6th grade

Our English Language Arts Curriculum in sixth grade uses thematic units:

• "Facing Fear" – Through stories, poetry and scientific articles, students explore how people experience fear and how fear affects the brain and the body.

• "Dealing with Disaster" – From reading about Hurricane Katrina to the sinking of the Titanic, students discover how people react in the face of disaster. This unit includes articles, short stories and poems related to disasters.

• "Making Your Voice Heard" – Students explore the many ways people express their ideas – and themselves. They read short stories, poetry and editorials.

In addition, sixth graders read the novel Tangerine. They may read additional novels in literature groups. Students are also taught how to write a personal narrative, literary essay and research-based informational writing using the Units of Study.

The math program that serves as the foundation for the middle school math experience is Core Connections, published by College Preparatory Mathematics.

CPM (College Preparatory Mathematics) teaching strategies focus on how students best learn and retain mathematics. Teaching strategies rely on the recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and are based solidly on the methodological research in teaching mathematics. The research-based principles that guide the course are:

• Students should engage in problem-based lessons structured around a core idea.

• Guided by a knowledgeable teacher, students interact in groups to foster mathematical discourse.

• Practice with concepts and procedures should be spaced over time; that is, mastery comes over time.

Curious to learn more? https://cpm.org/parent-support

The sixth grade curriculum focuses on Earth and Space sciences. The curriculum includes topics related to the Earth, Moon, Sun System, the Solar System, the geologic history of Earth, Earth materials, systems and natural hazards. Students will also explore the role of water on the Earth’s surface, weather and climate, natural resources and human impact on Earth’s systems. The STEMScopes curriculum is designed to engage students to think and question critically, the world around them.

In 6th grade, students study Minnesota history and its government, placing the state and its people within the context of the national story. They engage in historical inquiry and study events, issues and individuals significant to Minnesota history, beginning with the early indigenous people of the upper Mississippi River region to the present day.