Grade 6

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Language Arts & Literature Hide

TEXT BOOKS

Write Source 2000 Sourcebook, Warriner’s English Composition & Grammar, Julie of the Wolves A Wrinkle in Time, The Giver, Stargirl, The Egypt Game, selected Greek & Roman and World Myths, Historical fiction and non-fiction.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Refine language skills through writing, reading, speaking and listening.
• Develop written expression, fluency and mechanical writing skills conventions.
• Follow the Writer’s Workshop format of pre-writing, writing, revision and publication.
• Compile a final portfolio of first drafts and published pieces showing the student’s growth throughout the year as a writer.
• Read, write, and discuss the elements of fiction, Historical fiction, and myths.
• Analyze and discuss character and plot development.
• Identify major themes and conflicts in works of fiction.
• Be exposed to a variety of study skills and organizational techniques.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Activities to promote self-motivated, life-long readers and writers.
• Strategies to develop effective listening and speaking skills.
• Reading comprehension, literary response and analysis skills.
• Narrative, expository, persuasive and descriptive paragraph writing skills.
• Expanding and refining vocabulary, spelling and grammar skills.

GRADING POLICY

Grading will be based on a cumulative point system. Every assignment will have a point value that reflects the effort required to complete it successfully. Quarter grades will be calculated into numerical and letter grades by dividing the number of points earned by the total number of points possible in a specific grading period.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is a part of each student’s grade and should be completed thoroughly and promptly. Sixth grade expectations include 1 – 1.5 hours of homework each night. Students who are missing an assignment will receive a homework slip that is to be taken home and signed by a parent. After three missing or late assignments, an academic memo will be issued.

Mathematics Hide

TEXTBOOKS

CPM Foundations for Algebra

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Use various problem solving strategies to analyze problems and formulate appropriate strategies.
• Express, interpret and graph functions.
• Use variables to represent relations from tables, graphs, and geometric diagrams.
• Solve linear and quadratic equations and systems of linear equations.
• Use ration, proportion, and direct variation from numerical, geometric, and algebraic perspectives.
• Use the distributive property and order of operations to reorganize algebraic expressions into more useful forms.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Algebra
• Graphing
• Geometry
• Probability and statistics

GRADING POLICY

Grades will be composed of classwork, projects, quizzes, tests, the completion of homework, group cooperation, and overall participation. Tests will be given at the end of a unit and quizzes will be given throughout a unit. Students will continually be asked to evaluate and organize their own work and be assessed on their corrections and effort.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework will consist of review and application of what we have covered in class. Class notes and the textbooks are good references for extra help. Students should allot at least 20 minutes per night for homework. Late work will result in a lower grade on the individual assignment.

Social Studies Hide

TEXTBOOKS

A Message of Ancient Days, The Ancient World, and History Alive by Teacher's Curriculum Institute.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Investigate the influences of physical geography on the development of ancient cultures.
• Critically assess the reliability of sources and differentiate between fact, opinion and reasoned judgment.
• Recognize the role of archaeology in piecing together historical knowledge.
• Examine primary and secondary sources to explore similarities and differences between past cultures.
• Analyze how certain societies rose to dominance and why they fell.
• Discuss how interpretations of history change as new information is uncovered.
• Identify enduring contributions from various ancient civilizations.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Prehistoric civilization through the rise of the Roman Empire including Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Ancient India, Ancient Greece and the Roman Republic.
• Influence of physical geography over the manner in which societies develop.
• Assessing and utilizing primary and secondary sources.
• Note taking skills, essay writing, conducting research, and preparing presentations.

GRADING POLICY

Grading will be based on a cumulative point system. Every assignment has a point value that reflects the effort required to complete it successfully. Quarter grades will be calculated into numerical and letter grades by dividing the number of points earned by the total number of points possible in a specific grading period.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is a part of each student’s grade and should be completed thoroughly and promptly. Sixth grade expectations include 1 – 1.5 hours of homework each night. Students who are missing an assignment will receive a homework slip that is to be taken home and signed by a parent. After three missing or late assignments, an academic memo will be issued.

Science Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Science Explorer – Earth Science

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Demonstrate active participation in school-wide recycling efforts.
• Use computers for research, Power Point, and Hyperstudio projects.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• History of Life on Earth (geologic time scale, fossils, evolution).
• Landforms (history, plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes).
• Environmental Issues (global warming, recycling, waste).
• Earth’s Waters.
• Weather and Climate (atmosphere, air pressure, predictions).
• Solar System (origin of universe, planets, sun, asteroids, and stars).

GRADING POLICY

Grades will be composed of class work, interactive journals, projects, quizzes, tests, completion of homework, group observations and cooperation. A test will be given at the end of a unit and quizzes will be given throughout each unit to assess understanding of concepts and class participation.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework includes chapter readings, Section Review write-ups, preparing for quizzes and tests. Students are required to keep all assignments organized and corrected in a science journal. Late work will result in a lower grade on the individual assignment.

International Languages Hide

LATIN

TEXTBOOK: Cambridge Latin Course Unit 1 textbook and workbook.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Identify the basic grammatical units of a sentence in English and Latin.
• Parse a sentence in English and Latin.
• Learn English words derived from Latin roots.
• Develop reading comprehension through extended Latin passages.
• Develop a strong working Latin vocabulary.
• Learn Roman customs through stories about a real Roman family from Pompeii.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Sense of grammar as a practical tool for both English and Latin.
• Achieve a level of comfort in the use of grammar and its terminology.
• Expand English vocabulary through Latin root words.
• Basic understanding of the history and culture of the Roman people.
• Translate historical understanding into a research report.
• Creation of the Roman Market.

GRADING POLICY

Homework = 35%, Tests = 25%, Quizzes = 25%, Projects = 10%, and Participation = 5%.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework will be assigned on an average of twice per week. Written homework will not be given over weekends with the exception of studying for tests and working on long-term projects. Students are encouraged to review grammar and vocabulary on their own each day for 10 minutes.

FRENCH

TEXTBOOKS

French is Fun.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Study very simple grammar for application in oral and written expression.
• Expand basic French vocabulary through thematic units and readings.
• Enhance oral expression through conversation, dialogues, skits and games.
• Supplement academic study with cultural exploration of Francophone countries.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Body Parts.
• Days, months, seasons, and horoscopes.
• Weather expressions irregular verb faire and expressions with faire.
• Verbs new regular -ir verbs and review regular -er vebs.
• Places to go and forms of transport irregular verb aller, contractions of à and de.
• Food, numbers (1-100), and review prepositions of place and family members.
• Possessive adjectives, new descriptive adjectives, and demonstrative adjectives.
• Review irregular verbs tre and avoir and expressions with avoir.
• Inversion and question words.
• Forming Futur Proche
• Sports vocabulary and clothes vocabulary.

GRADING POLICY

Class participation, self-motivation, attention and preparation are all taken into consideration for assessment. Quizzes and tests are averaged quarterly.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Fifteen minutes a night (weeknights only) to review drill vocabulary or complete a specific written assignment. Written assignments are usually a reinforcement of material introduced in class that day. Homework should be completed and submitted on time in order to receive credit.

SPANISH

TEXTBOOKS

¡ Ya Verás!

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Master new grammatical structures presented in this course.
• Build upon previously learned material through review and repetition.
• Increase vocabulary through thematic units.
• Gain confidence in speaking through dialogues and skits.
• Actively participate in daily oral/aural drills.
• Compose grammatically correct sentences through short writing assignments.
• Actively participate in class in the target language.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Basic -AR, -ER, and -IR verb conjugations,
• Reflexive verbs, and daily routines.
• Irregular verbs in the present tense, stem-changing verbs.
• Uses of Ser, Estar, Tener, and Gustar.
• Direct Object Pronouns, personal "a".
• Verb phrases and expressions.
• Inversions, questions, forming negatives.
• Weather.

GRADING POLICY

Class participation, self-motivation, attention and preparation are all taken into consideration for assessment. Quizzes and tests, both written and oral, are averaged quarterly. There is no semester exam.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework assignments are given to reinforce new concepts and to practice previously learned information. Students are expected to "study" Spanish for at least 15 minutes every night. This may include reviewing and practicing vocabulary and grammar concepts.

Religion Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Written on our Hearts: The Old Testament Story of God's Love
Catholic Youth Bible New Revised Standard Version

OBJECTIVE

The student will:

• Engage the biblical text through the lens of God’s relationship with humankind
• Identify the historical and moral significance of the biblical narratives
• Reflect upon the contemporary moral application of the biblical narratives
• Explore biblical and contemporary images of God
• Describe God’s summons for Israel to be a light for the nations and apply to her life

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• The ongoing revelation of a good God
• Themes of relationship: Chaos and Cosmos (relational reality), Image of God (relational community), Justice and Peace (right relationship), Sabbath Rest (enabling relationship), Sin (broken relationship), and Covenant (relational model)
• The call for right-relationship with God, others, and the world around us

The subject will be engaged through PowerPoint presentations, film clips dramatic and humorous enactments, various expressions of art and music, writing and interactive dialogue.

GRADING POLICY

40% Homework
25% Quizzes/Tests
20% Portfolio
15% Participation

HOMEWORK POLICY

Homework is assigned weekly and students will have approximately one week to complete an assignment. Student can anticipate spending about 1 – 1.5 hours per week on assignments.

Studio Art & Drama Hide

ART

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this course.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Enhance their self-confidence, self-expression and divergent thinking.
• Develop the senses in discerning aesthetics.
• Learn the language of art and understanding artists and their work.
• Use art tools and materials competently and safely.
• Experience the personal satisfaction of creating art.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Develop painting and drawing techniques.
• Organize and depict ideas, feelings and moods.
• Demonstrate ability to model using clay, plaster and papier-mâché.
• Learn to make prints using built up or carved surfaces.
• Recognize work produced by an individual artist.
• Identify artwork of the same style from a group of artworks.
• Produce graphic symbols, signs, and posters using design elements and principles.
• Recognize the role of the artist in the community.

GRADING POLICY

Grades will reflect personal effort and creative energy demonstrated in class and the student's ability to be self-directed in a less structured environment. Active participation and the completion of class projects will determine the final grade.

HOMEWORK POLICY

No homework is assigned. Class time is generally sufficient for the completion of projects. Occasionally students may to finish a project at home or after school.

DRAMA

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this course.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Learn new ways to express emotions and character through movement.
• Gain insight and exposure to the history of theater.
• Learn the rehearsal and performance process.
• Learn new ways of expression including improvisation and pantomime.
• Focus on the give and take process of collaboration.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Individual and collaborative projects.
• Working with freedom of expression and development of movement.
• Attention to the rehearsal and performance process.
• Theater history.

GRADING POLICY

Grades will reflect personal effort and creative energy demonstrated in class. Active participation, performance on class projects, continued progress, and attentiveness in class will determine the final grade.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Very little homework is assigned. Some research work may be required but class time is generally used for the completion of projects. Occasionally, students may be required to attend outside performances.

Music Hide

TEXTBOOKS

Choral Octavos are used in this class.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Participate actively in solo, unison and part-singing.
• Develop breath control for effective vocal phrasing.
• Clap, snap, and move to the beat.
• Read and write music notation.
• Accumulate a repertoire of songs.
• Exercise for range, pitch, and volume.
• Deepen musicality and expression, as well as sense of style.
• Improvise and compose.
• Perform for classmates or the student body.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Continue practice of skills in theory and ear training learned in previous grades.
• Active participation in singing a variety of musical forms and styles.
• Prep for more advanced choral groups.
• Emphasis on both part-singing and solo singing.
• Presentation of canons, descants, and folk songs.
• Introduction to spirituals, classical and sacred pieces.
• Students will study the Beethoven Violin Concerto, works by Schubert and Prokofiev, and Mozart's Magic Flute.
• Recorder ensemble playing.

GRADING POLICY

Grades are based on participation, behavior and a report on a composer presented to the class.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Little or no homework is given.

Physical Education Hide

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this course.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Develop an interest in movement skills essential to lifelong physical activity.
• Participate in a variety of games with rules and activity skills.
• Define and maintain individual physical fitness and wellness.
• Develop motor skills through exploration, practice and analysis of movement.
• Develop appropriate social behaviors during planned physical activity.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of a positive self-image.
• Set realistic personal goals for individual physical performance.
• Create satisfying and successful experiences for all students.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Sports and team games including volleyball, court soccer, and basketball.
• New and cooperative games.
• The Presidential Physical Fitness program.
• Stunts, tumbling, balance beam, floor exercise, vaulting, uneven parallel bars.
• Creative dance and square dance.
• Hoops for Heart with Stuart Hall for Boys.

GRADING POLICY

Students must come to class dressed in the appropriate uniform which includes navy shorts, red P.E. shirts (purchase at school store), tennis shoes and a CES sweatshirt for cold weather. Evaluations are based on participation in class, sportsmanship and positive attitude, effort, understanding of rules and activities, physical fitness test skills, fitness improvement, preparation, listening, and following directions.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Students are encouraged to exercise daily and complete a health assignment. If a student is not able to participate in P.E. she must bring a note from a parent. If she is going to miss more than one week of P.E. she must have a note from a doctor.

Computer Studies Hide

TEXTBOOKS

There are no required textbooks for this course.

OBJECTIVE

The students will:

• Develop word processing and keyboarding skills.
• Learn to use application software for curriculum area projects.
• Evaluate Internet web sites for Social Studies informational content.
• Produce creative writing to publication standards.
• Type and edit their work.
• Have assignments typed and printed on time.
• Use spell check regularly.
• Follow instructions for typed work (fonts, size, layout).
• Save all written work electronically, and as paper copy.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

• Powerpoint and Graphing Programs.
• Word processing and desktop publication.
• Web site research and evaluation.
• Keyboarding, skills and math practice programs.

GRADING POLICY

Grades are not given for computer work, but projects. Students earn grades within core curriculum areas. Effort and attentiveness in the computer lab, attention to accuracy of word processing, and application use will be taken into account.

HOMEWORK POLICY

Students are expected to continue keyboarding practice (Alphasmart keyboards are available) and complete assignments not finished during computer lab class. They will need to schedule independent computer lab time outside class hours. Some typing can be continued on a home computer.