6th Grade Curriculum
Literature and Composition
Course Objective: To prepare students to be able to communicate and express themselves as Christians in an ungodly world; to examine different genres of literature.
Course Description: This course consists of five components: literature, composition, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary. The literature component is built around selected books read by the class as a whole, as well as by using specific stories from the grade level literature book. Students are required to read daily and to complete a quarterly book report project. Composition assignments are taken from journal prompts and selected class discussions from literature books. The basic writing process (outline, rough draft, editing, and final draft) is practiced. Grammar and Vocabulary/Spelling alternate weekly.
Areas to be Evaluated:
Vocabulary – Spelling
Comprehension and expression
Compose written work that is articulate, clear, creative, grammatically accurate, and that has a meaningful purpose
Appreciation of literature
Oral speaking
Summer Reading:
Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle
Class Readers
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor
Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse
Letters from Rifka by Karen Hesse
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Course Content/Themes
First Quarter: Where I Belong/Autobiographies
Second Quarter: Growing Times: Biographies: Fiction: Poetry
Third Quarter: What’s Most Important: The Will to Win: Short Stories: Poetry
Fourth Quarter: To Strange Places: Science fiction: Drama: Poetry
Student/Teacher Resources and Texts:
Literature – The Reader’s Choice, Course 1: Glencoe/McGraw-Hill/2000 edition
God’s Gift of Language C: 3rd edition: A Beka Book; Pensacola, FL 2010 edition
Wordly Wise 3000 Book 6 2nd edition: Educator’s Publishing Service/2007/Cambridge, MA
Vocabulary from Classical Roots: 2006 edition: Educator’s Publishing Service/2000/Cambridge, MA
The Winston Grammar Program: Teacher edition only. Battleground, WA: Precious Memories Education Resources, 1982.
Math
Objective: The challenge of middle school mathematics course of study is to acquire a deeper understanding of math concepts, a proficiency in math skills, mastering all arithmetic functions, fractions, decimals and measurements; becoming fluent in rounding, estimating, interpreting data, using basic geometric terms and functions, problem solving techniques; and developing algebraic thinking.
Textbooks: Saxon Math, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
Time Allotment: 60 minutes for 175 days
Course Content
(The Saxon program mixes math concepts throughout the year in a cyclical pattern for planned practice and repetition – the following highlights areas of emphasis):
First Quarter: Number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, analysis and probability, and problem solving
Second Quarter: Number and operations, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability, problem solving, algebra
Third Quarter: Number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, problem solving, data analysis and probability
Fourth Quarter: Number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis and probability, problem solving
Areas to be Evaluated: Above course content and mathematical practices
Science
Objective: Students will develop an understanding that science is constant, historic, probabilistic, and replicable because God is sovereign over all the universe.
Textbooks: Observing God’s World, 4th Edition (A Beka Books, 2010)
Time Allotment: 35 minutes for 85 days
Course Content
(Approx. 3 weeks each unit)
Plants: their structures and processes that enable them to survive
Earth’s structures: constructive and destructive forces that affect and change Earth and its inhabitants
Earth in the universe: the seasons, tides, phases of the moon, gravity, space exploration
Matter: Properties and change – atoms and the effect on atoms through heat. Compare properties of substances – density, melting point, boiling point, etc.
Energy: Conservation and transfer
Ecosystems: Biomes – producers, consumers, decomposers – biotic and abiotic factors
Areas to be Evaluated: Class participation, tests, class assignments.
Social Studies
Objective: Students will recognize and honor God as the author of creation and the molder of history. Students will examine creation and Biblical / historical events from approximately 4004 BC to approximately 630 BC.
Textbooks: The Mystery of History, Volume I
Time Allotment: 35 minutes per day for approx. 85 days
Course Content
First Quarter: Creation to 1199 BC (Gideon)
Second Quarter: 1117 (Samson) – 629 BC The Rise of Athens and Sparta
Areas to be Evaluated: Course content through class participation, tests, quizzes, maps and projects
Physical Education
Objective: Students will develop competent motor skills, behavioral strategies to demonstrate responsibility, respect of self and others, and understand the importance of achieving and maintaining a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
Time Allotment: 45 minutes a day; 5 days a week for 175 days
Course Content
3 Weeks: Personal / Social Responsibility
11 Weeks: Motor Skills
11 Weeks: Movement Concepts
11 Weeks: Health Related Fitness
Areas to Be Evaluated: Participation as an individual and in a group, Teacher observation, Role-playing, Checklists / Fitnessgram / Assessments,
Quizzes