The art curriculum will provide students with the ability to express themselves and create successful artworks by applying the elements of art and principles of design using a variety of artistic mediums.

6th grade art students will focus on color theory and apply the elements of art such as line, shape, color, form, value, texture and space while exploring a variety of art materials. 

Students will strengthen their elementary literacy skills and learn to “dig deeper” when analyzing text and writing for multiple audiences. Under the theme of “Identity: Coming of Age” text selections across the genres selected, and students read, annotate and analyze for craft and meaning. Writing tasks vary in length and complexity and focus on the three major genres of narrative, argument and informational writing. Opportunities for student discourse and academic conversations present themselves during class discussions and literature circles. 

6th grade math builds on the skills that students learned in elementary school. Instructional time will focus on four critical areas: connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of numbers to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers; writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations; and developing understanding of statistical thinking. There are eight units completed in 6th grade math: (1) Geometry (area, surface area and volume); (2) Numerical Expressions and Factors; (3) Fractions and Decimals; (4) Ratios and Rates; (5) Percents; (6) Algebraic Expressions; (7) Integers and the Coordinate Plane; (8) Equations and Inequalities.

The Math Connections class will build and expand on the mathematics students learned in the elementary grades. Students are evaluated through both project-based and traditional assessments and will be challenged with various statistical analysis techniques. Day to day instructional time will focus on the following critical areas: Estimation and Basic Operations, Statistical Measures, Data Displays, Operations with Fractions and Decimals, Samples and Populations, Geometric Figures, Percents, and Probability. There are eight units completed in Math Connections, some of which offer review while other topics present new concepts: (1) Estimation and Order of Operations; (2) Statistical Measures; (3) Data Displays; (4) Fractions and Decimals; (5) Samples and Populations; (6) Geometry; (7) Percents; (8) Probability.

Middle School Math Parent Resources

BAND

Students will choose and learn a woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument.  They will learn the skills necessary to read and perform music effectively both as an individual and as a group. Fundamentals learned include:

• Proper posture and playing position

• Development of characteristic tone quality

• Music literacy. 

Students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning at two concerts.

CHORUS

Students explore vocal production in an ensemble setting in order to:

• Develop proper posture, breathing and placement.

• Expand their musical background through performance of a variety of literature

• Develop self-awareness and awareness of others

• Develop their understanding of music through learning symbols, terms and reading skills

Students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning at two concerts.

ORCHESTRA

Students will choose and learn a string instrument.  They will learn the skills necessary to read and perform music effectively both as an individual and as a group. Fundamentals learned include:

• Proper posture and playing position

• Development of characteristic tone quality

• Music literacy. 

Students will have the opportunity to showcase their learning at two concerts.

GENERAL MUSIC

Students experience a broad spectrum of music and musical experiences in order to:

• Explore how music is organized, created and experienced.

• Develop an appreciation of music of different cultures.

• Expand their musical background through exposure to a variety of styles of music.

• Create their own music, respond and connect to other people’s musical creations.

Physical Education

Our primary goals as a department are

• to motivate students to achieve a healthy and active lifestyle;

• to introduce a variety of activities that will foster participation for a lifetime; and

• to foster teamwork, responsibility, and sportsmanship while having fun.

It is hoped that as a result of the middle school physical education experience, students will develop a positive attitude toward a lifetime of being physically active and understand and appreciate the importance of good sportsmanship. 

Activities include a number of team sports, individual sports, group/individual fitness, all while promoting proper social responsibilities. 

Health

Health education teaches about physical, mental, emotional and social health. It motivates students to improve and maintain their health, prevent disease, and reduce risky behaviors. Health education curricula and instruction help students learn skills they will use to make healthy choices throughout their lifetime.

In 6th grade health students will be introduced to nutrition, personal health, positive peer relationships, self-esteem, tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, and human sexuality.

Science
The integration of life, physical, and earth sciences with technology/engineering gives grade 6 students relevant and engaging opportunities with natural phenomena and design problems. This emphasizes the development of science and engineering practices, as well as crosscutting concepts. Students will study topics such as properties of materials, energy, waves, meteorology, ecology and technology/engineering. Students use models and provide evidence to make claims and explanations to develop a conceptual understanding of different STE domains.

Technology
The primary focus areas at this level are Introductory Technology Concepts &  Computer Programming Concepts.

In sixth grade World Geography and Ancient Civilization I, students will explore how geography impacts where and how people live across the globe. Areas of focus will include the purpose and importance of the different areas of study that make up the social sciences.  Students will learn about the evolution and development of “Early Man,” as well as the contributions and lasting impact of  major civilizations throughout Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. 

Exploratory Language (6th grade - Semester class)

Introduction to French (one term) and Introduction to Spanish (one term).

The focus of this course is to develop skills such as listening, speaking, reading and writing to communicate in the target language (French or Spanish). Students will be able to speak with their partners using learned phrases, questions and answers. There will also be a cultural component of the class as it is integral to learning another language. The goal of this class is to expose students to the language and culture of the French and Spanish speaking worlds.  This exposure will assist them in selecting a world language to study formally in both grade 7 and 8.