6th Grade

In 6th grade language arts, students will work towards growing an even better understanding of the English language by continuing to work on their reading, writing, grammar, spelling, and vocabulary skills. Our ability to customize the curriculum will continue to challenge your child to ensure they are learning at their own pace and to the best of their ability.

Reading

While the specific works of literature may vary by teacher and by year, you can be sure that your child will be challenged with a variety of different literary material. Students will learn how to use reading strategies to comprehend text and narratives through literature books and other selective stories. Students will be taught and asked to identify:

• Components of functional text
• Common structural elements in literature from a variety of cultures
• The theme in prose, poetry, and drama
• Facts and details that support the author’s argument
• Organizational structures of expository text
• Characteristics and structural elements of poetry

We understand that every child is different. This is why our teachers will work with each child to customize the curriculum to meet their specific needs. Students will be able to describe the plot, components, author’s point of view, and motivations of major and minor characters in a story. Students will also be asked to use text evidence to draw conclusions, analyze how individuals, events, or ideas are introduced, illustrated and elaborated in a text and determine the meaning of figurative language in prose and poetry. After 6th grade, your child will be able to compare two texts in different forms and discuss the similar themes and topics between the two.

Writing

In 6th grade writing, students will be asked to write informative, persuasive and research essays, business letters, and persuasive letters. Students will complete literary responses in which they must write a summary of the book they read, along with reflections on connections, themes and personal experiences that relate to the book. Throughout these writings, effective and natural dialogue with proper use of quotation marks will be taught and expected of students. Teachers will instruct students to write narrative and imaginative pieces including:

• Setting
• Plot
• Sensory details
• Effective sentences
• Logical sequencing

During their 6th grade year, students will learn how to write poetry that uses several poetic elements including figurative language, rhythm, rhyme and stanzas. Our 6th graders will also learn to organize writing for an oral presentation, manuscript, and/or multimedia presentation!

Grammar

Our students will be introduced to 53 prepositions and taught all parts of speech during 6th grade grammar. Sentence construction including appositives, semicolon, comma, subordinate clauses and punctuation for complex sentences will also be a high priority for students.

Vocabulary and Spelling

Your 6th grader will continue to improve upon their vocabulary and spelling skills by following Wordly Wise 3000, receiving one grade a week, and performing online spelling tests. Students will also be introduced to Greek and Latin as a way to better educate them on the English language.

The 6th grade social studies curriculum will cover World history, Ancient World history, the Roman Empire and Beyond the Renaissance. During this school year, students will practice note-taking, perform weekly tests and complete a robust research paper on a specific country.

As the “S” in our STEM curriculum, science plays an integral role in the education of our students. Your child will improve upon previously learned information to advance their skills with maps, diagrams and charts. Students will work with the scientific method, learn animal and plant biology, geology, chemistry and environmental science which includes Earth and outer space. Each year, students will participate in a science fair in which they will complete an experiment or invent something, following specific guidelines that relate to what they have learned in science class.

Technology is crucial to the way we teach and address various lesson plans. Students at our Mesa campus are given laptops to work with throughout the school year. They will utilize the computers for writing projects and other academic practices. All 6th graders will also perform 30-minute in-class reading and math sessions, utilizing classroom technology. Additionally, Mesa students will benefit from the latest forms of technology found throughout our classrooms: Smartboards, Qwizdom remotes and Fuse document cameras. Each and every classroom at our Pima campus comes equipped with Samsung School, a student-centric classroom environment that empowers students through a 1:1 learning experience. This provides each student with a Samsung Galaxy tablet to use throughout the school year, and provides each classroom with an interactive whiteboard display.

Physical Education

All students participate in physical education classes at least once a week. Classes focus on competency of motor skills and performance of physical activities in order to achieve and maintain health-enhancing levels of fitness. Positive social interaction is embedded into instruction while promoting the value of physical activity.

Music

All students participate in music classes at least once a week. Students create meaning and expression through the use of listening, performing and improvisational skills. Students are introduced to the elements and theory of music and musical instruments. Studentsalso have the opportunity to participate in the free band and orchestra program.

Library

Noah Webster offers an online cataloging system. Destiny Quest allows students to browse Noah Webster Schools Library’s entire collection and place a hold on their final selection. The book will then be delivered to the student’s classroom within 3-4 business days. Reference materials are also available.

Art

Noah Webster Schools has implemented Art Masterpiece to introduce artists and styles from diverse cultures and time periods. Students are taught to use classic and modern techniques in order to create artwork to communicate ideas, meanings, and/or purposes.