Grade 6 Curriculum

Grade 6 begins the Middle School years, a time of many transitions for students, intellectually, emotionally, physically, and socially. Building on the foundation created and strengthened in the earlier grades, the academic program requires students to take more responsibility for their learning. Skills such as note taking and time management become more important. During this time when students are becoming increasingly aware of the world beyond family and school, Grade 6 students are encouraged to see think critically and creatively about their place in and connections to their communities, country, and the wider world.

Each student has access to a Chromebook to use for the school year. Google Classroom is used to post class announcements; students also submit writing assignments through Google Classroom.

English Language Arts: The Grade 6 ELA program focuses on reading, investigating, comprehending, and writing about poetry, short stories, nonfiction literature, and plays, as well as developing vocabulary and mastery of grammar. Major works read include Holes, Bridge to Terabithia, Missing May, and Number the Stars. Students learn and cultivate research strategies and gain the ability to assess the validity of information. Using technology responsibly for communication and collaboration is emphasized.

Social Studies: Grade 6 uses TCI’s History Alive! curriculum, first introduced in Grade 5. Beginning with an “Essential Question”―a broad idea to be investigated―each TCI lesson incorporates graphic notetaking, groupwork, and step-by-step discovery. Different learning styles are used, allowing students of many abilities to learn and succeed.

Science: Students use the Pearson Interactive Science curriculum, a comprehensive program that supports project-based inquiry and hands-on learning, engages students, and encourages abstract thinking, problem solving with peers, information analysis, and thoughtful inquiry. Lessons incorporate Next Generation Science Standards, including Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and Science and Engineering Practices. Every chapter includes Interdisciplinary STEM activities and projects.

Grade 6 meets four days a week for science, in blocks of 45 minutes; one of those four blocks is designated for lab time. Biology is the topic for Grade 6 Science. Students study cells, DNA, heredity, evolution, and ecology. Highlights of the year include working with microscopes, extracting strawberry DNA, examining the traits in the classroom, and working on a biome project. In the spring, students use their knowledge of the scientific process to organize, conduct, and present a science experiment, shown at the annual science fair.

Mathematics: Saint Peter School uses the Saxon Math Program in all its math classes.  Saxon is known for its “incremental development.” Topics are introduced to students in spaced steps; the time between steps allows students to gain confidence at one level of a topic before proceeding to the next. In every lesson previously learned information is reviewed and practiced. Topics grow in complexity; they are not dropped, leading to systematic and sequential learning.

Spanish: Mrs. Patricia Carazo teaches Spanish to Grades K1 through 8 at Saint Peter School.  She focuses on not only the language but also the culture of Spain and Spanish-speaking countries.  Grade 6 meets with Mrs. Carazo for lessons three times a week.

Technology:  All grades visit the Hoff Technology Center once a week to access Library and Educational Technology resources.