6^th Grade Humanities Course Overview
Welcome! We are so pleased to invite you into the John Adams Middle School humanities community. In this course, each student will develop an identity as a middle school reader, writer, historian, and thinker. To reach this goal, we are committed to creating a student-centered space rich in literature, discussion, and authentic learning experiences. In turn, students will be held to high standards of active engagement and personal responsibility. We have an exciting year ahead, and with your partnership, we are confident that each student will make significant academic and personal gains.

Class Structure
Humanities is a unique course that integrates both English Language Arts Common Core State Standards and History Social Science Content Standards. 6^th grade humanities students are provided with a rigorous literacy program that integrates social studies content. At JAMS, 6^th graders see their humanities teacher daily in a “double block” class. 

Course Objectives

• Students will develop stronger academic language and grade-level vocabulary.
• Students will develop critical thinking skills by forming ideas and supporting those ideas with evidence.
• Students will strengthen independent reading habits.
• Students will mature through the writing process by engaging in a variety of short and sustained narrative, informational, and argument writing experiences.
• Students will learn about ancient cultures and explore their connection to our daily lives.

Student Expectations

• Be Ready: Be on time and open to learning each day with required materials.
• Be Present: Be engaged, studious, and prepared to put great effort into each task.
• Be Respectful: Listen and speak at appropriate times, follow directions with awareness, use thoughtful language, and respect the resources of the classroom.

Textbooks
Students may access textbooks online via Clever. 

• California Collections
• History Alive! The Ancient World 

Possible Reading Experiences

• Short Fiction: realistic fiction stories, myths, legends, folktales, poetry
• Short Nonfiction: history and science picture books, articles
• Novel Study

*Students are expected to be reading a self-selected independent book at all times. Students may read an independent book from home, the classroom library, the JAMS Library, the public library, or choose from a variety of free eBooks and audiobooks through SORA or Learning Ally. Students can also add Santa Monica Public Library accounts to access even more books through SORA. 

Social Studies Units

• Unit 1: Early Humans & the Rise of Civilization
• Unit 2: Ancient Egypt & the Middle East
• Unit 3: Ancient India
• Unit 4: Ancient China
• Unit 5: Ancient Greece
• Unit 6: Ancient Rome

Work Expectations & Grading Policy

Each week, students will complete a variety of work products: Google Classroom assignments, long-term projects, notebook tasks,  assessments, and quizzes. All graded work products will be entered into the gradebook on a 100-point scale. Students and families are expected to check grades at least every two weeks to track scores.

Students and families should work with their teacher to make a plan to resubmit assignments, projects, assessments, or quizzes before the end of the grading period.

Stay in Touch!

The best way to contact teachers is via email.

Students enrolled in John Adams Middle School are not required to pay any fee, deposit, or other charge for participation in an educational activity offered by the school or the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, except as authorized by law and consistent with the California constitution and Hartzell v. Connell (1984) 35 Cal.3d 899. Donations are sought and accepted for various activities and supplies, and are at times critical to the continued success of classes and activities, but donations are always voluntary, and no child will be denied the right to fully and meaningfully participate in any activity because he/she has not donated money or supplies. For more information, go to http://www.smmusd.org.