In 5th and 6th grade, learning is about much more than finding the right answer. These students are developing critical problem-solving skills that will support them for years to come. One of the most powerful ways they do this is by creating models—visual, physical, and mathematical representations that help them make sense of complex ideas.

At this age, students are learning how to slow down and think through a problem. Instead of jumping straight to a solution, they are encouraged to ask questions: What do I know? What am I trying to find? What strategy might work best? This shift in thinking helps students become more confident and independent learners.

Problem-solving also becomes more meaningful when students explain their thinking. In 5th and 6th grade classrooms, it’s common to hear students say things like, “I solved it this way because…” or “My model shows that….” Sharing strategies helps students see that there is often more than one way to solve a problem. It also builds communication skills and encourages collaboration.

Mistakes are an important part of the learning process, too. When a model doesn’t work the first time, students learn to revise their thinking. They might adjust their diagram, try a different strategy, or ask a peer for feedback. This persistence teaches students that challenges are opportunities to learn, not reasons to give up. By the end of 6th grade, students who regularly use problem-solving strategies and models are better prepared for more advanced math and real-world challenges. They understand that learning is a process, that visuals can clarify thinking, and that explaining ideas is just as important as finding answers.

In short, when 5th and 6th graders use problem-solving skills and create models, they aren’t just learning math or science—they’re learning how to think.

5th & 6th Grade

Fifth and sixth graders practiced fractions in a fun and engaging way by turning math time into a hands-on adventure. They worked in small groups to play games, solve puzzles, and use colorful fraction tiles to build and compare different values. Laughter and teamwork filled the room as students challenged each other with fraction riddles and real-life problems, like sharing pizza or dividing treats. By learning through play and collaboration, the students strengthened their fraction skills while building confidence and enjoying the process.

5th Grade

This week in math, our students have been diving into one of the most important skills in fourth–sixth grade math: adding fractions. Fractions can seem tricky at first, but our class has been working hard, using hands-on tools, visual models, and real-life examples to make everything click. In science, students have been exploring how Earth’s surface and resources change over time. They learned about fossil fuels—how they form from ancient plants and animals, why they are considered nonrenewable, and how we use them today. Students also studied landforms, investigating how mountains, valleys, deltas, and canyons are shaped by processes like weathering, erosion, and deposition. To connect everything together, the class examined how sedimentary rock forms layer by layer from compacted sediments, often containing fossils that tell the story of Earth’s past. Through models, diagrams, and hands-on activities, students got a closer look at how Earth constantly changes and preserves evidence of its history.

6th Grade

In math, we have now introduced the alphabet! Students are building strong problem-solving skills in both math and science. As we continue, they’ll use PEMDAS to handle more complex formulas and use their understanding of energy transfer to explain real-world phenomena.

5th Grade

WHAT A TWO WEEKS! Students worked hard and finished up Module 2 in math! Module 2 covered multiplication of all kinds- decimals, two digit, three digit, and more. They also caught a glimpse of conversions yet to come. In science, students have been taking notes about weather and fossil fuels.

6th Grade

6th grade tackled a few difficult tasks in math and science! They played around with a virtual lab to understand kinetic and potential energy. Because energy cannot be created or destroyed, students figured out that it must be transferred. In math, they learned about the coordinate plane, negative numbers and absolute value! To finish up the lesson, they plotted points to graph a turkey!

5th and 6th Grade students worked together also. They were paired up to complete escape rooms for Math and Latin. It was a huge challenge, but they did it!

5th grade

Students learned all about Earth’s rotation and the orbit of the moon and Earth! Pressing on, they discovered that it has everything to do with our seasons, weather, and water cycle!

6th Grade

Sixth grade has been discovering forces and how they interact. They took their knowledge and put it to the test! Newton’s Third Law states that with every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Balloon cars were created, tested, and raced!