OVERVIEW

OF THE 6TH GRADE CURRICULUM

LANGUAGE ARTS: READING

A. Comprehends non-fiction text Knows purpose for reading Develops summaries from multiple sources Determines main idea, supporting details and important concepts Engages in the study of vocabulary Determines text structures in content areas: sequence, cause and effect, problem/solution, compare and contrast, main idea/examples, question and answer Adjusts rate of reading determined by reading purpose Applies skimming and scanning skills Uses text features: font, illustrations, graphs, maps, charts, indexes, table of content, glossaries, print layout Reads fluently with expression, phrasing and attention to punctuation. Uses comprehension strategies in reading B. Comprehends fiction Understands the complexity of story elements Applies reading strategies connections, questioning, visualizing, inferring, interpretation of texts Determines literacy features mood, metaphor, dialogue, foreshadowing, flashbacks Engages in anthology reading and use of text book Decodes multi-syllable words; applies the use of new vocabulary words Reads fluently with expression, phrasing and attention to punctuation C. Demonstrates positive reading habits and attitudes Reads a variety of genre historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, classics, poetry, biography Keeps an accurate book log of reading Journals and writes literary letters in the Readers Notebook. Engages in book talks, reading workshop Keeps reading as a high priority

LANGUAGE ARTS: WRITING

A. Engages in the writing process. Prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing pieces of writing Demonstrates the ability to develop main idea and supportive details using multiple sources Organizes and connects ideas in a plan Demonstrates voice through rich vocabulary Transfers spelling, punctuation, capitalization and correct grammar to writing Applies capitalization skills: proper nouns, adjectives, titles, place names, abbreviations, letter formats, outline form, direct quotations, bibliographic form Applies punctuation skills: periods, question marks, exclamation point, commas, apostrophes, quotation marks, colon, semi-colon, hyphen, parentheses, ellipses Applies paragraph skills: indentation, thesis statement, leads, examples, details, summaries, synthesis, conclusion Applies grammar skills: subject/verb agreement, compound/complex sentences, action verbs, descriptive adjectives B. Writes in a variety of genre Uses journals/learning logs to explore ideas in literature, social studies, science and math Gathers and organizes information to write a report responding to an issue, taking a pro and con position (persuasive genre) Writes in four genre (narrative, descriptive, expository, persuasive) using writing rubrics Reflects on the characteristics of the various genre Completes a writing log C. Responds to an on-demand writing prompt D. Spelling Spells weekly words correctly Shows interest in challenge words Transfers spelling to writing

LANGUAGE ARTS: SPEAKING/LISTENING

A. Expresses ideas clearly and effectively Exhibits confidence when speaking Prepares presentations Organizes and plans appropriately Varies loudness, pacing of speech, correct pronunciation B. Engages actively in class discussions Listens and responds appropriately Demonstrates understanding of others points of view Reflects on own speaking and listening

MATHEMATICS

The sixth grade mathematics program features the following content and skills, based on the six goals of Everyday Mathematics. Number and Numeration Recognizing place value in whole numbers and decimals; using exponential and scientific notation; finding factors and multiples; converting between fractions, decimals and percents; ordering positive and negative numbers. Operations and Computation Solving problems involving whole numbers, fractions, decimals and positive and negative numbers; applying properties of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Data and Chance Collecting, organizing, displaying and analyzing data; identifying and comparing landmarks of data sets (mean, median, mode and range); using probability to represent and predict outcomes and analyze chance.

Measurement and Reference Frames Measuring using metric and U.S. customary units; using formulas to calculate area, circumference and volume; naming and plotting points on a coordinate grid. Geometry Measuring and drawing angles; understanding properties of angles; indentifying and modeling similar and congruent figures; constructing figures with a compass and straightedge; drawing to scale; exploring transformations of geometric shapes; experimenting with modern geometric ideas. Patterns, Functions, and Algebra Creating and extending numerical patterns; representing and analyzing function; manipulating algebraic expressions; solving equations and inequalities; working with Venn diagrams; applying algebraic properties; working with ratios and proportions.

SOCIAL STUDIES
A. Geography Unit

Map of the world, using an atlas, basic map and globe skills, reading different types of maps, locating major features on a world map Intro to democracy, foundations of government, U.S. Constitution, rights and responsibilities, federal government, three branches of government, state and local governments Citizenship and the family, school and community; citizenship and the law

B. Government Unit

C. Citizenship Unit

D. American Economy Unit

SCIENCE

Junior Achievement Biztown, the economic system, goods and services, personal finances, career choices

A. Uses proper measuring practices for length, volume, mass, temperature B. Recognizes differences between observations and assumptions C. Collects, records and organizes data D. Uses observations to build ideas and conclusions E. Manages and controls variables F. Practices safety in the science lab

E. The United States and the World Unit

Foreign policy, working for peace, the United Nations, living in a world economy

G. Astronomy Stars, constellations, planets, moons, meteors, zodiac H. DNA: Genes to Proteins Models, traits/characteristics, genetic code, heredity I. Optics Light, reflection, refraction, lenses, mirrors, images, human eye Chemical Interactions Atoms, molecules, chemical reactions, periodic table

J.

K. Wetlands & Lakes Characteristics, animals, plants, food webs, impact of man L. Food and Nutrition Food pyramid, food groups, food labels, wellness, diets, advertising M. Human Growth & Development Adolescence, body changes, reproduction, abstinence

FOREIGN LANGUAGE (FLES)

A. Respect: Respectful towards others. Is respectful to other students and to the teacher. Follows the expectations set forth by the teacher. B. Responsibility: Participates in a positive and appropriate manner. Has a positive attitude regarding Spanish class and is willing to participate appropriately in all activities. C. Citizenship: Actively participates in class discussions. Speaks and contributes to the class when applicable. D. Is able to produce the language independently, without teacher prompt. Can use Spanish words without prompting or clues from the Spanish teacher.

The following descriptors are used in the pupil progress reports for the learner behaviors.
Meets Expectations this trimester (Meets) Consistently demonstrates proficiency and mastery of this criterion Works independently and needs minimal assistance Works thoroughly and accurately with minimal errors Exhibits in-depth understanding Makes connections to other concepts and skills Progresses Towards Expectations this trimester (Prog) Demonstrates steady growth towards proficiency and mastery of this criterion Needs some assistance and guidance Works towards completing work thoroughly and accurately Exhibits partial understanding of concepts and skills Connects some skills and concepts Needs Reinforcement this trimester (Needs) Demonstrates minimal growth towards proficiency and mastery of this criterion Needs significant assistance and guidance Needs additional attention in completing work thoroughly and accurately Exhibits repeated misunderstandings of concepts and skills Needs to make connections to concepts and skills Not Applicable This Trimester (N/A) This concept, skill or content area is not addressed during this trimester

Identifies and uses appropriate vocabulary when preparing for a trip in Spanish. Knows when to use specific trip vocabulary taught by the teacher when preparing for a trip such as clothes to pack in a suitcase and airport specific vocabulary (baggage claim, airport, airplane, etc.) Comprehends and discusses a familiar text in Spanish. Understands and discusses a text used in class with other students. Converses with another student in Spanish. Can speak with another student using words and phrases that the teacher has taught and the students have practiced. Identifies works by Spanish-speaking artists. Is able to identify works of art or music created by Spanish-speaking artists. Identifies important tourist attractions of Spanishspeaking cultures. Is able to identify important tourist attractions taught by the teacher from Spanish-speaking cultures. Labels the geographical features of Latin America on a map in Spanish. Is able to label landforms learned in class on a map of Latin America. Describes Latin American countries in Spanish. Is able to describe the people, flag, money, etc., of Latin American countries. Writes a friendly letter in Spanish. Is able to write a basic letter in Spanish.

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