Grade 6 Curriculum

Curriculum Standards Grade Level 6

 

Language Arts

In Grade Six, students grow in their commitment to lifelong reading and writing for many purposes. Assignments are designed to promote clear thinking and expression in both written and oral communications. Students are exposed to a variety of literature that is analyzed for character, setting, plot, tone, and theme.

 

Literature/Oral Language

·         Review of summer reading

·         Novel readings and literature circles

·         Develop analytical and interpretive skills to enhance reasoning skills in language arts

·         Develop reading fluency to read aloud grade level text effortlessly without hesitation

·         Identify purpose of text

·         Integration with Social Studies units

·         Apply strategies to comprehend text

·         Recognize and use features of narrative and informational text

·         Develop language through listening and speaking

·         Analyze, organize, evaluate, and employ effective presentation techniques

·         Develop language through viewing media and presenting

·         Development of abstract thought and making inferences

·         Recognize and use features of narrative, informational, and persuasive text

·         Use of prior knowledge to make predictions, understand new information, and make meaning

·         Formal and informal written reading responses to independent and class readings

·         Develop independence in reading

·         Value reading as an important part of their lives

·         Participate in a print-rich environment

·         Dramatic expression

·         Developing confidence in voice

Grammar

·         Develop linguistic competency

·         Mechanics of revision and spelling

·         Analyze the form and function of words in a given context

Vocabulary

·         Use new vocabulary learned by listening, reading and discussing a variety of genres

·         Learn the meaning and properly use a variety of grade level words

·         Use multiple resources to determine the meanings of unknown words

·         Identify meanings of words using Latin/Greek roots and affixes

·         Use structural analysis and context clues to determine meanings of words

·         Analyze the structure of meaning of figurative language expressions

Written Language

·         Review of six traits: ideas, organization, voice, word choice, sentence fluency, conventions

·         Develop a written persuasive paragraph

·         Complete writing using a three-phase revision process based on peer review, teacher feedback, and self-evaluation

·         Build a spelling vocabulary for writing

·         Prepare to write by gathering and organizing information and ideas (pre-writing)

·         Compose a written draft

·         Revise by elaboration and clarifying a written draft

·         Edit written draft for conventions

·         Use fluent and legible handwriting to communicate

·         Write in different forms and genres: personal writing, traditional and imaginative stories, poetry, informational text, functional texts

·         Make effective word choice that conveys meaning

·         Prepare, create, revise, and publish a variety of pieces of written work

·         Write and respond together with other students, teachers and parents

Spelling

·         Correctly spell grade level words and high frequency words

·         Use knowledge of word families, patterns, syllabication, and common letter combinations to spell new words

·         Understand and use spelling rules and strategies to achieve accuracy

·         Learn new words through listening and reading widely

·         Integrate learned vocabulary words into writing with correct spelling

·         Use resources to learn new words by relating them to known words and/or concepts

 

Science

Science is a way of knowing, a process for gaining knowledge and understanding of the natural world. Students will participate in a hands-on active curriculum where they "do" science, not simply read about science to emphasize the importance of science in their daily lives. Students will work through the scientific process by observing, inquiring, questioning, formulating and testing hypotheses and analyzing, reporting and evaluating data.

 

The Moon/Seasons

·         Identify the patterns of changes in the appearance of the moon as it orbits the Earth

·         Demonstrate how the relative positions of Earth, the moon, and the sun create the appearance of the moon's phases

·         Understand how Earth's tilt on its axis changes the length of daylight and creates the seasons

Solar System

·         Describe and compare the components of the solar system

·         Describe the use of technology to observe objects in the solar system and relate this to our understanding of the solar system

·         Describe the forces that keep objects in orbit in the solar system

·         Compare the size and distance of objects within systems in the universe

·         Describe the appearance and apparent motion of groups of stars in the night sky

Heat, Light, Sound

·         Determine the different types of waves and how to identify their behaviors

·         Investigate the movement of heat between objects by conduction, convection and radiation

·         Describe how light can be produced, reflected, refracted and separated into visible light of various colors

·         Describe the production of sound in terms of vibration of objects that create vibrations in other materials

·         Identify different forms of energy

·         Compare the differences between heat and temperature

Microorganisms

·         Identify the use f classification with living organisms

·         Explain the characteristics of the five kingdoms of organisms

·         Determine the parts of animal and plant cells

·         Observe and summarize information about microorganisms

·         Demonstrate the skills needed to plan and conduct an experiment to determine a microorganism's requirements in a specific environment

·         Identify positive and negative effects of microorganisms and how science has developed positive uses for some microorganisms and overcome the negative effects of others

 

Social Studies

Sixth Grade students will explore ancient civilizations and their evolution. They will study the culture, economy, government through universal studies of archaeology and anthropology. Students will also begin to look at European History from the Middle Ages to present. Students will engage in direct service through a year-long service learning project that the students and teacher decide upon each year. Students will also participate in year-long fundraising for our sister school in Palestine.

·         Introduction to cultural universals: archaeology, anthropology, examining prehistory artifacts and historical records

·         Civilization of Mesopotamia: hunters and gatherers vs. early farmers, characteristics of civilizations form of government

·         Civilization of Ancient Egypt: Dynastic Rule, Old, Middle and New Kingdoms, religious beliefs, social order

·         Civilization of Ancient India: Indus Valley civilizations, culture and architecture of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, introduction of Buddhism and Hinduism

·         Civilization of Ancient China: Early dynasties, The Silk Road, Confucianism, Legalism, Daoism, and Maoism, calligraphy and poetry

·         Civilization of Ancient Greece: Rise of City-States, Art and Architecture, Golden Age of Greece, The Origins of Democracy, Greek Mythology, Alexander the  Great, Early Philosophers

·         Civilization of Ancient Rome: Birth of Rome, Rise of the Republic and Empire, Citizenship

·         Develop good citizenship qualities through a year-long service learning project TNA by the teacher and students each year as well a year-long service to our sister school in Palestine

 

Mathematics

Students in sixth grade will learn to apply mathematical skills to become creative problem solvers. They will solidify efficient computation strategies and understanding of basic mathematical concepts. Attention is also paid to the development and solidification of higher level thinking skills that can be applied to real life experiences.

 

Number Concepts/Computation

·         Review multiplication facts

·         Review whole number operations

·         Review fraction operations

·         Review decimal operations

·         Read and write numerals from thousandths to one billion

·         Add subtract, multiply and divide integers

·         Multiply a two- or three-digit factor by a two-digit factor including decimals

·         Divide up to a three-digit dividend by a one- or two-digit divisor including decimals

·         Solve one and two step equations with integers

·         Estimate with fractions and mixed numbers

·         Add and subtract with fractions and mixed numbers by converting to improper fractions

·         Multiply and divide fractions and mixed numbers

·         Use cross reduction to simplify multiplying of fractions

Data Interpretation and Representation/Probability

·         Interpret various graphs including line plot, frequency table, histogram, bar graph, line graph, double bar graph and double line graph

·         Review mean, median, mode and outliers

·         Explore scatter plots, positive, negative trends and no trends

·         Explore parts of a coordinate plane

·         Graph points, ordered pair (x,y)

·         Graph linear equations

·         Find the slope of a line from a graph

·         Graph slides flips and turns (rotations)

·         Determine the experimental probability of an event

·         Understand the range of probability from 0 to 1

·         Simulate to find experimental probability

·         Explore the theoretical probability, outcomes

·         Introduce the probability of a complement

·         Explore sample spaces

Integers and Expressions

·         Use properly the Order of Operations

·         Understand and use the Distributive Property

·         Evaluate and write variable expressions

·         Order and compare integers

·         Determine absolute values and opposites

·         (see Computation section)

Decimals

·         Round, compare and order decimals

·         Divide decimals by decimals and by whole numbers

·         Estimate answers to see if it is reasonable

·         Solidify associative and commutative properties of addition and multiplication

·         Classify decimals as repeating or terminating

·         (see Computation section)

Exponents

·         Solidify the definitions of powers

·         Change whole numbers with exponents to standard form and vice-versa

·         Evaluate expressions with exponents using Order of Operations

·         Convert between standard notation and scientific notation

·         Explore scientific notation with negative exponents

·         (see Computation section)

Fraction Theory

·         Explore equivalent fractions by dividing regions into equal parts

·         Review factors, GCF, multiples, LCM, and LCD

·         Compare and order fractions

·         Introduce and work with the divisibility rules

·         Review and write prime factorization of a number

·         Determine the GCF, and LCM using prime factorization

·         Write fractions in simplest form

·         Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions and vise-versa

·         Convert fractions to decimals and vise-versa

·         (see Computation section)

Ratios, Proportions, and Percent

·         Understand how to write ratios and equal ratios

·         Understand proportions and how to use cross products to solve problems

·         Discover properties of similar figures

·         Use proportions to find the missing measurements

·         Explore map and scale drawings

·         Model percent, write percent using ratios

·         Convert common fractions, decimals and percent from one form to another

·         Find percent of a number

·         Use proportions with percents

·         Determine percent of change

Patterns and Functions

·         Extend geometric patterns

·         Identify arithmetic and geometric sequences

·         Explore various functions-using tables, rules, and graphs

·         Identify function rules - in and out

Geometry/Measurement

·         Estimate length and area

·         Change units in the customary system

·         Measure accurately with a ruler to 1/16" and mm

·         Determine the area of parallelograms triangles, and trapezoids

·         Calculate the area and circumference of a circle

·         Identify 3-D figures and pars

·         Find the volume and surface area for prisms and cylinders

·         Identify the relationship of the value pi to the circumference and diameter of a circle

·         Calculate elapsed time across a.m. or p.m. time periods

Problem Solving

·         Estimate and determine if results are reasonable, when solving real life problems requiring computation, with or without a calculator

·         Demonstrate the ability to reason mathematically

·         Communicate mathematically using vocabulary, symbols, oral language and pictures

·         Through open-ended questioning, uses high level thinking skills to solve single and multi-step word problems

·         Solve word problems by evaluating expressions

 

Religion

Religion is an integral part of the entire school day. Through religious education, students' experience of learning and living achieves its deepest meaning. Relationship to Catholic theology and worship will enhance the spiritual life of all students.

 

Beliefs

·         Created to be like God/belief in one God

·         Created for God

·         Original sin and God's mercy

·         Knowing and reverence for the Old Testament of the Bible: books, stories, figures

·         The Law of Love

·         Paul and the early Christians

·         The Works of Mercy

·         Catholics and Jews

·         The Beatitudes

·         Death and eternal life

Worship

·         Celebrating Reconciliation and Eucharist

·         The vows of the sacraments of Matrimony and Holy Orders

·         Passover and Easter

We Live as Children of God

·         We receive God's own life in Baptism

·         We are strengthened by Confirmation

·         We are fed through the Eucharist]

·         Living with faith and courage

Prayer

·         Prayer through the Bible: intensive study of the Old Testament

·         Formal and informal forms of prayer: The Apostle's Creed, The Nicene Creed, The Confiteor, Hail Holy Queen, The Angelus, How to pray the Rosary, Memorare, Acts of Faith, Hope and Love, Mass responses

Special Celebrations

·         The seasons of the liturgical year

·         Seasons of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter

·         Holy Week

Building Catholic Character (Virtues)

·         Participate in rotating three-year Virtues program

·         Participate in year-long service project to be decided upon at start of year

·         Participate in global service in support of our sister school in Palestine