1. Welcome to 6th Grade Science!
Dear Students,
Welcome to 6th Grade Science!
It is a very exciting time in your lives as you start working to build the foundation for the adult you will become and begin the transformation from a child to a young adult.

2. This year we are going to study some really cool science
This year we are going to study some really cool science. We start the year studying the Diversity of Life, you’ll learn about all kinds of organisms and bizarre creatures and plants . Next we will study our respiratory and circulatory systems and learn how our bodies use the food we eat. We end the year studying earth and the solar system. That’s some really way out there stuff!

3. My husband and I have been married twenty-seven years and have three boys. My oldest is a sophomore at Central Washington University, and my twins are seventeen and senoirs in high school. They all run x-country and track, and one son is an avid sailor. My husband is an athletic director and teacher at Peninsula High School. We have a horse, pony, dog, three fish and a collection of small boats.

4. One of my favorite pastimes is reading
One of my favorite pastimes is reading. I love nothing more than curling up with a good book and transporting myself to other places and times.

5. But as much as I love reading I am wild about science, especially marine biology. I am particularly fond of marine mammals and tide pool creatures.

6. This summer was totally awesome because I saw a pod of Orca whales two days in a row while I was sailing in the San Juan Islands.

7. I am a person who learns best by doing
I am a person who learns best by doing. If I just hear or read about something it won’t necessarily stick with me but if I hear or read about something and then try it or see it on film I remember it much better.

8. Now that you know more about me there are some things I would like to know about you. Your first writing assignment is to write me a letter and share things about yourself with me like I shared with you.
Dear Mrs. Hall,

9. Subjects you like: Subjects that are hard:
The first thing I would like you to tell me about yourself is what subjects in school you enjoy and feel confident about and which subjects you feel are most challenging and you need to work on.
Subjects you like: Subjects that are hard:
SCIENCE
READING
MATH
MUSIC
SPANISH
GRAMMAR

10. I would also like you to tell me about how you feel you learn best
I would also like you to tell me about how you feel you learn best. Do you learn best by seeing, hearing, reading, or doing something? Or are you like me and need a combination of things? The more specific you can be with this description, including examples, the better.
I work best in a group where we can share ideas
I like talk to my friends in class so sometimes I don’t get my work done, I need to be in a group that doesn’t include my best friends!
I like to work by myself in a quiet room

11. Next I would like you to tell me anything about yourself that you feel I should know in order to help you get the most out of this school year.

12. The last piece of information I would like is for you to tell me if you have a computer and internet access at home.
COMPUTER
INTERNET
COMPUTER
INTERNET

13. I am very excited to read your letters and get to know you better through your words. What you write to me is private and I will only share parts of your work with your permission. I realize it is not always easy to share your thoughts and feelings with someone you do not know well but I want you to understand that I truly appreciate your efforts and feel strongly about the fact that your sharing will help me be a better teacher. I am looking forward to an awesome year!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Hall

14. Things to include in your letter:
Subjects that you like and subjects that are more challenging for you
Information about how you learn best, hearing, seeing, reading, and/or doing
Anything special you think I should know about you to help me help you make the most academic progress this year
Do you have a computer and internet access at home?