Sixth Grade Curriculum

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Humanities

 

Sixth grade Humanities is divided into two courses, each taken for two of the four quarters. Humanities through Literature is a course designed to improve reading and writing skills within the context of different types of literature (fiction, short story, poetry, memoir, and essay). Humanities through History is a course designed to improve reading and writing skills within the context of history (ancient Rome and Greece).
Frequency: 2 quarters of each course, 5 days per week, 80 minutes per day
Teachers:
Humanities through Literature: Tammy Burns, Amy Cohen
Humanities through History: Ward Fleissner, Caldwell Huckabay

Math 6

Math 6 is designed to challenge students with a wide range of abilities. All students reinforce skills and concepts appropriate for sixth grade, while exploring new concepts (including some pre-algebra) in preparation for seventh grade. Students who have mastered a particular skill or concept are offered opportunities for enrichment within the context of the course.
Frequency: 5 days per week for 40 minutes
Teachers: Alice Krug & Tisa Lindsey

Science 6

In Science 6, students study Earth Science (volcanoes, earthquakes, plate tectonics, weather, etc.) through hands-on activities and interactive labs.
Frequency: 2 days per week for 80 minutes, 1 day per week for 40 minutes
Teachers: Jan Gautier & Leroy Guy

Introduction to Foreign Language

Sixth grade students take one quarter each of Chinese, German, Latin, and Spanish and then, during the seventh grade year, choose to study one of the four languages. The sixth grade introductory language course focuses on speaking, vocabulary acquisition, and a presentation of linguistic concepts. There is also an introduction to culture, history and geography.
Teachers: Gerry Bailey, Grace Xiong

Fine Art

Art uses the ancient cultures studied in Humanities as a context for learning art in a variety of modalities, including sculpture, printing and Photoshop.
Frequency: 2 quarters per year, 2 days per week for 80 minutes
Teacher: Judy Condon

Literacy Strategies

Literacy Strategies is designed to provide each child with the skills necessary to become an effective student, particularly in respect to reading. The majority of class time focuses on improving reading comprehension through teaching children how to identify main ideas, find supporting evidence, and make inferences and generalizations. Some class time is also spent covering basic study skills, and basic library and research skills.
Frequency: 2 days per week for 40 minutes
Teachers: Tammy Burns, Amy Cohen, Michael Drew, & Leroy Guy

Computer

Frequency: 1 day per week for 40 minutes
Teacher: Gene Etter

PE

Frequency: 2 quarters per year, 2 days per week for 80 minutes
Teacher: Bill McMahan, Gary Partrick, Dave Reynolds

Performing Arts

Students may choose Band, Orchestra, Choir, or a rotating course consisting of dance, drama and filmmaking.
Frequency: 4 days per week for 45 minutes
Teachers: Tom Schow, Deniece Schow, Eric Walker, Ed Huey, Judith DeWitt, Ward Fleissner, Chris Cushman