About the Homeroom Teacher
Science is the study of the world around us, the world we live in and interact with every day, but it’s also the study of how to learn. Science teaches us to research, experiment, and analyze data to come to reasoned conclusions. You can find science in everything from medicine to math to movie making, and you can find everything in science including literature and music. This is why I like to say “science is everything, everything is science.”
My name is Matthew St. Pierre and I enjoy science almost as much as I enjoy teaching. I’m a Seattle native and graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane with a BA in Biology and a teaching certification. I have taught at CKS since 2019. Prior to that I spent some years with a local driver education company, teaching people of all ages how to drive and training new instructors.
I have two children, both of whom attend CKS. I teach and send my kids here because I enjoy the approach to education and social enrichment that CKS has to offer. I hope you will have as good an experience here as my family has, especially in my classroom.
If you have questions about class, or just want some cool science experiments you can do at home, I invite you to contact me via e-mail.
“Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known.” – Carl Sagan
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that anyone has the capability to learn, and it is my role as a teacher to help everyone achieve that. I have two words that shape how I teach students: comfort and curiosity. We all learn best when we feel safe, comfortable, and like we can be ourselves, and there is no time in life when it is harder to feel comfortable being yourself than middle school. My first goal as a teacher is to create a space where everyone can be themselves, learn in the way that works best for them, and feel free to be curious. My second goal as a teacher is to inspire that curiosity, to show them the wonders present in every subject (not just science and math) and show them there is always something interesting waiting. There are no foolish questions, as long as they are born from a heartfelt desire for knowledge.
My first goal as a teacher is to create a space where everyone can be themselves, learn in the way that works best for them, and feel free to be curious.
Mr. St. Pierre
Curriculum Overview
ELA
Students will read and critically analyze a variety of novels in order to deepen fluency, grammar, vocabulary and comprehension skills with the ultimate goal of developing lifelong love of reading. In addition, they will have many scaffolded writing opportunities in narrative, informational, and argumentative writing styles.
History
World History is the focus in sixth grade, beginning with hunter-gatherers and continuing on to many fascinating ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, China and Rome. Students learn about these early cultures through a variety of engaging simulations and projects.
Science
At CKS science is hands-on. Students read and research, but also design and perform experiments. There is a strong emphasis on analyzing research and experimental data, drawing conclusions from that information, and defending your reasoning.
Students study two subjects each year. In sixth grade, students study chemistry and weather. In chemistry, they learn about what makes up matter (atoms and molecules), how matter interacts, and how these interactions are part of our everyday lives. In weather, we’ll study how air, water, heat, and the subjects that we studied in chemistry create Earth’s climates and weather patterns.
Math
Students in the traditional 6th grade course study concepts based on the state standards. These concepts include number systems and operations, expressions, equations, and inequalities, ratios, proportions, relationships in geometry, and more.
Pre-Algebra
Students, who are ready to take on more advanced work, move into Pre-Algebra early on in the year with the potential to move into Algebra as a 7th grader. They explores expressions, solving equations and inequalities, and linear functions with a little more depth.
Religion
Our study of Abraham and his followers inspires our understanding the Salvation history of the Old Testament. We appreciate oral tradition and the passing down of faith. Heavy emphasis is placed on explicating Scripture in order to confront the reality, “The Old Testament conceals what the New Testament reveals.” Supporting our parish chapter of St. Vincent de Paul and their donation pantry provides the students a year long experience of service.
Highlights
- Stars of the Christmas Play/Concert
- 6th Grade Spring Challenge Retreat
- UW Engineering Days
- Volunteering with St. Vincent De Paul
