Grade 6 Curriculum

   Reading

§         Apply an integrated strategy for word identification and continue to expand reading vocabulary.

§         Read text using self-monitoring comprehension strategies.

§         Make a variety of meaningful, relevant connections to text to expand meaning and understanding.

§         Make, and support with evidence, assertions about texts.

§         Analyze texts and respond with higher levels of thinking about a story and extend understanding.

§         Analyze texts to identify literary elements and literary devices used by the author.

§         Read and understand essential content of information texts.

§         Read independently for enjoyment.

   Language Arts 

§         Independently use the writing process and work in writing groups, with emphasis on revision.

§         Use a variety of modes of writing: personal narratives with reflection; informative/explanatory/investigative essays; persuasive essays; literary responses; business letters.

§         Refine handwriting skills to achieve maximum legibility.

§         Be accountable for words presented across the curriculum in spelling instruction.

§         Use reference materials and computer spell-checks to verify spelling.

§         Present formal oral reports with notes and visuals.

§         Actively listen, reflect, and respond appropriately in small group and whole class discussions and activities.

§         Apply study skills and test-taking strategies.

§         Extend independent use of electronic and printed reference materials.

§         Apply research skills independently: formulating questions; gathering data; organizing data; interpreting data; presenting information in oral, written, and word-processed form; self-evaluating process and product of research.

§         Be accountable for correct capitalization, punctuation, and usage, with emphasis on direct quotes and business letters.

§         Vary sentence structure by using complex sentences.

§         Refine knowledge of parts of speech, including verb tenses, pronoun usage.

§         Identify parts of sentences, and work on phrases, direct objects, and subject/verb agreement.

§         Write to an informative prompt.

  Mathematics

§         Read, write, and compare numbers from thousandths to trillions.

§         Understand/apply order of operations to evaluate expressions and solve number sentences.

§         Add, subtract, multiply, and divide integers and decimals.

§         Use an algorithm to multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers.

§         Use an algorithm to add/subtract fractions and mixed numbers with like/unlike denominators.

§         Convert between fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, and percents.

§         Write fractions in simplest form.

§         Find the greatest common factor and least common multiple of two numbers.

§         Apply the distributive property.

§         Use a percent circle to construct and interpret circle graphs.

§         Use rate tables, ratio, and proportion to solve problems.

§         Apply and explain problem solving strategies.

§         Understand and use probability concepts.

§         Write and solve equations that represent problem situations.

§         Determine the value of a variable and solve for 1- and 2-step equations.

§         Represent and solve problems using rates with formulas, tables, and graphs.

§         Evaluate algebraic expressions and formulas.

§         Apply properties of sums of angle measures of triangles and quadrangles.

§         Measure and construct angles.

§         Solve perimeter, circumference, area and volume and capacity problems.

6th Grade Pre-algebra     
The purpose of a 6^th grade Pre-algebra class is to provide students with an opportunity to be challenged appropriately in regards to both content and pace.  Students in the accelerated Pre-algebra class will study all of the curriculum that is studied in the 7th and 8th grade pre-algebra classes offered at our middle school.  The major topics studied include: integers, equations, ratios, proportions, percents, geometry, statistics, probability, and applications.  The factors considered for placement are a combination of standardized measures, curriculum based assessments, and teacher observation.  No one factor can successfully determine a student’s most appropriate placement.  Each student’s profile is considered carefully to ensure that he/she is placed in the program that will best meet his/her needs academically, emotionally, and socially.  The criteria used to determine a child’s placement in 6^th grade Pre-algebra are listed below.

·         Report Card Grades:  Minimum of 2 A’s and a B with an A in the 4^th marking period.

·         Teacher Recommendation:  Required

·         5^th Grade End of Year Test:  90% or higher

·         5^th Grade Problem Solving Task:  Advanced

·         5^th Grade PSSA Score:  The PSSA score changes each year to reflect a score that is approximately the top 25%
      of the 5^th grade class.

  Science

• Explore the human body and learn about cells. (Life Science)
• Analyze the nature of earth's changing surface and the role of plate tectonics. (Earth and Space Science)
• Understand the source and prevention of Pollution in our world. Take part in the Peace Valley Nature Center's Clean Stream program to analyze what makes water conservation so important. (Life Science)
• Use the scientific process to observe, interpret data, and draw conclusions. (Nature of Science)
• Click Here to see a more detailed overview of our Sixth Grade Science Program.

  Social Studies

§  Use artifacts to draw conclusions about the past

§  Identify Neolithic settlements and explain the reason for their location

§  Compare the lives of hunters and gatherers during the Paleolithic Age with the lives of people in the Neolithic Age

§  Describe the location and physical setting of Mesopotamia

§  Analyze Sumerian artifacts to explain how they are examples of characteristics of civilization

§  Describe how environmental factors supported permanent settlement and the development of civilization in ancient Egypt and Kush

§  Explain why the social structure of ancient Egypt is organized like a pyramid and how religion affects that organization

§  Describe the geography of China’s regions

§  Locate the Huang He river Valley and explain how the Chinese civilization originated there

§  Explain how China’s geographic features isolated it from the rest of the world

§  Evaluate the inventions and discoveries in the fields of warfare, government, agriculture,  industry, art, medicine and   science during the Han empire

§  Explain how geography affected the location of early settlement in India

§  Analyze artifacts to draw conclusions about daily life in the Indus valley civilization

§  Define what characteristics classify a historical time period as a “golden age” 

  Health

§         Understand feelings and basic human needs.

§         Discuss the circulatory, respiratory, nervous, and reproductive systems and explain basic structures and functions.

§         Discuss proper eating habits and effect on the body.

§         Discuss emotional and physical differences on human growth and development.

§         Develop positive self-esteem.

§         Discuss how behavior affects others.

§         Describe effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco on the body’s organs, including decisions and consequences.

  Phys Ed

The Physically Educated Person:

§         Demonstrates competency in many movement forms and proficiency in a few movement forms.

§         Applies movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills.

§         Exhibits a physically active lifestyle.

§         Achieves and maintains a health enhancing level of physical fitness.

§         Demonstrates responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings.

§         Demonstrates understanding and respect for differences among people in physical activity settings.

§         Understands that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

  Library

§         Locate materials in all library collections.

§         Use suitable reference sources, both print and electronic.

§         Perform the research process.

§         Complete the sixth grade assessment project.

§         Use various non-print resources to retrieve and present information.

§         Demonstrates appropriate behavior with print and electronic resources.

§         Enjoy various forms of literature, including different genres of fiction.

  Art

§         Recognize the type of balance found in a composition.

§         Discuss philosophical questions regarding the nature of art.

§         Manipulate a composition to create a work of art.

§         Use drawing and painting techniques of shading in order to exhibit realism and to depict ideas and/or emotions.

§         Demonstrate abstraction in a relief process print (linoleum).

§         Determine the point of completion when creating a work of art.

§         Propose a historical interpretation of an artwork, suggesting what the visual content of that artwork may have meant to the people of the time in which the work was created.

§         Write an analysis of the compositional elements present in a work of art.

  Music

§         Recognize and identify all basic terms, signs and symbols learned in grades 1-5.

§         Awareness of vocal ranges.

§         Learn about opera.

§         Learn about American composers.

§         Learn about popular music styles.

§         Demonstrate improvisational skills.