6th Grade Curriculum
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
Sixth grade is a year of great transition and growth. Many changes begin to take place as the students emerge and discover their own strengths.
To guide them through the change from elementary to middle school, Sonoran Sky emphasizes: leadership skills and opportunities to get involved; the need for positive role models; the importance of active involvement as a model citizen, and the process of setting goals.
To better prepare the students for seventh grade, they rotate to each of the sixth grade teachers for science, social studies and language. Sixth graders are also motivated and challenged to become responsible students and members of society. Since leadership is key this year, students participate in numerous leadership activities that help prepare them for the future.
Cooperative learning is also evident in all areas of sixth grade instruction. The comprehensive curriculum includes:
In addition, students are taught music, art, media/technology, and physical education by teachers certified in those areas.
The district's adopted Scholastic Reading Program will be introduced to the sixth graders and we will continue to utilize selections from our past Literature and Language series. Along with these basal readers, students will read various chapter books that compliment our social studies curriculum. Vocabulary will be emphasized as well as developing creative thinking skills, predicting and paraphrasing. In addition, students will participate in the school-wide "Accelerated Reading Program" which allows them to challenge themselves with reading leveled books. Accelerated Reading Program (AR). back
Sonoran Sky has adopted the Scholastic Spelling Program in which students will be assessed on 20 words per week. Each lesson incorporates words that are grouped accordring to spelling patterns or themes. Students are asked to complete a preview on Monday and review test will be given on Friday. back
Students will be instructed in the areas of grammar, and all phases of writing. Emphasis is placed on the parts of speech and will be carried over into their writing.. Through the use of the writing process, students develop and publish through the Six Traits. In addition, students will be instructed on how to develop an appropriate format for writing single or multi-paragraph essays. Students will publish a formal report through their Famous Person Report as well as an informal report through their Lyrical Voices project. back
We use the districts adopted Glencoe 6-8 math program. It offers a clean transition from 6th grade math to the middle school math. Students will maintain a math journal that becomes a "working journal" and all concepts, examples and vocabulary will be maintained there. Students are expected to take this home on a regular basis and to use their journal as a resource aid. (see appendix for online resources for parents) back
The “World” is our 6th grade focus and students will be introduced to the past in a variety of ways. Areas of study include: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, Greece, and Italy. In addition, students will be introduced to the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, Industrialization, WWI and WWII. To keep abreast of our world today, students are required to complete a current event article on a weekly basis. As a culminating activity to the studies of ancient Greece, students will participate in their own "Greek Olympics". back
Our science program will focus student learning on the Scientific Method and science inquiry. They will receive instruction in the filed of life science and physical science. Students will be immersed in experiments that will allow them to think like a scientist and to make predictions and conclusions on their own. They will participate in the science fair during the later part of the 6th grade year. back
Sixth graders are expected to have an average of one hour of homework per night. Some nights there may be less, and some nights there may be more. Because we want to teach the students responsibility and better prepare them for seventh grade, late work is given a score of zero. back
As a sixth grade leader at Sonoran Sky, students serve on one of three committees. These committies meet on Tuesday. A major component of these committies is to allow students the opportunity to extend their leadership in the school enviornment. Each will be expected to complete several curriculum based activities as well as outside community service.
Community Outreach
Peer Tutoring
S.W.A.T. (School Wide Assistance Team)
Sixth graders have many hands-on activities to enhance their learning opportunities and leadership skills throughout the school year.
Preparing Individual Leadership Opportunities to Succeed was developed by sixth grade teachers and encompasses curriculum based on the Character Counts and Get Real About Violence programs. Students and parents work through activities that promote team building and group interaction. Students attend workshops designed to encourage listening skills, communication skills, self-acceptance, and responsibility, all of which are vital in leadership. P.I.L.O.T.S. training is held at Chapel Rock in Prescott, AZ.
This program is facilitated by the Sonoran Sky nurse and covers six different lessons.
Sixth grade students participate in this residency with actors from Childsplay. Each student is directed on how to create characters and stories using a variety of techniques. Students also work to create a culmination activity that is presented to the school during an assembly.
Sixth Grade Recommended Supply List
1 3 ring upgraded quality notebook
Several *Packages of wide-ruled white notebook paper (81/2”
x 11”)
2 sets Notebook dividers ( 5 are in one set)
1 Zippered pouch
2 Highlighters~ various colors
1 box *Number 2 pencils
1 12” ruler with metric measurement
2 Bar erasers
2 Erasable pens
2 Red pencils or pens
1 set Colored pencils
1 pair Scissors
1 Glue stick
1 Protractor
1 Math compass
1 Inexpensive calculator
1 box Thin, felt tip markers
3 Marble composition books
1 box Tissue
1 small container Liquid soap or hand sanitizer
1 package 3’x3’ post it notes
3 Metal rings
1 Spiral notebook with graph paper
$8.00 Brought the first day for agendas and secret garden book
* Items that may be left at home and brought to school as needed.
The suggested list is intended to help in maximizing your child’s educational experience. These are materials that we have found to be especially helpful to sixth graders in planning and organizing. We would ask that you would clearly label all materials with your child’s name. Some items will be collected and stored during the first week of school so that they are available for your child to use during designated activities.
