Sixth Grade
Curriculum Guidelines – 6th Grade
English Language Arts
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
We are committed to supporting 6th graders with a smooth transition into middle school, as teachers focus on both the cognitive and emotional development of each child. Sixth graders follow a schedule of eight classes each day, taught by subject-specific teachers. Throughout the middle school years, our dedicated educators help students strengthen their social and organizational skills while engaging with an accelerated academic curriculum.
Instruction incorporates a variety of materials and teaching methods, encouraging collaboration, group work, and hands-on learning within a strong traditional framework. In addition to regularly scheduled P.E. and Spanish classes, students participate in a quarterly arts rotation that includes art, music, drama, and STREAM. Spanish is offered three times a week, with one section designed specifically for native Spanish speakers. Students also enjoy fine arts electives twice a week, allowing them to explore and develop their creative interests.
English
- Learn the conventions of Standard American English and apply those principles when writing and speaking.
- Compose written text in a variety of forms: narrative, persuasive, and expository.
- Generate research questions and use reliable sources to answer those questions.
- Develop note taking skills.
- Use orthographic principles to spell words correctly.
- Learn and apply strategies to improve formal speaking skills.
Literature
- Select texts for independent reading and develop reading stamina.
- Learn and apply strategies for understanding new vocabulary.
- Learn and apply strategies for improving reading fluency, accuracy, and comprehension.
- Identify the characteristics of the genres of literature
- Make personal connections to text
- Identify the author’s purpose and message in a text
Mathematics
- Understand the meanings, uses and representations of numbers.
- Apply critical reasoning for problem solving.
- Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers (whole numbers, integers, fractions, mixed numbers, decimals, positives, negatives) fluently.
- Evaluate expressions with variables.
- Understand the relationship between fractions, decimals, and percents and convert between them.
- Work problems involving proportional relationships.
- Use experimental and theoretical probability to make predictions.
- Solve problems involving perimeter/circumference, area, and volume.
Science
- Compare properties of matter, explain arrangement of the periodic table, compare and contrast metals, metalloids, and nonmetals.
- Model the layers of Earth and classify rocks by process of formation.
- Identify and describe tectonic plate movements.
- Explore the use of energy and investigate the types of energy transformation.
- Explore changes in the motion of objects, calculate speed, graph changes and investigate Newton’s Laws.
- Investigate simple machines.
- Describe components of the universe, explore wavelengths, and model the interaction between the sun, moon and Earth.
- Investigate and model weather patterns.
- Identify and describe the components of the solar system.
- Describe basic components of cells and compare characteristics of prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Classify organisms.
- Describe components of ecosystems.
Social Studies
- World History
- North Africa and Southwest Asia
- Mesopotamia & Egypt
- Religions of the Middle East
- Middle Eastern countries
- China and neighbors – Japan, Korea
- Southeast Asia mainland & islands
- Europe (early, modern, western, eastern)
Religion
- The Religion course takes a journey through the Old Testament accompanied by the Family Life series.
- Learn and recite Catholic prayers and demonstrate reverence during prayer and Mass.
- Demonstrate ways in which God reveals himself to us.
- Compare the different events that take place in the liturgical calendar.
- Demonstrate God’s plan through the lives of the Patriarchs of our Faith.
- Recite the Ten Commandments.
- Explore the lives and the role of the early prophets.
- Explain how the Old Testament prepares us for the coming of Jesus.
Spanish
- 6th grade covers the first half of Spanish 1.
- In depth review of vocabulary and grammar concepts covered Elementary School.
- Vocabulary and grammar concepts are expanded upon.
- Learn strategies to assist in building vocabulary.
- Continue to build upon the foundation of oral and written communication in alignment with the national standards set by ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages).
- Develop cultural awareness as we explore Hispanic Countries and their culture.
- Make connections between Spanish and other subjects to enhance their knowledge.
