What is SAS?

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What is SAS?

• As 6th grade SAS teachers, our goal is to provide
  experiences where students can learn sixth grade
  standards through interactive learning including
  hands-on activities, in-depth exploration, role
  playing, simulations, labs and other activities
  that reinforce content. We use the icons of Depth
  and Complexity as tools to help us achieve our
  learning objectives.

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• We strive to create a small learning community
  that eases the transition from 5th to 6th grade
  and provides the foundation for success
  throughout middle school. Our approach
  encourages cooperation and tolerance of others so
  students feel safe and comfortable to share
  ideas.
• We work together as a 6th grade team to
  coordinate activities, lessons, and projects to
  enhance and support learning across the
  curriculum. We provide several opportunities for
  parents to be involved in their childs learning
  experiences.

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Strategies for Student Success

• At Holmes SAS teachers currently employ the
  following strategies to insure student success
• Teacher teams meet together often to plan
  curriculum, coordinate homework, and discuss
  individual student needs
• Weekly reports to track your childs progress
• Evening activities to encourage parent
  participation
• Lessons and activities that address all learning
  styles
• Conferences with students to encourage and better
  understand student strengths and weaknesses
• Teachers encourage parent conferences and
  initiate contact
• Required use of planner to aid in organization
  and time management skills

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The Ocean Institute at Dana Point Field Trip
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What is the Ocean Institute Field Trip?

• The Ocean Institute Field trip is a two day
  overnight science experience beginning at the
  Lazy W Ranch in the Cleveland National Forest and
  ending at the Dana Point Marine Science Center.
• Students will participate in labs and activities
  exploring six ecosystems of Southern California
  and the ocean.
• The Ocean Institute at Dana Point is a nationally
  known marine science and environmental education
  program available to K-12 students and teachers.
• Its mission is to inspire all generations,
  through education, to become responsible stewards
  of our oceans.

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The Lazy W Ranch

• At the rustic Lazy W Ranch students become field
  biologists and employ the tools and techniques
  used for collecting and assessing field data.
• Students will identify biotic and abiotic
  relationships specific to the riparian, oak
  woodland, and chaparral ecosystems.

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The Marine Life Refuge

• At the Dana Point Marine Life Refuge students
  will explore the complex relationships within the
  tide pool as they measure physical factors,
  identify adaptations and conduct population
  studies on hermit crabs, turban snails,
  barnacles, and more.

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The Living Systems Lab

• Students will study the interactions among biotic
  and abiotic components of marine ecosystems.
• They will explore the requirements of marine
  aquariums and their inhabitants.
• They will examine the internal organs of a fish
  through a detailed dissection.
• They will determine the water quality of lab
  aquariums through a variety of chemical tests.

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The Living Systems Cruise

• On the RV Explorer students will feel and taste
  the salty sea spray, sort through live specimens,
  observe migrating whales and other sea mammals,
  and collect scientific data.
• Students will use hands on activities to enhance
  their understanding of the benthic and pelagic
  zones of the ocean.

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Why should all students have the opportunity to
attend this outstanding field trip?

• The Ocean Institute programs are designed to
  maximize immersion, inspire deep commitment to
  learning and spark curiosity, questions, and
  future discovery.
• Students last year rated this field trip as the
  best theyve ever been on.
• Sixth Grade SAS teachers would like every student
  to have the kind of science opportunities
  provided by the Ocean Institute.

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Additional SAS Activities

• Cultural Exchange
• Field Trips
• Egypt Festival
• Greek Festival
• Portfolio Day
• Poetry Jam/Art Exhibit
• Math-a-thon
• Family Halloween Movie Night

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Culture Exchange

• We are very fortunate to have students from many
  different cultural backgrounds in our classes.
  We find evidence of our culture in the clothes we
  wear, the languages we speak, the religions we
  practice, the beliefs we hold, the traditions we
  celebrate, the music we enjoy, the art we create,
  the dances we perform, the holidays we observe,
  and the foods we eat!!
• We plan to celebrate our variety of cultural
  heritage by inviting students and their families
  to an evening program that we call
• The CULTURE EXCHANGE

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• Prior to the event, students will choose a food
  that best represents their culture and with which
  they have a strong emotional bond. They will
  extensively investigate their food choice by
  interviewing relatives, exploring numerous
  library resources, and searching the internet to
  discover their foods origins, customs, recipes,
  ingredients, tools, and personal memories
• Students organize their research on display
  boards, orally present the information and share
  their food at the evening event with classmates
  and their families. Extra credit is given for
  dressing in culturally appropriate clothing.

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Egypt Festival

• As a culminating event to our study of Ancient
  Egypt, students participate in a day long
  festival experiencing, in a hands on way, the
  food and accomplishments of this ancient
  civilization.
• This hands on reenactment of a day in the life of
  an ancient Egyptian provides students with an
  appreciation and deeper understanding of an
  important culture that has greatly influenced
  modern society.

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We encourage you to consider the sixth grade SAS
program at Holmes, visit our campus, and apply
early for an exemplary middle school experience
for your child.