Grade 6 Curriculum

Language Arts / Reading

Broad goals for Language Arts/Reading address the acquiring of interactive skills, as well as the processes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing through the study of literature and the application of language arts.

The Language Arts/Reading curriculum enables students to:

-       Read a variety of fiction and informational texts as  prescribed by the teacher, and independently for knowledge and entertainment.

-       Use different reading strategies to organize thoughts, develop critical thinking skills and comprehend fiction/informational text.

-       Relate new ideas and information in prior knowledge and experience in writing and discussion with peers.

-       Define/compare/analyze features of different types of literature/genres.

-       Use a variety of functional formats in writing for intended purposes.

-       Use writing process strategies independently and with peers to write more precisely and effectively.

-       Demonstrate understanding of the elements of literature.

-       Show understanding of figurative language, imagery, and sound devices in writing.

-       Listen critically and respond to comments and questions using details and examples to support an opinion.

-       Understand and employ the conventions   of English grammar.

Mathematics

Broad goals for Mathematics include acquiring skills in problem solving and reasoning, recognizing and exploring mathematical connections, numeration, operation, and number theory, geometry and measurement, statistics and probability and mathematics of change.

The Mathematics curriculum enables students to:

Numbers and number theory

Name and identify a decimal, given a physical representation.

-       Given a decimal representation in 10ths or 100ths, write an equivalent fraction.

-       Given an integer or positive rational number, represent the number with a model.

-       Explain the use of numbers in everyday contexts.

-       Given a set of fractional models, name and write those that represent equivalent fractions.

-       Use order relations for integers and positive numbers.

Social Studies

Broad goals for Social Studies address acquiring the knowledge, concepts, skills, and processes of civics and government, economics, geography, and history.

 Investigating Canada, Mexico, East Asia, Russia, and Southwest Asia, the Social Studies curriculum enables students to:

Civics

-       Understand that the U.S. Constitution provides a frameworks for the U.S. Government.

-       Be aware of the various systems of government, levels of leadership, and branches of government in place throughout the world.

Economics

-       Understand the impact of technology on the development of specific cultures outside of the U.S.

-       Understand the development of industry in the U.S. and how it affects our nation and other nations throughout the world.

-       Be aware of the various economic systems based on capital and labor in place around the world.

Geography

-       Review the geography of the United States.

-       Understand the impact of U.S. geography and natural resources on specific cultures throughout the world.

-       Be aware of the impact of geography and  natural resources of specific regions on the development of particular nations within those regions.

History

-       Review the interconnection of economic, political, and social development in U.S. history.

-       Understand that the facts of history, and causes and effects, affect people and governments in various cultures throughout the world.

Science 

Broad goals for Science address acquiring the knowledge, concepts, skills and processes of the life, earth and space, and physical sciences.

The Science curriculum enables students to:

LIFE SCIENCE

     Ecology               

–Understand  how living things interact within their  environment.

-Understand how energy and matter flow and cycle  through  ecosystems.

EARTH SCIENCE

     Earthquakes and Volcanoes

- Understand basic facts about earthquakes and volcanoes and how they have shaped the land.

- Understand about earthquake hazards and   safety.

-Understand  why  the  Earth’s crust moves.

     Rocks and Minerals

                -Understand the properties of minerals.

                -Understand how to classify rocks.

                -Understand the rock cycle.

     Weathering, Erosion, and Deposition

-Understand how weathering and erosion have affected the Earth’s surface, which includes forces of water, glaciers and wind.

     Earth’s Resources

-Understand the importance of preserving  the Earth’s natural resources and energy sources in air, on land, or in water.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE/CHEMISTRY

                - Describe and measure matter.

                - Understand the particles of matter.

                - Understand how matter changes.


World Languages: French/Spanish

Broad goals in World Languages involve the continued development of skills involving oral comprehension, speaking, and cultural awareness that were begun in Grades 3-5 at Center School.

Classes meet once a  week during one of the Unified Arts time slots.  Students may elect one or both languages, or may opt not to take a world language in Grade 6.

Topics include:  Phonics, numbers, common phrases and expressions, geography, culture, family, animals, parts of the body, colors, calendar (days, months, seasons, weather), time, and classroom vocabulary.