Curriculum
The sixth grade students move around to many different teachers thus gaining the expertise of many different teachers who specialize in specific subject areas. The greatest opportunity of sixth grade is the Long Lake Conservation Camp field trip. It is a wonderful opportunity to make the outdoors an outdoor classroom. After three days of orienteering, making their own lunch in the great outdoors, and playing Wolf Call, the sixth graders have learned and played themselves to exhaustion.
In religion class much of the year is spent studying the Old Testament and learning about our “ancestors in faith.” Students read most of the chapters of Genesis and Exodus, as well as other parts of the Bible. Strong emphasis is placed on how the stories of the Old Testament relate to us today and our growing commitment to becoming “satellites” for The Word. The year ends with students studying the teachings of Jesus. Family Life is taught in a combination of religion and homeroom classes. The series focuses on respect and decision making.
Reading in sixth grade focuses on building comprehension, oral fluency and higher-level analytical skills. The year begins with a unit on short stories which offers an opportunity for the students to study the elements of literature, including character, setting, plot, theme, point of view, and mood. A short unit on poetry furthers the study of these basic concepts. Novel units also build on these concepts through stories like Bridge to Terabithia, Hatchet, The Giver, The Cay, A Long Way from Chicago, A Wrinkle in Time, and Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Comprehension is a skill that students continue to work towards along with vocabulary development which is incorporated into all reading and writing activities. Sixth graders also pair read aloud regularly with an assigned reading buddy. Reading buddies help to better oral fluency levels and overall confidence in reading aloud. Throughout the year units are differentiated with carefully tiered assignments to reach readers at their own reading levels.
Sixth grade English emphasizes the writing process, parts of speech, grammar usage, spelling strategies, and the research process. Students utilize the writing process as they work through the stages of writing: generating ideas, drafting, revising, proof reading, and publishing their work. These stages are introduced gradually to ensure that students can clearly see the process at each stage. The writing process is applied through a variety of writing activities throughout the year, including friendly and business letters, emails, and paragraph composition, as well as integration with writing from other classes.
The focus of sixth grade social studies is world cultures and empires. Our units include, among others, ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Activities are diverse and interactive so as to engage student interest. These include things such as creating travel brochures, debates, role playing, artistic creations, skits, and internet projects. Sixth grade is also the first year our students participate in History Day. Always thought provoking, the History Day themes allow students a wonderful opportunity to explore the topic of their choice in an in-depth manner.
The sixth grade math program is a multi-faceted world of exploration. Students work with their peers on active, hands-on mathematical concepts. It provides opportunities for the students to come up with strategies and discuss their way through problems. It is a fun way to allow the students to show their creative mathematical thought processes.
In science, sixth graders have the opportunity to study many areas of scientific thought through a variety of methods. The concentration is in the area of chemistry and physics.
Sixth grade is an exciting year of continued growth and development in the spiritual, academic, and social areas.
Highlights for Subject Area
Language Arts/Reading
Students develop the competency to work fairly independently in literature circles, choosing reading materials that are both interesting and the appropriate challenge level
Math
Students learn the math content areas recommended by the National Council of Mathematics.
Science
Students study concepts of chemistry and physics and do hands-on experiments to enhance the concepts.
Social Studies
Students participate in many interactive, engaging activities in order to gain an appreciation and understanding of world cultures.
Religion
Students study the Old Testament and our heritage in faith.
Field Trips
Art Institute
River Rendezvous
Three day, two night trip to Long Lake Conservation Center to learn environmental issues and appreciation of outdoors