6th GradeCurriculum
Writing
Building a strong foundation in grammar, students learn to write with structure and style. They learn to assess their writing and revise it and write numerous short answer responses, personal narratives, fictional stories, poems, raps, scenes, literary analysis essays and argumentative papers.
Literature
Students learn to examine literature with a critical eye, becoming proficient in close reading and annotation, inference, and analysis. Students examine the deliberate choices a writer is making in story structure, word usage and character development. In addition, they develop an understanding of literature’s ability to utilize the vicarious experience to expand and enrich their worldview. Books we read this year include: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time”, “The Night Diary”, “Inside Out and Back Again”, “One Crazy Summer”, and “I Am Malala”.
Math
The pre-algebra curriculum exposes students to algebraic concepts and develops abstract reasoning skills. Word problems are incorporated to support critical thinking. Students deepen their understanding of ratio and proportion, write and solve algebraic equations, use statistics and probability to analyze data and build a strong foundation in geometry.
History
Students research the regions and time periods of the novels they are studying, and apply their research to analyzing how historical, cultural and socioeconomic forces affect individual lives. In addition, they use a process of sourcing, contextualization, corroboration, and close reading to think critically about history. Specific topics in the history course include: The rise of Hitler and World Ward II, Indian Partition, The Vietnam War, Civil Rights, and the history of Pakistan and the struggle against the Taliban.
Science
Students focus on a comprehensive study of human biology including the circulatory, skeletal, muscular, respiratory, immune, nervous, and digestive systems. Students study nutrition and its effects on the systems of the body, as well as complete research projects and presentations on the physiological effects of stress, neuroplasticity, the nature of pain and the way mindful breathing impacts the central nervous system.
The Arts
Filmmaking, theatre, visual art and creative writing are integral parts of the curriculum, providing opportunities for deeper engagement with the material being worked with, as well as providing opportunities to experience the joy and power of creative expression. .
Holistic Development
Meditation, goal setting, visualization and reflection will be cornerstone habits helping students develop mindfulness, joy, composure and high performance levels under pressure.