English Language Arts 160
2 Semesters: 36 Units
Required Course Materials
In Sixth Grade Language Arts, students engage in skill units that focus on writing conventions and vocabulary building. They are responsible for obtaining copies of Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli, Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis, and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg. All three books are Newberry Award Books. Students are required to read these books and use the writing process to write several papers including a research paper. Students also develop and present a variety of speeches. Emphasis is placed on recognizing and using literary elements and techniques.
Math 160
2 Semesters: 36 Units
This course covers factors, exponents, and orders of operations; prime numbers and prime factorization; rational numbers, GCF, and LCM; adding fractions and mixed numbers with like and unlike denominators using fraction bars; rounding fractions to the nearest half; subtracting mixed fractions with borrowing using fraction bars; subtracting mixed fractions from whole numbers using fraction bars; multiplying and dividing fractions and mixed fractions; analyzing patterns; numeric and geometric patterns; decimals: estimation, addition, subtraction, equivalence, division and multiplication; measuring to the nearest eighth; equivalent fractions and decimals; ratios and proportions; estimate reasons solutions with fractions and decimals; percents: fractions and decimals; measuring angles; classifying triangles and triangle properties; geometry: lines, diagonals and planes; polygons and quadrilaterals; transformations, tessellations, and similar triangles; customary units conversions and computations; metric system: units of weight, length, and capacity; perimeter and area of triangles and quadrilaterals; perimeter and area; effects of doubling dimensions; circumference and area of circles and circle sectors; solids and 3-D cube models; volume and surface area of solids; variables, expressions and functions; properties: commutative, associative, and distributive; negative numbers and graphing in the coordinate plane; exploring algebra through diagrams and pictures; simple equations: addition, multiplication, and division; rate of change and inequalities; constructing line graphs, circle graphs and histograms; statistics; displaying data in appropriate graphs; probability: theoretical and actual.
Science 160
2 Semesters: 36 Units
Required Course Materials
Students in grade six continue to conduct investigations and begin to apply mathematical skills in evaluating and analyzing variables of data. They identify basic skills of the scientific inquiry process, such as how thinking scientifically is helpful in daily life and how technological advances affect the quality of life. Students research how men and women of other countries and cultures contribute to science. Sixth-grade students identify rocks, their distinct properties and formation and characteristic properties of the minerals that form them. They learn to recognize that a cell continually divides to create new cells, reproduction of cells occur, similar cells have special functions, and characteristics of an organism are a result of inherited traits. Students acquire knowledge of the uses, properties and chemical processes of the small particles that compose matter. They learn the renewable and nonrenewable sources of energy as part of the grade six indicators.
Social Studies 160
2 Semesters: 36 Units
In this course, students will focus on the study of world regions. The concentration is geographic rather than historic. Students study some of the earliest people who lived in each region to understand how humans interacted with the environmental conditions at that time. Connections are made to present-day world regions including characteristics of governments and economic interactions.
Spanish 160
Students in Spanish 160 will follow the theme of travel, as students explore the history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries and cities. Students will continue learning new Spanish vocabulary, as well as review and put to use, previously learned vocabulary. Many opportunities to practice speaking will be provided in order to focus on sounding like a Native Spanish-speaker and rules for accentuation will be reinforced with punctuation practice. Students will continue their work with sentence formation, and write about things they know, using the Spanish language. They will work with gender and formality and learn to respond to questions, using their own personal opinion. Students will have the opportunity to view videos and listen to podcasts and music from Spanish-speaking countries and replicate cultural objects, in order to gain a greater understanding of the target language and culture.