Grade 6 Course Descriptions

SIXTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS

Sixth grade language arts focuses on literature, composition, grammar concepts, vocabulary study, and research skills. Much of the
literature studied is integrated with the content of the social studies program. Students use writing, vocabulary and research skills to study in science, math and social studies; grammar skills are reinforced through the literature.

Literature

Students will read and discuss a variety of literary pieces throughout the course of the year including novels, poetry, and selections from their literature anthology

Reading skills: setting a purpose for reading, skimming, scanning, distinguishing fact and opinion, activating prior knowledge, visualizing, responding, interpreting, and drawing conclusions.

Literary elements: narrator, point of view, chronological order, tone, bias, argument, mood, poetic devices, dialogue, conflict, plot, characterization, clarifying, comparing, contrasting, identifying main idea and supporting details.

Additionally, students will complete monthly book reports.

In addition to assigned summer reading, students will read the following during the school year:

Classroom Reading
The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee StewartInkheart,
Inkheart, by Cornelia Funke
The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo
The Lightning Thief, by Rich Riordan

Middle Ages Novel Study (students will select one)
Catherine Called Birdy, by Karen Cushman
Crispin: Cross of Lead, by Avi
The Door in the Wall, by Marguerite De Angeli
Girl in a Cage, by Jane Yolen
The Legend of Lady Ilena, by Patricia Malone
Matilda Bone, by Karen Cushman

Vocabulary

Students will work with the WordWeb Vocabulary series -- a prefix, suffix, and root based vocabulary program. They will understand the meaning of each prefix, suffix, and root word and how to use it effectively in the English language.

Speech/Communication

Students will deliver speeches/presentations on a regular basis. At a minimum, they will present five book report presentations.

Students will create a presentation from one of the following categories: myth, legend, folktale, fable, or fairytale to present to our younger students.

Students will create and present a PowerPoint presentation based on an assigned area of research.

Students will participate in debates as well as share writing and other assignments with their class.

Students will perform scenes from the screenplay Cheaper by the Dozen based on the book by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey.

Forensics is available as an extracurricular activity for interested students.

The Writing Process

Students will write on a daily basis throughout the year. The primary focus is on how to effectively write the classic five-paragraph essay using the power writing technique supported by 6+1 Writing Traits. In addition, students will submit a myth, legend or folktale, advertisement, compilation of poetry, and in-class writing.

Students will actively use the writing process: Prewriting, Drafting, Revision, Editing, and Final Copy.

Students will engage in learning and using the 6+1 Writing Traits: Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Conventions, and Presentation.

Research

Students will undertake a collaborative language arts and social studies research project based on a specific area of study in social studies (this varies from year to year). The research focuses primarily on one particular area of influence such as music, art, dance, medicine, science, etc. They will give an oral presentation complete with sources, note cards, outlines, MLA citations, and a works cited page.

SIXTH GRADE MATHEMATICS

Middle School mathematics begins the preparation to more advanced mathematics, such as algebra and geometry, while reinforcing general arithmetic skills. Mathematical modeling, the use of manipulatives, and real life problems allow students to understand the increasingly abstract concepts presented.

Areas of Study – Regular Program
Whole Numbers and Patterns
Introduction to Algebra
Decimals
Number Theory and Fractions
Fraction Operations
Collecting and Displaying Data
Proportional Relationships
Geometric Relationships
Measurement and Geometry
Measurement: Area and Volume
Integers, Graphs and Functions
Probability

Areas of Study – Honors Program
Algebraic Reasoning
Integers and Rational Numbers
Applying Rational Numbers
Patterns and Functions
Proportional Relationships
Percents
Collecting, Displaying and Analyzing Data
Geometric Figures and Transformations
Measurement: Two-Dimensional Figures
Measurement: Three-Dimensional Figures
Probability

Areas of Study – Advanced Program
This is a program designed for students with exceptional mathematical skill. We tailor this course to meet their unique learning style. While the program follows the traditional mathematical sequence (pre-algebra to algebra to geometry), teachers make modifications as warranted.

SIXTH GRADE SCIENCE (BIOLOGY)

The sixth grade science course is an inquiry, discovery based program. Using the scientific method, students learn to problem solve, relate concepts, make observations, draw conclusions, and interpret data.

Students will understand classification, ecological concepts, and anatomy through indoor and outdoor lab experiences, experimentation, and simulations.

Classification

Trees
Students use the school campus and a dichotomous key to identify 40 trees, comparing and differentiating characteristics of each species. Each student assembles a collection of leaves from each specimen.

Mammals
Students create a dichotomous key for mammals using study skins of 25 common mammals in Michigan.

Students simulate the annual cycle of birds in a three-day outdoor lab.

Reptiles, Amphibians, and Fish
Students distinguish adaptations of reptiles, amphibians, and fish using live specimens. They compare the internal anatomy of a frog and fish through dissection.

Invertebrates
Students discover and classify invertebrates using microscopes and collected aquatic samples from local sources. They use detailed lab drawings to record discovered invertebrates.

Ecological concepts

Students use their knowledge of tree and mammal identification to discover the interdependence between the most common mammal and tree on the school campus.

Students participate in simulations that demonstrate basic ecological concepts of food webs, energy and matter movement through the environment, and biological magnification, among others.

Anatomy

Students use experiments to interpret effects of various forms of pollution and human activities on aquatic and land ecosystems while relating basic ecological concepts.

Students discover plant and animal cells and tissue using microscopes and video.  Students use prepared slides, microscopes, and plant samples to identify and locate internal and external plant tissue. Technical readings combined with class discussions provide the resources for understanding processes of imbibitions diffusion and other plant processes.

Students use frog and fish dissections to identify and locate organs and systems. They use lab drawings to record data. Technical reading and class discussion provides the resources for understanding functions of organs and system.

All simulations and experiments require scientific writing, technical reading, and class discussion for comprehension.

SIXTH GRADE SOCIAL STUDIES

Sixth grade social studies focuses on the general concepts and tools of geography as well as the history spanning from the Stone Ages to the Age of Exploration. Teachers integrate many social studies themes across the sixth grade curriculum through units with language arts, world languages, art, and music.

Geography

General Concepts
Movement of Earth
Continents formation and different landforms
Weather, climate, and their influence on the Earth
Population:
. Density, growth, distribution, rural living, and urbanization
. Birthrate, death rate, life expectancy, and the Green Revolution
. Migration, immigration, and the “push-pull” theory
. Population pyramids: making, reading, and interpreting
Five Themes of Geography (applied to each area of study):
. Location
. Movement
. Place
. Region
. Human Environment Interaction

Tools of Geography
The Globe
Maps
. Different types of map projections (with concepts of scale and distortion caused by flattening of globe)
. Parts of a map or TOADLS (Title, Orientation using compass rose, Author, Date, Legend or key, Scale)
. The Equator, Hemispheres, Tropic of Capricorn, Tropic of Cancer, Latitude and Longitude lines.

History: Areas of Study

Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Egypt and Nubia
Ancient Greece
Ancient Rome
Middle East and Islam
Europe in the Middle Ages
New Age in Europe, the XIV and XV Centuries

Current Events

3, 2, 1 Format – three details, two main ideas, and one question

Critical Thinking Skills

Reading in the content area - using the text, vocabulary, headings, visuals and indexes for different purposes:
. Scanning
. Skimming
. Reading for detail and understanding
Levels of questioning:
. Literal – “right there”
. Concept – “think & search”
. Application – “applying concepts to new situations”

Problem Solving and Inquiry
Investigations
Public Discourse
Decision-Making
Citizen Involvement

Research

Locating
Organizing
Summarizing data
Use of databases
Drawing conclusions

Interdisciplinary Projects

History and Art Connections:
. Lascaux Caves, pyramids, Cathedrals of the Middle Ages, Renaissance art

History and Language Arts Connections:
. Ancient Greece, Medieval Times project and banquet

Students apply learned writing and research skills on all assigned work.

MIDDLE SCHOOL WORLD LANGUAGES

The Grosse Pointe Academy offers a choice of studying one of three world languages: Chinese, French, or Spanish. Our small class sizes lend themselves to an immersion environment where both teachers and students speak their world language on a regular basis. At the eighth grade level, students speak French and Spanish almost exclusively.

The courses provide an introductory study of the four components of language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students work as a class, independently, and in groups to explore the intricacies of their selected language and gain knowledge in the four components. Students will develop the skills that enable them to understand the written and the spoken language and to communicate both verbally and compositionally.

Students study different facets of their language’s culture while comparing and contrasting it with their own familiar milieu.

Texts

Chinese

Happy Chinese/Kuaile Hanyu  Volume 1.  People’s Education Press, 2004
Happy Chinese/Kuaile Hanyu  Volume 2.  People’s Education Press, 2004
Happy Chinese/Kuaile Hanyu  Volume 3.  People’s Education Press, 2004

French

Discovering French Nouveau!  1 Bleu. McDougall Littell, 2007.
Discovering French Nouveau!  2 Blanc. McDougall Littell, 2007.

Spanish

Realidades  Level A. Pearson, 2008
Realidades  Level B. Pearson, 2008

Students graduating from our world language program will have a solid foundation for continuing study of the language at a second year or honors second year high school level.

MIDDLE SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS

Middle School performing arts provide experience in vocal music, drama, movement, instruments, and music history. 

Performance

Students will participate in these formats:

. Formal music and movement program – West Side Story and A Look at Broadway
. Talent show
. Thanksgiving Assembly
. Lip synchronization – musical or movie
. Mime The Clown’s Balloons
. Scripted drama

Instruments/Rhythm

Students will use keyboard instruments to demonstrate music and rhythm reading skills. Each student will perform at his or her personal level of achievement and will have materials available to ensure musical growth.

Students will use Orff instruments to demonstrate rhythmic accuracy and independence in music reading. They will compose Ostinati to accompany familiar music, and the instructor will present music of the masters.

Students will receive appropriate music terminology for each activity.

Bell choir, choral groups, and instrumentalists are a part of GPA Community Service.

Movement

Students will explore kinesthetic responses to music in formal and impromptu settings.

Small group choreographies will require combined effort and teamwork.
  
Students perform solo choreographies in the lip synchronization project.

Music from different eras and cultures will provide stimulus for exploring possibilities to express emotion in movement.

Drama

Students will interpret ideas as characters and as themselves. They will learn to differentiate the real from the imagined and portray characters in a variety of exercises.

Improvisation in solo and group experiences will allow students to develop and explore their creativity.

Students present formal drama from scripted plays after appropriate rehearsals with student-generated sets and costuming.

Music History

Students will consider the effects of music and drama as it developed from Ancient Times through the present. Through projects and presentations, the group will demonstrate an understanding of the works and lives of the masters through the generations and the individual styles and innovations of each period.

The creation of a small theater set with characters and props accurate to the production, chosen by the student, supports the history of the theater and stage terminology.

Students study the years from 1990 to the present in small groups with an emphasis on what was happening in the world during each decade. Students analyze historical facts, influential leaders, scientific discoveries, sports figures, and family life to see cause and effect on the Visual and Performing Arts.

Students create:

. Class plays on the composers
. Theater sets
. Century projects with accompanying music

These experiences are a basis for further study in the arts in addition to developing self-confidence and self-awareness in human interactions.      

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHRISTIAN LIFE

The Christian Life program of The Grosse Pointe Academy strives to enrich the developing faith of our students in the God who loves them through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. We teach basic Christian beliefs that foster values of love and respect for all people as well as form the foundation for moral decision-making and behavior.

We offer opportunities for development of a personal prayer life through classroom prayer and weekly chapel services. Our community service program encourages our children to reach out in faith towards those who need their help.

Sixth Grade

The sixth grade program is designed to help the students determine right from wrong based upon God and His Word as the standard for making right moral choices. It is based on a four-step process for making the right choices related to issues about:

. Honesty
. Purity
. Love
. Justice
. Mercy
. Respect
. Self-control

The use of workbooks, skits, games, and Scripture study help the students learn to apply the “making-right-choices” process to their everyday lives.

Seventh Grade

The seventh grade students study prayer in depth in order to become more familiar with different types of public and private prayer. They study the Lord’s Prayer as an example of the perfect prayer. In order to understand the prayer traditions of the major world religions, the students study the historical, cultural, and theological differences and similarities of:

. Christianity
. Judaism
. Hinduism
. Islam

Eighth Grade

The eighth grade Christian Life program focuses on helping the students to:

. Focus on the qualities of Jesus as reflected in the Gospels
. Clarify their understanding of who Jesus was
. Deepen their personal faith in Jesus

An in-depth study of the Beatitudes, an introduction to the life of Mother Teresa who lived the Beatitudes in the modern world, and a study of Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount serve to launch the students into high school with a good understanding of Christian moral teaching and how it should look in their lives.

The students’ prayer lives are expanded beyond classroom prayer by experiencing guided meditative prayer and taking part in the preparation of their Baccalaureate service at graduation.