Grade 6 Curriculum 2006-2007

The Good News in Education

Teachers:

Mrs. Salek— Religion, Reading, Social Studies
Mrs. Wick— Religion, Science
Mrs. DeBruler— Math
Mrs. Phelan— Math
Mrs. VanIderstine— Math
Mr. Murphy— Reading, Language Arts
Mrs. Rensch— Language Arts

Religion Curriculum:

Bible:

Old Testament
Creation  Exodus
  God’s Covenant  Commandments/Beatitudes
  Abraham  Judges
  Jacob    Kings
  Joseph  Prophets
  Moses  Wisdom Books
  David

New Testament
  Gospel Message / Good News
  Comparisons of Old Testament figures and teachings to Jesus and his teachings
  The Beginning of the Church
  The Niti Letters

Liturgical Themes:

• Ordinary Time
• Advent
• Lent
• Pentecost
• Christmas
• Easter

Marks of the Church:

• Christian Mission
• Sacraments

Prayer Rituals / Forms of Prayer

• Rosary / Mysteries
• Our Father
• Hail Mary
• Glory Be
• Hail Holy Queen
• Apostles Creed
• Stations of the Cross
• Reconciliation

• People of Faith / Communication of Saints
• Catholic Social Teachings

 

Assignments / Assessments:

• Scripture Activities
• Quizzes / Tests
• Service Projects – developed and implemented by students

Social Studies Curriculum:

• Early Civilizations
• Mesopotamia
• Egypt
• India
• China
• Greece
• Rome

• Middle Ages
• Reformation
• Renaissance and Exploration
• Current Events – Time for Kids Magazine
• Dare – 10 weeks in first semester

Skills

• Graphing
• Inference
• Listening
• Map
• Note taking
• Reading Comprehension

Activities

• Research
• Cross-circular

Homework

• Homework is assigned almost daily and tests will be every 2-3 weeks.
• Students should keep ALL copies of the Time for Kids Magazine for the end-of-year test.

Science Curriculum:

Life Science

• Scientific method and measurement
• Abiotic/biotic factors in an environment
• Outdoor Education experience

Earth Science

• Earth processes
• Atmospheric systems
• Erosion
• Plate tectonics
• Topographic maps

Science, Technology & Society

• Recognize a design problem
• Identify important contributions to science and technology

Expectations of Science Students

• Develop organizational skills
• Identify and use the steps of Scientific Method
• Responsibly use tools and equipment to accurately measure and record data
• Practice a variety of note-taking skills
• Work collaboratively and cooperatively with fellow students during group assignments, labs and activities
• Participate in a three-day Outdoor Ed experience emphasizing the relationships of all living and non-living environmental elements

Literature Curriculum:

A diverse selection of literature will be used to enhance student development of higher level comprehension and inferential thinking. Skills will develop and improve as students are presented with the following focus:

• Evaluating fact, opinion and bias
• Identifying myths and fables
• Analyzing style and purpose
• Understanding elements of plot
• Understanding the author’s purpose in various literary forms
• Identifying characteristics of fantasy and legends
• Applying word analysis and vocabulary skills

• Students will apply acquired skills to one or two novel studies.

Vocabulary:

Vocabulary is a weekly part of Reading class. We will usually cover a unit every two weeks. A bi-weekly test is given, as well as unit work in the consumable text. Each lesson has twenty words, and unit reviews occur after every third and sixth unit.

Each unit contains:

• An introductory lesson (word list, definitions, pronunciations, and parts of speech)
• Completing the Sentence
• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Choosing the Right Word
• Vocabulary in Context

Unit reviews include many of the same categories and also examine related words and building with classical root words.

The purpose of the Vocabulary Workshop program is to strengthen the students’ vocabulary in reading and writing. Students are encouraged to put these words into everyday use.

The students will be given an additional 10 basic words on their spelling vocabulary test that they will be required to spell accurately in their daily work.

Language Arts:

• Basic parts of speech, grammar, punctuation
• Sentence structure and type of sentences
• Basic diagramming
• Paragraphing
• Introduction to five paragraph essay
• Research Paper
• Oral Skills

All students are required to retain all written work in their writing folder. This will remain in the classroom. Please contact the teacher if you would like to review your student’s work.

Math Expectations & Requirements:

All students are expected to be organized, with homework, handouts, etc. kept in the appropriate section of their binder or expandable. Notes should be taken in their math spiral notebook. Students should come to class prepared with all of their materials and a willingness to participate in the daily lessons.

All students are required to complete homework assignments. Work must be shown to receive full credit for any assignment. Assignments that are conscientiously completed and turned in on time will receive five points of out five for their grade. Some work that is incomplete will receive three or four points out of five. If a student does not understand a homework assignment, the teacher must be notified before class begins. Extra help and time will then be discussed. Homework may also be graded as a quiz.

Quizzes are given frequently along with various types of tests that will evaluate progress and assess mastery of concepts as they are learned. Additional standards for written work include neatness, papers with proper heading, use of pencil (no pens allowed), and statement answers for work problems.

The teacher is available to help students who need assistance. It is the student’s responsibility to ask for clarification or help when necessary. Oral participation will greatly enhance your child’s understanding.

Expectations for Math Class

• Come to class with all materials and ready to participate.
• Have a proper heading on all papers.
• Complete all work legibly, in PENCIL, and on time.
• Copy original problem (some exceptions).
• Number problems vertically.
• Skip lines between problems.
• Box your answer.
• For fill in the blank questions, write only word answer.
• Homework is completed on loose leaf in your expandable or binder.
• NO WORK, NO CREDIT!! Show work by the problem.

Showing work:	Not Showing work:
2  23 x39 207 690 897	23 x39 897	23 39 207 690 897

• Retakes available for most quizzes and tests of 82% and below. You must notify the teacher and schedule a time within one week.
• “Pop” quizzes may be given.
• Daily notes are required in a spiral notebook.
• Date the page.
• Copy notes and problems from the board/overhead.
• Add your notes from the book and homework.
• Do no skip pages.
• If a test of quiz is given, write the date then “test” or “quiz”.
• Any homework assignment can be collected as a quiz.
• Homework is graded on a 5 point scale:
• 5 points: All work shown; all problems attempted/completed properly
• 4 points through 1 point: Various reasons
• 0 points: NO WORK
• Sentence answers for word problems.

Illinois State Goals for Mathematics

The state goals for math (State Goals 6,7,8,9,10) with their respective standards, are:
State Goal 6: Demonstrate and apply a knowledge and sense of numbers, including numeration and operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division), patterns, ratios and proportions.

• Learning Standard A: Demonstrate knowledge and use of numbers and their representations in a broad range of theoretical and practical settings.
• Learning Standard B: Investigate, represent and solve problems using number facts, operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and their properties, algorithms and relationships.
• Learning Standard C: Compute and estimate using mental mathematics, paper-and-pencil methods, calculators and computers;
• Learning Standard D: Solve problems using comparison of quantities, ratios, proportions and percents.

State Goal 7: Estimate, make and use measurements of objects, quantities and relationships and determine acceptable levels of accuracy.

• Learning Standard A: Measure and compare quantities using appropriate units, instruments and methods.
• Learning Standard B: Estimate measurements and determine acceptable levels of accuracy.
• Learning Standard C: Select and use appropriate technology, instruments and formulas to solve problems, interpret results and communicate findings.

State Goal 8: Use algebraic and analytical methods to identify and describe patterns and relationships in data, solve problems and predict results.

• Learning Standard A: Describe numerical relationships using variable and patterns.
• Learning Standard B: Interpret and describe numerical relationships using tables, graphs and symbols.
• Learning Standard C: Solve problems using systems of numbers and their properties.
• Learning Standard D: Use algebraic concepts and procedures to represent and solve problems.

State Goal 9: Use geometric methods to analyze, categorize and draw conclusions about points, lines, planes and space.

• Learning Standard A: Demonstration and apply geometric concepts involving points, lines, planes and space.
• Learning Standard B: Identify, describe, classify and compare relationships using points, lines, planes and solids.
• Learning Standard C: Construct convincing arguments and proofs to solve problems.
• Learning Standard D: Use trigonometric rations and circular functions to solve problems.

State Goal 10: Collect, organize and analyze data using statistical methods; predict results; and interpret uncertainty using concepts of probability.

• Learning Standard A: Organize, describe and make predictions from existing data;
• Learning Standard B: Formulate questions, design data collection methods, gather and analyze data and communicate findings.
• Learning Standard C: Determine, describe and apply the probabilities of events.