6th Grade Course Descriptions

The sixth grade program is structured to ease the transition from elementary school to middle school. Each student is assigned to a team of two, three or four teachers. The schedule is flexible which allows teachers to develop programs that best fit the needs of students.

CORE COURSES:

English (Grade 6 Reading SOL Test)

At the sixth-grade level, students will demonstrate the ability to work with diverse teams working respectfully with others. Students will begin the study of word origins and continue vocabulary development. There is a continued emphasis on reading comprehension by comparing fiction and nonfiction texts. Students will plan, draft, revise, and edit writing in a variety of forms with an emphasis on narrative and reflective writing. Students will be expected to have greater control over the conventions of writing. Teachers will encourage the development of research skills that are foundational to effective critical thinking and responsible use of information.

Math 6 (Grade 6 Math SOL Test)    

The sixth-grade standards are a transition from the emphasis placed on whole number arithmetic in the elementary grades to foundations of algebra. The standards emphasize rational numbers. Students will use ratios to compare data sets; recognize decimals, fractions, and percent’s as ratios; solve single-step and multistep problems, using rational numbers; and gain a foundation in the understanding of integers. Students will solve linear equations and use algebraic terminology. Students will solve problems involving area, perimeter, and surface area, work with π (pi), and focus on the relationships among the properties of quadrilaterals. In addition, students will focus on applications of probability and statistics.

US History II
This course covers the history of the United States from the Reconstruction era to the present. Students will continue to learn fundamental concepts in civics, economics, and geography within the context of United States history. Political, economic, and social challenges facing the reunited nation after the Civil War will be examined as students develop an understanding of how the American experience shaped the political and economic landscape of the world. Students will complete local alternative assessments in lieu of an SOL test.

Science

The sixth grade standards continue to emphasize data analysis and experimentation. Methods are studied for testing the validity of predictions and conclusions. Scientific methodology, focusing on precision in stating hypotheses and defining dependent and independent variables, is strongly reinforced. The concept of change is explored through the study of transformations of energy and matter. The standards present an integrated focus on the role of the sun’s energy in the Earth’s systems, on water in the environment, on air and atmosphere, and on basic chemistry concepts. A more detailed understanding of the solar system and space exploration becomes a focus of instruction. Natural resource management, its relation to public policy, and cost/benefit tradeoffs in conservation policies are introduced.

Health and Physical Education

Students in grade six begin developing a sophisticated understanding of health issues and practicing health skills.  They apply health skills and strategies to improve and maintain personal and family health.  Students begin to understand adolescent health issues and the relationship between choices and consequences.  They learn how to be a positive role model and the impact of positive and negative peer pressure.  Injury prevention behaviors are demonstrated at school and elsewhere.  Students are resourceful and discriminating in accessing and critiquing health information.  Students in grade six also combine fundamental physical skills into more complex movement forms during modified game, dance, and recreational activities.  Cooperative and competitive small-group games are implemented with emphasis being on developing skills and tactical understanding.

ELECTIVE COURSES:

Keyboarding

Middle school students will learn to develop and enhance their touch skills for entering alphabetic, numeric, and symbol information on a keyboard.  Students compose and produce personal, educational, and professional documents.

Music

Sixth grade music exploratory is a course involving students in the development of music skills through singing, playing instruments, and listening to music.  The Vocal/Choral Standards of Learning require performance, creativity, and investigation at a fundamental level.  Students explore ways in which the content of the various disciplines, within and outside the arts, are interrelated with those of music. Wide varieties of activities are utilized to achieve the goal of music appreciation.

Band (Year Long)

Sixth Grade Band is a class for beginning band students. No previous musical training is required.  Instrument selection is made with the guidance of the band director.  Students will learn proper care of their instrument, basic positions, tone production, fingerings, and will count, read, and perform the beginning level of music being studied.  Music Standards of Learning provide the framework for students to learn ways in which the content of the separate disciplines within and outside the arts are interrelated with those of music.  The strands are integrated through a variety of classroom and performance activities.  Through individualized instruction and the provision of multiple educational opportunities, students will obtain valuable music skills and knowledge.

Introduction to Agri-science 6
Middle school students develop an awareness of the relationships between agriculture and science.  Major topics covered in the course include awareness of agriculture, the world of work, agribusiness careers, human relations, and scientific principles applied in agriculture.

Introduction to Technology

Students will be introduced to basic fundamentals of technology, including processes, energy, and information. Students will study the history of humans and their use of technology and the impact of technology on society and its resources. Students will explore the impact of technology to predict future decisions and possible consequences. Students will work together in groups in a project-based and hands-on learning environment to explore technology through introductory coding activities using robotics as well as basic technical design and construction projects.

Inventions & Innovations 6

This course is a STEM course designed to introduce students to various technological inventions and innovations. Students will examine the impact of technology on society and learn to solve problems through research, design, and experimentation. Students will work individually and in groups to investigate solutions to technological problems such as programming and game design.

Art

Sixth grade art students will implement the Virginia Standards of Learning to study the elements of art and associated vocabulary, skills, and techniques for creating art. Students will work with a variety of media to produce works of art meeting these requirements. The objectives for grade six emphasize exploration.  Using the elements of art and the principles of design as a framework, students investigate a variety of experiences and concepts. Students explore two-dimensional and three-dimensional art media using a variety of expressive and technical approaches.  Students begin to understand the factors that distinguish artistic styles that clarify the role of art in American culture.

Introduction to Foreign Cultures

This course focuses on the world of foreign language study.  Students will explore the richness of some of the world’s languages and begin to understand the diverse cultures associated with them.  The focus languages are Spanish, French, Italian, Latin, German, and Japanese. 

Computer Science Discoveries

A 9-week exploratory course designed to teach students the foundational concepts of programming using drag and drop blocks rather than a programming language. Students will create computer programs that will help them learn to collaborate with others, develop problem-solving skills, and persist through difficult tasks. Students will also study programming concepts, computational thinking, digital citizenship, and develop interactive games.

Leadership

This introductory course teaches students basic leadership skills. Course content includes overviews of leadership principles, officer training, parliamentary law, public speaking, effective communication, positive public relations skills, and techniques of organizing and conducting group meetings and activities. Students are encouraged to be active members of a community or school organization.