Teacher: Mr. Nicholas Pistello
email: npistello@csdo.org

My Name is Nicholas Pistello. I am the 6^th grade teacher and have lived in the Bay Area all my life. I went to St. John the Baptist School from Kindergarten through 8^th grade. I graduated from Salesian High School in 2005 and continued onto Sonoma State University, where I obtained my B.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies. While I attended college, I work as a program director at the West Contra Costa Salesian Boys and Girls Club and became passionate about working with children. I began substituting at St. John the Baptist School and decided that teaching was what God had called me to do. I am enrolled at California State University East Bay and will receive my credential in May 2012. I am newly married and look forward to having children of my own someday.

Homework

6th Grade Supply List (Word Doc)

Sixth Grade Supply List

1. 2 – 3 Subject Notebooks with folders
2. 2 – Composition Notebooks
3. 1 – Assignment Book
4. 1 – Package of 12-24 blue or black pens
5. 1 – Package of 12 Pencils
6. 1 – Package of Color Pencils
7. 1- Package of Markers
8. 1 – Glue stick
9. 1 – Elmer’s glue
10. 1 – Pair of scissors
11. 1 – Eraser
12. 1 – Fine point Sharpie or permanent marker (black)
13. 1 – Paper towel
14. 2 – Boxes of Kleenex
15. 1- Protractor
16. 1 – Math Compass
17. 1 – Scientific calculator  (Suggestions – Texas Instruments® TI-30X IIS or Texas Instruments® TI-30Xa) I found both of them online at www.officedepot.com for less than $20.00. 

PLEASE PUT YOUR CHILD’S NAME ON EVERYTHING!

Welcome to Saint John’s Sixth Grade

In sixth grade, students begin to use the skills they have learned in elementary school to tackle more advanced and abstract reading, writing, learning and thinking. This page gives some of our plans and goals for the 2010-2011 school year.

Math: In Math 6, we will be studying pre-Algebra using the College Preparatory Math program. The topics covered include: integers, data interpretation, solving equations, area and multiplication, ratios, measurement, equivalent fractions, ratios and proportions, operations with fractions and decimals, geometry, circles and cylinders, probability, and statistics. More information about the program and resources for students and parents is available upon request or through the CPM website (http://www.cpm.org/). Students are divided between two teachers, creating smaller classes and more personalized attention.

Social Studies: Sixth grade Social Studies focuses on the ancient world, and on giving students the skills to begin their middle-school study of history. Units highlight the history, art, artifacts and literature of prehistoric man and of Mesopotamia, India, China, Egypt, Israel, Greece, and Rome. Students will participate in ‘hands-on’ art projects, and historical recreation activities, including the famous chicken mummification project, and a chance to sit on the Roman Senate. Thematic field trips will include a visit to the Asian Art Museum.

Science: In the sixth grade students study earth science and geology with Mrs. Baines. The Science class meets three days per week for an intensive “hands-on” course in the Saint John’s Science lab. For more information, see the website.

Religion: The sixth grade study of religion focuses on the Old Testament. Students will learn stories from Genesis and Exodus, and tie them to thematically related events in the Gospels and in their own lives. Study of these stories, and of the structure of the Bible will be supplemented with art projects and personal writing.

Language Arts & Reading: Sixth grade students study vocabulary intensively, using a program called Wordly Wise 3000. A new list of fifteen words is assigned weekly, and a spelling and vocabulary test will be held each Friday morning. Using Writer’s Choice, students will study grammar throughout the year, beginning with sentence structure and the parts of speech. Additional grammar lessons and exercises will focus on common writing errors of students.

Writing is integral to the sixth grade at St. John’s. Students will write in a wide variety of genres, and across the curriculum. Writing assignments will be frequently tied to the skills being learned in grammar lessons, as students are challenged to put their new academic knowledge into practical use in their written work. We will write a wide variety of personal essays, literary responses, book reports, and academic papers over the course of the year.

We read a series of novels in class, and as homework. Books are discussed as they are read, and students will respond with a writing task or a short quiz to each few chapters. At the completion of each novel, students are assigned a book report, test, or project. Novels read this year will include

Yolonda’s Genius, by Carol Fenner, a contemporary novel about a young girl trying to bring out her brother’s natural musical talent,

Maroo of the Winter Caves, an historical adventure story set in prehistoric Europe,

A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle, a science-fiction novel with a focus on family and moral issues,

Maniac Magee, a humorous and fast-paced story about a young runaway with a talent for everything but understanding racial prejudice and,

The Bronze Bow, an historical novel by Elizabeth George Speare, set in Roman-occupied Judea, which will bring together a number of threads of study in history and religion.

Behavior: Students are expected to follow all school rules as outlined in the school handbook, and the classroom expectations of each teacher during the day. In addition, students are simply asked to use good common sense and their good hearts in their interactions with others. Your child’s feelings about class and interaction with classmates is important to me, so please keep me up to date on any issues that may arise, and encourage your student to do the same.

Homework: Homework will be assigned nightly, and is gone over with the class before dismissal. Your child can expect to have an hour to an hour fifteen minutes of homework a night. Homework assignments are worth 5-20 points. Unexcused late homework will be marked down by 25%. Please contact me if you have any concerns about the amount of time your child is spending on the nightly homework assignments.

Projects and Tests: Projects and tests are worth a total of 100 points.

Your child is a precious individual, and his or her feelings, ideas, aspirations and academic skills are important to me. Please, if you have questions, ideas, feedback or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact me!