6th Grade Program of Study

6TH GRADE PROGRAM OF STUDY 2023-24 School Year

LANGUAGE ARTS A sixth grade Luker will continue to hone skills in written and oral communication in the forms of literary analysis and creative writing. Students will read a wide variety of both fiction and non-fiction texts with the themes of coming of age and fairness as they develop an historical perspective while improving their comprehension skills. Students will analyze short stories for characterization, plot, and theme. Sixth graders will have developed skill in identifying parts of speech, types and parts of sentences, and the basics of writing conventions, including proper capitalization and punctuation. Sixth graders will learn the research process as they produce an MLA-style research report as their capstone essay.

READING A sixth grade Luker will read (both independently and through listening) a variety of thematic texts, both fictional and non-fictional, developing both fluency and comprehension.

Exit Outcomes Develop an appreciation for themes relevant to a 21st century world and an eye toward critically examining historical texts Develop an understanding of and begin to use the vocabulary of literary terms, including elements of plot, characterization, and theme in order to further enhance appreciation of literary works Compare and contrast two literary works Determine the theme and central ideas of a text Identify sensory details Identify the narrative point of view Identify similes and metaphors Identify hyperbole and personification Identify a variety of literary devices in poetry

Experiences that Support Learning Collaborative discussions Flexible groupings to better individualize instruction Small group instruction Independent reading and writing Hands-on, multi sensory approach Shared Reading Interactive read aloud Apply reading for meaning skills Project work STAR Reading assessment Accelerated Reader (A/R) testing

LANGUAGE ARTS WRITING A sixth grade Luker will write frequently on a variety of topics with an emphasis toward providing evidence from the text in reading responses. They will undergo the writing process from developing an idea to drafting, revising, and finally publishing written work.

They will develop writing beyond the single paragraph, paying attention to the organization of ideas and developing sentence fluency.

Exit Outcomes Begin to integrate appropriate literary quotes to defend an argument using MLA-style citation format Produce a wide range of written work, including frequent reading responses, original stories and essays, including compare/contrast essays and research reports Undergo the research process on a topic developed from literature to produce a five-paragraph, typed report using MLA style format with correct citations, including both direct and indirect quotations from multiple primary sources; the emphasis will be on developing an understanding of the research process

Experiences that Support Learning Collaborative discussions Flexible groupings Small group instruction Independent writing Book reports Note taking Shared writing experiences

LANGUAGE ARTS GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY A sixth grade Luker will develop an enhanced understanding of grammar rules beyond parts of speech, including sentence structure (complements, phrases, clauses, sentence types), punctuation, and capitalization in order to follow formal writing conventions in their own writing. Students will use both correct ending punctuation and capitalization and develop an understanding of correct punctuation within the sentence.

Students will also develop strategies to better understand new vocabulary words, both in context and from direct instruction.

Exit Outcomes Develop a complete understanding of the eight parts of speech, including subtleties Identify different types of sentences Identify complements, including direct object, indirect object, predicate nominative, and predicate adjective Identify phrases of all types Differentiate between independent and subordinate clauses Develop an understanding of comma rules Commas in lists Introductory words, phrases, and clauses interrupters Use capitalization correctly Use punctuation correctly, especially ending punctuation Correctly identify all different sentence types Use knowledge of root words and affixes to identify word meanings Acquire an understanding of a wide range of vocabulary through both direct instruction and in-context inference

Experiences that Support Learning Collaborative discussions Flexible groupings Small group instruction Independent writing IXL Interactive vocabulary practice using digital resources

MATH

Sixth graders are applying a fluent understanding of math facts, number patterns, and measurement to solve real-world problems using a correct order of operations. Students develop skills in problem solving strategies using both hands-on and traditional approaches. Students develop abstract mathematical thinking using expressions with variables preparing them to dive deeper into more advanced mathematical thinking.

Exit Outcomes Numbers and Operations In Base Ten Number Systems Operations with fractions Division with zeros Two and three-digit division Operations with decimals Rational numbers: Understanding and ordering positive and negative numbers Understanding the coordinate plane Understanding the absolute value of a rational number Comparing rational numbers Evaluate and Solve one-step equations

Experiences that Support Learning IXL Small group instruction Flexible groupings Math talks Collaborative discussions Manipulatives

Exit Outcomes - Operations and Algebraic Thinking Ratios and Proportion Understand the concept of ratio and use ratios to solve problems Solve real-world and mathematical problems using ratios Recognizing equivalent ratios Solve unit rate problems Finding a percent of a quantity as a rate per 100 Use ratio to convert customary measurement units

Experiences that Support Learning Differentiated instruction to support concept development Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts Small group instruction Flexible groupings Math talks Collaborative discussions Manipulatives

Expressions and Equations Evaluate and solve expressions with whole number exponents Write, read, and evaluate expressions with variables Solve one-variable equations and inequalities Differentiate between dependent and independent variables

MATH Exit Outcomes - Measurement and Data Statistics and Probability Develop an understanding of statistical variability Analyze and create representations of data using line plots, histograms, box-and-whisker plots Summarize and describe distributions of data

Experiences that Support Learning Differentiated instruction to support concept development Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts Small group instruction Flexible groupings Math talks Collaborative discussions Manipulatives

Exit Outcomes - Geometry Solve real-world problems involving area, surface area, and volume Solve problems involving radius and diameter of circles

Experiences that Support Learning Differentiated instruction to support concept development Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts Small group instruction Flexible groupings Math talks Collaborative discussions Manipulatives

MATH LAB Exit Outcomes Learn about experimental probability theoretical probability permutations and combinations, data analysis, using percentages, constructing angles to create pie charts, and finding the area of 2dimensional objects and the volume of 3dimensional figures

Experiences that Support Learning Group and partner projects Differentiated instruction to support concept development Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts Math talks Collaborative discussions Manipulatives

SCIENCE Exit Outcomes Sixth graders will focus on Earth Sciences, including units on weather, space, and earth changes.

Weather topics include Earth’s spheres, layers of the atmosphere, atmospheric pressure, water cycle, clouds, aquifers, ground water, water filtration, global warming, energy transfer in the atmosphere, wind, air masses, and weather fronts.

Space-related topics include history of space exploration, Newton’s third law/ rocket science, gravity in relation to mass and weight, features of the moon, Sun/Earth/Moon relationships, eclipses, and planet study.

Earth changes topics include continental drift, plate tectonics, earth dynamics, mountain building, volcanoes, earthquakes, and geologic time.

Experiences that Support Learning Guest visitor to discuss weather Build a terrarium and set up a controlled experiment Complete experiments on atmospheric pressure and collect data to draw conclusions Manipulate variables to explore the necessary components to make a cloud Relate a lava lamp to unstable air and thunderstorms Keep a log of the weather variables in a city of choice Explore water purification and aquifers (Memphis Sands Aquifer) Create a model of the moon and explore features of its surface Design and create a satellite based on current models Adopt, research and create a 3-D model of a planet.

Build a model to examine sea-floor spreading Research and present slideshows on specific mountain ranges.

Engineer a volcano Engineer a bridge to withstand an earthquake Interactive, hands-on labs webquests Group and partner projets Play review games such as Kahoot, Nearpod, and Quizlet

SPANISH

The sixth grade Spanish curriculum is a continuation of the fifth grade exposure and explore class. Students will explore the language and the culture through various learning activities.

Exit Outcomes Learn vocabulary related to areas of cognates, basic greetings, numbers, family members, classroom objects, school supplies, and everyday household items Learn numbers to one million Learn to tell time in Spanish Construct simple present tense sentences with attention to definite/indefinite articles and noun/adjective agreemnet Identify subject pronouns Identify rules associated with distinguishing between formal and informal “you” Conjugate 22 regular -ar ending action verbs and create original sentences using these verbs Conjugate 16 regular -er verts Learn 2 irregular 1st person verbs Learn 1 stem-change verb in present tense Culture focus: Learn about the significance of the Day of the Dead holiday, El Dia de los Magos, compare Christmas celebrations in Mexico and the US, make an Aztec mask

Experiences that Support Learning Memorize and present short dialogue View and discuss Spanish movies, Webquests Group and partner projects Conjuguemos and Kahoot

LATIN Exit Outcomes Recall Roman contributions to modern life Recognize noun declensions 1-3 Recognize and translate the present tense and imperative mood Understand basic Latin sentence structure using subject, verb, direct object, and prepositional phrase Infer definitions of English derivatives based on knowledge of Latin (and some Greek) vocabulary Discuss aspects of Roman life in the 1st century AD, especially in Roman Britain Recognize and understand the use and translation of Latin cases (Nominative, Accusative, and Vocative) Recognize and translate Latin adjectives in the superlative degree (regular only) Recall basic Greek mythology

Experiences that Support Learning Differentiated instruction to support concept development Digital resources for review, practice for mastery and introduction to new concepts Flexible groupings Collaborative discussions Consistent practice in both new and learned concepts to reinforce a cumulative understanding of the language Projects relating to cultural topics Celebratory Latin feasts

HISTORY This course continues to expose students to concepts related to the study of history, and explores the periods of the Roman Empire, the Medieval period, the Renaissance and Reformation, and the cultures and history of Africa and Asia.

Exit Outcomes Students will be able to: Explore the idea “What is history?”

Create a “cultural knapsack” to represent who they are and lens through which they view history Critical thinking through discussion Guided note-taking to develop note-taking skills and support study strategies Strengthen reading comprehension Cooperative learning through group and partner projects Cultivate creative writing skills Navigate digital resources through webquests

Experiences that Support Learning Note taking Class discussions Map skills and geography Creative writing; i.e. myths, poems, speeches, etc.

Art projects; i.e. Byzantine mosaics, medieval coats of arms, illustrated posters Collaboration to reinforce historical concepts with group and partner projects Read and analyze primary and secondary sources Webquests that encourage independent research

ART The guiding principles of the middle school visual art curriculum are the four C’s of 21st Century Learning: Creativity, Collaboration, Communication and Critical Thinking.

Students develop these skills through artmaking, visual problem solving, discussion, and analysis of important artworks. Their artwork is hung for display at the end of each marking period with an opening reception for family and friends.

Sixth grade artists focus on the relationship between math and art by learning how to use a ruler and a compass, as well as the concepts of radial symmetry and one-point perspective.

Experiences that Support Learning Observational drawing A non-objective geometric artwork that focuses on colored pencil techniques and compass skills Optical illusion paper weavings Kaleidoscope name design artwork based in radial symmetry One-point perspective oil pastel landscape Explore the difference between abstract and non-objective artworks Grade-wide collaborative artwork installation

MUSIC Sixth grade music is a continuation of the instrumental skill development started in fifth grade. Students continue to learn about playing percussion instruments and the elements that make up the music written for these instruments. Instruction is primarily based in the Orff approach to music education.

Exit Outcomes Play percussion instruments with proper technique Perform pieces in a variety of styles and genres Improvise both rhythmically and melodically Discuss music using proper terminology

Experiences that Support Learning Performing in front of an audience Playing a variety of pitched and unpitched percussion instruments Listening critically for elements of music Composing pieces of music as a class Discussing different styles of percussion music from around the world

PERFORMING ARTS Exit Outcomes Work in small groups to learn about body movement, scripting, staging, and performing Choreograph dances to different genres of music from classical to jazz to synthetic.

Experiences that Support Learning Choreograph and perform original dances to promote relevant themes such as antibullying Help students develop their motor skills through creative movement and dance Provide students with opportunities to express themselves kinesthetically and promote self-expression through movement Help students feel more secure in their own skins

BIBLE Exit Outcomes Learn about the history of the Bible, its authors, and its structure Learn about the major Bible stories in Old and New Testaments including Creation, Great Family, and the life of Jesus Make connections between Biblical stories and people and Formative Five Learn different characteristics of four gospels

Experiences that Support Learning Group and partner projects include acting out stories and parables

PE The focus of the Middle School Physical Education Program is to foster an interest in and enjoyment of physical activity while promoting positive group interaction, good sportsmanship, and fitness. These concepts are developed through a wide variety of activities with a progression of instruction based on age and skill complexity. The Middle School Physical Education Program incorporates skills and strategies for team and individual participation. The students are introduced to lifetime sports and fitness with skills being taught and developed through participation, practice, and game and fitness scenarios.

Sixth grade students continue to build fitness with a progression from grade to grade in the complexity of aerobic and anaerobic exercises. At this level skills and game rules are emphasized for participation in team and individual sports.

LIFE SKILLS Exit Outcomes Sixth graders will focus on various social emotional topics including stress, body, anger management, self-esteem, and friendship issues

Experiences that Support Learning Group and partner projects Special speakers Small group discussion Student presentations and videos

SPECIAL 6TH GRADE EXPERIENCES AND PERFORMANCES First student-led conferences Hoodie Party Spring trip to New Orleans