Sixth graders seek to share the light of Jesus! Our focus is to live as children of light, and our key verse is Ephesians 5:8-10. Because we love the Lord Jesus and trust in His unconditional love for us, we want Him to be in control of our hearts. The more we surrender our hearts to His Lordship, the more Fruit of the Spirit He can grow in our lives. Sixth grade is designed to be a transitional year to provide support and encouragement to our students and prepare them for seventh and eighth grades.
Bible
- Focus on being "Children of Light" (Ephesians 5:8-10)
- Students take turns to serve as student-leaders each month
- Learn about and apply a Fruit of the Spirit each month
- Lessons based on Wise Up! God's wisdom from the book of Proverbs by Positive Action
- Survey of the New Testament with personal quiet times
- Some projects: My Testimony slide show; Christmas pillows; Fruit of the Spirit slide show; Lego Stop-Motion Parables
- Rock Springs retreat
- Interviews and games with retirement home residents
- Christmas caroling at retirement home
- Girls and boys Bible studies
Reading
Variety is the spice of life! In order to develop reading skills, higher order thinking skills and a life-long love of reading, the curriculum includes novel units, literature circles, and book projects. The novel units include among the Hidden, Hatchet, and The Cay. The end-of-book projects include missionary biographies, African-American biographies, and classical literature. Investigation and application of Biblical principles and truth are part of every unit to enhance moral development and a Christian worldview. Students deepen their comprehension skills and have a great time as they create projects, perform skills, and make personal connections with the stories they read. Technology is used through Google Classroom and project-based learning.
Language
Author! Author! Our sixth grade authors write across the curriculum and utilize our Chromebooks in research and writing. Students are given focused instruction in vocabulary, grammar, and the writing process using the Shurley English text. A variety of writing assignments are assigned such as a persuasive essay, a biography, poems, a research paper, thought journals, personal reflections, and current events articles. Using the seven traits, each author is nurtured to further develop his/her writing skills. For vocabulary instruction, we use the Wordly Wise 3000 electronic curriculum.
Spelling
We use Wordly Wise 3000 for spelling and vocabulary development. Students bring in concrete items to more clearly understand the meanings and uses of the words. Some challenge words are pulled from novel units and other subjects.
Mathematics
- Singapore Math 6
- Subjects include number theory, data and statistics, fractions, decimals, percent, expressions and equations, integers, ratios, probability, geometry, and coordinate plane.
- Manipulatives, iXL math, video clips, slide shows, SMART board, individual white boards, math journals
- Some projects: checkbook activity, digital escape room using percents, design an apartment floor-plan.
Social Studies
- Textbook - Abeka; titled The New World History and Geography
- We cover the western hemisphere in both geography and history
- Students have a weekly D.O.G. (Daily Oral Geography) assignment teaching them to use maps and think about the world around them.
- The year starts with a geography and historical view of Canada. Then it moves into the western part of the United States. After that we cover the times before, during, and after the Civil War. Once through the Civil War we move on to WWI and WWII , again covering before, during, and after these conflicts. In the spring we learn about Sought America both geographically and historically.
- Projects throughout the year - creating timelines, Canada tri-fold, PowerPoints, role play different times in history (example: during WWII they each take the role of a child in a concentration camp), reader's theater.
Science
- Textbook - Purposeful Design: Life Science
- We start with the relationship between science and the Christian Worldview before moving into cells and cell theory. Once covering cells thoroughly, we move into the human body and its organ systems. First, we learn about the cardiovascular system including the structures of the heart and diseases along with diseases prevention. Then the respiratory and excretory systems are discussed. This also includes the structures of these organ systems and diseases. After that we focus on the skeletal system, muscular system and nervous system. We end the year with studying genetics.
- Labs - Saving Sam, looking at cells, osmosis/diffusion, exercise/heart rate, chicken dissection, nervous system reactions
- Projects throughout the year - 3D digestion system, 3D skeletal system, INB ( interactive notebook)
- Science Fair - This is a big project that the students work on the two semesters. It includes understanding the scientific method which includes knowing what variables are and how to use them in an experiment. They write a detailed scientific report including the findings of their experiment. A project board is created to display their work. Then the project is presented in the spring.
Enrichment Classes
We are blessed to have Spanish, art, computer, library, physical education and music classes scheduled throughout the week. These classes are taught by specialists in their field and in settings specifically designed for those activities. Sixth graders also have the opportunity participate in band, honors choir, strings, robotics, and athletics.
Spectacular Sixth Grade!
- Retreat at Rock Springs
- Rolling Hills Wildlife Refuge in Salina, Kansas
- Smoky Hills Museum
- Raise funds for needy children
- Visit with and sing to the elderly at nursing homes
- Missionary biography skits
- South American Fiesta
- African American biography interviews