6th Grade Humanities 

 Ms. Peeler

Email: jepeeler@seattleschools.org
Phone: 206-252-8980
Room: 212
Available: 12:30-1:20; also before or after school.

Teacher Bio
This is my19th year teaching sixth grade at Denny Middle School. The students, staff, and community at Denny are an important part of my life. I have a Bachelor in Education from Central Washington State College, now Central Washington University, in Ellensburg and my fifth year from the University of Washington. When I am not at Denny, I love to garden, boat, hike, and read. My personal goal this year is to take a yoga class for strengthening, stretching, and relaxing. My professional goal is to learn more instructional reading strategies.

Washington State Standards Taught in This Language Arts Class
WRITING
1. The student writes clearly and effectively.
2. The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
3. The student understands and uses the steps of the writing process.
4. The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of written work.
READING
1: The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.
2: The student understands the meaning of what is read.
3: The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
4: The student sets goals and evaluates progress to improve reading.

Language Arts Course Description

This course focuses on Writer’s Workshop. Students will write narrative, expository, descriptive, persuasive essays. They will use the Six Traits of Good Writing rubric to score their writing. At home, students are expected to read for at least thirty minutes each night and keep a reading response log of their independent reading. Student activities include: keeping Response Logs and read a variety literary genre.

Washington State Social Studies Standards Taught in This Class:

HISTORY
1. The student examines and understands major ideas, eras, themes, developments, turning points, chronology, and cause-effect relationships in United States, world, and Washington State history.
2. The student understands the origin and impact of ideas and technological developments on history.
GEOGRAPHY
1. The student uses maps, charts, and other geographic tools to understand the spatial arrangement of people, places, resources, and environments on Earth’s surface.
2. The student understands the complex physical and human characteristics of places and regions.
3. The student observes and analyzes the interaction between people, the environment, and culture.
CIVICS
2.1 Compare and contrast democracies with other forms of government
ECONOMICS
1. Students understand the essential characteristics of past and present economic systems.
2. Students understand the role of government and institutions in past and present economic systems.

Social Studies Course Description

Social Studies at the 6th grade is a full year course focused on the study of Ancient Civilizations (Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, Oceania and the Americas) covering the history, culture, geography, socio-politics, and economy of the eastern hemisphere from ancient to modern times explored through a variety of perspectives. Students will develop skills related to the work of geographers and historians, such as conducting research, utilizing cartography (mapping), examining primary sources, and applying higher order thinking skills.