The St. Mary's Classroom

Sixth Grade
Mr. Burleson
jburleson@stmarysstclair.org

Hello my name is Mr. Jim Burleson and I am the sixth grade homeroom teacher. I teach fifth and sixth grade Literature and fifth through eighth grade Science. I have taught three years of second grade and one year of a third through fifth grade multiage Montessori classroom. I believe strongly in using a combination of hands-on and reading to learn. I run the Science Fair and I am excited that the elementary classrooms are participating on the class level.

5th Grade Literature – Appropriate leveled trade books are read and discussed. The children also participate in activities relating to the books. Examples of books include: Maniac Magee, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, and The Sign of The Beaver.

6th Grade Literature – Appropriate leveled trade books are combined with the classroom basal to encompass many genres of Literature. Activities and discussions accompany these books. Examples of books include: The Island of the Blue Dolphin, Number the Stars, and The Westing Game.

Spelling is practiced daily in both Literature classes.

5th Grade Science – Students continue strengthening concepts about plants, the Solar System, energy, work, simple machines, ecosystem, geology, light and sound waves, and the human body.

6th Grade Science – Students study various areas of Science with an emphasis on matter and energy. Areas of study include: forces, motion, simple machines, compounds and mixtures, Periodic Table, electricity, magnetism, heat, light, and sound.

7th Grade Science – Students study various areas of Science with an emphasis on the life sciences. Areas of study include: cells and their processes, the five kingdoms, heredity, environment, biomes, and climate. We also study the major systems of the body and how they work – circulatory, respiratory, skeletal, muscular, digestive, endocrine, and nervous system.

8th Grade Science – Students study various areas of Science with an emphasis on Earth Science and the Solar System. Areas of study include: layers of the Earth, geologic history, plate tectonics, minerals, rocks, weathering and erosion, fresh and ocean water, weather, atmosphere, climate, and ecology. We also study natural disasters and their causes, including earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc.

All students in the fifth through eighth grade are required to complete a Science fair investigation in the spring. The winners have the opportunity to compete at the county level. The scientific process is heavily reinforced throughout all grade levels.