Geometry

•  Find the measure of one angle of a triangle when given the other two (TEKS 6.8A)
• Write and solve equations using geometric concepts, including the sum of angles in a triangle, and angle relationships (7th grade) (TEKS 7.11C)
•  Find angle measures related to triangles and their exterior angles (8th grade) (8.8D)
•  Find the measures of angles formed with a line crosses two parallel lines (8th grade) (8.8D)
• Determine when three lengths will form a triangle(TEKS 6.8A)
• Develop area formulas for parallelograms, triangles, and trapezoids (TEKS 6.8B)
• Find the area of rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and triangles (TEKS 6.8D)
• Write equations to represent the area of rectangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and triangles (TEKS 6.8C)
• Find the volume of right rectangular prisms (TEKS 6.8D)
• Write equations to represent the volume of right rectangular prisms (TEKS 6.8C)

Area and Circumference of Circles

• Understand how pi is related to a circle's diameter and circumference (7th grade)(TEKS 7.5B)
• Develop circumference of a circle formula using models and approximation (7th grade)(TEKS 7.8C)
• Find the circumference of a circle(7th grade) (TEKS 7.9B)
• Find the area of a circle(7th grade)(TEKS 7.9B)
• Develop area of a circle formula using models and approximation (7th grade) (TEKS 7.8C)

Personal Financial Literacy

• Compare the features and costs of a checking account and debit cards offered by different banks (TEKS 6.14A)
• Understand the difference between credit and debit cards(TEKS 6.14B)
• Balance a checkbook including deposits, withdrawals, and transfers (TEKS 6.14C)
• Understand the information of a credit report and how long it is retained (TEKS 6.14E)
• Understand the value of having a good credit report to a borrower and lender (TEKS 6.14E and 6,14F)
• Understand different methods to pay for college (savings, grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study) (TEKS 6.14G)
• Compare salaries of different jobs and the education or training required for the jobs (TEKS 6.14H)
• Calculate sales and income tax (7th grade)(TEKS 7.13A)
• Compare sales, rebates, and coupons (7th grade)(TEKS 7.13F)

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

 

6th Grade TEKS

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

7th grade TEKS

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child?

• What is the problem asking you to solve?
• What information is important to help you solve the problem?
• What problem-solving strategy can you use to solve the problem? (Draw a picture, make a table, write an equation, number line)
• Do you have notes that can help you solve the problem?

How can I help my child learn at home?

• Is there an activity on IXL, Imagine Math, or ST Math (whichever campus uses) to help with the topic?

What should my child be working on?

Energy Resources

• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using energy resources like: coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power, biomass, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and solar. (TEKS 6.7A)

Energy Transformation

• Compare and contrast potential and kinetic energy. (TEKS 6.8A)
• Demonstrate and describe examples of energy transformations. (TEKS 6.9C)

Force and Motion

• Calculate average speed using measurements of distance and time. (TEKS 6.8C)
• Analyze graphs for changes in motion. (TEKS 6.8D)
• Identify and describe the changes to an object when acted upon by unbalanced forces: position, direction, and speed (TEKS 6.8B)
• Describe how inclined planes can be used to change the amount of force needed to move an object. (TEKS 6.8E)

Classifying Organisms

• Describe the following characteristics of organisms that are used to classify them in unique kingdoms: prokaryotic or eukaryotic, unicellular or multicellular, autotrophic or heterotrophic, mode of reproduction. (TEKS 6.12D)
• Describe all organisms as composed of one or more cells. (TEKS 6.12A)
• Understand the presence of a nucleus differentiates between a prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell. (TEKS 6.12B)
• List the three domains as the broadest taxonomic classification of living organisms: Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukarya (TEKS 6.12C)

Abiotic/Biotic Interactions

• Describe biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem in which organisms interact. (TEKS 6.12E)
• Diagram the levels of organization within an ecosystem: organism, population, community, and ecosystem. (TEKS 6.12F)

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child?

Energy Resources

• How are some energy resources renewable and while others are nonrenewable?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of using each energy resource?

Energy Transformation

• How are potential and kinetic energy similar? How are they different?
• Why is the Law of Conservation of Energy important?

Force and Motion

• How do applied forces cause changes to kinetic and potential energy within a system?
• How is speed calculated?
• How would you compare a distance-time graph to a speed-time graph?
• How does an inclined plane change the amount of force needed to move an object?

Classifying Organisms

• How are prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells alike and different?
• How can the characteristics of a living organism help scientists classify them in the taxonomy system?

Abiotic/Biotic Interactions

• How do organisms interact with biotic and abiotic parts of their ecosystem?
• How are different levels of organization within an ecosystem classified?

How can I help my child learn at home?

Energy Resources

• Review examples of renewable and non-renewable resources. Have your student explain the pros and cons of examples of each type of resource.

Energy Transformation

• Prepare a meal with your child. Have them identify and describe the various energy transformations required in order to prepare food.

Force and Motion

• Ask your child for examples of balanced and unbalanced forces using examples around the home.

Classifying Organisms

• Build a model of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells using household items. Have your student determine what should be present in each model.

Abiotic/Biotic Interactions

• If you have any living plants in your house, ask your child which biotic and abiotic factors are currently interacting with it. (Alternatively, ask your child how their favorite plant interacts with biotic and abiotic factors in order to stay alive.)

What should my child be working on?

World Cultures is a study of geography and culture throughout the world. In this course, students will gain a better understanding of how history has influenced the development of current societies including how cultures use various ways to organize government and economic systems. Additionally, students will learn and apply historical processing skills with secondary and primary sources in order to think critically about the world around them. These skills are embedded through a thematic and comparative inquiry of the United States to other countries around the world.

The second semester, student learning will include:

• Socio-Economic Interactions, exploring how culture and political factors influence economic development throughout the world. (TEKS 6.10B)
• Civil War- examining the economic, political, and social reasons (an impact of) conflict/war within a country. (TEKS 6.17A; 6.19A)
• US Relations with the world - exploring factors and/or events including US foreign policy, trade agreements, interdependence, cultural considerations, and technological advancements (and the impact of).TEKS 6.10B; 6.10A; 6.17A)

Students analyze each of the above from economic, political, and social perspectives.

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

What questions should I ask my child?

Socio-Economic Interactions, exploring how culture and political factors influence economic development throughout the world.

• How do cultural and political factors affect economic development?

Civil War- examining the economic, political, and social reasons (an impact of) conflict/war within a country.

• Can the relationship between culture and the ESP (Economic, Social, and Political) factors cause the Civil War in a region? Why or Why not?

US Relations with the world - exploring factors and/or events including US foreign policy, trade agreements, interdependence, cultural considerations, and technological advancements (and the impact of).

• How does the social, political, and economics of the US influence its relationships with other countries of the world?

How can I help my child learn at home?

Provide opportunities to watch and discuss local and world news. Share with them how you cast your vote in local and national elections. Use the questions in the “Questions to Ask Your Child” section when discussing the local and world news.

Digital Footprint & Identity

Now that students understand the concept of a digital footprint, lessons begin to ask them to reflect on what their digital footprint says about them. Students explore the benefits and drawbacks to presenting themselves in different ways online and what their digital footprint says about them. Students also look at ways social media affects their digital footprints.

Relationships & Communication

Lessons in the relationships and communication strand in middle school focus on navigating social media and other online communication that is new to middle school students. Building on the concepts introduced in elementary school, students explore how relationships online and offline are similar and different, and how to stay kind when online.

What are the state standards for what my child should know and be able to do in this subject and grade level?

TEKS: 126.14 (5) (D)

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)

How can I help my child learn at home?

As you begin to allow your child to use social media, create a list of family guidelines for usage. What is okay to post? What is okay to comment on? Will there be limits for usage or other guidelines, like always tagging mom or dad? A social media contract (like this one from iMom, http://www.imom.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/imom-social-media-contract.pdf) helps set clear guidelines for your middle school student.

Our middle school students love to be connected to one another, but they don’t always understand the implications of their online relationships. Discuss with your student how you choose to respond to posts and shares online, for instance, do you take comment only for fun, or take part in deeper discussions, like those around politics. This will help your student learn how to communicate online.

How will I know when my child has learned academic English? 

Every year, your child will take an assessment called the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) to assess his/her English proficiency level in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. When your child meets the criteria for reclassification, he/she will be reclassified and will not need to take the TELPAS any more.  However, the school will continue to monitor your child’s progress to make sure he/she is successful at school.

What questions should I ask my child?

• What did you learn in your_____ class?
• What book are you reading at school?
• Did you ask for help when you didn’t understand?
• What is your homework for today?

What can I do?

• TELPAS Parent Tips (English)
• TELPAS Parent Tips (Spanish)

Resources

• Colorín Colorado (bilingual website)
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
• Parent guide

In the 6th grade, all students will complete a survey in Naviance called “Career Key.” This survey matches students to careers based on their interests and personality traits. All students and families can access this survey and other Naviance resources at home. Parents, reach out to your child’s professional school counselor to get access to your parent Naviance access code.

What should I ask my child's counselor?

1. What elective classes are available to my child?
2. What classes offer high school credit?
3. What advanced classes (pre-AP, etc.) are available and what are the criteria for my child to participate?

Resources

• High School Course Catalog

Friendship
Social relationships and interpersonal skills are huge parts of adolescent development. It is actually quite developmentally healthy and appropriate for children to be more invested in their friendships and social lives than in their academics! Adolescents use this time to learn about themselves, how to solve a conflict, and how to communicate with their peers.

Healthy vs Unhealthy Friendships
Although it is pretty common for children this age to find friends who are similar to them and also to modify their interests and behavior to fit in with peers. Your child may explore new activities, fashion, and music with different friends. This kind of behavior stops being healthy when the behaviors become risky, or when friends begin to pressure your child into doing things they aren’t comfortable with. Inappropriate social media use can also be a part of unhealthy friendships.

What questions should I ask my child?

• Who are your closest friends at school?
• What kinds of things do you and your friends like to do together? Do your friends have any interests that are different from yours?
• Do you and your friends follow each other on social media? How do you like to use social media together?

What can I do?

• Help your child to understand the importance of both having independence and having a supportive group of friends.
• Understand and monitor your child’s social media usage.
• Children learn about relationships from their families - model healthy relationships and talk to your child about how you set healthy boundaries, select friends, and romantic partners. Model how you solve interpersonal problems through conversation and seeking outside help if necessary.

Resources

• Social media:
  • https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/16-apps-and-websites-kids-are-heading-to-after-facebook
• Healthy Friendship:
  • https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-development/healthy-relationships/healthy-friendships/index.html
• Suicide hotlines
  • English: 713-529-8336
  • Spanish: 713-526-8088