Ancient Civilizations, Grade 6 (Period 4)

September 7, 2011

Dear Students and Parents,

Welcome to 6th grade ANCIENT WORLD HISTORY!!! This year we will study the world, past and present. Believe it or not, we will meet the earliest people, yes, the cavemen (early hominids!) We will discover how the first civilizations developed – think rivers! We will come face to face with the ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians, as well as learn about ancient India, China, Israel, Greece and Rome. We will analyze, read, form opinions, discuss, watch videos, and utilize the library and the internet. We will write paragraphs, essays, letters, and create exciting and fun-filled projects. In our class, you will be an active participant experiencing history through dynamic group activities, dramatic role-playing, and writing from a historical perspective.

ABOUT ME

I am from Denver, Colorado, and came to California in 1994 to attend college at the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!) This will be my tenth year in total teaching. I love my job!

My background also includes working in government and politics, as well as the private and nonprofit sectors. I have a master’s degree in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Though I spent many years in school, there are a special few teachers who made a significant difference in my life. My goal is to make this a great year of learning for you! Parents, throughout the year, please feel free to contact me for any reason. I will always work hard to respond promptly to you!

Luckily for us, our school uses the innovative teaching program History Alive!, which is interactive, and hands on. Students, I’ve worked hard to get us a classroom set of books so that you do not need to bring your assigned book back and forth from home. Please help us keep this class set nice for the entire year and for future sixth graders!

EXPECTATIONS

I expect you to arrive on time and be in your assigned seat, fully prepared with writing materials, colored pencils, journal, binder, student workbook and homework by the tardy bell. If you do not have the proper materials, points will be deducted and this will affect your overall grade. I also expect you to follow “The U House Way”, like no cell phones on or out during the school day, and being kind to others.

GOALS
• Students will understand the development of early humankind
• Students will understand the beginnings of our earliest civilizations
• Students will understand the ideas surrounding the foundation of Western Civilization (Greece and Rome)
• Students will learn the geography associated with the countries we are studying
• Students will gain awareness of current events through newspapers, magazines and the internet

It is very important to complete all your work. It will also be your responsibility to copy homework assignments into your agenda planner on a daily basis. The weekly homework assignments and projects will also be available online at www.lacesmagnetschool.org.

Very Sincerely,

Ms. Cecily Vizas