6th Grade Curriculum at a Glance

MAIN LESSON BLOCKS

History: Ancient Rome, The Middle Ages

Science: Geology, Physics, Astronomy

Geography: World Geography/Biomes

Religions: World Religions I: Judaism, Christianity, Islam

Math: Business Math

Drama: Class Play

6th Grade Curriculum in Detail

LANGUAGE ARTS

• LITERATURE, VOCABULARY, SPELLING (2 classes per week)

• Reading, discussion, and processing (written and oral) of 7-9 age-level classics

• 4-5 books read together as a class; 3-4 read at home as independent readers

• Weekly units in Worldy Wise Vocabulary Series 6

• Weekly spelling lists drawn from vocabulary units and main lesson work

• Self-editing and proofreading of assignments for adherence to writing conventions

WRITING & GRAMMAR

• Ongoing attention on mastering writing conventions and developing grammar sense

• Students learn to distinguish complex sentences from simple and compound sentences; to identify verb tenses, auxiliary verbs, linking verbs, and transitive verbs; to identify and diagram parts of speech

• Directed practice with different types of writing, focusing on good sentences, solid paragraphs, and developing ideas in short essays

FOREIGN LANGUAGE - SPANISH

MATH

• In Business Math block, students are introduced to percentages and formulas for computing interest.

• In Geometric Drawing, students use compass and straightedge to construct complex geometric forms

• Additional new material includes work with ratios, divisibility, factorization, conversion among fractions/decimals/ percent, finding area and perimeter of specific geometric shapes, doing conversions between the English and metric systems, statistical graphs, and formulas for converting currencies

• Ongoing practice with mental math, decimal/fraction conversions, data and graphs interpretation, number relationships through pattern identification, and application of problem-solving strategies

MUSIC

• Middle School Choir

• Gregorian chant study including composition

• Guitar

• Soprano and alto recorder

• Instrumental ensembles

GAMES

• Assistant Team sports spaceball, dodgeball, scoop lacrosse, softball,

• Competitive & cooperative games and activities

• Preparation for regional Medieval Games: archery, stave fencing, spear throwing

• Yoga

• Sportsmanship

ART

• Painting – Portraits and landscapes

• Charcoal Portraiture

• Calligraphy

• Daily drawing practice in main lesson as part of lesson processing

HANDWORK

• Hand Sewing

• Projects: Felted ball and design and sew an elephant

WOODWORK

• Handmade gift for first grade buddy (gnome house or carving of name on plank of pine)

• Sanding and preparation of shields for Medieval Games

FRIDAY CURRICULUM – Siskiyou School Faculty or Visiting Teachers

COMMUNITY SERVICE- Class undertakes 2-4 projects for the school & community (6-8 hours)

WELLNESS PROGRAM & TRUST CIRCLES – Guest Presenters/Facilitators (4-6 hour-long sessions)

• Presentations & facilitated conversations on Healthy Relationships, Media Literacy, Sexuality, Healthy Choices & Communication

COMPUTER I

• Computer Basics: care of laptops, turning on/off, logging in/off, opening web browser

• Touch typing using an online typing tutor

• Proper ergonomics/ wrist alignment

GEOMETRIC DRAWING

• Use of compass and straightedge

• Bi-section of line and angle

• 6 and 12 division of circle

• Equilateral triangle, hexagram, hexagon

MIDDLE SCHOOL FRIDAYS – Siskiyou School faculty or Visiting Teachers (January – May)

• 6th graders pursue an elective over 4-5 Friday classes, 90 minutes each

• 3-4 blocks of electives offered during the semester; elective options vary per block

• Sample electives include cooking, 3-D printing, improv, dance, school newspaper, printmaking

OTHER 6th GRADE YEAR HIGHLIGHTS

• Receiving a 1st grade buddy at the Opening Day Sunflower Ceremony

• Inaugurating the new 6th grade classroom

• 3-Day Fall Orientation camping trip to Lassen National Park

• Preparing for and participating in the Medieval Games

• Pursuing the Squire’s Challenge & the Knighting Ceremony