Students develop their reading and writing skills while exploring and making sense of their place in the world. In Grade 6 Humanities students will be provided a safe space and opportunity to develop empathy and understanding of others with a strong emphasis on global perspectives. Over the course of the school year students will explore historical events through the analysis and composition of narrative, informational, and persuasive texts. A strong emphasis will be placed on productive struggle and growth through reading and writing. Students will build their reading comprehension and their analytical skills through this literary analysis as they explore the causes of events and their effects on the present. Within the units of study, students will understand and explain the cultural and environmental characteristics of different countries, how perspectives influence decision making, and how rules and laws address public problems through their reading and writing.
In Grade 6 Mathematics, students will refine skills of communication, concepts and procedures, problem solving and modeling through engagement with rich math tasks based on real life situations. Through a balanced mathematics framework, students will develop a deeper knowledge and a conceptual understanding of mathematics by modeling problems and building fluency from the concrete (physically building models), to visuals (drawing models, tables, double number lines, etc) through to the abstract (expressions and equations). The Mathematical Practice Standards apply throughout each unit and, together with the content standards, prescribe that students experience mathematics as a coherent, useful, and logical subject that makes use of their ability to make sense of problem situations.
Instructional time is focused on the following critical areas:
connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems;
completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers;
writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations; and
deepening understanding of area, surface area and volume.
In Grade 6, our science curriculum aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), offering a diverse and in-depth exploration of both life and physical sciences. The first unit delves into cell theory and functions, where students investigate and model how cells form the foundation of life. The second unit focuses on interacting body systems, emphasizing the complex interplay of sensory information and the systemic nature of the human body, alongside the chemical reactions in food. In the third unit, students explore thermal energy, engaging with concepts of particle motion, energy transfer, and the intricate relationship between energy, matter, and temperature. The final unit transports students to the cosmos, where they develop models of the Earth-sun-moon system and analyze the solar system's scale properties. This comprehensive program not only deepens students' scientific understanding but also fosters critical thinking and a lifelong curiosity about the natural world.
At each grade level, students are placed into the Arabic pathway and proficiency level that best matches their experience. Arabic I sets the foundation for students beginning their journey in learning Arabic as a World Language. This course focuses on developing essential skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students will leverage their natural curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking to engage deeply with the language. Collaborative work with peers is encouraged to build social skills and provide mutual feedback, while independent learning activities help students to address their personalized learning needs. As part of their cultural immersion, students will explore Saudi Arabian culture, drawing comparisons with other cultures and deepening their understanding as global citizens. Active participation, dialogue and a growth mindset are central to the learning.