SIXTH GRADE
Scroll down to view the Living Classroom lessons that sixth grade teachers can schedule for their classes this year:
FALL
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS FALL PLANTING
In this fall lesson, students learn about the plants that helped shape the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt and India. Students play a fun game of Ancient Civilizations Jeopardy, plant an Egyptian garden, and make yummy hummus!
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
State World History & Geography Standards: Ancient Civilizations: 6.2; 6.4; 6.5; 6.6; 6.7
DATES OFFERED: 10/1/24-11/22/24
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
WINTER
PLANTING IN CIRCLES
Students are introduced to the concepts of radius, diameter, and circumference as they investigate circles in nature. Students explore tree rings, investigate circles in fruit, and plant lettuce and radishes in concentric circles in the garden. The produce planted during this lesson will be harvested during the Ancient Civilizations Spring Harvest lesson to make a tasty multi-cultural salad.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
Common Core State Standard in Mathmatics: 7.G.4*
Although this lesson correlates with a 7th grade math standard, the concepts taught are covered in 6th grade CC6/7 math. Additionally, the concepts are taught in a fun and engaging way that provide a great introduction to the topic of circles for students in CC6 math.
DATES OFFERED: 1/28/25-3/28/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
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MAGNIFICENT MONARCHS
Students learn about human impacts on the life cycle and migration patterns of monarch butterflies and how they can help to protect and conserve the species. They also plant milkweed and learn about other native California plants that serve as nectar sources for monarchs.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
NGSS: MS-LS1-4; MS-LS1-5; MS-LS2-1; MS-LS2-2; MS-ESS3-3; MS-ESS3-4
DATES OFFERED: 2/25/25-4/25/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
SPRING
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS SPRING HARVEST
In this spring lesson, students learn about the plants that helped shape the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and China. Students play a fun game of Ancient Civilizations Jeopardy and harvest veggies from the garden to make a yummy multi-cultural salad.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS:
State World History & Geography Standards: Ancient Civilizations: 6.2; 6.4; 6.5; 6.6; 6.7
DATES OFFERED: 4/22/25-5/30/25
LESSON LENGTH: 60-75 Minutes
PARENT VOLUNTEERS: 2
SIXTH GRADE RESOURCES
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS LESSON RESOURCES
ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS SPRING HARVEST
Click here to see flax, onions, garlic, and fava beans growing in one of our school gardens. These ancient crops are still planted and harvested today! Sixth grade students plant these crops in the fall and harvest them in the spring.
PLANTING IN CIRCLES LESSON RESOURCES
PLANTING IN CIRCLES
Explore the concepts of radius, diameter, and circumference as we plant lettuce and radishes in concentric circles! Click here to watch the video!
MAKE A NATURE MANDALA
Make a mandala using objects from nature such as leaves, sticks, and pebbles and then measure the radius, diameter, and circumference of the mandala circle!
MAGNIFICENT MONARCH LESSON RESOURCES
MONARCH BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION CHECKLIST
Complete our Monarch Butterfly Action Item Checklist to help protect and conserve monarchs!
HOW TO ATTRACT MONARCHS
Watch this Living Classroom Green Time Video to learn how generations of Monarchs migrate across the US, the environmental factors which threaten the species, and how you can help attract monarchs to your yard!
THE MYSTERY OF THE WORLD's GREATEST BUTTERFLY MIGRATION
The monarch butterfly migration is one of nature’s greatest events. This orange-winged wonder travels up to 4,500 km from all over North America to spend the winter hanging from oyamel fir trees in central Mexico’s mountain forests. But how does an animal with a brain the size of a poppy seed navigate to this one special place? Click here to watch this PBS video.
ADDITIONAL NATURE-BASED ACTIVITIES
SAVING SEEDS FROM HEIRLOOM TOMATOES
Learn how to save seeds from heirloom tomatoes and grow your favorite tomatoes year after year!
ZERO WASTE HEROES!
Learn how to create a zero waste lunch and live more sustainably!
LIVING CLASSROOM'S ART IN NATURE SERIES
NATURE CREATURES
Go for a nature walk and collect natural materials to make fun nature creatures. You can even make your own self-portrait! Collect each part of a plant: root, stem, leaf, flower, fruit, and seed.
SPELLING WITH NATURE
Collect natural materials on a nature walk to make words with. You will need to collect each part of a plant: root, stem, leaf, seed, flower, and fruit.
QUIET LEAF TRACING
Find three leaves to creatively trace and color. Use this activity as an opportunity to relax and meditate.
Flying Foxes at the Lubee Bat Conservancy
Jellyfish at the Aquarium of the Pacific
Mississippi River Flyway Cam
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