Sixth Grade School Program

At LVDS, we are dedicated to preparing your child for success. Our sixth-grade curriculum is designed to challenge and engage students, while building a strong foundation for their future. Our experienced teachers provide individualized attention to help each student reach their maximum potential. With a focus on collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving, our curriculum provides a well-rounded learning experience.

Explore our curriculum below.

In literature, students are required to read various literary genres, including:

• Fiction
• Nonfiction
• Screenplays
• Mythology
• Fairy Tales

Students answer comprehension questions and discuss the reading in class. Additionally, there are various projects associated with the reading such as writing original myths and fairy tales, group research, web searches, and class presentations. Throughout the year, students will complete five novel studies. Novels topics include:

• Classics
• Historical fiction
• Contemporary Literary Works

Before reading, students engage in pre-reading activities and research background information for each novel. After reading, students answer comprehension questions and have class discussions. Various projects are also attached to the novels. Students will develop a greater appreciation of literature and a deeper love for reading.

English covers the writing process, spelling, grammar, and public speaking. Students begin the year with a writing competition which is a chance for students to share their creative writing. Throughout the school year, students write academic papers including:

• Narrative
• Expository
• Persuasive Writing
• Cross Curricular Research Papers
• Informative Research Papers

All writing is taught using the writing process. This process gives students a chance to brainstorm, draft, proofread, and write a final copy. Students also engage in weekly spelling lessons and grammar practice. The English teachers collaborate with the social studies and science teachers to assist in writing cross-curricular research papers.

For public speaking, students select a topic, conduct research, memorize the information, and present an oratorical speech in front of the class. This allows students to develop proficiency in the writing process and confidence speaking in front of others.

Our goal in teaching mathematics is to constantly maintain a challenging environment in which a student can achieve success. Sixth-grade math develops a strong understanding and fluency in basic operations using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and integers. Additionally, students will study pre-algebra concepts and topics such as:

• Properties
• Statistics
• Probability
• Proportions
• Percentages
• Geometry

This course uses online textbooks and programs, such as Notability and Showbie, to feature technology that moves students towards a paperless environment in mathematics. Students work with their iPads using a variety of easy to access online sources including tutorial videos, assignments, examples, and interactive lessons.

Students have the opportunity to take control of their learning and experience success. We encourage participation in many forms and work to create an environment where students can interact, feel challenged, and enjoy learning math.

The goal of the science program is to develop independent study habits and collaboration within groups, with an emphasis on skills such as:

• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Creativity
• Innovation
• Communication
• Collaboration

The course is designed to give students a basic understanding of science and its relationship to their lives. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is integrated throughout the science program. Students will use interactive electronic textbooks and IXL, along with virtual and hands-on labs to enhance learning.

The sixth-grade life science curriculum explores the world of cytology (the study of cells and cell processes), bacteria, viruses, plants, animals, human anatomy, and Earth’s biomes. Students learn scientific inquiry and scientific methods to find answers and build knowledge. Scientific models and tools (including microscopes) are used to investigate questions and share answers. Lab work includes dissection of various invertebrates and vertebrates.

Social studies provides students with a solid foundation in the areas of history, political systems, geography, and research skills.

In World History, students will evaluate:

• Geography, climate, and the natural resources of a region and it’s influence on the lives of ancient civilizations
• Rise and fall of ancient cultures
• Origins of social, political, and economic systems
• Influence of the past on the present
• Ancient regions including the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas

Sixth-grade students deepen their critical thinking skills and analysis by developing note-taking skills using Cornell Notes and document-based questions. Emphasis is placed on the development of a working knowledge of the various types of reference materials and the ability to efficiently utilize research and note-taking skills.

Students will use interactive electronic textbooks and IXL to enhance learning. Students will complete a social studies fair project and research paper. Junior Scholastic will be used to incorporate current events into the social studies class allowing students to build knowledge, gain civics literacy, and actively participate as citizens.

Through the study of art and the humanities, students develop an appreciation and understanding of the world around them as well as the progression of cultures and the aesthetic movement which incorporates these cultures.

Students explore the process of taking an abstract thought and creating a concrete form from that thought. The goal of the program is to teach students to see and understand the aesthetic elements that give a work of art enduring beauty and meaning.

The sixth graders use a discipline-based art curriculum designed to give repeated, gradually building experiences with a range of media, skills, and techniques. Students develop an understanding of the structure and language of art.

Each lesson incorporates an important concept regarding the structure of art, a media skill, information on cultural heritage, and an opportunity to critique and make aesthetic value judgements.

The overriding theme throughout the year is “The World of Art.” This theme is stressed by using an art textbook to provide both cross-cultural and multicultural lessons which are developed through the students’ use of the elements of art.

The study of Spanish exposes students to a different language which fosters improved competence and understanding of their first language and stimulates them to explore other foreign languages. Sixth-grade students begin with a high-school level textbook for Spanish I.

In-class group activities, videos, and games, together with authentic language materials and multiple online resources, are used to make learning Spanish more fun, interactive, and interesting. Collectively, these activities expose students to daily conversational vocabulary while providing them with insight into the culture, geography, and history of the Spanish-speaking world.

Our goal is to provide students with a strong background in computers and expose them to exciting innovative technology as it emerges. Students learn about computer science in a hands-on approach.

Students enhance their keyboarding skills, use the internet for research and information, and become accomplished users of Microsoft 365 Copilot applications. Students will also develop programming skills incorporating logical and critical thinking, debugging, and problem solving. The course allows for ample discussion and focus on safe and responsible use of the Internet, stressing the ethical use of cyber materials, and understanding the long-term effects of their digital footprint.

Students practice and apply the appropriate typing skills to form proper long-term habits. Basic to intermediate computer terms become a natural part of students’ vocabulary. Students work with the most current versions of Microsoft 365 Copilot incorporating an accelerated, step-by-step project-based approach to building competency in Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These projects may integrate other subjects such as literature, math, science, and Spanish into lessons for cooperative cross-curricular collaboration. Students become familiar with the Windows and iOS operating systems, learning how to use this system in an organized, efficient manner. They also learn important computer basics, such as connecting to various devices, troubleshooting tech issues, and other real world technology situations.

Using CodeHS, students learn Internet etiquette and how to stay safe on the world wide web. Students will look at the effects of their digital footprints, how to protect information from online threats, and the importance of giving creative credit. Students explore the structure and design of the internet, and how this design affects the reliability of network communication, the security of data, and how computers store and manipulate information. Students will be introduced to HTML, why it is important, and how it works to build their web pages. Students learn about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how those creative AI tools are effectively, ethically, and responsibly used in various business applications.

The middle school health and fitness program is committed to providing an educational process in which all students are encouraged to reach their highest potential as well as their personal goals.

By offering a variety of teaching techniques, students will participate in sports and leisure activities, strength training, and aerobic exercise. They will also be introduced to the importance of their own health and well-being through health education topics. Students will be given a strong foundation in the value of lifetime physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Health curriculum lessons include the benefits of physical activity, changes during adolescence, and the reproductive system.

Throughout the year, the rules and mechanics of various sports are taught. Students also run the mile weekly. The weight room is used to work on strength and conditioning in a safe and guided manner. Students compete in the Scorpion Fitness Award program based on the amount of pull ups, sit ups, run time, and flexibility.