Sixth Grade
Math
Math In Focus
This series is based on the Singapore Math approach. It concentrates on real world problem solving and different strategies to utilize (there is always more than one way to solve a problem!)
Guided Inquiry
Hands-on Activities
Manipulatives
Math Centers
Math Websites (to reinforce what has been learned)
Science
Sixth Grade Science is designed for students to meet the Next Generation Science Standards by practicing methods for exploring and investigating the world around us. Students complete hands-on activities, projects, and problems that simulate concepts and situations, allowing them to build content knowledge and technical skills to better prepare them for HS sciences. Some units include matter and its interactions, energy, engineering design and magnetism.
Pollyanna (Racial Literacy Curriculum)
To encourage kindness, bravery, and empathy when exploring and better understanding the cultural and racial diversity of local and global communities.
To develop more inclusive and positive perspective of self, others, and the larger world in regard to race, ethnicity, and culture.
To analyze history and other social assertions that fabricate myths of innate racial superiority to dispel myopic, discriminatory perspectives of race.
To analyze race as a primary institution of the United States.
To critique the biological fallacy of race, while simultaneously unpacking its social truths.
The underlying goal of the curriculum is to build bridges and connections––for all students to recognize similarities among their peers along lines of race, while also celebrating perceived differences.
Sixth Grade Theme: The Historical Construction of Race and Current Racial Identities Throughout U.S. Society
Humanities
The Sixth Grade uses a humanities model by combining history topics with literature at appropriate levels for the student. Sixth Grade humanities themes are Decisions, Actions, and Consequences.
Project Based Learning
Project Based Learning (PBL) is a teaching method in which students learn by actively engaging in real-world and personally meaningful projects.
Students work on a project over an extended period of time – from a week up to a semester – that engages them in solving a real-world problem or answering a complex question. They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by creating a public product or presentation for a real audience.
As a result, students develop deep content knowledge as well as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. Project Based Learning unleashes a contagious, creative energy among students and teachers.
Project Based Learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging, and complex question, problem, or challenge.
Presentations of Learning:
Project Based Learning Presentations happen at the end of each trimester.
Independent Study Project Presentations happen once at the end of the school year.
Sixth Grade: Boat Building
Highlights:
All Lower Grade and Upper Grade students gain experience and confidence speaking publicly at monthly Declamations in front of their classmates in the Alumni Theater.
Students challenge themselves to master and declaim celebrated works of poetry and prose, including speeches, sonnets, excerpts from novels, plays and songs, and self-written works.
In the Upper Grade students work to hone their declaiming skills, focusing on poise and appearance, dramatization, eye contact, voice and articulation, and pacing, as SPS faculty provides feedback on the performances and decides on one winner each month.
Mini Courses: These happen every trimester. Some of the mini-courses we’ve offered in the past are Leadership In Action, Drama, Health, Coding, Design Thinking, and more.
Team building activities at the beginning of the year for Grades 6-8
Overnight Echo Hill Field Trip Grades 6 and 7
Leadership Opportunities throughout the school year Grades 6-8
