6th Grade Academics

English

6th Grade English provides the fundamental skills needed to prepare scholars for success in later English courses, SAT, and the end-of-the-year 6th Grade English state test. Scholars strive to master these skills: Reading and Writing Process (focus on Schaffer Method paragraph structure), Critical Reading and Writing, Vocabulary (building academic vocabulary and usage of context clues), Language (grammar and writing mechanics), and Research (strategies to acquire, refine and share knowledge).

Reading Enrichment

6th Grade Reading Enrichment is designed to enhance reading skills. The course provides students various strategies for improving their reading and writing abilities. Instruction will include fluency, comprehension, and close reading strategies to deeply understand different genres of reading material. In this course, students will listen to reading through audiobooks, read aloud, and read silently to themselves for extended periods. Students will also learn to understand, monitor, and promote their reading growth. One way this will be done is through Running Records.

Math

6th Grade Math develops an understanding of ratio reasoning, division of fractions by fractions, rational numbers, algebraic expressions, one-variable equations and inequalities, and quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables. The scholar uses geometric properties and relationships to recognize, describe and analyze shapes and representations in various contexts. Data analysis, probability, and statistics are used to interpret data in various contexts.

Geography

6th Grade Geography focuses on examining the Earth's physical systems from the core of the Earth to the outer layer of the atmosphere. This includes how each physical system and humans impact the ever-changing planet. This course is designed to develop critical thinking skills while analyzing the physical, political and cultural systems of Earth and its peoples through the study of history, geography, systems of government, culture, and economic systems with a primary emphasis on the Earth's Western Hemisphere. In addition, scholars develop literacy, research, and writing skills by studying geography and history.

Science

Sixth-grade science is a hands-on introduction to the scientific method and fosters active involvement by beginning laboratory experiments and demonstrations. Sixth Grade Science scholars participate in "Modules," which are composed of hands-on, scholar-centered, project-based activities. These modules provide multiple opportunities for scholars to observe, analyze and carry out the scientific method process. In the scientific investigation process, scholars understand the value of and how to best use technology to gather data, analyze the results of investigations, and effectively use evidence in applying knowledge from investigations in real-life situations. PITSCO labs serve as a means of innovative, self-paced inquiry and interactive discovery, focusing primarily on earth science. Topics for lab experiences included: weather and climate, Earth's geological history, cell organelles and their functions, Earth's systems, energy, and learning the process of experimental design. Each lab is structured, so scholars have the opportunity to learn various concepts within a class period.

Technology

6th Grade Technology begins with Digital Citizenship introducing scholars to internet safety. In this, they learn the significance of issues such as computer viruses, copyright laws, and cyberbullying and how to impact their digital footprint positively. Keyboarding, one of the year's most important topics, advances scholars' typing skills using the qwerty keyboard touch typing method. Throughout the year, scholars are introduced to G-Suite, including presentations, word processing, and spreadsheets, where they build a solid foundation for use in other classes. Scholars gain confidence by working on public speaking skills as they present their work to the class. The spreadsheet applications teach scholars how to incorporate data into their work. Finally, scholars learn the basic logical programming algorithms via hands-on block coding.

Explore

Explore is a sixth-grade course that covers four nine-week units: Character Education, World Cultures, Fine Arts and Careers, and the Workplace. Scholars improve interpersonal relationships through the understanding and practice of manners and etiquette. Scholars discuss and develop the concept of character and integrity and analyze famous quotes in our learning skills, applying them to our studies. Explore covers the comparisons of the customs, traditions, holidays, decorations, clothing, festivities, food, housing, family structures, and education of various cultures in the world, past and present. Scholars develop a basic understanding of career preparation, including writing resumes, business proposals, professional behavior, workplace etiquette, and future goals. Scholars produce classroom projects focusing on the elements of art and design: line, color, shape, form, texture, value, and space. Sixth graders will learn to recognize the beauty of art everywhere. In addition, they demonstrate cursive writing skills efficiently from memory, practicing daily until mastery of cursive writing is achieved.