Sixth Grade Curriculum
Religion: We utilize the Concordia Publishing House Series One In Christ. The sixth grade series emphasizes Bible literacy and discipleship, along with a chronological Bible survey consisting of one hundred Bible stories. Confirmation preparation begins in sixth grade and is taught by Zion’s Director of Discipleship. They focus on learning Bible stories. We also have weekly memory work which includes a variety of Bible passages.
Mathematics: We use Big Ideas Math: Modeling Real Life. The course is set up to provide resources that students need to be successful with strategies designed to meet every student’s needs, prepare students for testing, and motivate students by using technology in each lesson. The chapters include the following: numerical expressions and factors, fractions and decimals, ratios and rates, percent’s, algebraic expressions and properties, equations, area, surface area and volume, integers, number lines and the coordinate plane, statistical measures, and data displays.
English: We use Glencoe Writer’s Choice: Grammar and Composition. Sixth graders apply writing and grammar skills including parts of speech, sentence types, capitalization, punctuation, speaking, and listening. Students recognize and use simple, complex, and compound sentences, and standard editing symbols. We use a pattern of alternating grammar units with writing units to build on skills as students learn them.
Spelling and Vocabulary: Spelling words are taken from the stories taken out of the Literature series Collections and novels that are read in class. In google classroom, students weekly define twenty specific words and use them in a sentence that matches how the word was used in the given story. Students take weekly Spelling tests.
Literature: We use Houghton Mifflin Harcourt: Collections. Sixth graders demonstrate competence in the general skill and strategies of the reading process by applying these skills and strategies to the reading of stories, excerpts of autobiographies and poems. Students read, analyze, evaluate and respond to literature examples in one of six themes: Facing Fear, Animal Intelligence, Dealing with Disaster, Making Your Voice Heard, Decisions That Matter, and What Tales Tell.
Science: In sixth grade Science, we use Kesler Science digital curriculum for Earth and Space Science. We focus on three main categories. First, we study Earth and the physical features on it. Topics include: Earth surface and changes that take place on it, the history of planet Earth (Genesis), minerals and rocks, movement and natural disasters on Earth. Second, we study Space Science. Topics include: the basics of the universe and stars, our solar system, the relationship between the Earth, Sun, and Moon, the EM spectrum and exploring space. Third, we study water and its systems on Earth. Topics include: the properties of water and its cycles, oceans, the atmosphere, and weather and climate.
Social Studies: In sixth grade, we use World History: Great Civilizations from National Geographic/Cengage. Sixth graders study the earliest civilizations with an emphasis on early Biblical history. They study how people of the world vary from one region to another. From the discovery of ancient objects we learn how cultures have changed over time. Students will study a wide range of civilizations and learn commonalities between them. There is a large emphasis on studying culture and where culture comes from as well. Early civilizations in all parts of the world are covered, and students end the year with the Renaissance, Reformation, and Age of Exploration.
Spanish: Students use Duolingo to guide them through learning the Spanish language. There are many different topics and levels available to them. They also get to use Blookets to help them learn Spanish vocabulary. Students also have access to education espanola from Northern Arizona University.
Art: Sixth graders have art instruction once a week. The focus of the art program is to teach students about the elements of art (line, shape, form, color, texture, composition, and perspective) and to foster creativity. We use an art curriculum called Arts Attack through which students learn an appreciation of art regardless of their artistic ability.
Music: Students have three choices for their middle school music class. They can choose to do 2 or 3 of them. The choices are below.
Choir: Students sing in parts and as a whole. They learn a wide variety of songs and hymns, and join in Zion Lutheran Church Sunday worship services.
Music Class: We use Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements Music Class Curriculum. Our music curriculum focuses on grade leveled music concepts, standards, and SEL competencies. Each lesson has supporting songs and resources delivered in a flexible and adaptable format.
Band: Band students have a small group class with the band director for 20 minutes a week, and a large group band time with all of the 6-8th graders in band for 40 minutes a week.
Physical Education: Sixth graders have Physical Education twice a week. Students continue to refine basic skills, participate in individual and team sports and describe strategies and rule concepts. Christian sportsmanship and lifelong fitness is always emphasized. Sixth graders are eligible to participate in after school athletics in cross country, volleyball (boys and girls), basketball (boys and girls), and track.
Computer: Sixth graders have computer class twice a week. Areas of study include: advanced computer terminology, digital citizenship, Google Apps for Education, programming with Lego Mindstorm EV3 Robots, and Google CS First coding with Scratch.
Cultural Experiences: Sixth graders go on a variety of field trips including Outdoor Education at Camp Wartburg. They also attend special performances at Metro-East Lutheran High School. We take field trips throughout the year, including a field trip to Springfield, IL, to visit various Lincoln sites and a trip to St. Louis to visit different attractions.