What Happens in a Sixth Grade Classroom?

Visitors to my classroom can expect to see many different types of learning taking place. Each day in my sixth grade classroom is different. Since I teach social studies, lessons vary a great deal from day to day. During a week's time, students might read and discuss an ancient empire, do some map work, work within a cooperative group to solve a problem, finish a creative art project like designing their own Greek Olympic event or get materials ready for an oral presentation to their classmates. The one thing that is constant in my classroom are my expectations for behavior. Sixth graders are undergoing many different physical and emotional changes throughout the year. But, even with all the changes, I still expect them to be respectful to each other and to all adults. I address them as Miss Smith or Mr. Jones and expect the same in return. I tell my classes at the beginning of the year that they will be very successful in my class if they act like ladies and gentlemen. I feel that since sixth graders are the senior students of the building, that much is expected of them in the way of being role models to all the younger students. My classroom is fairly structured because you generally will not see students wandering around, yelling across the room, etc. Even though very creative processes are going on, I try to provide a balance that allows all students to work and be motivated. Students are required to raise their hand to be recognized to speak, to go to the restroom or to leave the room for any reason. Discipline is handled in a fair and impartial way. I always listen to all sides of an issue before making a decision about who is right and who is wrong. And after discipline has been decided upon, each student starts out with a clean record with me each day of the week. I look for the best in each student and try to bring out their unique talents and abilities. Each student is special in their own individual way and that is what makes working with sixth graders exciting day after day!

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