Monday — Philip II & the Macedonian Phalanx
Social Studies
40 minHow Macedonia rose; the long sarissa and the new phalanx.
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Learning target
Lesson flow
- Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
- Together (10 min): How Macedonia rose.
- Independent practice (12 min): the long sarissa and the new phalanx..
- Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.
Check for understanding
Exit ticket: name two specific details (place, person, date, or cause) and explain why they matter.
At-home tip for parents
At home, ask: "Where on a map would you find what you studied today?" Have your child point it out and tell you one cause and one effect from "How Macedonia rose".
Homework
Read tonight's textbook section (10–15 min) and add three new facts to your notebook timeline.
Resources & materials to teach from (2)Hide resources
- OpenStax World History Vol. 1 (full free textbook)· Textbook / OER reading · OpenStax — Rice University
Your free spine textbook. Pick the chapter aligned to this week.
- World History Encyclopedia — search· Article · World History Encyclopedia
Reliable, classroom-safe articles on every era.
Math
50 minSurface area using nets — rectangular prisms (6.G.A.4).
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Learning target
Lesson flow
- Number talk (5 min): mental-math warm-up tied to today's concept.
- Mini-lesson (12 min): worked example of "Surface area using nets — rectangular prisms" with the teacher modeling thinking out loud.
- We do (10 min): class works two problems together; students explain each step.
- You do (15 min): students try 4–6 problems independently or with a partner; teacher confers.
- Closure (5 min): one student presents a solution; class critiques the reasoning.
Check for understanding
Exit ticket: 2 problems — one procedural, one word problem — graded for accuracy and reasoning.
At-home tip for parents
Ask your child to teach you tonight's idea in 60 seconds: "Show me one example of surface area using nets — rectangular prisms." Teaching it back is the fastest way to lock it in.
Homework
Practice set: 6–8 problems mirroring class work. Show steps; circle the answer.
Resources & materials to teach from (5)Hide resources
- Illustrative Math 6 — Unit 1 & Unit 5 (Geometry)· Textbook / OER reading · Illustrative Math
- Area Builder (free sim)· Interactive / simulation · PhET — University of Colorado
Open on one device per pair.
- Polyhedra net explorer· Interactive / simulation · NCTM Illuminations
- Illustrative Mathematics — Grade 6 (free, CCSS-aligned)· Textbook / OER reading · Illustrative Math (Kendall Hunt OER)
The recommended free OER spine for Grade 6 math.
ELA
45 minRead on Philip & Alexander; how individuals shape events (RI.6.3).
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Learning target
Lesson flow
- Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
- Together (10 min): Read on Philip & Alexander.
- Independent practice (12 min): how individuals shape events (RI.6.3)..
- Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.
Check for understanding
Exit ticket: one quoted sentence from today's text + one sentence explaining what it shows.
At-home tip for parents
Ask: "Who is the main character or speaker in what you read today, and what do they want?" Then have your child read aloud one favorite sentence from "Read on Philip & Alexander".
Homework
Independent reading 20 min + log title, pages, and one sentence of reaction.
Resources & materials to teach from (2)Hide resources
- CommonLit — Grade 6 free reading library· Article · CommonLit
Free leveled passages with built-in text-dependent questions.
Science
45 minPredator-prey relationships; model with hare/lynx data.
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Learning target
Lesson flow
- Warm-up (5 min): one-question opener tied to yesterday's lesson.
- Together (10 min): Predator-prey relationships.
- Independent practice (12 min): model with hare/lynx data..
- Closure (5 min): students name one thing they learned and one question they still have.
Check for understanding
Exit ticket: one claim + one piece of evidence from today's investigation, with units where relevant.
At-home tip for parents
Ask: "What did you observe today, and what do you think it means?" Encourage your child to draw a labeled sketch of "Predator-prey relationships" on a sticky note.
Homework
Finish lab notebook entry (sketch + CER paragraph) if not done in class.
Resources & materials to teach from (2)Hide resources
- OpenSciEd — free NGSS middle-school units· Textbook / OER reading · OpenSciEd
The recommended free OER spine — full units with materials lists.
- PhET Simulations (free, classroom-ready)· Interactive / simulation · PhET — CU Boulder
Use whenever a phenomenon needs a hands-on model.
Materials & worksheet checklist
Bring every day
- Sharpened pencil & eraser
- Day's notebook (one section per subject)
Social Studies
- Timeline strip
Math
- Ruler
ELA
- Anchor text or passage handout
Science
- Graph paper for data
- Sketching pencils & ruler