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
• Novel Excerpts

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 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, 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

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 about 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 others such as:

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

Online textbooks and programs, such as Notability and Showbie, feature technology that moves sixth grade 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 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, IXL, and both virtual and hands-on labs to enhance learning and strengthen research skills. The sixth grade life science curriculum introduces the world of plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, health, disease, and human anatomy.

Students learn scientific inquiry and the scientific method to find answers and build knowledge, including using the scientific method to research and complete a science fair project. 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 provide students with a solid foundation in the areas of history, political systems, geography, and research skills.

In World History, students will evaluate:

• How geography, climate, and the natural resources of a region influenced the lives of ancient civilizations
• The rise and fall of ancient cultures
• The origins of social, political, and economic systems
• The influence of the past on the present will be studied

Ancient regions include the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Students will use interactive electronic textbooks and IXL to enhance learning. Students will complete a social studies fair project and research paper. Students will also write a report in conjunction with the English department in which they compare and contrast two distinct ancient civilizations.

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 these skills. Appropriate geography activities are used to supplement studies. Special activities include the state stock market competition and attending the Renaissance Fair.

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 of the structure of art, a media skill, information about 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. In our constantly expanding global communities, competence in multiple languages is a highly desired ability both culturally and professionally.

Sixth-grade students begin with a high-school level textbook for Spanish I, culminating with a Spanish II textbook in eighth grade.

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 new 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 Office programs. 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.

Sixth-grade practices and applies 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 Office and Office 365 incorporating an accelerated, step-by-step project-based approach to building competency in Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These projects integrate other subjects such as literature, math, science, and Spanish into daily lessons for cooperative cross-curricular collaboration. The students use multimedia software with video, audio, animation, graphics, photos, and music.

Basic internet skills are expanded upon while students are taught to practice responsible, moral, and ethical internet behavior. Students become familiar with the Windows operating system, 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.

The course teaches students exciting innovative technology with an introduction to coding. Students will explore computer science lessons in which they will write and run code in the browser, create digital presentations, complete interactive activities online, and engage in in-person collaborative exercises with classmates.  Students will learn the basics of JavaScript and explore different technologies and the impact they have on our world.  Students will learn how to use basic commands, variables, and functions in their programs.

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.

The sixth-grade 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. Weight room workouts, running a mile, and other endurance promoting aerobic activities round out our fitness program.