Sixth Grade

Language Arts

Students will apply skills they have acquired in the earlier grades to read and interpret more challenging texts. Independently and within group settings, students will read a variety of texts including fiction, non-fiction and poetry. They will also learn to respond to these texts in a variety of ways, including written and verbal methods. Students will use writing to entertain, inform, describe and persuade. They will plan, draft, revise, edit and publish narrative and expository writing.

Goals for writing include skillfully crafting 5-6 paragraph essays with 500+ words. Students will learn how to recognize and understand an author’s purpose by examining the content and development, the organization, and the quality of voice in their own writing and in the writings of others.

Mathematics

Students will focus on understanding the Common Core Mathematical Standards:

  • Ratios and Proportional Relationships — Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.
  • The Number System — Use previous knowledge to divide with fractions, multiply and divide multi-digit numbers and find common factors and multiples.
  • Expressions and Equations — Apply and extend previous understandings of arithmetic to algebraic expressions and solve one-variable equations and inequalities.
  • Geometry — Solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area and volume.
  • Statistics and Probability — Develop understanding of statistical variability and be able to summarize and describe distributions.

Social Studies

Students will engage in rigorous, intellectual work that encourages historical thinking skills, inquiry, depth and relevance. Students develop their understanding of historical and geographical concepts. Throughout the year, the focus is reading, writing, researching and thinking using the methodology of the historian. Our social studies textbooks are aligned with the Common Core Standards to ensure all students are college and career ready. Students investigate the history, culture, and geography of various civilizations including those in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Mesoamerica, Africa, China, India, and the Mediterranean.

Science

The Earth Science course provides students an overview of meteorology, geology, astronomy, oceanography, resources, and the human impact on the Earth.

Faith Formation

Students learn about the covenant God gave his Chosen People, the Israelites. Students learn about the fulfillment of the covenant in Jesus and his Church.

Music

In Advanced Band, students take great strides toward mastery of their instruments. A reliable practice ethic is required for the entertaining yet challenging musical repertoire that ranges from pop music, Disney tunes to classical great works. Sixth grade musicians’ dedication also prepares them for next year’s various high performing ensembles. As they begin their initial steps toward leadership roles, students begin to arrange and compose music.

Art

Sixth graders create increasingly complex original works reflecting personal choices and increased technical skill. Artists master the elements of art, continue exploring observational and perspective drawing, employ varying tints, shades and intensities while painting, utilize technology in their artmaking, and learn to express mood, feelings, themes and ideas. Artists analyze how art reflects changing times, traditions, resources and cultural uses.

Physical Education

We want for every Valiant to know instinctively that exercise and fitness is a necessary and vital component to their lives. Our physical fitness program challenges our students and teachers. Twice a week, the whole school spreads out for exercise; everyone participates in activities ranging from kickball, running, off-campus walking, hacky sack, break dancing, volleyball, salsa dancing or yoga.