Sixth Grade

Language Arts

To be college and career ready, sixth graders focus on applying skills and strategies to read longer and more complex literary and informational texts. Sixth graders sharpen their ability to write and speak more clearly by learning how authors try to influence readers, make their points, and support their arguments with evidence and reasoning. Through reading and discussing, students expand their listening, speaking and writing vocabularies and are able to use new words in their stories, reports and essays. Sixth grade students will:

• Improve language use by recognizing variations from standard English in his or her own and others’ writing and speaking.
• Evaluate arguments in written materials or a speech by how reasons and evidence are used.
• Orally present their position and findings to others, putting ideas in sequence and pointing out main ideas and themes.
• Write stories using effective technique, relevant descriptive details and well-sequenced events.
• Write arguments that use credible sources to provide clear reasons and relevant evidence.
• Conduct short research projects, drawing on several sources to answer a question and sharpen focus.
• Review and paraphrase key ideas from a speaker.

Mathematics

Students will apply their reasoning and skills in the field of mathematics and will extend this knowledge to other aspects of their life. Students in sixth grade will:

• Connect ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and use concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems.
• Understand division of fractions.
• Write, interpret and use expressions and equations.
• Develop understanding of statistical thinking.
• Solve geometric problems involving area, volume and surface area.

Science

Science engages students in enjoyable, active learning experiences. Science instruction should be as thrilling an experience for a child as seeing a rainbow, growing a flower, or holding a toad. The science curriculum allows students to experience the joy of doing science while learning both skills and concepts. In sixth grade, students will:

• Understand that the appearance of the moon changes in a predictable cycle.
• Understand how Earth’s tilt on its axis changes the length of daylight and creates the seasons.
• Understand the relationship and attributes of objects in the solar system.
• Understand the scale of size and distance between objects in the universe.
• Understand that microorganisms range from simple to complex, are found almost everywhere, and are both helpful and harmful.
• Understand properties and behavior of heat, light and sound.

Social Studies

Social Studies provides students an opportunity to learn about themselves, their community and the world. As students engage in social studies, they learn about civic competence in addition to various cultures, history, geography and economics. Sixth grade students will:

• Explore the development of ancient civilizations and their contributions to our society.
• Discover the impact of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance on the modern world.
• Examine the agricultural, industrial and French revolutions and the impact they have had on the modern world.

Information Technology

In a world where technology is playing an ever increasing role, it is necessary for students to learn how to access and use technology to accomplish a variety of tasks. Sixth grade students will:

• Use technology tools to access information and to create projects that show the information they have learned.
• Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness and bias of electronic information sources concerning real world problems.
• Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss the consequences of misuses.
• Use the keyboard efficiently and effectively.

Fine Arts

Learning the elements of art is an important part of expressing creativity. Students learn abstract thinking, expression, quality work and problem solving when engaged in the arts. The fine arts core includes visual arts, dance and drama. In sixth grade, students will:

• Draw cross contour lines that warp or flow such as topographical mapping.
• Use 2 point perspective to create the illusion of depth.
• Use geometric shapes and geometric form and block-in to get correct proportion.
• Learn elements of art including unity, balance, shading, visual texture and 3-D color schemes.
• Explore more complex dance movements.
• Study world dance.
• Use drama techniques which include mental, vocal, body and ensemble skills.
• Identify the design skill s of props, costumes, make-up, scenery, lighting and musical sound.
• Observe relationships in various art forms such as dance concerts, rock concerts, symphonies and art exhibits.

Healthy Lifestyles and Physical Education

Research shows that healthy, fit kids learn best, and that exercise has a positive impact on brain chemistry and function. In sixth grade, students will:

• Demonstrate coping behaviors related to grief, loss and stress.
• Define viruses and how they are transmitted.
• Understand the physical, legal, social and emotional consequences of substance abuse.
• Understand the changes that accompany puberty.
• Describe potential hazards, safety procedures and first aid in a variety of circumstances.
• Analyze food intake and compare Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
• Achieve and maintain health-enhancing levels of physical fitness by participating daily in sustained physical activity.
• Demonstrate movement and sports skills in activities and team games.

Library Media

Providing students with information-processing and problem-solving skills is an increasingly important role of the school library in today’s society. Students use the library to find reading materials for enjoyment and for information. Sixth grade students will:

• Take independent notes from both print and electronic sources and outline topics to present information in an organized manner.
• Complete an independent research project and present their information in various forms.
• Analyze, question and think critically about media.