Caregiver handoff · Grade 6
Thursday · Week 34: Sub-Saharan African Kingdoms — Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Great Zimbabwe
Songhai & Timbuktu
For the adult running today
You don't need any background to run this day. Each subject takes the time shown. Read the prompt aloud, do the activity together, and use the "done means" check to know when to move on. Skip anything that feels stuck — note it for the regular teacher.
Gather before you start
- Writing prompt: Informative Essay
- Assessment: Q1 ELA Assessment
- Writing prompt: Theme Analysis
- Writing prompt: Comparative Informative Essay
- Lined paper
Today, in order
1. Math
≈ 45 min
Today's prompt: Compare empire size data: Ghana, Mali, Songhai.
Say to the student: "Ask your child to teach you tonight's idea in 60 seconds: "Show me one example of compare empire size data: Ghana, Mali, Songhai." Teaching it back is the fastest way to lock it in."
Done means: Student can explain how they got the answer, not just write it.
2. ELA
≈ 45 min
Today's prompt: Plan informative paragraph: 'What did Timbuktu offer the world?' (W.6.2).
Say to the student: "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 "Plan informative paragraph: 'What did Timbuktu offer the world?'"."
Done means: Student wrote at least 3 complete sentences with evidence from the text.
3. Science
≈ 30 min
Today's prompt: Compare savanna and Mediterranean ecosystem services.
Say to the student: "Ask: "What did you observe today, and what do you think it means?" Encourage your child to draw a labeled sketch of "Compare savanna and Mediterranean ecosystem services" on a sticky note."
Done means: Student recorded an observation and a question in the lab notebook.
4. Social Studies
≈ 30 min
Today's prompt: Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad; Sankore University.
Say to the student: "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 "Sunni Ali and Askia Muhammad"."
Done means: Student can name one cause and one effect from today's topic.
Note for the regular teacher