SIXTH GRADE PROGRAM

 

6th Grade Core Classes

 

Language Arts 6

This course is designed to strengthen students' skills in listening, speaking, writing, and reading literatures. Units are thematically based and offer students a variety of materials and projects. The Literacy Place program used in the 6th grade is a multi-faceted approach to Language Arts. Strong emphasis is placed on the writing process with a thorough review of grammar basics. Students study different types of literature and focus on the concepts of literature to include: characterization, setting, and plot. Students read self-selected books and learn how to view reading as a useful and pleasurable experience.

 

Mathematics 6

Mathematics combines mathematical activities and skill development. Number Topics include concepts and computation with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, ratio, proportion and scientific notation and prime and composite numbers. Geometry topics include similarity and congruence of polygons, areas of circles, triangles, and parallelograms, volumes of prisms and cylinders, and circumference of circles. Algebraic concepts include graphing ordered pairs, writing and evaluating expressions, solving simple equations and inequalities. Statistics topics include mean, median, mode, graphs and making predictions. Probability topics include tree diagrams, and both experimental and theoretical probability.

 

Integrated Science I

The relationship among living things is compared and contrasted through the study of the animal and plant kingdoms. The concept of change is explored though the study of light and sound, energy transformation, earth's place in space, and ocean physics. Daily practice is provided for students to discuss and defend their scientific knowledge and opinions. The course is designed to help students think, talk, and write about science.

 

Social Studies 6

This course is an overview of societal development from ancient times to present day. Students learn how geography influenced that development. Students also study similarities and differences of world cultures and learn how cultures exchange knowledge and influence one another.


PE /Health

This course is designed to fully enable six grade students to develop movement skills and conceptual knowledge and attitudes related to the physical education needs of the adolescent.   Developmentally appropriate concepts of physical fitness and personal and social development are also taught in this course.   Students apply appropriate physical activity and fitness concepts and attitudes to the development of a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.   They demonstrate responsible and safe behavior applying appropriate concepts and attitudes to personal and social development. Students will spend three quarters in Physical Education and one quarter in Health.

 

Seminar

Seminar is an educational program designed to focus on the social/emotional and intellectual development of our students. The seminar experience provides consistent, caring and continuous adult guidance at school through the organization of a supportive peer study groups. Seminar activities include student-centered study time, academic tutorials, homework help, and student—teacher conferencing. While curricular-based activities will always have priority, assemblies and extra-curricular group meetings are sometimes held during seminar; thus, avoiding the loss of classroom instructional time. Seminar supports the curriculum in the affective domain. Activities that deal with student development such as intramurals, host nation assemblies, discussions on character, drug education and other similarly related issues commonly take place. Research has shown that wise use of seminar time promotes good study habits, develops skills and increases academic achievement.

 

6th Grade Enrichment Courses

 

Students will take these quarter-length courses unless they select music or AVID. Music is a semester course that allows sixth graders the o p p ortunity to have band their first year of middle school. Students choosing music will take keyboarding (unless they p ass a p roficiency test) and one other encore course. Those p assing the keyboard p roficiency test will take two encore courses. AVID enrollment is encouraged for those that qualify.  

 

Reading (quarter)

The reading course is designed to focus on using context clues; understanding similes and metaphors; using punctuation as a key to comprehension; using the library and using reference resources such as encyclopedias, newspapers, and magazines; locating and interpreting graphic information; recognizing bias and evaluating statements of opinion; using study skills such as note-taking and outlining; and recognizing various types of literature. Major topics to be studied include structural analysis, vocabulary building, reading comprehension, study and reference skills, and reading in the content areas. Special emphasis is placed on developing an appreciation for literature and fostering self-initiated reading.

 

Study Skills (quarter)

The study skills course is designed to strengthen students' skills in implementing a variety of organizational and learning strategies to become more effective and efficient learners. The content includes, but is not limited to: organizing homework assignments and calendars; learning a variety of study techniques; developing skills for conducting a research assignment; refining ability to take notes by matching different techniques to a content area; preparing for and learning from tests; developing unique strategies for learning in the manner that best fits individual strengths and weaknesses; learning to request and use assistance; fostering the ability to work in pairs and teams of students as well as working independently; organizing time and materials to facilitate efficient schoolwork. Emphasis will be placed on Cornell note-taking and other principles which are the foundation of AVID. Students will be evaluated for class participation, which enrolled, following a time line for monitoring assignments, and assisting others with work requirements.

 

Literature Enrichment (quarter)

This course is designed to develop and expand essential writing skills. This may include writing expository and descriptive papers, journals, learning logs, personal narratives, and short stories.

 

Computer Applications (quarter)

Computer Applications is designed to assist students in applying a variety of computer technology and its application to their daily lives.   In additional to information literacy, the areas of technology introduced may include word processing, spreadsheet, database, Internet, e-communication, graphics, presentation and publications applications, and using digital and scanning equipment.

 

Music (semester)

The music course is designed to involve students in three major overlapping kinds of musical involvement: listening, performing, and creating. The content includes, but is not limited to, the following concepts of folk music: American and international folk music; the fundamentals of music reading; the playing of music; a survey of musical styles; composers and their times; the science of sound; acoustics and electronics; current musical events; the elements of music (rhythm, harmony, tone, color); music of the theater opera, movies, and dance; and creative composition and performance.

 

AVID (semester)

AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a language arts based curriculum with emphasis on the writing process and writing as a tool of learning. In addition to inquiry and collaboration, AVID also provides students with academic survival skills, i.e., time management, note taking, textbook reading, library research, test taking skills, and study skills. The Cornell note-taking system is taught and students are expected to use this system in all classes.

 

6th Grade Encore Courses

 

Introduction to Graphics (quarter)

Students will use computer skills to create computer based images. This class will incorporate digital photography and photo manipulation. Students will produce graphic designs for two-dimensional and three-dimensional computer artwork.

 

Keyboarding (quarter)

Keyboarding is designed to provide students with the opportunity to attain skills in developing touch-keyboarding techniques and to become proficient computer users.   Course instruction provides students with everyday usage of word processing applications.   Review of standard grammar usage and development of proofreading and editing techniques enable students to compose, organize, and edit documents at the keyboard.

 

Art 6 (quarter)

This course is designed to develop essential art experiences. A focus on the elements and principles of design and art appreciation will be developed through a variety of mediums to include drawing and painting. The history of art will also be an integral part of this course. There will be written, as well as “project” work included in evaluation.

 

Intercultural Education (quarter)

This course is designed to teach students about Korean language, culture and history. The language section will teach students about the basic structure of Hangul. This will include the alphabet, reading, basic practical conversation, animal names, Korean numbers, and telling time. Students will also learn about cultural items, such as, Korean food, geography, the National Anthem and Flag, Korean traditional lifestyle, etc. For the history portion of this class, students will lean the history of Korea from the Old Stone Age through the Chosun era from the material prepared by the teacher

 

Gifted Education (yearlong)

Students that have previously been enrolled or qualify will take this course instead of the encore courses.

The Gifted Education course will focus on developing higher-level extension, creativity, and integration activities that add depth and challenge to the core curriculum. The goal is to help the students develop their skills and abilities within the context of the regular curriculum rather than in isolation. Students will participate in a variety of activities and projects to practice and refine their skills. Each day there will be activities designed to develop critical thinking skills and/or creativity skills. Students will also spend some time each session working on larger scale investigations designed to complement or extend topics and concepts from their core classes. These projects will involve independent research and production. The vast majority of work will be intended for completion in class. However, there may occasionally be times when something needs to be completed outside of class.

 

Reading Lab (yearlong)

Improve reading achievement for students not reading at grade level through the use of a whole group instructional model with small group rotations: Whole Group Literacy Instruction with technology support providing models and Lexile leveled text passages for instruction

  • Modeled or independent reading using leveled literature to model or practice good reading strategies

 

Small Group instruction provides daily student-teacher interaction to build skills that facilitate the reading of increasingly complex materials.   Examples include: Vocabulary Development-general, technical, content-specific

  • Following Directions at increasingly complex levels
  • Drawing Conclusions
  • Using Effective Study Skills-note taking, outlining, graphic organizers
  • Reading for Recreation and Problem Solving

 

Major topics to be studied include the essential components or reading: vocabulary development, building fluency, comprehension, and structural analysis, study/reference skills and reading in the content areas