Sixth Grade Curriculum

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 
• Folder 
• Notebook- single subject 
• 1 in. binder for novel studies 
• Writing utensils including various coloring materials 
• Notecards 
• Loose leaf paper 

• 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
   
• Graphing Notebook

• 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
   
• Teacher provided resources - articles/journals, videos