6th Grade

Sixth graders rotate through woodshop, drama, studio art, media arts, and music, gaining exposure to a wide range of artistic disciplines. Across these experiences, students explore creative expression, storytelling, and cultural context while building both technical skills and confidence. Whether performing an original play, composing music, or creating visual art, students learn to communicate ideas through multiple mediums.

Sixth grade English centers on identity, voice, and advocacy, asking students to consider who is heard and who is silenced. Through a mix of novels, plays, and student-selected texts, students engage in discussion, analysis, and collaborative learning. Writing includes memoir, essays, and a TED Talk, with a focus on the full writing process from drafting to publication.

In Ancient Civilizations, students explore the foundations of human societies through inquiry and project-based learning. They examine how geography, innovation, and culture shaped early civilizations, using texts like Sapiens: A Graphic History to guide their thinking. The year culminates in a simulation where students design and bring their own civilization to life. 

Sixth grade Life Skills focuses on navigating change, building independence, and developing strategies for well-being. Students explore topics such as digital citizenship, media literacy, and the impact of technology on their lives. They also engage in age-appropriate conversations about identity, health, and relationships, building self-awareness and decision-making skills. Students learn executive functioning skills and the foundations of leadership. 

Students deepen their understanding of number sense and begin working with more complex concepts, including ratios, algebraic thinking, and integers. Problem-solving and real-world application are central, with an emphasis on reasoning and mathematical communication. Students build confidence as they apply multiple strategies to increasingly sophisticated problems.

Students study Spanish, French, or Mandarin in a proficiency-based program aligned with ACTFL standards. Instruction is differentiated to support a range of learners, from beginners to heritage speakers, and emphasizes real-world communication. By the end of the year, students can engage in simple conversations, interpret basic texts, and express ideas in short written forms.

Students explore major scientific disciplines—including chemistry, biology, and earth science—through hands-on, inquiry-based learning. They investigate topics such as weather systems, human body systems, and Earth’s place in the universe. Through labs, case studies, and observation, students develop scientific thinking and a deeper understanding of the natural world.

Wellness focuses on building physical skills, confidence, and an understanding of the connection between movement and overall health. Through active participation in a variety of activities, students develop coordination, resilience, and teamwork. The program emphasizes learning by doing and supports the whole child—physically, socially, and emotionally.