A Message for 6th Grade Parents: January 2016 Identity Project

Dear Parents:

This January, the 6th grade will take part in our yearly interdisciplinary unit called “The Identity Project.” In this unit, students will begin to explore questions of identity and diversity through six subjects — math, science, social studies, English, art, and silent reading. We are excited to be “kicking off” the unit with some special shared activities on Monday, January 4th. The guiding question we will be asking the students throughout the unit is “Who Are You?” This is a big question, and each subject will look at it in a different way.

In math 6, the students will look at “mean and median” in data collection. In hyper 6, each student will be exploring his or her identity as a mathematician through a variety of activities. In science, the students will develop an understanding of genetics and track some of their own genetic traits. During social studies, students will research and report on a current event in the country or region of the world from which the student’s family comes. In English class, students will compose a “Where I’m From” poem with an accompanying video created in iMovie. During art class, students will create self portraits and collect them into a Diversity Quilt. Finally, during silent reading, the students will create their reading life “puppets:” paper cut-outs decorated to describe who they are as readers.

We cordially invite you join us on February 4th at 8:10am for our Identity Assembly, in which the 6th graders will present their work to the middle school and any parents in attendance. Afterwards, with your help, we will celebrate with an International Food Festival. This is where you come in! We would love to have you bring in a dish that celebrates your family’s cultural heritage. This can be a family recipe or sample of a cultural dish. Stay tuned for more information.

If you have any questions about the unit or insights you’d like to share about how your child may experience the topic, please feel free to contact Mr. Larrowe or Ms. Urbanowski.
Sincerely,
The 6th Grade Team