Grade 6 English
This is a standards based literature curriculum that focuses on the comprehension of a variety of texts
within multiple genres. Students participate in whole group novels, smaller book groups and
independent reading. Teachers utilize focused writing, questioning and discussion techniques to
support student learning (various novels, short stories, poems, and non-fiction pieces are used).
Grade 6 students participate in an additional writing class as well. All writing standards are addressed
through a variety of “projects” which allow for students to develop proficiency with the writing
process and writing across genres and purposes.
Reading
Students will be able to:
· Read a variety of literature and informational texts
· Analyze character development
· Identify themes (community, friendship, bullying), mood and tone
· Analyze character relationships
· Analyze point of view, symbolism and stereotypes
· Develop inferences
· Identify foreshadowing, flashback and cliffhanger
· Identify elements of story
· Identify plot
· Summarize in appropriate sequence
· Cite text to support conclusions
· Utilize scanning, skimming and in-depth reading
· Define words in context
· Comprehend dialogue
· Identify elements of genre
· Apply literal, interpretive and critical thinking skills
Writing
Students will be able to:
· Write arguments to support claims (persuasive)
· Write informative/explanatory texts
· Write narratives
· Write poems, scripts, myths, legends and epics
· Produce clear and coherent writing
· Develop a topic over multiple paragraphs
· Evaluate one’s own writing through revising, editing and re-writing
· Utilize technology to produce and publish writing
Language
Students will be able to:
· Ensure subject-verb agreement
· Choose words and phrases for effect and to convey ideas precisely
· Recognize variations in standard English in speaking and writing
· Understand how grammatical rules support clear speaking and writing
Speaking and Listening
Students will be able to:
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Engage in a range of collaborative discussions
Utilize text to support discussions
Interpret information from a variety of sources and in a variety of formats
Present ideas logically with appropriate eye-contact, volume, and pronunciation
Include multi-media components in presentations
Grade 6 Mathematics
All grade 6 (ON level and ABOVE level) math classes complete a core curriculum encompassing all
grade level standards (Massachusetts State Frameworks and Common Core). There is a strong
emphasis on the development of number theory (decimals, fractions, and percents), geometry
(measurement in one, two and three dimensions), algebraic thinking and problem solving.
Measurement and estimation concepts are included in each category below.
Ratios and Proportions
Students will be able to:
· Use ratio and rate concepts and language to solve real world problems.
o Includes using tables and diagrams, unit rates, percents of a quantity, converting
measurement units, and comparing an object’s mass to volume
o interpret scale drawings
Number System
Students will be able to:
· Use standards algorithms to add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers, decimals, and
fractions.
o Includes computing and interpreting quotients of fractions to solve problems with rate
and measurement.
· Understand opposites and use positive and negative integers to represent quantities.
· Find Greatest Common Factor and Least Common Multiple of numbers less than 100.
· Find prime factors and relatively prime numbers to solve problems.
· Understand rational numbers as a point on a number line.
o Includes coordinate axes, ordered pairs in all 4 quadrants, opposites of numbers,
ordering and absolute value, and interpreting statements of inequality
Expressions and Equations
Students will be able to:
· Write and evaluate numerical expressions with whole number exponents.
· Evaluate expressions with variables, including formulas.
· Use Order of Operations, including exponents, and Distributive Property.
· Identify and generate equivalent expressions.
· Use variables to write and solve one-step equations without negative numbers
· Interpret, write, and represent inequalities on number lines.
· Represent and analyze the relationship between dependent and independent variables using
graphs and tables.
Geometry
Students will be able to:
· Find area of triangles, special quadrilaterals, and polygons by composing into rectangles or
triangles.
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Find radius, diameter, circumference, and area of circles.
Find volume of a right rectangular prism, including those with a fractional edge length.
Draw polygons in the coordinate plane and find distance between points.
Represent 3-D figures using nets made of rectangles and triangles.
Statistics and Probability
Students will be able to:
· Understand data distribution and the shape of data.
· Display numerical data in plots on a number line
o Includes dot(scatter) plots, histograms, and box plots
· Read and interpret circle graphs
Above level students will be given the opportunity to explore grade 6 concepts in greater depth and
access grade 7 standards in an effort to prepare them for honors level work in Algebra and
Geometry. All grade 6 students will enter Course 1 of the Integrated Algebra 1, Geometry 1, and
Statistics course in their grade 8 year.
Grade 6 Ancient and Classical Civilizations
6th graders study the origins of human beings in Africa and the early civilizations that flourished in
the Mediterranean area. They study the religions, governments, trade, philosophies, and art of these
civilizations as well as the powerful ideas that arose in the ancient world and profoundly shaped the
course of world history. Massachusetts Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Sciences are
addressed within the context of the course. Significant opportunities for oral presentation, research
and written work are embedded throughout the course.
Students will be able to:
· Analyze and interpret various maps and their features
· Identify the tools used to interpret history
o primary sources
o secondary source
o oral history
· Utilize artifacts to interpret history
· Differentiate between BC and AD
· Identify the 5 Traits of a Civilization
· Understand how ancient civilizations have influenced later civilizations and modern society
· Analyze how the following ancient civilizations developed and prospered
o Mesopotamia
o Egypt
o Greece
o Rome
· Analyze how geography affected the growth of transportation, trade, government, and religion
Grade 6 Science
6th graders study three units, Changing Earth’s Surface, Ecosystems and Living Things- Kingdoms
and Cells. Students use the practices of science: asking questions, developing and using models,
planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematical tools,
constructing explanations, engaging in argument from evidence and communicating information.
Changing Earth’s Surface
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Scientists use models, critically evaluate evidence, and engage in scientific discourse to shape
theories and explanations of earth’s changing surface.
Earth’s surface undergoes chemical and physical changes
The earth’s surface undergoes slow and quick changes over time that can be linked to its
structure and the movement of matter and energy.
Mapping the Earth
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Students will be able to:
o Create 2-dimensional representations of earth’s surface.
o Apply scale to model the surface of the earth.
Earth’s Surface
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Students will be able to:
o Explain how earth materials get recycled on earth through the rock cycle.
o Differentiate between rocks and minerals.
o Link the movement of water and air to earth’s surface features.
Ecosystems
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An ecosystem consists of living and non-living things, which form relationships with each
other.
Matter and energy flow through ecosystems.
Energy and Living Things
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Students will be able to:
o Identify relationships between living and non-living things in an ecosystem.
o Give examples of producers, consumers, and decomposers in a variety of ecosystems.
o Describe how plants use energy from sunlight to make and store energy for later use or
use by other organisms.
o Explain how producers, consumers, and decomposers interact with each other and the
non-living environment.
o Describe the flow of matter through an ecosystem.
o Model energy flow and cycling of matter using a food web and food pyramid.
o Diagram how energy flows through an ecosystem.
o Provide examples of adaptations that organisms possess that help to survive.
o Give examples of how living things compete for a limited number of resources.
Living Things: Kingdoms and Cells
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Organisms have characteristics that help them survive and ultimately reproduce.
Life is unified by shared characteristics, including being comprised of cells that carry out
life’s functions.
§ Scientists classify organisms based on similarities, but these systems are subject to change as
new understanding develops.
Classification of Organisms
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Students will be able to:
o Name the characteristics of living things.
o Name six kingdoms.
o Identify several organisms in each kingdom.
o Explain how scientists organize organisms into a hierarchical system.
o Compare and contrast the ways in which protists obtain food and move about.
o Use the characteristics of an organism to identify in which kingdom it belongs.
Structure and Function of Cells
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Compare and contrast the major organelles in plant cells and animal cells.
Use microscopes to observe cells and micro-organisms.
Create models of cells.