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Copyright Wooster School 2005
6th Grade
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6TH GRADE ENGLISH
The Cay by Theodore Taylor
One of the following: Ender's Game, The White Mountains, The Wanderer, Walk Two Moons, Bud, Not Buddy, Julie of the Wolves, The Stowaway, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, The Call of the Wild, The Golden Compass, Dicey's Song
Seven young adult books
Dogsong by Gary Paulsen
"For the Love of the Game" by Eloise Greenfield
Various models for memoir including: "One Morning in May," "I'm in Charge of Celebrations," from Bad Boy
Poetry including: "Mother to Son" Langston Hughes, "The Pig" Valerie Worth, "Rain on a Cottage Roof" Freda Laughton, "Mushrooms" Sylvia Plath, "A Narrow Fellow in the Grass" Emily Dickinson, "The Bat" Theodore Roethke, "in Just-" ee cummings
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin
LITERARY DEVICES
Character
Figurative language including: simile, metaphor, personification
Sound effects including: alliteration, onomatopoeia, rhyme, rhythm
Elements of structure including: stanza, refrain
Images
Internal conflict / external conflict
Man vs. self, man vs. man
STRATEGIES
Post-iting responses
Using a dictionary and context clues to find the meaning of unfamiliar words
Annotating a reading
Annotating interpretive comprehension of text
Learning vocabulary in context
WRITING
Essay
Character analysis
Analytical essay
Book review
Writer's notebook entry: writing off of a quote from a novel
Memoir: nonfiction personal narrative essay including the writer's response to a focused topic
Poems
GRAMMAR
Simple subject, simple predicate
Complete subject, complete predicate
Compound Subject / Compound Predicate
Identifying the following sentence types and correcting errors: Simple Sentences, Fragments, Compound Sentences, Run-on sentences
Parts of speech:
Nouns: Concrete / Abstract, Common / Proper
Pronouns
Adjectives
Verbs: Action, State of being, Linking, Helping
Adverbs
Prepositions
Conjunctions
Interjections
PROCESS
Prewriting: researching your theory in the book, listing evidence
Proofreading marks (insert period, insert comma, spelling, use lower case, capitalize, delete, paragraph)
Outlining
Peer editing / Proofreading
Preparing an outline for a test essay
Gathering notebook entries
Selecting a "seed," a focused topic
Writing entries off the seed, rehearsing techniques
Selecting a structure, planning
Drafting
Peer editing / Writing Workshops
Revision including: leads, clarity, completeness, cohesiveness, recognizing and expanding on strengths
Editing: spelling, punctuation, capitalization, avoiding needless repetition, sentence structure
STYLE/FORM
Writing a thesis statement (a "theory")
Using examples and explanation to support the theory
Narrative techniques:
writing to the five senses
dialogue
simile and metaphor
moving between what happened and your thoughts and feelings
stretching out some moments, fast forwarding through others;
comparison to other situations
SPEAKING
“Letting the stone sink deeper:” Follow-up questions, paraphrasing, responding to one another's ideas
Using evidence from the text to support ideas
Optional oral presentations on reading
Memoir Workshops: reading memoirs aloud and giving constructive criticism. Supporting opinions with examples.
LISTENING
Active Listening: body language, paraphrasing,
Asking follow-up questions
Garrison Keillor "New Years
from
WRITING
MECHANICS
Review: Using capital letters (proper nouns, sentences)
Writing titles: book titles, essay titles
Paragraphing
Quotation marks with divided quotations, questions and exclamations
Verb agreement with subject in unusual places
Contractions vs. possessives
Ending marks with declarative and interrogative sentences, exclamations, and imperatives
Underlining of titles
Use of commas with coordinating conjunctions
Quotation marks with direct quotations and titles
Apostrophes with possessives
Semicolons in compound sentences
Irregular plurals
MLA format for parenthetical citation
Semicolon or comma and coordinating conjunction used to join independent clauses (sentences) in a compound sentence
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
GOALS
This class includes the study of the physical, human, and economic geography of the planet and the interrelationships among the three areas. Students learn to understand and interpret maps and globes, build and use vocabulary, understand how the human population and growth affects the earth, and acquire a sense of basic geography. Students develop their research skills and computer skills.
TOPICS
Introduction to geography (What is geography? How the elements of geography relate:
Longitude and latitude
Cardinal direction/compass rose
Hemispheres
Continents and oceans
Globes and maps
Landforms
Water forms
Weather and climate:
Definitions and differences
Why weather and climate vary
Weather recording
Climate zones of the world
Natural Phenomenon:
Definition and type
Power point research project
Regions of the
Historical geography
Why does the
Renewable and non-renewable resources
Endangered species
Life on the Serengeti
Sub-regions:
Rain Forest deforestation
Forms of government
Maps of
Exploration
Population growth and distribution
FRENCH 6
French 6 continues to acquaint students with the French language through a variety of topics. The curriculum includes vocabulary exercises, writing activities, and opportunities to develop oral skills in pairs or in group settings. Hands-on games and magnet boards provide additional opportunities for reinforcing/reviewing vocabulary previously covered in fifth grade.
GOALS
To establish a working knowledge of French vocabulary
To become comfortable expressing oneself in French
To develop elementary writing and listening skills in French
To practice pronunciation with vocabulary containing targeted sounds
To encourage conversational French in the classroom
To promote understanding/knowledge of the cultures in the French-speaking world
COURSE MATERIALS
Exploring French textbook and activity book
TOPICS
Review topics from fifth grade French which include: greetings, classroom objects, colors, time, weather, seasons, and dates
Classroom commands
Numbers to 1000
Geography of
Occupations
Art including Jacques Louis David, Eugène Delacroix, Èdouard Manet
Music including Jean-Philippe Rameau, Georges Bizet, Maurice Ravel
Literature including authors Pierre Corneille, Victor Hugo, Charles Baudelaire
Leisure and recreation activities using the verbs aller, faire, aimer
Shopping
Travel and transportation
LATIN 6
Using Cambridge Latin Course, Unit One, 6th grade Latin
focuses on grammar, syntax, and vocabulary building. Students also explore the cultural and
history of the city of
GOALS
1st, 2nd, 3rd, declension nouns and in the nominative, accusative, and ablative cases
Noun/adjective agreement
1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th conjugation verbs in the present, imperfect and perfect tenses
The verb sum-esse in the present and imperfect tenses
Subject/verb agreement
Prepositions
Translating short stories without using notes or charts
Understanding of
the history and culture of
Working knowledge of Homer's Iliad
COURSE MATERIALS
Text:
Resource Books: Travels books from
various locations in the
General information books on Ancient Rome
Bullfinch's Mythology
Black
Ships before
Films: Great Cities of the World:
The Odyssey of Troy (a look at the archeology behind the lost city)
Clash of the Titans
Activity packets from the American Classical League
Class Website: www.quia.com/pages/wlatin6.html
TOPICS
Introduce nominative case
Nominative singular endings
3rd person singular verbs
Prepositional phrases
Word order
Vocabulary from translations
Introduce accusative case
Accusative singular endings
Superlative adjectives
Adverbs
Introduce concept of declensions
Differentiation of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, declensions
Accusative singular 4th declension
Introduce 1st and 2nd person singular verbs
1st and 2nd person singular endings
Accusative singular 5th declension
Introduce plural subjects and verbs
3rd person plural verbs
Nominative plural nouns
Introduce imperfect and perfect tenses
3rd person singular and plural imperfect and perfect verbs
Imperfect and perfect of sum-esse
Family life in Pompeii Houses in
The town of
A typical day: clothing, food
The Forum
The Theater
Slaves and freedmen
Coursework
generally includes Math 6 or Introduction to Algebra
MATH 6
SKILLS MASTERED
Numbers
Rounding to a specified place value
Comparing and ordering fractions and decimals
Finding LCM and GCF
Problem Solving
Setting up and solving single and multi-step arithmetic word problems (including showing complete work and answering in a complete sentence)
Measurement
Angles, capacity, mass, time, temperature
Reasoning & Proof
Write out a "rule" for each step
Logic problems
SKILLS PRACTICED
Numbers
Fractional and decimal arithmetic
Simple patterns
Negative numbers
Order of operations
Definition of exponents
Finding the prime factorization of a number
Identifying prime vs. composite numbers
Proportional thinking, including percents, ratios and proportions
Algebra
Evaluate expressions by substitution
Solving simple one variable linear equations
Geometry
Classifying angles
Word formulas for perimeter, area, and volume of basic shapes
SKILLS INTRODUCED
Numbers
Properties of real numbers
Rules of exponents
Definition of absolute value
Algebra
Solving multi-step one variable linear equations
Solving simple one variable linear inequalities
Graphing
Linear inequalities
Points on the Cartesian plane
Problem Solving
Word problems requiring writing and solving one variable linear equations
INTRODUCTION TO
ALGEBRA.
SKILLS MASTERED
Numbers
Fractional and decimal arithmetic
Simple patterns
Arithmetic of integers
Order of operations
Definition of exponents
Prime factorization of integers
Identifying prime vs. composite numbers
Proportional thinking, including percents, ratios and proportions
Algebra
Evaluate expressions by substitution
Solving simple one variable linear equations
Graphing
One variable linear inequalities
Points on the Cartesian plane
Geometry
Classifying angles
Word formulas for perimeter, area, and volume of basic shapes
SKILLS PRACTICED
Numbers
Properties of real numbers
Rules of exponents
Algebra
Solving multi-step one variable linear equations
Solving one variable linear inequalities
Solving absolute value equations and inequalities
Clearing fractions
Slope of a line
Writing equations of lines
Solving systems by addition and elimination
Compound inequalities
Graphing
Linear equations
Solving systems by graphing
Systems of linear inequalities
Problem Solving
Word problems requiring writing and solving one variable linear equations
SKILLS INTRODUCED
Problem Solving
Word problems requiring a system of linear equations
OTHER SKILLS TO WHICH STUDENTS MAY BE EXPOSED
Reasoning & Proof
Proof with number properties
Algebraic proofs
Algebra
Definition of polynomial
The sixth grade curriculum focuses on physical science. The first half of this course teaches scientific method, terminology, measurements, and lab techniques. The second half of this course introduces the structure of matter and its physical and chemical properties. Motion, forces, energy, electricity and magnetism are explored through hands-on lab work.
OBJECTIVES
Students will:
develop specific processes and practices of methodic inquiry;
develop basic processing skills of observation, classification, interpretation, comparing and contrasting;
be able to recognize cause and effect, infer, and make predictions;
understand the foundations of matter, forces, motion, electricity, and magnetism; and
develop personal and interpersonal communication skills.
TOPICS
Scientific Method
What is Physical Science?
Scientific Method
Metric Measurement
Matter
Phases of Matter, Solids, Liquids, Gases, Plasma
Properties of Matter
Physical Properties, Chemical Properties
Classes of Matter
Elements and the Periodic Table, Compounds, Mixtures
Solutions and Solubility
Unsaturated, Saturated, Supersaturated
Acids and Bases
Atoms
The Structure of an Atom, Atomic Theory
Motion
Speed and Velocity, Acceleration, Distance
Forces
Pressure
Fluid Pressure, Buoyancy
Electricity and Magnetism
Magnetism and Electromagnetism, Electric Charges and Current, Electricity and Magnetism at Work, Electronics
ART FOUNDATIONS
This class is a 6th grade requirement which meets two periods each week for one year.
The primary focus is to reinforce basic skills, to maintain a high level of motivation and confidence, and to create a strong foundation in manipulating materials and organizing ideas. Some projects are multifaceted, incorporating a variety of techniques and media, such as drawing, painting, and sculpture. Others target specific skills or concepts such as shape, pattern, contrast, color, and elements of composition. Other projects may relate to the style or medium of a particular artist or culture. The four major areas of drawing, painting, collage and sculpture are incorporated into the class over the course of the year.
OBJECTIVES
Upon successfully completing the class students will be able to:
create 2-dimensional drawings and paintings using basic skills.
create a simple 3-dimensional form.
create a collage employing original shapes.
use the various media with some control.
participate in discussions related to their art work and the art work of others.
have stronger visual-motor coordination.
be more comfortable experimenting with new techniques and ideas.
think creatively
TOPICS
Methods:
Observation
Memory
Imagination
Approach:
Representational
Non-representational
Subject Matter:
Still-life
Fantasy
Landscape
Media:
Drawing:
pencil
graphite
charcoal
pen
markers
Painting:
acrylic paint
watercolor
brushes
sponges
texture tools
Collage:
construction paper
patterned papers
painted papers
glue
Sculpture:
cardboard
wood
wire
hot glue
recycled and found objects
Techniques:
Drawing:
blending
contour drawing
shading
Painting:
mixing
blending
layering
sponging
scraping
applying wash
Collage:
cutting
tearing
layering
gluing
Sculpture:
constructing/assembling
balancing
cutting
bending
folding
scoring
Beyond the required Art Foundations, Wednesday
electives are open to all Middle School students not engaged in a team
sport. Students may choose to take one
of the following three art electives offered fall, winter, or spring from
POTTERY: IN THE MUD
Twirling mud makes cups, bowls and plates! This course teaches basic pottery techniques such as wedging clay, centering and throwing on the wheel, trimming, and glazing. (Limited to 10 students)
PHOTOGRAPHY: IN THE DARK
Shooting in the light and doing chemistry in the dark creates a life-like image! This course teaches the basics of darkroom photography, starting with photograms and progressing to composing, shooting, and developing photographic prints. A NON-DIGITAL CAMERA IS REQUIRED for this class. (Limited to 8 students)
MIXED MEDIA: IN THE STUDIO
Guaranteed to produce objects that have never before been seen on this earth, this course changes each trimester. Some previous offerings have been: Printmaking, Wire-working, 3-D Construction, Animal Drawing, Soft Sculpture, Fantastic Furniture, Cartooning, and Aldrich Docent Workshop. (Limited to 14 students)
SIXTH GRADE MUSIC
The 6th grade music class will receive a hands-on opportunity to learn to read and compose music as well as learn intricate rhythms from around the world. Each student will have a semester of percussion and a semester of handbells/choir chimes.
The percussion class will use hand-drums, tambourines, triangles and other percussive instruments. The purpose of this class is to teach the students rhythms, and how to read, play, and write them. They will learn to decipher and count rhythms, play and compare rhythms of other countries, and write and play rhythmic patterns in different cultural styles.
The second semester will introduce handbells and choir chimes. The students will learn to read music and be exposed to different technical aspects of playing handbells, while learning the importance of working as a team. Counting out rhythms and playing different positions in the bell class will give the student an opportunity to learn new notes and the rhythms that go with that individual part.
Both experiences will help the student with private lessons or group ensembles. Experiencing and learning choir chimes or bells in the 6th grade will enable a student to pass comfortably into the Jr. Handbell choir and further to Sr. Handbells if they so choose.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS (6-8)
The Middle School Chorus is open to all Middle School students. During the class time they will be instructed on proper vocal techniques, vocalizing and how to breathe correctly. They will sing in 2 to 3 part harmonies, and learn to read their individual parts. Identifying notes and key signatures will also help them acquire basic musical knowledge. Another important factor in belonging to a chorus is the self-confidence and poise they will gain through performances given throughout the year. Proper concert etiquette is discussed and expected to be followed. They rehearse once a week for 40 minutes. Attendance and cooperation during rehearsals is stressed.
A Middle School Chorus experience will help the student transition to Wooster Singers and possibly, with a successful audition, to Madrigals in the Upper School.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ENSEMBLE (6-8)
This group is open to students interested in playing chamber music in a group. A minimum of two years of experience with an ensemble instrument is required. Students must be able to read music well, play their instruments confidently, and have a strong sense of rhythm. The students will play in various groupings and give several concerts during the year. It is necessary that members of this group must be taking lessons in their ensemble instrument. A great deal can be learned by playing in an ensemble.
As a member of this ensemble they will receive the experience that will enable them to pass an audition to be part of the Upper School Chamber Consort.
RECORDER ENSEMBLE (6-8)
This group is for students who have been playing the soprano or alto recorder for at least two years. Students must be able to read music, play confidently, and have a good sense of rhythm. Three-and-four part harmony (with tenor and bass recorders added) will be employed.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CONTEMPORARY IMPROVISATION ENSEMBLE (CIE)
This ensemble is new to the Middle School. This class will accommodate students who have studied their instruments for at least one year. Improvisation, chord chart interpretation, and rhythm section techniques will be taught. The group will also be prepared to perform throughout the year. Students must pass an audition to be admitted into this group.
This group will give the student the experience and foundation to audition for and participate in the Upper School CIE group.
A new music offering for Middle and
Check out the sixth grade library
project from last year:
http://www.woostersch.org/library/poetrycoffeehouse/cafeindex.htm
TOPICS
Each student:
Defining
understands and uses terminology: title, author, illustrator, spine, spine label
develops appropriate questioning techniques to clarify requirements of task
analyzes and clarifies a given task with guidance
selects from a range of topics
draws on prior knowledge to brainstorm and cluster ideas
identifies and interprets key words in task
develops focus questions
prepares a simple search plan which lists:
key words and possible search terms
focus questions
likely sources of information
Locating
is aware of layout of library
differentiates between fiction and nonfiction sections of the library
uses the spine label to identify resources
is aware that nonfiction resources are shelved according to classification order
finds resources in school library with assistance:
fiction
non-fiction
is aware of primary resources as a source of information, e.g., first-hand experience, people, concrete objects
is aware of secondary resources as a source of information, e.g., book, pictures, databases, magazines
begins to use contents and index pages of nonfiction books using key words
follows a search plan using key words and related terms, modifying where necessary
determines the type of resource most appropriate for the topic
identifies and locates book and non-book resources including:
understanding organization of resources in school and local libraries
recognizing the value of fiction for specific topics, e.g., historical fiction
using simple and combined terms to search catalog, Internet and database sources
choosing broader or narrower terms to refine search results
searching for information using given Internet addresses
accesses periodical indexes
identifies appropriate resources by:
using skimming and scanning techniques in electronic and print resources
using contents, index and text headings for all types of resources
recognizes the need to locate a variety of resources representing a range of views
uses special print and non-print reference resources
uses key words, volume, index, and cross-references to find information in print and non-print encyclopedias
Selecting/Analyzing
selects books appropriate to interest and reading ability using browsing techniques
makes selections using simple scanning techniques involving cover, title and illustrations
compares different preselected resources on a topic deciding which is appropriate
interacts with the resources through:
listening, observing and viewing in response to focus questions
identifying the main idea and key words
distinguishing between narrative and information texts
records relevant information by:
listing key words
writing sentences using identified key words
selects resources by:
skimming and scanning
using contents, index, text headings, key words, and key phrases
evaluates appropriateness of resources
records information by:
using a note-taking strategy
clustering notes under subheadings
compares information from different sources
records bibliographic sources of information using author, title, publisher, date, http, date of download
citing basic sources: book, encyclopedia, magazine
citing varied sources: book, encyclopedia, magazine; databases; web pages
Organizing/Synthesizing
uses information from various resources to support an argument
organizes ideas and information logically
categorizes information according to a framework of headings and subheadings
recognizes information deficiencies and locates additional information
decides on an appropriate presentation format
organizes ideas and information logically, e.g., time order, simple cause and effect
presents information using appropriate organizational frameworks with assistance, e.g. written and word-processed reports, recounts, procedures and lists
Creating/Presenting
uses information appropriate to the task and the audience
organizes ideas and information logically
presents a solution to a problem using:
simple oral and written descriptions
drawings
constructions such as models or displays
presents a solution to a problem that:
demonstrate understanding and simple interpretations of information
present ideas and information logically, e.g., time order, simple cause and effect
make simple generalizations and draw simple conclusions
use information appropriate to the task and the audience
create written and oral reports, graphic, pictorial and dramatic presentations of similar complexity
create presentations exhibiting synthesis of information
Evaluating
respects the rights and opinions of others
considers the quantity, quality and relevance of information
reflects on and evaluates effectiveness of process used
responds constructively to assessment by teachers
evaluates understanding and implementation of the set task criteria
acknowledges
personal and group achievements
TOPICS INTRODUCED
Basic Operations And Concepts
File management
Network operations
Copy, transfer and convert files
Extensions and file formats
Technology
Productivity Tools
Templates and wizards
Technology Communications Tools
Web page design
Technology Research Tools
Boolean logic
Technology Problem-Solving and
Decision-Making Tools
File compression, down/up load, installing
Customizing toolbars and desktop
TOPICS REINFORCED
Basic Operations And Concepts
Communicate using computer terminology
Use and care for media
Keyboarding and word processing skills
Hardware, software and connectivity
Printing correctly and efficiently
Social, Ethical and Human Issues
Equipment and work area maintenance
Respect the work and files of others
Network access and use
Appropriate use and productivity
Efficient use of resources
Copyright and plagiarism issues
Netiquette and safety issues
Technology Productivity Tools
Word Processing
Desktop Publishing
Multimedia and on-line resources
Design applications
Problem solving applications
Spreadsheet
Database
Technology Communications Tools
Graphics (Paint tools, clip art, images)
Word Processing
Desktop Publishing
Presentations
Digital imaging (cameras, scanners, etc.)
Technology Research Tools
Use appropriate resources to solve problems
Navigate Internet sites for find information
Gather, evaluate and organize information
Search engines and on-line resources
Use citation for sources
Technology Problem-Solving and
Decision-Making Tools
Hardware, software and connectivity
Storage formats
File management
Systems and operation
Peripherals
GREAT BODY SHOP –
SIXTH GRADE
The Health curriculum in the 6th grade is designed to introduce and give an overview of several major topics which will be studied again in later Middle School health classes. Much of the material is covered with a science-oriented approach, though time is also allowed for personal opinion and discussion on family and personal values. Topics include:
Nutrition
six types of nutrients
calories and personal caloric needs
individual diet vs. exercise
reading food labels
additives.
Exercise
calories burned in various activities
weight gain and loss
Allergies and Asthma
reasons
body reactions
what medication does
Smoking
health effects
addiction
social pressures
Reproduction
male and female reproductive system
puberty
changes in our bodies
The opportunity is given to ask questions in single sex settings.
Emotional Health
friendships
peer pressure
how to say "No".
SIXTH GRADE PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The curriculum is divided into activity units. Age appropriate skills, rules and strategies are reviewed and practiced, and minimally competitive games and activities are played. Many group problem-solving activities from "Project Adventure" are incorporated at every grade level. The two main areas of this program are conditioning and recreational/life-long activities and sports. Conditioning consists of stretching, aerobic, and anaerobic activities. Recreational and sport activities include skills and modified games in soccer, touch football, pillow polo, floor hockey, ultimate frisbee, handball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, and softball/baseball. Repetition of fundamentals is vital at each grade level to strengthen each child's skills, development, and self confidence.
TOPICS/ACTIVITIES
soccer
touch football
ultimate frisbee
handball
kickball
basketball
volleyball
floor hockey
softball/baseball
lacrosse
tennis
scooter activities and games
Project Adventure activities - group initiatives and problem solving
conditioning/stretching/warm-ups
walking/jogging/running - short and longer distances
"new" games created by the physical education staff throughout the year
SKILLS MASTERED
Gross Motor Skills
tossing and catching
kicking a stationary ball
catching a rolling a bouncing ball
Foot Skills
dribbling with instep
passing to stationary target
Basketball Skills
chest pass
bounce pass
Bouncing and Dribbling Skills
bouncing using alternating hands
bouncing while running
Kickball
kicking a moving ball
running bases/tagging up
Soccer Skills