6th Grade
Welcome to Sixth Grade!
Claudia Tavera is our Sixth Grade teacher at St. Joseph of Cupertino School.
Hello to the wonderful SJC family! Having been a cherished part of this community since 2018, I often feel a sense of déjà vu; my early education in private Catholic schools ensures that being at SJC feels like coming home.
While my academic roots lie in Mexico, where I secured a Bachelor's Degree in Science, my true calling was discovered in the world of teaching. For over 15 years, I've had the honor of guiding young minds, ranging from inquisitive children to enthusiastic adults. My passion for education is not confined to the classroom; I have dedicated numerous years as a volunteer, especially teaching Science and Math.
Speaking of Science, my own journey with it has been quite special. Growing up, I was surrounded by incredibly supportive parents and was blessed with teachers who turned every science lesson into a thrilling adventure. This nurturing environment cultivated my innate curiosity, a trait I've carried with me throughout my career. As we embark on this academic journey together, I eagerly look forward to instilling in my students the magic and wonder of Science.
My bond with the Spanish language extends beyond just teaching. I've taken on intricate roles in translating and interpreting content from English to Spanish - be it literature, legal documents, or even facilitating communication at parent-teacher conferences.
In today's digital era, I wholeheartedly embrace the intersection of technology and education. With a particular fondness for animation, I often integrate cutting-edge technology into my lessons, making them not just informative, but also lively and engaging.
However, at the end of the day, when I step away from the projector and the textbooks, it's my family that centers me. They are my bedrock, my beacon of joy, and my greatest passion.
It's with this confluence of experiences, passions, and values that I hope to make a lasting impact on every student I meet here at SJC. Let's make learning an unforgettable adventure together!
Classes
Language Arts:
Our new online curriculum, Study Sync, follows the CA Common Core standards. Students read many literature genres, including fictional and non-fictional stories. They learn how to draw inferences, summarize fiction and non-fiction texts, compare and contrast stories, identify the main idea and key details, and build vocabulary. Students are exposed to many different writing styles such as expository, persuasive, and narrative. Related subjects taught during language arts are English, spelling, and grammar.
Math:
Students focus on five critical areas: 1) understanding ratio concepts, using ratio reasoning to solve problems; 2) computing fluently with multi-digit numbers, finding common factors & multiples; 3) reasoning & solving one-variable equations & inequalities, analyzing quantitative relationships between dependent & independent variables; 4) solving real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, & volume; and 5) developing understanding of statistical variability, summarizing & describing distributions. Adv. Math: Students move more quickly through the grade level curriculum and delve more deeply into various topics.
Religion:
Religion lessons focus on learning about being active members in the Church, good citizens, and being a spiritual individual in life. Students learn about the Bible and the stories in the New and Old Testaments. Students pray the Rosary and participate in Reach Out projects for the poor and needy. Sixth graders continue learning the importance of the “no bullying” expectations at SJC.
Science/Science Lab:
We have adopted the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards). We use the on-line program STEMscopes by Accelerate Learning. STEMscopes follows the 5 E’s approach: Engage (access prior knowledge and address misconceptions), Explore (carry out investigations and activities), Explain (watch videos, surf the web), Elaborate (read topical articles, career connections), and Evaluate (through tests, project and/or presentations. 6th graders also go to Walden West Science Camp.
Social Studies:
Students will learn about ancient civilizations from all over the world, including Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece and Rome. They go on field trips throughout the year, including the Rosicrucian Museum. Also, they learn about the geography of the world and how to use atlases and maps.
Computers/Technology:
Students are now one-to-one with iPads and technology is fully integrated into all areas of the curriculum. In the lab, students become more proficient in Word and Excel, and create a PowerPoint presentation.
Fine Arts:
Students learn music for Mass and Prayer Services. They work on class level music and drama curriculum as well as age-level fun and traditional songs.
Art:
Classes meet every other week, creating projects that reinforce the elements of art. Exploring art from other cultures provides exposure to a variety of materials while art appreciation and art vocabulary are expanded.
Physical Education:
The PE program features both weekly aerobics and traditional physical education classes. Our focus is on the development of healthy lifestyle habits, fitness, cross-functional athletic skills and sportsmanship to encourage a life-long interest in sports and athletics.
Spanish:
We start the high school curriculum of Spanish 1. We work on listening skills, oral communication and grammar.
Library:
Students enjoy time in the library 3 times every month.