Grade 6

Math

This course reviews all operations with whole numbers, common fractions, decimal fractions and percents, while introducing the solving of linear equations. We also do some work in number theory (multiples, factors, primes, composites, powers, exponents, greatest common factors, least common multiples, etc.). The course also covers ratio and proportion, some geometry, and areas and volumes. All this is done along with problem-solving. In this course, understanding and problem-solving skills are emphasized.

Boys who do well in Sixth Grade Math and meet the requirements may be recommended by their math teacher to take Algebra in Form I. Selection for Algebra is based on grades, scores on math aptitude tests, and teacher recommendations to determine whether a student is fully prepared for the faster pace of an accelerated program.

Science

The sixth grade science course gives students the opportunity to play the role of a scientist through different activities, labs, and projects. 

Students spend time making observations, asking questions, problem solving, and conducting research. Throughout the year, students are given the opportunity in class to organize, graph, and analyze data. Students work on both their writing and presentation skills during the year. Topics in sixth grade science include the scientific method, the study of hawks, environmental science, simple machines, catapults, decision making, endangered species, chemistry, microscopy, botany, and insects.

Throughout the year the boys will be working in the learning garden to supplement what we are learning in the classroom. Students participate in a field trip to Hawk Mountain in the Fall and conduct a stream study in the spring in the Mill Creek All the topics of the year are connected by both local and global sustainability.

Social Studies

The sixth grade Early American History course covers the period Pre-history or Ice Age to the Compromise of 1850. The course is used as an American history overview. The boys are encouraged throughout the course to understand and appreciate history and to learn to connect our shared past and understand how it connects to our present. The boys are encouraged to become active engaged learners. The abilities of summarizing, analyzing, and synthesizing are stressed for the boy in an age of information overload. Student skills in learning are also emphasized. (Note taking, test taking, time management, organization, and presentation skills)

The course uses a multi-cultural view to ensure the boys understand and challenge historical thought. The course begins with the Native people, Columbus and European expansion, Colonial period, British colonies, Colonial and native warfare, American Revolution, Early Government, Constitution, After Washington, War of 1812, The American System, Jackson and Manifest Destiny, finally compromise and Slavery ending with the compromise of 1850 and the Beginning of the Civil War. Students are encouraged to become part of a dynamic learning process. Students are assessed in a variety of ways to include: quizzes, test, presentations, projects, homework, thought questions and cartoons.

English

The Sixth Grade English course in the Middle School has as its goals learning to think logically, to read with delight and discernment, and to speak and write with clarity, confidence, and fluency. Every day in class, students read and analyze a poem together, and every day, students write extensively in a workshop setting. In writing workshop, the boys write a wide variety of pieces, including memoir, essay, fiction, poetry, and wiki entries. Students learn vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, mechanics and usage in the context of the writing and reading instruction.

The boys also choose, memorize, and recite a poem to their classmates every month, honing the skills of memorization and performance while also learning to appreciate many different kinds of poetry.The students finish up the year reading Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure novel, Treasure Island. By the end of the sixth grade year in English, students will be confident public speakers, articulate discussants, and motivated writers who are comfortable with many different poetic forms and who are willing to express their opinions in class.

Reading

In the Sixth Grade reading course, students continue to develop and practice reading skills, with emphasis on the ability to make meaningful and personal connections with literature. Students are guided to select appropriate and challenging reading material, and have multiple opportunities to collaborate with teachers and peers as readers and writers.

Students read both teacher and self-selected novels from a variety of genres and authors. Throughout the course, students participate in an online forum, providing additional and authentic opportunities to be part of a community of readers, writers and learners.

Foreign Language

Prima Lingua is a preparatory course designed for students who are about to begin their first year of foreign language study. Prima Lingua focuses on two main goals:

• Familiarizing students with key grammatical concepts that English shares with other languages and comparing these structures.
  
• Introducing grammatical elements that are not present in English but that students will encounter when they begin foreign language study. These include gender, agreement of adjective and noun, and the importance of inflection, or word endings, in many foreign languages.

Prima Lingua also gives students an understanding of linguistic terms, a strong foundation in derivatives across many languages, an appreciation of the cultural aspect of language, and knowledge of the historical development of language groups.

Visual Arts

Drawing

The sixth grade boys take part each year in an extended unit on drawing from life with an emphasis on direct observation. This unit includes an in depth study of contour, gesture, value, composition, and perspective.

2-D and 3-D

The sixth grade art class focuses on three dimensional design and sculpture. Students may work with clay, paper mache, plaster, wire, found objects and a variety of other materials throughout the course. A portion of the term is centered on observation. Preliminary drawings are made in order to understand how to design a three dimensional object. Many projects may relate to an academic subject such as the study of Native American History or poetry from English class. Understanding and implementing the sculptural processes is an important part of the art curriculum. Students are expected to learn and utilize concepts of structure, balance, shape and form to name a few, while working in a creative environment that encourages them to explore and be a bit messy.

Design and Multimedia

Sixth grade boys will learn how multimedia expands on the concepts and techniques from traditional 2-D and 3-D media. Boys will learn the art of metaphor, sequence, and montage during video production. They will learn how to transfer hand drawn work into digitally modified graphic design pieces. The boys will also work with composition, lighting, and contrast during their work with photography.

Drama

Students will enhance their public speaking skills, learn the art of persuasion, and become more comfortable with being in front an audience by working on speeches, improvisation, and beginning acting skills.

Music

Building upon the Lower School music program, this Kodaly-based music education program is one in which students learn musical literacy and musical artistry through active participation in music making. Students sing, perform, and study music from a variety of styles and genres. They notate, arrange, and compose music using professional music software. The boys study folk music from a variety of world cultures and classical music from many historical periods. They explore the realm of music theater through their study of Gian Carlo Menotti’s opera “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” and Leonard Bernstein’s musical “West Side Story.”

Click here to find out more about our music ensembles.

Health and Physical Fitness

Boys are taught skills, provided drill work, and have the opportunity to play the following: touch football, soccer, cross-country, floor hockey, basketball, wrestling, track and field, baseball, and lacrosse.

The Presidential Fitness Program is administered during the Fall and Spring semesters of each middle school year. The "Presidential Award" is given to those students who score 85% or above in all tests. The "National Award" recognizes those boys scoring 50% or above in all tests. Parents will receive individual fitness profiles from curl-ups (abdominal strength), shuttle run (quickness and speed), one-mile run/walk (endurance), pushups (upper body strength), and V-sit reach (flexibility).