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SIXTH GRADE

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How to Use the LEARNING STYLES Hints on the Charts

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You will notice that the game charts have a column labeled LEARNING STYLES.  If you have READ Discover Your Child’s Learning Styleyou will understand what the notes mean.  If not, here is a brief key:

Modalities:

Print means that most content is in print.

Picture means there are a lot of pictures or other graphics.

Visual means that both print and pictures are used in the game.

Verbal means there is some to quite a bit of talking involved.

Listening means that listening is involved.

Auditory means that both Verbal and Listening skills are used in the game.

Hands-on means that there is significant hand movement of cards, pieces, etc.

Whole Body means that the whole body is moving.

Writing means that writing is involved.

 

Dispositions:

Move means that there is significant physical activity.  These games are great for the very active child who hates to sit still.

Produce means that there is a clear (to the student) and quantifiable learning objective.  These children like to have a game labeled “educational” whereas that adjective is the kiss of death to most of the other dispositions.

Invent or Discovery means that there is discovery and/or experimentation involved.

Interact means that there is significant social interaction.  This learning style enjoys most games so it is only listed it when the group interaction is above average.

Create means that the game requires significant thought and/or creativity.

There is another vital element of learning that is important in regard to physical movement or what schools like to call Physical Education.  This is explained in depth in Smart Moves by Carla Hannaford.  Therefore, we have included the notations Vestibular and Proprioceptive to help you pick out P.E. games and activities that give your child reinforcement  in these sensory areas.

Vestibular refers to awareness of body balance and movement.

Proprioceptive  refers to the relative position of different parts of the body and the strength of effort used in movement.

Most games combine multiple elements, so we listed only the salient ones.  Likewise, any one child’s learning style is far more complex than these simple definitions and each child’s personality includes a combination of several modalities and dispositions.  Watch for the elements in games that your child likes and look for those or similar elements in other games

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MATHEMATICS

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NAME OF GAMENUMBER OF PLAYERSAGE RANGETIME OF PLAYEMPHASIS & NOTESLEARNING STYLES
WONDER NUMBER GAME1-45 and older15-30 minutesMultiplication
Factoring
Strategy
Print
Discover
Relate
Create
THE CONSTRUCTION GAME2-610 to adult1 Hour plusEconomics
Business
Money
Mathematics
Print
Hands On
Produce
Advanced Math_It110 and older2-5 minutesFractions
Decimals
Percents
Print
Hands-On
Produce
Prime Pak - Factor Thinking Games1 or more7 to adultVariesMultiple Games
Multiple levels
Multiplication
Print
Discover
Relate
Over and Out2-87 and older10-20 minutesContinuous mental addition up to 99. A great skill developer.Print
Discover
Relate
Fraperdeck Multiplication27 and older5-20 minutesMultiplication FactsPrint
Discover
Relate
Katamino1-23 to adult5-20 minutes2D
geometry concepts
Multi-Level
Picture
Hands-On
Discover
Create
Tantrix1-45 and oldervariesMany levels of play
Puzzle
Creativity
Picture
Hands-On
Discover
Invent
Create
Conceptual Bingo: Whole Numbers2-366 to adult20-30 minutesThought problems
Six levels of play
from very easy to challenging
Print
Auditory
Discover
Relate
SET1 or more6 and older20-30 minutesMulti-Level
Attributes and relationships between attributes
Picture
Verbal
Discover
Relate

These games will provide ample practice with basic facts, underlying concepts and some practical application.  Prime PakEquateand the Conceptual Bingo series will give practice with concepts necessary in algebra.  SETKataminoand Tantrix are brain-stretching spatial/logic games, which will develop skills important in geometry.  There is another game we used to recommend for geometry, which is now out of print: Geo Shapes.  It is the best hands-on geometry board game we have seen.  You may be able to find a copy online.

To give your child practice with paper & pencil calculations you can practice with everyday situations that just come up, download practice sheets from the internet, or get a workbook.  The Spectrum series from McGraw-Hill is very inexpensive and has practice problems from all areas of math.  We also like the Life of Fred math series.  It is the best math series we have seen for explaining in concrete (if somewhat whimsical) terms the why and how of math.  For this age, you can use either Life of Fred: Fractions or Life of Fred: Decimals & Percents depending on your child’s level of understanding.  (If you are just starting Life of Fred, we recommend you begin with Fractions as the story of Fred’s life begins there.

Another excellent math series is Ray’s Arithmetic.  This will appeal more to the Produce and some Invent learning styles.  These books are filled with practical, everyday problems, which demonstrate the usefulness of math.  They do not follow our modern grade system, but you will probably want to use Ray’s New Practical Arithmetic at this point.  If your student finds the problems too difficult, step back to Ray’s Intellectual Arithmetic.  Dr. Ruth Beechick has written a parent guide to the Ray’s series, which is very helpful.

HELPFUL BOOK:

The Usborne Illustrated Elementary Dictionary of Math

Many people assume that there aren’t enough exercises in Ray’s Arithmetic or Life of Fred to really nail down math concepts.  This is because for the last hundred years Americans have been subjected to math that was not connected to practical use as it was taught.  When all you are doing is memorizing an algorithm, hundreds of repetitions are needed to create a permanent memory.  Both Ray’s and Life of Fred teach the why of math right along with the how.  With this approach, much less practice is needed although there are variations with different children and their different learning styles.

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LANGUAGE ARTS

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NAME OF GAMENUMBER OF PLAYERSAGE RANGETIME OF PLAYEMPHASIS & NOTESLEARNING STYLES
CREATE-A-STORY: The Creative Writing Game1-45 to adult40 minutesCreative
writing/outlining and story elements
Visual
Writing
Discover
Relate
Create
Professor Noggin's Creatures of Myth and Legend2-87 and older20-30 minutesTwo levels of play
learn about ancient Mythology
Visual
Discover
Relate
PICK TWO2 or more8 and older30 plus minutesTwo levels of play
Spelling and Vocabulary
Print
Hands-On
Relate
Create
Quiddler2-68 and older20 plus minutesSpelling
Vocabulary
Print
Hands-On
Relate
Create
Kerfuddle1-68 and older5-20 minutesSpelling and Word RecognitionPrint
Writing
Relate
Create
THE PLAY'S THE THING2-412 and oldervariesSeveral levels
learn about the plays of Shakespeare
Print
Verbal
Perform
Relate
Create
Authors Card Game1 or more5 and oldervariesLearn about 13 famous authors. Play favorite card games, math gamesVisual
Discover
Relate
'What Is the Sentence' or 'WITS'2-67 to adult15-30Sentence structure, critical thinking, oral communications, creativityPrint
Verbal
Relate
Create
GRAMMAR SONGS CD1 or more10 and oldervariesBook and CD
Easy way to learn grammar
Auditory
Perform
Discover
Marie's Words- SAT Vocabulary1 or more10 and older20 plus minutesTwo SAT vocabulary games with 550 words. Can be used as flash cards as well (visual-graphic)Picture
Auditory
Perform
Discover
Relate
Create
RoadTrip Board Game2-48 and older20 plus minutesFun brain stretcher with lots of verbal practiceVisual
Verbal
Produce
Relate
Create

We included a number of vocabulary/ spelling games in the mix.  Pick Two and Kerfuddle, although very different, require quick responses and will be popular with very competitive kids who like a fast pace.  Quiddler gives time for more thoughtful consideration and allows children and adults of varying ages and abilities to play successfully together.  What Is The Sentence is fast paced, hilarious and also good for many age levels to play together.  It focuses on creative sentence construction and includes parts of speech in the game play.  Marie’s Words is an amazing and creative set of 550 vocabulary cards from the College Board SAT.  The cards can be used in a variety of ways and directions for two games are included.  Marie’s Words is a must for students who are primarily visual-graphic learners.  It has visual helps for spelling as well.

Because of frequent references in literature, both current and classic, it is important for children to learn about the myths of western cultures. (This is equally true of Bible stories and Shakespeare’s plays.)  Without an understanding of these basics of Western Civilization, English literature and even current writings lose much of their meaning.

There are many good children’s versions of Greek, Roman and Norse mythology.  One of the most popular is D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths.  Usborne Books publishes several books on Greek and Norse Myths. Jim Weiss has several wonderful recordings on CD (Greek Myths and He and She Adventures in Mythology), which will acquaint you with many myths in a most delightful way.  The Professor Noggin’s Myths game can both introduce and reinforce knowledge of these stories.  Read a variety of myths before playing the game for the first time.  Then use the game to see what you remembered and to find out about stories you may not have encountered.  Older players can explain some of the references encountered if younger children are not yet familiar with that particular myth.  This makes the game a fun family endeavor.

A good way to introduce your children to Shakespeare is with storybooks about Shakespeare’s plays. The game will be more meaningful if your child knows something about the story before you start the game.  Here are some you may want to consider:

 Graphic Novels of Shakespeare:

  • As You Like It
  • Julius Caesar
  • King Lear
  • Macbeth
  • A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • Romeo & Juliet
  • The Tragedy of Antony & Cleopatra
  • Merchant of Venice
  • Taming of the Shrew
  • Tempest
  • Twelfth Night
  • Lamb’s Tales From Shakespeare by Charles Lamb
  • The Best of Shakespeare: Retellings of 10 Classic Plays by Edith Nesbit
  • Classics to Read Aloud to Your Children by William F. Russell

Jim Weiss CD recordings:

  • Greek Myths  (King Midas, Perseus & Medusa, Hercules, Arachne)
  •  He & She Adventures in Mythology  (Psyche & Cupid, Pygmalion & Galatea, Echo & Narcissus, Atalanta & The Golden Apples, Baucis & Philemon)
  • Shakespeare for Children
  • Romeo & Juliet

The Play’s the Thing is a versatile game with four levels of play from beginner (“I never heard of this play”) to expert (“I can recite multiple lines and passages from memory”) and two levels in between.  This is a very fun way to learn and reinforce understanding of Shakespeare’s plays.  This is a game you will use for years and years.

Note: Shakespeare’s plays were not meant to be read.  They are plays and were created to be watched or performed.  For the maximum benefit and enjoyment, read the plays aloud in a group and/or watch videos after studying the vocabulary.

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SCIENCE

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Themes:   Explorers, Oceans, Weather

NAME OF GAMENUMBER OF PLAYERSAGE RANGETIME OF PLAYEMPHASIS & NOTESLEARNING STYLES
Professor Noggin's Card Game Explorers2-87 and above20 plus minutesTwo levels of play,
Explorers
Listening
Visual
Produce
Discover
Relate
Create
JINGO: Great Explorers2-3010 and above15 plus minutesSeveral levels of play for all players.
Explorers
Picture
Listening
Discover
Relate
Explorer's Card Game1 or more5 and abovevariesPlay any card game and learn about 13 explorers at the same time.Listening
Visual
Discover
Relate
Weather Jingo2-309-1315 plus minutesSeveral levels of play for all players.Picture
Listening
Discover
Relate
Ocean Bingo2-63 and above15 plus minutesTwo levels of play with color graphicsPicture
Listening
Discover
Relate
Scientist Card Game1 or more6 and above20 plus minutesPlay any card game and learn about scientists at the same time.Visual
Auditory
Discover
Relate
Create

These games and others can open the door to amazing adventures in science.  As you play the games, be alert to your children’s questions and comments.  If you see a special interest in something, follow it up.  Get a book or video, do an experiment or go visit a museum or exhibit to help satisfy their curiosity.  You never know where it may lead.  Following your child’s interests is the most productive way to insure learning.  Learning doesn’t happen when one is bored.  If you worry that your children will miss something along the way, get over it.  All children miss something.  It is not possible to learn everything of value by age 18!

BOOKS:

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HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY

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Themes:  Early American History

NAME OF GAMENUMBER OF PLAYERSAGE RANGETIME OF PLAYEMPHASIS & NOTESLEARNING STYLES
Professor Noggin's Card Game: History of the United States2-87 to adult20 minutestwo levels of play, quiz style of game.Visual
Listening
Produce
Discover
Relate
Professor Noggin's Card Game Presidents of the United States2-87 to adult20 minutestwo levels of play, quiz style of game.Visual
Listening
Produce
Discover
Relate
Jamestown Survivor Game2-410 and older1 hourHistory of the Jamestown SettlementVisual
Discover
Relate
Create
GeoDerby USA
* out of print, but get on Amazon. Best game ever!
2-48 and older30-60 minutesTwo levels of play
best US Geography game for content.
Visual
Auditory
Discover
Relate
American History Memory Game2-43 and older15 plus minutesTwo games
Beautiful graphics
Great content
Picture
Discover
Relate
Go Fish American History Card Game2-65 and older15 plus minutesFour games
Great graphics and content
Visual
Auditory
Discover
Relate
President's Card GamePresidents Card Game1 or more5 and oldervariesThree decks available
Play favorite game and learn about the Presidents
Visual
Discovery
Relate
Create
JINGO: Explorers2-3010 and older20 plus minutesSeveral levels of play as you learn about the great explorers.Picture
Listening
Discover
Relate
Professor Noggin's Card Game American Revolution2-87 to adult20 minutesTwo levels of play
Quiz style game
Visual
Listening
Produce
Discover
Relate
Famous Women in American History Card Game 2 or more7 to adultvariesPlay any card game while learning about 13 women of US HistoryVisual
Discover
Relate
Create
Notable Black Women in American History Card Game2 or more7 to adultvariesPlay any card game while learning about 13 Black women of US HistoryVisual
Discover
Relate
Create

SUGGESTED BOOKS:

 

Audio Recordings by Jim Weiss:

  • George Washington: First In the Hearts of His Countrymen                                                              
  • Thomas Jefferson’s America

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BIBLE & RELIGION

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NAME OF GAMENUMBER OF PLAYERSAGE RANGETIME OF PLAYEMPHASIS & NOTESLEARNING STYLES
Journeys of Paul (Tube Edition)1-612 and older2 hoursFollow Paul's travels and learn a lotVisual
Discover
Relate
Create
Bible Bingo2-63 to adult15 plus minutesTwo levels of play
Nice color graphics
Picture
Listening
Discover
Relate
Bible Blurt Board Game3-138 and older45 minutesFast paced game recalling of Bible factsAuditory
Discover
Relate
Create
Apples to Apples Bible Edition4-108 and oldervariesFast moving and refreshing, learn Biblical facts and history.Visual
Discover
Relate

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION

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NAME OF GAMENUMBER OF PLAYERSEMPHASIS & NOTESLEARNING STYLES
Jump RopeJump Rope with Color Canvas Pouch1 or moreWhole body exercise
rhythm, endurance aerobic
Whole Body
Move
Relate
Proprioceptive
Vestibular
Kendama Ball and Cup Skill Game1 or moreWhole body
hand-eye coordination
Visual
Whole Body
Move
Sky Saucer1 or moreWhole Body
Balance
Coordination
Whole Body
Move
Proprioceptive
Vestibular
Slackers Classic Series Slackline Kit1 or moreWhole Body
Balance
Coordination
Whole Body
Move
Proprioceptive
Vestibular
Cool Jump-Rope Tricks You Can Do!: A Fun Way to Keep Kids 6 to 12 Fit Year-'Round.1 or moreWhole Body
Coordination
Endurance
Whole body Exercise
Rhythm
Whole Body
Move
Relate
Proprioceptive
Vestibular
Jester Juggling Stix1 or moreWhole Body
Coordination
Exercise
Rhythm
Whole Body
Move
Relate
Proprioceptive
Vestibular