The sixth grade academic curriculum will be delivered by a team of seven teachers. All students in sixth grade will receive the following academic courses: Communication Arts, Reading, Social Studies, Science, and Math.

Teachers in an academic team cooperate by meeting during common planning times to discuss the instructional needs of the students, plan upcoming activities, plan on how to best utilize instructional time, and design learning experiences which emphasize the interdependence of curricula through projects, common skill instruction, or thematic units. Students will receive a separate grade for English and spelling on their report card.

Communication Arts

The goal of sixth grade communication arts curriculum is to have all students become proficient in writing, speaking, listening, understanding, interpreting, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Emphasis is placed on the development of grammatical skills, spelling, process writing skills, and the study of thematic units. Skill applications are integrated through all areas of the curriculum.

Major units covered in this curriculum include, but are not limited to:

Library Instruction

The goal of the sixth grade library curriculum is to reinforce and perfect previously taught skills while providing the students with opportunities to explore the various materials and resources located in the library. Students will receive a fall orientation and instruction on the computerized card catalog. Instruction on research materials and methods is provided through an integrated approach with the core subjects.

Reading

The goal of the reading curriculum is to develop independent readers who will gain meaning from narrative and expository writing. Students develop skills in note taking and report development using nonfiction materials. In addition, the curriculum strives to nurture an enjoyment of reading as an independent activity. Reading is taught in conjunction with Communication Arts.

Major units covered in this curriculum include, but are not limited to:

In addition to each day of the six-day cycle, students will have a seventh period of reading one day each cycle. During this additional period, students will participate in Silent Sustained Reading and will utilize the CCC computer program to reinforce and build basic skills.

Reading Clinic

Reading clinic is available for all students who require additional reading support. Support can range from an occasional review before a test, to in-class assistance, or small group instruction. Students who are not receiving support through Special Education, but require individualized instruction will be tested, with parent permission, by the Reading Specialist.

Mathematics

The goal of the math curriculum is to reinforce basic skills including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Averages, percentages, graphing, and basic geometric concepts are introduced. An understanding of number sentences is also developed.

Major units covered in this curriculum include, but are not limited to:

Math Clinic

Math clinic is available for all students who require additional math support. Support can range from an occasional review before a test, to in-class assistance, or small group instruction. 

Science

The goal of the science curriculum is to provide instruction in both the life, environmental, and the physical sciences. Students participate in applicable lab activities.

Major units covered in this curriculum include, but are not limited to:

The Nature of Science and Technology

Ecology and Environmental Science
The Changing Earth

Overview of Life Science
Earth's Waters 

Social Studies

The goal of the sixth grade social studies curriculum is to help students to gain an understanding and appreciation of world history and geography. The curriculum is designed to have students use geographic and map tools, understand cause and effect relationships, and utilize reading strategies to explore major features of various regions of the world. The curriculum will include a strong geography component requiring students to understand and describe themes and patterns of geography as well as the relationships between geography, history, the economy, and the cultural development of our nation.

Major units covered in this curriculum include, but are not limited to:

Introduction to Geography

United States and Canada

Middle America

South America

Europe Through Time

Europe Today

Northern Eurasia

Africa

Southwest Asia Through Time

Southwest Asia Today

South Asia

East Asia

Southeast Asia

Australia and the Pacific