Sixth Grade

Reading: 

In the 6th grade language arts program, we focus on developing strong reading skills. Students will explore a variety of texts, from classic literature to contemporary works, to improve comprehension, critical thinking, and literary analysis. Our reading curriculum fosters a love for reading and equips students with the tools to examine and understand complex texts.

Writing: 

Our 6th graders dive into the world of writing, honing their abilities to express themselves effectively. Through engaging writing assignments, students learn to craft persuasive essays, descriptive narratives, and informative reports. They'll develop their voice, structure their writing, and refine their editing skills to create compelling compositions.

Grammar and Vocabulary: 

The language arts curriculum includes a dedicated focus on grammar and vocabulary. Students will strengthen their grasp of grammar rules, punctuation, and sentence structure. Additionally, vocabulary enrichment activities help expand their word knowledge, enhancing both reading comprehension and writing expression.

Speaking and Listening: 

Effective communication is crucial in the 6th-grade language arts program. We emphasize the development of strong speaking and listening skills. Students engage in class discussions, presentations, and debates to improve their ability to articulate ideas, actively listen, and engage in meaningful conversations.

Our 6th-grade language arts program is designed to provide a comprehensive foundation in reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and listening. It empowers students with the essential skills to excel academically and communicate effectively in a variety of environments.

Sixth grade math is a course designed to review and improve math skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with integers, fractions, decimals and ratios. Additional topics introduced include, but are not limited to algebra, proportions, percent, statistics, probability, geometry, spatial geometry, and displaying data. 

Students are grouped by ability into grade-level or accelerated classes. Students are placed into math classes based on standardized testing, previous class grades, and end and beginning of year placement test. This is done to ensure that all students are placed in a course in which they will master content and grow in confidence.   

Textbook: Big Ideas Series. 6th Graded Level (Advanced 1 – 10 Chapters), 6th Grade Advanced Pathway (Advanced 1 – 15 Chapters) 

The middle school earth science course begins with an overview of the NGSS strands including, but not limited to astronomy, meteorology, geology, oceanography, mapping, weather and erosion.  Students also learn how to implement the scientific method, use inquiry-based thinking and writing skills to complete coursework and labs.   

Textbook: Interactive Science Earth Science: Pearson Prentice Hall 

Sixth grade social studies incorporates project-based and simulation learning, as well as research, technology, writing, analysis, critical thinking, and presentation skills through learning about ancient cultures and world history. Units also include geography and current events. 

Textbook: Harcourt Ancient Civilizations 

Big Focus:

• What is Sacred Scripture?
• How is the Bible Different from Other Books?
• Early World of Genesis
• The Chosen People
• Exodus
• The Royal Kingdom, Exile and the Prophets
• Jesus and the New Testament

Fun Projects

• Bible Study
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Performance
• NET Retreat

Service Requirements

• 2 Hours per trimester
• 5 hours per trimester to receive the Margaret Mary Award
• For more details, please visit our Middle School Service Page

Curriculum:

• Spirit of Truth: Sacred Scripture
• Family Life Series

Please visit Spanish Page for details.

Please visit our P.E. Page for details.

Sixth graders are assigned a homeroom teacher and they meet as a class daily for 30 minutes. Following are some of the activities that take place during homeroom period.

PowerSchool Checks

Once a week, students conference individually with their homeroom teacher about their academic progress. They print their current grades and a list of any missing assignments and write a plan for turning them in. Students also come up with weekly goals and show that they have been writing all assignments and extra-curricular activities in their planner. 

Study Skills

In sixth grade, students organize their binders and lockers, learn how to advocate for themselves through role-playing and writing emails to their teachers. They also learn how to split and tackle long-term assignments and use a rubric effectively. Each trimester, students write overall SMART goals for themselves.  

Homework Jumpstart

Two days a week, students work on homework, class work, long-term projects, or read an Accelerated Reader book. 

Kindergarten Buddies

Sixth graders are paired with kindergarten students and each month, there is a buddy activity (reading, art project, etc.) during homeroom class.

• IslandWood Outdoor School on Bainbridge Island – Students spend four days/three nights learning hands-on about the environment, stewardship and teamwork.  
• Peacemaker Wax Museum (a cross-curricular project incorporating language arts, religion, and history) – sixth graders read an autobiography of a peacemaker, write a speech to memorize, and then present to the school community in first person while dressed in character.
• Students participate in a day-long NET (National Evangelization Team) Ministries retreat at Camp Sambica. 

Please visit our Electives Page for details.