SCIENCE

Standards Taught in Class
1. Systems: The student knows and applies scientific concepts and principles to understand the properties, structures and changes in physical, earth/space, and living systems.
2. Inquiry: The student knows and applies the scientific ideas, skills, processes of investigation, and the nature of science.
3. Application: The student knows and applies science ideas and inquiry to design and analyze solutions to human problems in societal contexts.

Course Description
Students study five major units during sixth grade science: Diversity of Life, The Truth About Science, Family Life And Sexual Health (FLASH), Solutions and Pollutions and Magnets and Motors. As a result of taking this class students will be able to design and carry out their own scientific research, understand the major themes of Physical and Life Science and use basic scientific tools.

MATH

Standards Taught in Class
1. The student understands and applies the concepts and procedures of mathematics.
2. The student uses mathematics to define and solve problems.
3. The student uses mathematical reasoning.
4. The student communicates knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language.
5. The student understands how mathematical ideas connect within mathematics, other subject areas, and real-life situations.

Course Description
Over the course of this year long class, students will study five themes in math: probability, number sense, statistics, geometry and problem solving. Our 6th grade text, Connected Mathematics Project II (CMP), emphasizes problem solving and communicating mathematical thinking through writing in preparation for the WASL exam. Expect nightly home-learning assignments and quizzes to demonstrate student learning.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Standards Taught in Class
WRITING
The student writes clearly and effectively.
The student writes in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.
The student understands and uses the steps of the writing process.
The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of written work.

READING
1: The student understands and uses different skills and strategies to read.
2: The student understands the meaning of what is read.
3: The student reads different materials for a variety of purposes.
4: The student sets goals and evaluates progress to improve reading.

Course Description
This full year course focuses on writing and literature. Students will study narrative, expository, persuasive and letter writing techniques as well as the Six Traits of Good Writing. During class, students will read historical and realistic fiction novels and a variety of non-fiction texts. At home, students are expected to read for at least thirty minutes each night and keep a record in their school planner. Student activities include: Writer’s Workshop, Literature Circles, Independent Book Projects, Class Discussions, and Response Logs.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Standards Taught in Class:

HISTORY: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2
GEOGRAPHY: 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3
CIVICS: 1.3, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.3
ECONOMICS: 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4
SOCIAL STUDIES SKILLS: 1.1, 2.1,3.1

Course Description

Social Studies at the 6th grade level is a full year course focused on the study of Ancient Civilizations and modern cultures from Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, Oceana, and the Americas. As a result of taking this class students will be able to identify themes in history, geography, civics and economics as well as create and read maps and timelines. Students will develop skills related to the work of geographers and historians, such as conducting research, utilizing cartography, examining primary sources, and applying higher order thinking skills. Student activities include: map making, timeline creation, library and internet research, presentations, historical role-playing, artistic display making and interviewing. Our reference text is History Alive, by Bert Bower and Jim Lobdell.