PALOS COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT 118

GRADE SIX CURRICULUM

The Palos District 118 Teaching for Understanding Framework has established learning benchmarks, which are those essential concepts, processes, and content that students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. 

District 118 teachers and administrators have developed these benchmarks based on the Illinois State Standards, national standards, and updated research.

Our community's standards and grade level expectations are often higher than those suggested by our Illinois State Board of Education.  Such expectations are incorporated within and continue to produce excellence in our students and staff as indicated on state testing.  We are, of course, always looking to continually improve.

While District 118 emphasizes "the basics," our Board-adopted curriculum uses the basics to establish a foundation for students' understanding of the major concepts in each of the content areas.

Reading/Language Arts

The reading/language arts program is designed to balance instruction in reading skills and strategies with instruction in interpretation and oral and written response to literature.  The use of a variety of fiction and nonfiction literature, as well as electronic media, helps develop in-depth understanding of topics and also helps teachers meet the diverse needs of students.  Students will use the new 2007 literature series from Prentice Hall Publishers.

Reading

Sixth grade literature genres at this level include:

  • folklore - fables, myths, legends, fairy tales

  • classics

  • mystery

  • poetry

  • biographies

Strategies and skills incorporated in the sixth grade reading program include:

  • identifying and adapting thinking strategies

  • using language patterns to aid meaning

  • using structure, organization, and style to interpret text

  • identifying universal and recurring themes in literature

  • applying reading to life experiences

  • extending and applying what is read

  • making predictions based on prior experience

  • responding to literature in a variety of ways

  • discussing how fictional characters have solved real life problems

English

Sixth grade students use writing to express themselves.  Students will continue to write many purposes and audiences and will develop the mechanics through grammar instruction.

Writing

  • narrative essays (major focus in 8th grade)

  • persuasive essays (major focus in 7th grade)

  • expository essays (major focus in 6th grade)

  • poetry

  • creative writing

  • journals

Grammar

  • spelling

  • sentence structure

Listening and Spelling

  • informative speech

  • listening/audience skills

Information Fluency Skills/Technology

Technology skills, taught to students in the classroom and media center, are integrated throughout the curriculum to support and enhance learning.

Mathematics

Mathematics skills, strategies and concepts are taught through a variety of resources including textbooks and manipulatives for "hands on" experiences.  Thinking skills are developed as students learn different problem solving strategies.  Mathematical concepts studied in the sixth grade include:

  • number concepts and numeration

  • measurement

  • geometric and algebraic concepts

  • data analysis

  • probability

  • problem solving

Grade 6 Book

  • problem solving with fractions, decimals, percents and integers

  • divisibility rules as an aid in factoring and dividing

  • formulas of area, perimeter and surface area

  • a variety of problem solving strategies to solve real world problems

  • prediction of outcomes based on probability

  • expression of the same information on a variety of graphs

  • single step equations

Pre Algebra Book

  • problem solving and computation with rational numbers

  • ratio and proportion to compare units of measurement and sets of objects

  • a variety of problem solving strategies to solve real world problems

  • formulas of area, perimeter, volume and surface area

  • location and name of unique points on a grid

  • different properties of equations

  • multi-step equations

  • simplification of expressions and equations using order of operations

  • application of algebraic concepts to written problems

Science

Science is a content area consisting of a variety of topics.  Inquiry into topics is pursued using textbooks, nonfiction literature, "hands on" experimentation and the scientific inquiry method.  The teaching and learning emphasis goes beyond coverage of facts to understanding concepts related to topics being studied.  Sixth grade students will develop an understanding of concepts through the following topics:

Process Skills

  • Scientific method

  • Designing and setting up a controlled experiment

  • Solving open-ended questions

  • Using equipment safely and accurately

Environmental Conservation and Resources

  • Populations and Communities

  • Ecosystems and Biomes

  • Earth's Resources

Earth Sciences

  • Plate tectonics

  • Earthquakes

  • Volcanoes

Social Studies

Social Studies is a content area.  The primary purpose of social studies is to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for themselves and the public good.  Sixth grade students develop an understanding of concepts through the following guided questions:

  • How did physical geography affect the growth of ancient civilization?

  • For what historical accomplishments is each civilization known?

  • What legacies have been left by cultures of the past?

  • How did ancient civilizations develop governments?

  • How did ancient civilizations develop economic systems?

These guiding questions will be applied to the study of the ancient world, including the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece, Rome, and Medieval Europe.

Fine Arts

    The Fine Arts teachers in District 118 have constructed a comprehensive, integrated, sequential curriculum to develop the whole child.  Through "hands on" interaction, students will develop criticism skills, an aesthetic appreciation of the Arts, and study the historical perspectives that help shape our society. 

Art

In sixth grade students will:

  • explore a variety of sophisticated materials and techniques.

  • explore art's development throughout history and in various cultures.

  • explore a variety of artistic styles.

  • explore how artistic elements influence given pieces of art.

Music

In sixth grade students will:

  • explore music's development throughout history and in various cultures.

  • explore a variety of compositional styles.

  • explore how musical elements influence compositions.

  • learn by singing, playing, moving, reading, writing, and creating.

Band

In sixth grade students who have successfully  completed the beginning band program are encouraged to participate at this level.  These students will:

  • increase proficiency on their individual instrument.

  • increase proficiency with symbolic notation.

  • perform a varied repertoire, music of various cultures and styles.

  • develop self-discipline.

Physical Education

The physical education program is planned around the growth and development of the child.  It provides a wide range of activities consistent with the requirements of our state goals.  In sixth grade students will:

  • achieve and maintain health-enhancing levels of physical fitness through self-testing.

  • develop team building skills.

  • acquire movement skills through practice and repetition.

  • develop an appreciation for recreational and competitive sports.

  • develop offensive and defensive strategies in competitive situations.

 

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Graphics on this page are from DiscoverySchool.com Teacher Clip Art 

Last updated  September 2007

Copyright © 2006 Palos Community Consolidated School District 118. All rights reserved.