6th Grade

Welcome to Lipscomb Academy Middle Grades

The next three years will be exciting ones as students grow and change in many ways. Students will become more independent and begin thinking in more complex ways.

Students in grades 6-8 use an iPad as an instructional tool for school while, learning how to use technology appropriately. Responsible use is paramount, and teachers at LA work to make this an essential part of technology integration.

As it is with most anything, balance is vital. We want the opportunities that technology affords and also want our students prepared when technology is not available. We believe technology and traditional methods of teaching and learning both have a place in our environment. Technology is a piece of 21st-century learning for our students!

Device Purchasing Information

Requirements for iPads (6th)

Parent Resources

Partner with us

Lipscomb Academy teachers and administrators are on the same team with the parents, in this world of technology! We have the same goals and we want to provide the best support and resources to create a balanced technology life for you and your student.

It is vital that parents partner with us in doing what is best. We require basic parental restrictions, only school approved apps on the device, and agreements to follow guidelines. School is not the place for playing games, texting, or using other forms of social media. Parents should take these guidelines seriously and support the philosophy of keeping all forms of inappropriate use out of the school day.

Cell Phones and Mobile Devices

Students in grade 6 are not allowed to use cell phones during the school day. And, to help our students manage their technology use, we will continue to provide and enhance our age-appropriate education regarding digital citizenship and healthy ways to use technology in daily life. We recommend waiting until 8th grade to consider providing your child with a cell phone.

Keep in mind...

Students are not allowed to use cell phones without teacher permission. Therefore, do not text your child during school hours (7:45-3:00) because cell phones use by students is prohibited. You may leave a message for your child by calling our office at 615-966-1785. Please know that if a student is caught checking messages on his or her phone during the school day, disciplinary action will be taken regardless of who the student is communicating with. Cell phones will be sent to the office, and only a parent may retrieve them after 3:00 if students are seen with their phone for any reason. Phones should be in a backpack or locker during the school day.
Students will be disciplined at school for inappropriate use of technology. Students are Lipscomb students 24 hours a day. The discipline ranges from demerits to suspension of the student, technology, or both.
Students using Social Media platforms (including but not limited to Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube,etc), Gaming Apps, or anything not school approved during the school day will automatically receive consequences. Subsequent violations may result in punishment such as in-school suspension, out of school suspension, or expulsion.

What about the research that says our students are on a device too much - isn’t 6th grade too early?

At Lipscomb Academy, the iPad is an instructional tool used to further accelerate learning and engage the student. Technology integrates all aspects of our world, and it advances quickly. Our goal in integrating technology is to instill in students the ability to utilize resources responsibly and to critically think through problems in order to be successful in a variety of environments.

By making technology a part of education, it becomes almost second nature to advance with future technologies. The best way to prevent problems with technology is to prepare the student for navigating and interacting with the device and the online world while in a safely guided environment. Teachers select experiences that enhance the classroom instruction and the activities could involve researching and creating on their device to building prototypes out of cardboard, construction paper, markers, and glue.

Homework and iPads

If the iPad is needed for homework, remember that parental controls and technology rules at home are incredibly important for the entire family. For example, one work area for homework time, a central charging location for all devices (phones, iPads), devices not allowed in rooms overnight, etc. It can become natural to be consistent with expectations.

Requirements for iPads in 6th Grade

Set up Family Sharing

Set up an Apple ID for Students Under 13 for use with Family Sharing

Family Sharing makes it easy for you and up to five family members to share iTunes, Apple Books, and App Store purchases, an Apple Music family plan, and an iCloud storage plan. Your family can also share a photo album and a family calendar, and even help locate each other’s missing devices. Read More.

Set up Family Sharing

You also have the option to set up Screen Time for Family Sharing here.

Turn off iMessage

Turn off iMessage from the main setting page

When you lock the ability to change account settings in a later step, students should not be able to turn this back on. The parent password will be required to turn it on again.