SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM

 

In accordance with the Michigan Curriculum Framework Content

Standards and Benchmarks/Grade Level Content Expectations, sixth grade students will…

 

Reading:

 

·        Read to analyze author’s craft and voice in reading selections with a universal theme.

·        Use organizational and conceptual structures to read and analyze informational text.

·        Read novels and use a variety of strategies, including context clues, to determine the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary in context.

·        Read about, and discuss cultures represented in world literature.

·        Identify genre by analyzing the features of a written work.

·        Read and respond to American literature that represents the experiences and traditions of diverse ethnic groups.

·        Novels include, but are not limited to:  Brian’s Winter, Lupita Mana, and Treasure Island.

 

Writing:

 

·        Understand, develop, and apply a repertoire of effective strategies for planning, drafting, revising, and editing written text in a variety of forms, and for different purposes.

·        Identify and apply writing mechanics and style to construct and express ideas.

·        Create written responses and graphics to convey an understanding of themes.

·        Recognize and apply key elements of informational genres and expository structures to convey ideas in writing.

·        Organize the different parts of a research paper.

·        Correctly spell words independently in written work and correctly use content-related vocabulary words.

 

 

Speaking:

 

·        Give organized, properly sequenced and cohesive oral reports, using a visual aid.

  • Practice effective communication techniques and strategies with peers, teachers, parents, and in the community.

 

Listening:

 

·        Formulate questions which require a speaker to clarify meaning, analyze, and synthesize information.

·        Recognize and apply effective listening strategies.

·        Provide a summary of the ideas, opinions, and facts delivered by a speaker.

 

Research:

 

·        Recognize appropriate, accurate, and available resources for investigating specific questions or topics.

·        Determine which information is found in an atlas, thesaurus, almanac, index, bibliography, dictionary, timetable, and telephone directory.

 

 

Social Studies Strands studied:

 

 

·        Civics and Government (understand the democratic process, draw conclusions about different types of governments, describe key arguments on the necessity of

            government).

·        Cultural Perspective (recognize common factors among different cultures, compare different cultural groups).

·        World History (compare and contrast the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations, describe the rise and fall of the Mayan, Aztec, and Inca civilizations).

·        Economics (associate sales, expenses, and profits, analyze economic choices, associate a country with its economic resources).

·        Geography (apply various map scales, utilize a time zone map, apply the concepts of longitude and latitude, explain the characteristics of North America, Central America, South America, and Europe, use geographical terms

            correctly when presenting geographic information).

·        Historical Perspective (define civilization, interpret historical information presented on a graph or chart, understand that individuals, ideas, and/or events have influenced historical outcomes, evaluate how the acceleration of new scientific methods affected social, economic, and/or cultural life in different parts of the world from 1450 to 1750).

 

Mathematics Strands studied:

 

 

·        Algebraic Concepts (correctly use the rules for order of operations, develop and write equations based on word problems, use a given equation to develop a story problem, analyze which solution tool would best solve a problem: calculator, pencil and paper, or mental math).

·        Data Interpretation (identify properties and relationships from tables and graphs, construct graphs and charts, demonstrate the ability to interpret graphical forms of data by articulating the details, facts, and concepts presented in the forms).

·        Decimals (add, subtract, multiply, divide, and compare decimals, demonstrate a sense of place value by analyzing a decimal number with missing digits, compare decimals up to the ten-thousandths place).

·        Fractions (have an intuitive sense of fractions, the portions they represent, and how fractions are used to solve real-world problems, add, subtract, multiply, divide, and compare fractions, compare 2 equivalent fractions and equivalent and mixed fractions).

·        Geometry (apply geometric terms, communicate solutions to problems across the mathematics curriculum using the language of geometry where appropriate, develop spatial sense by speaking, writing, and using models and diagrams for geometric concepts.

·        Measurement (measure/estimate mass, capacity, area, volume, perimeter, and length using both metric and standard units, create scale drawings).

·        Numeration (estimate information involving whole numbers in the world, find patterns to determine solutions, use a variety of estimation strategies to check results, round whole numbers to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, and ten-thousand, create, use, discuss, and graph ordered pairs).

·        Percents (explain representation of percents less than 100, calculate the percent of a number).

·        Probability/Statistics (find the mean, mode, and median of data which is presented in a graphical form, discuss the difference between theoretical and real world probability).

·        Whole Numbers (solve multi-step story problems by determining when addition, subtraction, multiplication or division is required, set up a number sentence, find a solution, and use inverse operations to check the solution to ensure it is correct).

 

Science:

 

·        Earth and Space (understand the Earth’s history, understand the layers of the Earth, identify Earth’s sources of energy, understand how natural processes affect the Earth’s physical attributes, explain the consequences of natural phenomena, understand and apply causes of weathering, explain how human activities affect the Earth’s surface).

·        Life (understand the functions and structures of cells, understand the behavior and regulation of living things, explain the behavioral interactions of plants and animals within an ecosystem, explain the difference between a hybrid and purebred organism, identify and apply methods of good health for humans, explain the skeletal and muscular systems).

·        Analyze how Charles Darwin developed the theory of evolution, explain the factors that determine species, analyze fossils to provide evidence of organism changes over time, explain probability relative to the study of heredity.

·        Research and Inquiry (communicate scientific information, use laboratory equipment properly, exhibit the ability to conduct science inquiry, analyze scientific data to formulate a solution, produce and present a science fair project).

 

Spanish:

 

·        Understand predictable questions and commands.

·        Conjugate regular “ir” and “er” verbs in present tense and present participle.

·        Read and translate extended selections (two novellas, approximately 40 pages each).

·        Strive to verbalize using sequential sentences.

·        Integrate known vocabulary into simple sentences and short paragraphs.

 

Technology:

 

·        Demonstrate the proper care of technological systems and components.

·        Gather information about a given technological problem, develop possible solutions, and generate a best solution using multiple technologies.

·        Understand and practice ethical and legal standards for technologies.

·        Use Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Hyperstudio, Encarta, and Web browser to produce an informational report/product.

·        Use age appropriate vocabulary related to technology.

 

Music:

 

·        Sing independently with 85% or better accuracy in two-part singing.

·        Match pitch with 90% accuracy in unison singing.

·        Master identification of: half notes, quarter notes, eighth notes, quarter rests, whole notes, half rests, whole rests, eighth rests, sixteenth notes, sixteenth rests, and dotted notes/rests.

·        Master triple meter dictation.

·        Master writing rhythms with measures, bar lines, meter, and time signatures.

·        Identify different instruments by appearance and family associations.

 

Physical Education:

 

·        Meet standards on selected fitness activities that develop and maintain cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and endurance of large muscle groups, and flexibility of major joints.

·        Personally assess skill performance levels and use them appropriately in games, sports, and dance activities.

·        Demonstrate on a daily basis, good personal/social character traits at least 85% of the time.

·        Appreciate and respect the skill level of self and others.

·        Enjoy participating in physical activity.

 

Assessments:

 

Assessment includes, but is not limited to observations, quizzes, tests, rubrics, scoring guides, Scantron Performance Series computer assessment, STAR diagnostic assessment, and MEAP ELA, math and social studies.