Intermediate

5th ELA

5th grade English Language Arts is aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards. Our students focus their learning on concepts and skills in speaking, reading, and writing. Students will broaden and deepen their understanding of informational and literary text through the reading and writing processes. This learning takes place during an integrated block of English Language Arts instruction which includes all areas of ELA.

During reading instruction, our students read and discuss, reflect, and respond, using evidence from a wide variety of texts and engaging activities. Students reflect on their skills and adjust their comprehension and vocabulary strategies to become better readers and writers. Students are encouraged to read independently for extended time to increase their reading proficiency and fluency. They are also encouraged to read for pleasure to become lifelong readers.

During writing instruction, our students learn about the various writing structures of narrative, opinion, and informative writing. Our students focus on the use of precise, specialized vocabulary in content- area writing along with correct usage, mechanics, and sentence variety. During the writing process, students use scoring rubrics that detail the expectations of 5th grade writing to include content, organization, style, and conventions. They have the opportunity to demonstrate a command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when reading, writing, speaking and listening.

6th ELA

6th grade English Language Arts is aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards and takes place during an integrated block of English Language Arts instruction which includes all areas of ELA. Our students focus their learning on concepts and skills in speaking, reading, writing, and research. Students interact with more complex text and topics through the reading of a variety of classic, contemporary, and informational texts.

During reading instruction, our students read and discuss, reflect, and respond, using textual evidence to support their reflections, inferences, and conclusions. Students demonstrate mastery of previously learned skills in more complex presentations, reading selections, and written compositions. These experiences are used purposefully to build knowledge and skills to help students become independent readers and writers.

During writing instruction, our students apply skills learned in previous grades to three main modes of writing: narrative, opinion, and informative. Our students focus on the use of precise, specialized vocabulary in content-area writing along with correct usage, mechanics and sentence variety moving into more formalized writing. Scoring rubrics are used to align compositions with expectations of 6th grade writing which often includes citing evidence from texts. These expectations include content, organization, style, and conventions applied to reading, writing, and speaking.

5 Math

Students will review and extend fundamental skills and concepts for whole numbers. Students will read, write, represent, and compare fractions and decimals; as well as recognize and write equivalent fractions; also, convert between fractions and decimals. Students will study equations and inequalities and use them to represent and evaluate mathematical problems. Students will understand how the volume of rectangular prisms and surface area of shapes with polygonal faces are determined by the dimensions of the object. Students will describe, classify, and draw representations of two- and three-dimensional figures. Students will solve mathematical problems and perform basic operations with rational numbers including decimals, fractions and whole numbers.

5 Accelerated Math

Students will review and extend fundamental skills and concepts for integers, decimals, fractions, percent, and ratios. Students will study equations, inequalities, number-theory, geometry, ratio, proportion, percent, measurement, and rational numbers. Students will solve mathematical problems and perform basic operations with rational numbers including decimals, fractions and whole numbers. Students will use open-ended problem solving (explain problem, rather than give a single number as answer) to make comprehensive use of their mathematical knowledge and skills.

6 Math

Students will read, write, and represent integers and rational numbers expressed as fractions, decimals, percent, and ratios; as well as write positive integers as products of factors. Students will multiply and divide decimals, fractions, and mixed numbers; solve mathematical problems with rational numbers. Students will understand the concept of ratio and its relationship to fractions and percent and to the multiplication and division of whole numbers. Students will use equations and inequalities to represent mathematical problems with using the idea of maintaining equality to solve equations. Students will understand and use relationships between angles in geometric figures. Students will calculate area of squares, parallelograms, and triangles to solve real-world and mathematical problems. Students will use translations, reflections, and rotations to establish congruency and understand symmetries. Students will solve mathematical problems and perform basic operations with rational numbers including decimals, fractions and whole numbers.

6 Pre-Algebra

Students will review and extend fundamental skills and concepts for rational numbers expressed as integers, decimals, and fractions. Students will calculate with integers and rational numbers with and without positive integer exponents. Students will explain the relationship between absolute value of a rational number and the distance that number is from zero. Students will understand the concept of function in real-world and mathematical situations, and distinguish between linear and nonlinear functions. Students will solve problems involving right triangles using the Pythagorean Theorem. Students will study equations, inequalities, number-theory, geometry, and rational numbers. Students will display and analyze data in a variety of ways. Students will solve mathematical problems and perform basic operations with rational numbers including decimals, fractions and whole numbers. Basic four-function calculators are used regularly.

5th Science

This course is aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (OAS-S) for 5^th grade and is inclusive of the three domains of science: Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth and Space Science. The class focuses on three-dimensional scientific teaching and learning. Each disciplinary core idea will be approached from the science and engineering practices perspective which models methods scientists use in the real world. The standards’ cross-cutting concepts will also be explored to determine their application across all domains of science.

Standards taught are from each scientific domain:

• Physical Science including:

  • Matter & Its Interactions:

    • Matter’s properties and structure

    • Conservation of Mass

  • Energy:

    • Conservation and transfer of energy from the sun to plants, animals and the environment

• Life Science including:

  • Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy and Dynamics

    • Movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers and the environment

• Earth and Space Science including:

  • Earth’s Place in the Universe

    • Patterns of daily changes in the day and night time sky

    • Seasonal appearance of stars

  • Earth’s Systems

    • Interaction among the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere

    • Distribution of water on Earth

Coursework is taught through scientific inquiry to strengthen the students’ understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to support them in everyday life. Assignments might include both classroom and outdoor activities such as; projects, outside reading, and hands-on design challenges. Each student will develop a vision of science as both a body of knowledge and an evidence-based model that is continually refined and expanded.

6th Science

This course is aligned with the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science (OAS-S) for 6^th grade and is inclusive of the three domains of science: Physical Science, Life Science, and Earth and Space Science. The class focuses on three-dimensional scientific teaching and learning. Each disciplinary core idea will be approached from the science and engineering practices perspective which models methods scientists use in the real world. The standards’ cross-cutting concepts will also be explored to determine their application across all domains of science.

Standards taught are from each scientific domain:

• Physical Science including:

  • Motion & Stability: Forces and Interactions

    • Force fields / magnetism

  • Energy

    • Relationships of kinetic energy to the mass and speed of objects

    • Energy transfer

• Life Science including:

  • From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes

    • Structure and types of cells and organisms

  • Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy & Dynamics

    • Interactions and patterns among organisms across ecosystems

    • Cycles of matter and energy flow and transfer among living and nonliving parts of an ecosystem

• Earth and Space Science including:

  • Earth’s Systems

    • Cycling of water through the Earth’s systems

    • Effect of the sun and gravity on the Earth’s systems

Coursework is taught through scientific inquiry to strengthen the students’ understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to support them in everyday life. Assignments might include both classroom and outdoor activities such as; projects, outside reading, and hands-on design challenges. Each student will develop a vision of science as both a body of knowledge and an evidence-based model that is continually refined and expanded.

5th Social Studies

This course covers The Foundation, The Formation, and The Transformation of United States History, 1607-1806. This includes British colonization; the American Revolution; the United States Constitution; Government; Presidents Washington, Adams and Jefferson; the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The course will incorporate process and literacy skills using informational texts; primary and secondary sources; interactive social studies journals; and project based learning.

6th Social Studies

This course covers the tools of Geography, the Earth’s physical and human geography of the Western Hemisphere, interactions of humans and their environments, and the world’s political and economic systems. Students will focus on spatial patterns of human and physical characteristics of the world and its peoples, and will explore how these patterns form, change over time, and relate to one another in the Western Hemisphere. Students will study countries that comprise this region of the world, including countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Antilles.

Art (5th & 6th Grade) (9 weeks course)

This nine week elective course provides students with opportunities to develop & use visual language, build creative critical thinking skills and aesthetic judgments. This course also pursues personal expression through art exploration and production utilizing a variety of media within two and three dimensions. Students experience and appreciate the art of others throughout history and diverse cultures.

Advanced Art (6th Grade) (9 weeks or semester course)

This semester elective course provides students with enhanced opportunities to develop & use visual language, build creative critical thinking skills and aesthetic judgments. This course also pursues personal expression through advanced art exploration and production utilizing a variety of media within two and three dimensions. Students experience and appreciate the art of others throughout history and diverse cultures and will have increased opportunities to display their artwork outside of the classroom setting.

Band (6th Grade) (year course)

This course offers the band experience at the beginning level and is offered to all sixth grade students. The instruments taught are flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone and percussion. Instrument selection is guided by the Mustang Band Instructors prior to placement into one of the 5 instrument classes. Instruction is centered around the development of fundamental skills necessary to successfully perform beginning level music on a specific instrument with emphasis placed on continued enrollment in band during successive years. Students and Parents should be prepared to provide an instrument, all supplies for that instrument and an instruction book for beginning band class. Students do not need to have prior band experience.

Choir (6th grade) (semester or year course)

Choir seeks to extend what is learned in the Fifth Grade General Music class. The student will be provided with the vocabulary and knowledge of musical notation that is needed in the performance of quality music. The student will learn to sight-read music in unison and harmony, and will be acquainted with diverse musical styles and genres. Students will also participate in the three main aspects of performing: demonstrated knowledge of material (memorized music), uniform attire, and appropriate comportment. There will be certain fees attached to the class, for uniforms, and potential musical opportunities outside of the classroom. This class may be taken for a semester or a year.

General Music (5th Grade) (year course)

General Music provides exposure to a musical environment. Students will hear and sing different styles of music, and develop the ability to make music alone and with others. Students will expand on their knowledge of reading notes and rhythm patterns, and sing partner songs and other songs that teach basic harmony.

Intro to Theatre (6th Grade) (Semester)

This course introduces students to basic stage terminology, improvisation, character building, and fundamentals of acting while incorporating artistic disciplines, such as memorizing scripts and blocking, being a responsible and cooperative teammate, and incorporating basic performance principles. Participation in all performances is required. Emphasis on team-building, interpersonal skills, problem-solving, conflict-resolution, and presentation skills, and audience etiquette. Great confidence and skill-set booster for ANYONE, regardless of professional pursuits. Participation in the Evening Showcase for parents/friends encouraged. (Date to be determined.)

Robotics (5th & 6th Grade) (9 weeks course)

This introductory course is designed to teach core computer programming logic and reasoning skills using a robotics engineering context. The robotics class will be divided into three learning segments: BotBall, Mindstorms EV3 and research project. First, students will learn to program the BotBall robot using C and C++ programming language. During the next segment, students will build and program a Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot using drag and drop programming language. Finally, students will be introduced to research skills and data collection in order to complete a research project on a real world scenario.

Advanced Robotics (6th Grade) (9 weeks course)

This advanced course is offered to those students who have completed the introductory robotics course. Students in this course will build on programming skills from the introductory course with the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robot. Activities include programming with color, touch, ultra violet and gyro sensors as well as creating and designing a robot challenge. This class is a requirement for those students who are selected to the First Lego League competitive team.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) (5th & 6th Grade) (9 weeks course)

This course is a nine-week elective course and is dedicated to provide students with high-quality instruction in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Students will be challenged to incorporate discovery and problem-solving, science and mathematics curriculum, exploratory project-based learning and student-centered development of ideas and solutions. Fifth grade STEM will reinforce simple machines while sixth grade STEM will focus on forces and motion. This course encourages our “students to become inspired learners and prepared leaders who can solve the challenges of a world of emerging STEM careers.” (OSDE)

Technology (5th & 6th Grade) (9 weeks course)

Technology is a hands-on class where students discover new ways to use computers and iPads as tools for learning. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of applications on both personal computers and iPads. The goal of the class is to create self-learners through:

• Creativity and Innovation - Be creative and developing something that is new

• Communication and Collaboration - Working effectively with others

• Research and Information Fluency - Know how to find what you need to do the job

• Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making - Plan, design, and solve problems

• Digital Citizenship - Use safe, ethical, and legal computer practices

• Technology Operations and Concepts - File Management and troubleshooting

Advanced Technology (6th Grade) (9 weeks course)

A class that is offered to students that have the prerequisite of technology. The class would focus on writing computer programs and coding. Students would be opening the door to multiple computer languages by becoming familiar with the basic concepts behind computer programing. The goal of this class would be:

• Basic understanding that computers only do what they are told, in the order they are told (step by step thinking).

• Comfort with making mistakes and taking risks while writing code. Students achieve basic proficiency in for-loops and understand when and why they are used.

• Students gain more comfort with very basic abstraction. Students should be able to identify loops vs. sequential instructions in apps they use or games they play, and identify why each was used.

• Introduction to computational thinking and algorithms. Students should understand that algorithms are recipes that computers use to solve problems.

• Opportunities to write computer programs and have a better understanding of computer language.

Communications (5th & 6th Grade) (9 weeks course)

This 9 week course will focus on the development of oral and technological presentation skills. Public speaking will be practiced and demonstrated through oral presentations, school announcements (digital and print), and other creative presentations. In addition, the history of communication and communication inventions will be explored in this class.

Leadership (6th Grade) (semester course)

This semester course is designed to provide students instruction in basic leadership skills and qualities. Through a creative process, students will gain experience being leaders and using personal styles of leadership while exploring and expanding their decision making abilities. Students will get the opportunity to participate in school community service projects. In addition, character trait education, as well as, past and present leaders biography research will be a focus of the class.

GATE (5th & 6th Grade) (semester course)

This course is an extension of the GATE program in the Elementary Schools, and students must qualify for the course. Students are provided differentiated lessons and challenging educational opportunities, which enhance and extend their educational experience. Students work on higher-level activities using age appropriate materials. They are provided opportunities for utilizing their interests in complex, in-depth study designed to build thinking, research, communication, and technology skills.

PE (5th & 6th Grade) (semester or full year)

The Physical Education program allows each student the opportunity to participate in a comprehensive program consisting of skill development, lead up games, team sports, and physical fitness activities. The students receive instruction in rules, skills, and strategies associated with the different sports as well as learning experiences involving physical conditioning activities. The students will also have opportunities to become involved in lifelong physical activities through individual sport units. The program promotes the spirit of cooperation, leadership, fair play, and friendly competition.

Spanish (5th & 6th Grade) (9 weeks course)

This is an introductory course that seeks to develop skills in the novice low/mid range of language learning. A variety of vocabulary and grammar is introduced through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Various topics include basic salutations, expressing likes and dislikes, numbers, colors, useful phrases, the alphabet, days, months, weather, classroom objects, clothing, family and foods. Cultural studies include Latin American and Spanish geography, history, celebrations, art and music. This course also reinforces and enriches content in other disciplines. A brief introduction of basic grammar structures is introduced in sixth grade.

Enrichment

Enrichment ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies classes are designed as extensions of core ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Science courses. Students utilize skills learned in the regular classroom and extend their learning in these core areas through integrated research projects, simulations, performances, book studies, hands on activities and games.

CARE

C.A.R.E.(Classes for Academic Reinforcement and Excellence) are designed to provide strategic and specific interventions in reading and/or math for students identified as having academic gaps. C.A.R.E. classes are 40 - 45 minutes daily and are provided in addition to the CORE ELA and Math classes.