In Sixth grade we will explore the ways of how to read various texts by immersing ourselves into the stories, poems, articles and our own writings on a deeper level. Within our school year we will explore a variety of short stories, non-fiction, poems and novels.

We will begin the year with understanding the elements of stories in order to set us up for later success when we begin our process of pulling apart novels in order to understand their bigger meanings. We will also explore the elements of non-fiction texts and how they are different from that of fictional writing, but how they also help us to understand many forms of writing.

For our first writing assignment we will become familiar with the writing process and the steps that we need to take in order to become strong writers. Within our writing units we will look at the many parts of different kinds of writing while we write our own persuasive pieces, exploratory pieces and creative pieces. In 6th grade we will continue to practice the many pieces that make up the grammar world.

UNIT ONE

• Short stories and Non-Fiction 
  • Reading Skills:Making predictions, how to cite textual evidence, annotations, story structures: plot diagrams, annotations  
  • Grammar: Parts of Speech and Sentence Structures 
  • Writing: Writing a fictional piece of our own where we combine the elements of a story and dialogue , Research paper and brochure 

UNIT TWO

• Novel Study: The Giver - Lois Lowry 
• Continuing mastery of skills taught in Unit One in addition to:
  • Reading Skills: ACE method for higher level thinking responses, summarizing, cause and effect, characterization 
  • Grammar: Parts of Speech and Sentence Structures 
  • Writing

UNIT THREE

• Novel Study: Harbor Me- Jacqueline Woodson
• Continuing mastery of skills taught in Unit Two and Three  
  • Reading Skills
  • Grammar: Parts of Speech and Sentence Structures 
  • Writing

Students will have a mixture of written homework and development of independent reading and study skills. Expectations include nightly reading for enjoyment or texts from class, working on long term writing assignments, and practicing specific skills within reading, vocabulary, and grammar.

• Varied tests and quizzes for all skills 
  • Comprehension tests
  • Vocabulary quizzes
  • Grammar quizzes 
• Writing Our Own Short Stories 
• Research paper and brochure 
• Poetry Book 
• Cumulative Novel Projects 
  • Includes: vocabulary, comprehension, theme, text to self connections

• Harbor Me- Jacqueline Woodson
• The Giver - Lois Lowry
• Exercises in English

• Teacher provided articles, videos, worksheets

Students experience 6th grade Math content to continue in their development of math skills through reinforcement of basic math facts and application of new skills. Whole number, decimal and fraction operations, algebra, geometry, statistics and probability are the integrated topics covered in this course, giving each student a good foundation to work with in future math courses.

TRIMESTER 1

• Review of whole number, fraction, and decimal operations.

TRIMESTER 2

• Rates, ratios, percents, and area of shapes.

TRIMESTER 3

• Basic pre-algebra concepts of solving expressions, equations and inequalities,  surface area and volume, and statistical measures and data.

Students will be assigned various questions to complete daily. These questions may be reflective of the lesson taught that day or the current or past chapters. Students are also expected to review the lesson of the day and past lessons by looking at their notes and doing problems on their own. Programs like Prodigy and IXL can also be done for supplemental resources for studying.

Tests and quizzes, a project each trimester, midterm and end of year final.

Total points system

• Big Ideas Math: Course 1, A Bridge To Success
   
• Big Ideas Math: Course 1, A Bridge To Success Record and Practice Journal

• Prodigy, XtraMath and IXL accounts.

In 6th grade religion, we focus on the Old Testament. Specific emphasis is given to the Pentateuch - the first five books of the Bible, the tribes of Israel, the Psalms, the Song of Songs, and the Proverbs, which serve to plant the seed for Jesus’s arrival. In the spring, we begin preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation. 6th grade religion also includes a special project experience - Model United Nations - which allows our students to dive deeper into the connection between Catholic Social Teaching, Nongovernmental Organizations, and the work of our SSJ. Our course is rounded out by spending time in chapel once a week following a Lectio Divina format to Bible Study.

TRIMESTER 1

• Concepts - Stories from the Old Testament
• Chapel - Lectio Divina - Sunday Gospel

TRIMESTER 2

• Concepts - Stories from the Old Testament
• Confirmation - What is the Sacrament of Confirmation; Review of Sacraments of Initiation
• Chapel - Vista Divina - Stories from the Old Testament

TRIMESTER 3

• Concepts - The purpose of the Book of Psalms and the Song of Songs
• Confirmation - The Holy Spirit and Confirmation
• Chapel - Student Led Lectio and Vista Divinas

Assigned 1-2 times a week

Homework assignment styles may include:

• Long Term Projects
• Readings or videos in preparation for class activities
• Review of notes or completion of study guides in preparation for assessments

• Model UN Experience
  • Yearlong cross-curricular experience 
  • Focus on structure and purpose of the United Nations, Sustainable Development Goals, and NGOs
  • Enhanced by supporting field trip and speaker series
  • Culminating Capstone Project
     
• Trimester Projects
  • Trimester 1 Focus - Creation Awareness 
  • Trimester 2 Focus - Catholic Social Teaching
  • Trimester 3 Focus - Religions of the Ancient World
     
• Assessment Styles
  • Objective Unit Reviews
  • Open-ended Short Answer Questions

Grading Configuration:

• Projects - 30%
• Quizzes/Tests- 20%
• Classwork/Participation - 30%
• Reflections(Written/Oral) - 20%

• Blest Are We: Faith in Action (RCL Benziger)
• Pflaum Confirmation Sacramental Preparation Packets

• The Bible - New American Version
• Catechism of the Catholic Church

In conjunction with Pennsylvania State Standards, we focus on Earth Physical Science, experimentation within labs and an understanding of the world around them. Through interactive lessons, laboratory work and scientific procedures, students will strive to master and become more aware of the nuances in the Scientific community.

1. Scientific Method
2. History of Genetics
   1. Predicting Traits
   2. How DNA controls traits
   3. Punnett Square
   4. Inherited traits (Recessive and Dominant
3. Weather in the Atmosphere
   1. Types of fronts and air masses
   2. Layers of the atmosphere
   3. Factors that affect climate
4. Geology/Earth’s surface system
   1. Types of rocks
   2. Plate Tectonics
   3. Petrology (structure and composition)
5. Atoms and Elements
   1. Periodic table of Elements
   2. Protons, electrons, and neutrons
6. Solar System 
   1. Satellites of the Earth
   2. Effects of Gravity
   3. Planets and dwarf
7. Engineering
   1. Materials and Structures (Egg Drop)

Study/Review of material two nights a week

• Test/Quizzes
• Semester project
• Lab work
• Participation

Weighted Grading System

• Tests 30%
• Quizzes 25%
• Labs 20%
• Projects 20%
• Participation 5%

• Elevate Science Textbook

https://www.savvasrealize.com

Sixth Grade Social Studies is a journey through the many ancient civilizations of the world. Studies are focused on  geography, culture, history, economics, and the relationship among cultures to achieve an understanding of how these impact society today.

Students will explore texts, artifacts, videos and infographics to learn about the many civilizations. Throughout the year we will take on a variation of projects to fully immerse us into our course.

• 5 Themes of Geography 
  • Movement, Region, Human-Environment Interaction, Place, Location 
    • How to read a map 
       
• Early Humans and the Rise of Civilizations
  • the emergence of early humans and language.
  • early human migrations and adaptations to the environment.
  • hunting and gathering and the division of labor.
  • the domestication of plants and animals and the effects of village agriculture.
     
• Characteristics of a Civilization
  • System of Government
  • Writing 
  • Social Structures 
  • Religious Systems 
  • Stable Food Supply 
  • Advances in Technology 
     
• Ancient Civilizations
  • Ancient Egypt and the Middle East
    • the environmental influences on the growth of civilizations in the eastern Mediterranean.
    • trade routes between ancient Egypt and Kush.
    • religion and monarchy within these early civilizations.
    • the development of the arts and architecture in this region.
    • the origins of Judaism and the kingdom of Israel.
    • how Judaism still thrives in the modern world.
  • Ancient Egypt and the Middle East
    • geography of Greece and the Mediterranean region.
    • the expansion of Greece along the Greek peninsula.
    • the many cultural advancements that developed in ancient Greece.
    • the conflicts that Persians and Greeks faced.
    • the similarities and differences between Greek city-states such as Athens and Sparta.
    • the changes in government and the idea of citizenship that developed during this time.
    • the spread of Greek and Hellenistic cultures in Afroeurasia.
    • the lasting achievements of Alexander the Great.
  • Ancient Rome
    • the early Roman Empire.
    • Roman government and life.
    • the origin and spread of Christianity.
    • the legacy of Rome.
       
• Cumulative Project:
  • Mini Processing Projects at the end of each section/unit 
  • Model Magic- Cuneiform writing
  • My Own Civilization Project 

Homework is assigned once or twice a week. Students are asked to complete independent reading, response to content, review notes, or work on culminating assignments or projects throughout the year.

Students will take section quizzes and unit tests to ensure that they are understanding the themes and overarching questions explored in each chapter. Students will complete a series of mini projects and one large cumulative project.

Writing Assignments 20%

Tests 20%

Quizzes 20%

Projects 10%

Oral Reports 10%

Class Participation 20%

• History Alive Textbook
• TCI Online Application

Varied fiction and nonfiction texts for extended learning, photo placards of various artifacts, videos.

NFA 6th graders embark on an acquisition-focused language program. Spanish learning will take place naturally through immersive activities based on reading and listening comprehension skills. Our study of language will be simultaneous with our study of culture; students learn about international cultures and communities through Spanish stories, music, food, and conversation.

Trimester 1:

• Introduction to theories of language learning and acquisition
• SOMOS Spanish Curriculum Unit 1
• Garbanzo Reading Program Core 15 Path

Trimester 2: 

• SOMOS Spanish Curriculum Unit 2
• Garbanzo Reading Program Core 25 Path
• Colombian Culture Units through the lens of Disney’s Encanto

Trimester 3:

• SOMOS Spanish Curriculum Unit 3
• Garbanzo Reading Program Core 25 Path

Garbanzo reading paths for continuous and sustainable language input and interaction.

Varied formative and summative assessments aligned with curriculum Various holiday activities and projects.

Total Points Grading System

El Mundo En Tus Manos: Comprehensible Current Event Articles published by The Comprehensible Classroom.

The middle school art curriculum is centered around a TAB based philosophy.  TAB, or Teaching Artistic Behaviors, is a pedagogy through which students learn to think like artists.  It develops critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity skills.  The teacher's role in this pedagogy is to work as a coach, often with individual students, and to introduce the class to new concepts through mini lessons which begin each class period.  These mini lessons include demonstrations on how to use different art mediums, or discussions on various artists and art concepts.  Students use class time to experience the process of making art, fully immersing themselves in the creative journey from conceptualizing a piece to evaluating the final product.

Physical Education at the Middle School level is an avenue for engaging in developmentally appropriate physical activities designed for children to develop their fitness, gross and fine motor skills to enable them to participate in lifetime sports and activities. They learn essential skills to become physically literate. Physical Education at the Middle School level allows students to explore team and individual sports. They learn game history, playing techniques, strategies and how to play the game at an accelerated level.

The middle school Media Advocacy/STEM class is an exciting and innovative course that empowers students to explore and address global issues through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The curriculum seamlessly integrates STEM learning, the engineering design process, and media literacy to create a dynamic and comprehensive learning experience. Throughout the course, students engage in hands-on activities and collaborative projects that challenge them to identify real-world problems related to the SDGs. They use STEM principles to analyze, design, and propose sustainable solutions, applying critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Media literacy plays a pivotal role in the class, as students learn how to effectively communicate their ideas and advocate for change. They study various forms of media, including digital media, social media, and journalism, to understand their impact on society and develop persuasive communication strategies. Students create engaging multimedia projects, such as videos, podcasts, and social media campaigns, to raise awareness and inspire action around the SDGs.

The Social-Emotional Learning curriculum at the Middle School Level is designed to support students in learning the skills and attitudes needed to develop healthy identities, self-awareness, and social awareness. It also teaches students the important skills needed for managing emotions, feeling and showing empathy for others, establishing and maintaining supportive relationships, and making responsible and caring decisions. Through this work, students begin to deepen their understanding of themselves and others,  take pride in their identity, foster inclusivity, and become a productive member of the community.