Sixth Grade Course Descriptions
YEAR-LONG, REQUIRED COURSES
ENGLISH 6
English 6 is a two block course consisting of Writing 6 and Reading 6. In the writing block, the students will focus on three
main writing units: narrative, argument and information. The units will be taught using a writer’s workshop model and will
incorporate basic grammar and conventions. Writing will be presented in many forms including: blogs, Google Docs,
writing journals and oral presentations. The reading block will consist of a variety of fiction and non-fiction texts. Students
will be expected to complete independent reading goals each quarter.
ENGLISH ESSENTIALS
This course uses the LANGUAGE! program to meet the needs of students reading below grade level. Based in literacy
research, LANGUAGE! is a comprehensive teaching model that provides direct instruction in six areas of language arts:
phonemic awareness and phonics; word recognition and spelling; vocabulary and morphology; grammar and usage;
listening and reading comprehension; speaking and listening. With this program, students make rapid gains in reading
and writing skills. This program is hands-on and requires a quick pace, an organized presentation, and student
participation. Students are placed in this program based on a variety of assessment criteria as well as recommendation.
Attendance is an important part of succeeding in English Essentials.
SCIENCE 6
Science at the sixth grade level is a combination of the scientific fields of physical science and life science, created to
meet state standards along with engaging students in hands-on, inquiry based learning. Over the course of the school
year, students will learn about the following: importance of observation, scientific writing and communication, scientific
tools and the scientific method/inquiry; measurement and the international system of measurement; use of models in
science and design; energy and the basic laws of force and motion; order, organization, and function of the human body
systems; animal v. plant cells form and function; traits and heredity; identify environmental issues/importance of natural
resource conservation; basic understanding of the relationship between science and technology. And of course, our year
of explorations in science wouldn’t be complete without a visit to McCall Outdoor Science School!
SOCIAL STUDIES 6: THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE
The focus of this class is on the study of societies in the western hemisphere. We will approach the western hemisphere
in major units of study that include Introductory Geographic Skills, Canada, The United States, Central America, The
Caribbean, and South America. Each unit will address the elements and structures of human society in that region and
will include (but are not limited to) economics, geography, history, citizenship, culture and other social studies related
disciplines. The course will actively engage students in learning about the world around them and how our lives affect
and are affected by the myriad of societies and cultures around the world.
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Sixth Grade Course Descriptions
HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION 6
Health and Physical Education is a year-long course for all 6th grade students. This comprehensive course includes a
variety of Fitness, Lifetime Activities, Sports and Health programming. Areas of emphasis include functional fitness,
nutrition, and providing a natural school-to-life transition for a healthy active lifestyle.
Mathematics courses are arranged according to skill level rather than age groupings. Appropriate level mathematics
courses will be assigned by the Math Department based on the student’s records, test scores, and teacher
recommendations. For students new to MMS, a placement test, or a series of tests, may be required.
FOUNDATIONS OF ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY
This course is designed to prepare students for Principles of Algebra and Geometry 1 the following year. The concepts
covered will be writing and interpreting numerical expressions, analyze patterns and relationships, understand the place
value system, perform : operations with multi-digit whole numbers and with decimals to hundredths, understand symbolic
representation of fractions and conversion to equivalent fractions, use equivalent fractions as a strategy to add and
subtract fractions, apply and understand previous understanding of multiplication and division to multiply and divide
fractions, convert like measurement units within a given measurement system, understand concepts of volume and relate
volume to multiplication and addition, graph points on the coordinate plane to solve real-world and mathematical
problems, classify two-dimensional figures into categories based on their properties. Along with these topics, there will be
an emphasis on the eight standards for mathematical practice.
MATHEMATICS COURSES
PRINCIPLES OF ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY 1
This course is designed to prepare students for Principles of Algebra and Geometry 2 the following year. The concepts
covered will be understanding ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems, apply and extend previous
understandings of multiplication and division to divide fractions by fractions, compute fluently with multi-digit numbers and
find common factors and multiples, apply and extend previous understandings of numbers to the system of rational
numbers, reason about and solve one-variable equations and inequalities, represent and analyze quantitative
relationships between dependent and independent variables, solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area,
surface area, and volume, develop understanding of statistical variability, and summarize and describe distributions.
Along with these topics, there will be an emphasis on the eight standards for mathematical practice.
PRINCIPLES OF ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY 2
This course is designed to prepare students for Principles of Algebra and Geometry 3 the following year. these The
concepts covered will be analyzing proportional relationships and use them to solve real-world and mathematical
problems, apply and extend previous understanding of operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide
rational numbers, solve real-life and mathematical problems using expressions and equations, draw, construct and
describe geometrical figures and describe the relationships between them, draw informal comparative inferences about
two populations, and investigate chance processes and develop, use, and evaluate probability models. Along with these
topics, there will be an emphasis on the eight standards for mathematical practice.
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Sixth Grade Course Descriptions
PRINCIPLES OF ALGEBRA AND GEOMETRY 3
This course is designed to prepare students for Algebra 1 the following year. The concepts covered will be approximating
irrational number, working with radicals for square and cube roots and integer exponents, understanding the connections
between proportional relationships, functions, lines, and linear equations, analyze and solve systems of linear equations,
understand and apply the Pythagorean Theorem, solve real-world and mathematical problems involving volume of
cylinders, cones and spheres, and investigate patterns of association in bivariate data. Along with these topics, there will
be an emphasis on the eight standards for mathematical practice.
ALGEBRA 1
Prerequisite: Completion of PAG3 with an 85% or better average or alternate demonstration of prerequisite skills.
Students enrolled in Algebra 1 are expected to have an adequate knowledge of basic mathematics concepts in all
operations involving whole numbers, decimals, and fractions. Topics in this course will be the language of algebra, real
numbers, linear equations, graphing, functions, inequalities and solving systems of equations and inequalities, exponents
and exponential functions, polynomials, factoring, quadratic and exponential functions, radical and rational expressions,
statistics and probability. Other areas that will be studied are: geometry, measurement, data analysis, problem solving,
reasoning, communication, and real life connections.
GEOMETRY
Prerequisite: Completion of PAG3 or Algebra 1 with an 85% or better average. This course introduces Geometry with a
discovery-based approach and develops student’s ability to reason deductively. First Semester topics include: defining
basic geometric terms; inductive and deductive reasoning, properties of lines, rays, angles, and polygons; elementary
proofs and problem-solving dealing with perpendicular and parallel lines, triangles, polygons and circles. Geometric
constructions will be emphasized in the first semester. Second semester topics includes the study of similarity, the
Pythagorean Theorem, special right triangles, geometric mean, topics in coordinate geometry, transformations, area and
volume, and trigonometric ratios.
QUARTER-LONG, ELECTIVE COURSES
ART EXPLORATIONS
Get ready for one quarter of excitement, where you will be asked think, imagine, and challenge yourself to becoming a
better artist. You will be making works of art using various media including drawing, scratch-board and clay. In addition to
creative expression assignments will include recognizing the elements of art and principles of design and art history.
6th GRADE COMPUTERS
This course is designed to be an introduction the application of technology at the secondary level. Students will learn how
to use Office 365 as well as Moscow School District’s network system. Students will also gain an introduction to MS Word
skills. Students will need to know these skills in order to produce work for all of their other classes in addition to the
proper use of Power Point as a visual aid for school projects. We will also continue to reinforcement the keyboarding
skills learned at the elementary schools through daily warm-ups and weekly timings.
DIY (DO IT YOURSELF)
This sixth grade class is an introduction to the Middle School woodshop. Students will be introduced to basic hand tools
and how to use them safely. In addition to tools identification and safety, students will also learn basic drafting and design
principles. The class will also involve small hands-on projects involving the use of hand tools and portable power tools.
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Sixth Grade Course Descriptions
MUSIC APPRECIATION
Sixth Grade Music is a quarter-long class which all sixth grade students will participate. Students will receive a hands-on
overview of what school music is all about. Students will touch upon beginning theory, world music, band instruments,
iPad compositions, boom-whackers, and more. This class is pass/fail.
SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND/OR INDIVIDUALIZED NEEDS
Moscow Middle School provides a wide range of services for the exceptional student. State law describes exceptional
students as those whose disabilities, and/or talents/abilities, are so great or unusual as to need specially designed
instruction or services. Students may be enrolled concurrently in more than one of the following courses or programs, as
long as they meet eligibility criteria. Because placement is based on criteria and/or referral, these courses are not listed
on the registration form as general offerings. Parents who believe that their child might be eligible for these services
should consult with an MMS counselor.
GENERAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Students who have exceptional educational needs, as defined above, may receive services from any one or a
combination of several specialists, whether or not the student is also enrolled in a specially designed course of instruction
outside the regular classroom. These specialists include, but are not limited to, the following: consulting teacher, school
counselor, school psychologist, resource teacher, G/T program facilitator, speech/language pathologist, physical therapist,
sign language interpreter, nurse, coaches and mentors for special activities, etc. These specialists may serve in one or
more of the following functions: 1) to help assess special needs based on exceptional strengths and/or disabilities; 2) to
help develop special abilities/talents; and 3) to help develop means to overcome/compensate/cope with disabilities that
impede or limit activities of daily living.
Specialists may assist the regular classroom teacher and/or the student to modify the class offerings in various ways,
including the following: 1) accelerate or slow the pace; 2) arrange for work to be done on topics of special interest to the
student, in addition to or in place of, regular class assignments; 3) provide additional and/or adapted learning resources -materials, personnel, activities, etc.; 4) provide guidance in management and/or personal resources (time, energy, etc.)
and relationships, in order to positively affect the student’s progress and well-being.
GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAMS/ENRICHMENT
The G/T Program’s goals center around helping identified students further develop themselves in the following talent
areas: intelligence, academics, leadership and creativity. A cluster of services and activities is available to assist any
student who chooses to find extra challenge and reward by going above and/or beyond the basic school academic
offerings. The offerings include a variety of co-curricular activities. These may vary from year to year, but usually include
Future Problem Solving, Knowledge Master Open, Knowledge Bowl, Spelling Bee, Geography Bee, MathCounts, Writing
Partners, and writers’ conferences/competitions. Students should watch for activities advertised through the daily bulletin,
or they may inquire through the G/T facilitator about pursuing a special interest. Special interest topics can either be
pursued through an extracurricular club or a directed study elective class.
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Sixth Grade Course Descriptions
TUTORIAL PROGRAM
Prerequisite -- Placement is requested by/based on recommendations of counselors, teachers, administrators, parents,
and students themselves. The Tutorial Program is designed to provide services to students who are at risk of failure.
Students are enrolled in the class in place of one of their elective subjects. The teacher works with the students,
informally, on study skills, particularly organization, time management, motivation, goal setting, and studing and test
taking techniques. The teacher offers help on those assignments for other classes with which students are having
difficulty, as well as proctoring tests as appropriate. The Tutorial teacher teams with classroom teachers, counselors,
parents, and administrators to reach the goal of ensuring students have the opportunity to progress academically. Class
numbers are limited to allow the teacher to provide individual assistance to students.
ENGLISH AS A NEW LANGUAGE
An ENL class is open to any student who is learning the English language. Students come to this class who are just
beginning to learn the language or who need practice with vocabulary and grammar. It provides a warm, friendly
atmosphere where newcomers can get adjusted to a confusing new culture. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening are
integrated into a variety of activities designed to improve comprehension and fluency.
SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF SECTION 504 OF THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a civil rights statute that prohibits discrimination against students with
disabilities in any program receiving federal financial assistance. Section 504 protects any student who has a physical or
mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities. Section 504 falls under the management of
general education and a student who is found to be disabled under Section 504 should be served by the resources
provided through regular education. Schools must provide a free appropriate public education (FAPE). This is done by
making reasonable accommodations that provide the student with disabilities equivalent educational services to those
without disabilities. This does not guarantee equal results but an equal opportunity to achieve equal results. Parents who
believe their child might be eligible for 504 services should consult a MMS counselor.
SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF STUDENTS WITH INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PLANS
Within Special Education programs, many individualized options are available. These include transition programming
from fifth to sixth grades, and from eighth to ninth grades. Community and life skills, job readiness skills.
ACADEMIC SKILLS SUPPORT PROGRAM
This course provides up to three hours a day of remedial and developmental instruction and services designed to
supplement and support the regular school program; not to be confused with Study Hall. Each student has an
individualized educational program (IEP) planned by an IEP Team (which includes the student and parents). A
combination of staff specialists and regular classroom teachers provide services and instruction. Students are enrolled in
this class in place of one of their elective subjects.
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Sixth Grade Course Descriptions
BASIC DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS PROGRAM
This course provides four or more hours a day of services and instruction designed to provide a total educational program
for the student who has significant needs, arising from his/her disability. Each student has an individualized educational
program (IEP) planned by an IEP Team (which includes the student and parents). Providers of instruction and services
may be any combination of school specialists, regular classroom teachers, and other specialists.
The primary focus of services and instruction is on developmental skills and abilities, including the following: physical
coordination (both gross and fine motor skills); social skills (communications); functioning in a variety of home, school and
community situations; interacting with peers (with and without disabilities); self-care (home living to develop maximum
independence and recreation/leisure activities); pre-vocational and vocational skills and awareness; and functional
academics at an appropriate level for that student.
ASSESSMENTS
Standardized achievement testing is part of the proposed statewide testing program in Idaho for grades 3 through 11.
Sixth graders will participate in the ISAT by Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) given in the spring.
These tests are designed to measure achievement and student progress in the areas of English Language Arts and
Mathematics. They lead up to the ISAT-11, which is required of students in grade 11. The State Board of Education has
determined that proficiency in English Language Arts and Mathematics components of ISAT-11 is required for graduation.
Students scoring “Basic” or “Below Basic” on any of the component tests of ISAT-11 will need to retake that specific test.
Students will be given opportunities to retake any appropriate tests during their senior year. Some adjustments and
alternatives are being considered by the State Board of Education and it will be important to check with one of the
counselors for the most recent information. MMS also conducts regular benchmark testing and screenings to ensure
adequate academic progress and to evaluate program efficiency.
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