Kissel Hill Elementary

Curriculum Overview

SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM

LANGUAGE ARTS:

READING

In reading class we will be using The Language of Literature textbook during guided reading lessons.  In addition to the textbook, students will read novels as an entire class plus books on various genres. R.E.V. It Up!- A vocabulary program that embeds academic vocabulary in engaging texts and prompts the vocabulary's use in writing and reading. It gives students repeated exposure with a lesson being nine days followed by a short quiz. At the end of each marking period students will take the CDT Reading test. It is a computer-based program that will provide us with a reading level for each student. This test is not for a grade, but it is used to measure growth, and help identify needs for each student.

WRITING

The Language Arts Curriculum includes writing, listening, and speaking. These areas are covered in writing, grammar lessons, and vocabulary lessons. Writing will be done across the curriculum as well as in direct instruction in the writing process. Each marking period we will focus on a different type of writing (Narrative, Informational, and Persuasive). Writing will be performed each and every day. Daily Grams- daily grammar lessons that aid in mastery of 6th grade grammar skills with our goal of students mastering our language. Students will complete 10 lessons, which will then be followed by a short quiz.

SPELLING

Spelling grades will be taken from all written assignments. In addition, students will be using a word study program called “Words Their Way”. Each student will be learning words on their individual level. Each set of words will contain a pattern and all words on a specific list will follow that pattern. 

MATH

The PA Math Core Curriculum will be taught using the Glencoe McGraw-Hill Mathematics textbook and a supplemental math workbook resource. An on-line resource is available for the textbook. Units taught will include: Number System Fluency, Rate, Ratio, and Proportion, Hands on Equations (a hands on approach to learning algebra), Expressions, Equations and Inequalities, Area and Volume, Rational Exploration, Probability and Statistics. Also as part of our math curriculum, we will be using a program called First in Math to review a variety of sixth grade skills on a weekly basis. Students switch for math class and have been placed based on a student’s individual strengths, needs, and the appropriate pacing. 

Three times per year, students will take the CDT Math test. It is a computer-based program that is used to measure growth, and help identify needs for each student. This test is not for a grade.


SOCIAL STUDIES

Students will learn about social studies using a textbook and they will focus on countries, past and present, from the Eastern Hemisphere.  Topics will include, the Five Themes of Geography, North Africa, Southwest Asia, Africa: South of the Sahara, Southern Asia and East Asia.

SCIENCE

Students will learn about science using a textbook, through experiments, hands-on activities, videos, a project, and class lectures. Students will study Earth Science (weather), Physical Science (chemistry), and the Body Systems (brain & the dangers of drugs/alcohol). Studying the vocabulary and daily review is key to successfully learning the concept 

SIXTH GRADE GOALS:

  1. Responsibility
  2. Organization
  3. Independence
  4. Be engaged as a learner= active participation
  5. Preparation for Middle School