Sixth Grade Curriculum

While preparing our middle school students for high school, the Saint Rose School Community ensures that students’ individual talents are supported, their spirituality deepened, and their commitment to service increased as they become more aware of their community responsibility.

This balance of personal growth and achievement, aimed at citizenship in Heaven and engaged here as part of a socially responsible community, provides our students the tools they need to lead meaningful lives in accord with their potential.

Our teaching staff at this level is departmentalized and offers students a traditional middle school experience. The departmental model provides instruction by teachers who are experts in their fields. Students begin each day with their homeroom teacher and then with the whole school community at morning prayers. After prayer, they move to different classrooms for instruction in specific subject areas along with special areas classes including: Physical Education, Art, Band/Music Appreciation, Spanish, and Computer class. All classes are taught by certified teachers.

Our middle school students become leaders in our community. The 6th, 7th, and 8th graders are paired with Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students as a part of our “Prayer Partner” program. They accompany our youngest students to weekly Mass and other events, in addition to being a friendly face and source of support on campus. The Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, Ambassador Program, Social Justice opportunities, school play, athletics, and a whole host of after school clubs allow our students to explore leadership and expand friendships, consistent with their strengths and interests. Our alumni tell us that they feel very prepared for the entire High School experience--in the classroom, on the athletic fields, at other extracurriculars, and socially. We host an annual alumni reunion each Christmas season and usually have about 50 or so young people join us in our Christmas assembly with music and caroling as a Saint Rose community.

Religion

  • 6th Grade Textbook: God’s Merciful Love: The Old Testament by Ignatius Press
  • 6th Grade Topics include: Study of God’s merciful love in the Old Testament, God’s covenants with his people, an in depth study of the Psalms, the women of the Old Testament, conscience and friendship
  • Special activities: Weekly adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, monthly confession available, hands on study of the books of the Bible and memory verses from the Bible, projects over the covenants of the Old Testament, practice of various forms of prayer

English

  • Textbook: Prentice Hall’s Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes – Copper (6) Bronze (7) and Silver (8)
  • Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Workshop Level A (6) B (7) Level C (8)
  • Literature-based curriculum
  • Accelerated Reader supplementary reading program
  • Readworks - Digital Reading Comprehension Skill building (6)
  • Novel studies focusing on literary analysis and literary elements
  • Emphasis on reading for detail and deeper meaning
  • Selections of poetry and dramas call for vibrant student participation and attentive, discerning writing; students enjoy parsing through Shakespeare and other notable authors’ works
  • Grammar Textbook Voyages in English Level 6, 7, and 8
  • Writing styles used in high school (Organization)
  • RACES, RAPS, and TELCon Writing Process Taught
  • Focus on Textual Analysis and Evidence-Based Essay Writing
  • The writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing)
  • Writing applications (analytical, persuasive, expository and narrative, descriptive, poetry, letters)
  • Utilizes Google Classroom for digital assignment submission, essay writing, teacher feedback
  • Escape Room Lessons to encourage cross curricular learning

Social Studies

  • 6th Grade Textbook: McGraw-Hill: Discovering Our Past: A History of the World: Early Ages(Ancient Civilizations)
  • 6th Grade Topics include: Ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt and Kush, Ancient India, Early China, The Israelites, Ancient Greeks, and Rome
  • Special activities: Hands on artifact activities, Vocabulary Skits, Art projects such as Hieroglyphic art, DAR and VFW essay contests, National Geographic Geo Bee, Veterans Day events, and International Food Day

Mathematics

  • Curriculum is based on Singapore Math Concept
  • Use concrete pictures and bar models to introduce mathematical concepts.
  • This leads to a deeper understanding of abstract math.
  • Math is made authentic through real-world applications.
  • 6th Grade textbook: Math in Focus: Singapore Math by Houghton Mifflin (Course 1)
  • Understanding factors and multiples, positive and negative numbers on a number line, multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals, ratios, rates, and percents
  • Simplify and evaluate algebraic expressions, solve simple one-step equations, graphing points on a coordinate plane, and finding the distance between two points
  • Area of polygons, circumference and area of a circle, and surface area and volume of solids
  • Measures of central tendency are used to summarize data
  • Most concepts are taught through bar models
  • Hands on activities are used throughout the year to solidify understanding
  • Several projects are assigned during the year for real-world

Science

  • Textbook: Prentice Hall Science Explorer(6/7/8)
  • Introduce (6) and develop (7/8) the scientific process
  • Observations, data collection and generating hypothesis (7/8)
  • Learn how to utilize reliable sources (6/7/8)
  • Participate in Science Olympiad competitions (7/8)
  • Focus on Earth Science
  • Build and test bottle rockets
  • Explain the relationship between plate tectonics and geological events
  • Study how the earth and life has changed over geologic time
  • Analyze data and make predictions about the weather