6 - REQUIRED COURSES

M1000 English Language Arts 6
The sixth grade English Language Arts class continues to develop the reading, writing, listening and speaking skills of students through the workshop model. Over the course of the year, students engage in the writing process to produce narrative, informational, and argumentative writing pieces. In addition, students cultivate a reading identity and share their thinking with peers in a variety of ways. Targeted mini lessons aim to lift the level of students’ reading and writing skills. Students use class time to independently apply skills and strategies in their reading and writing. Teachers actively confer with students about their individualized goals, which furthers students’ growth as lifelong readers and writers.

M1010 Math 6
Instructional time will focus on four critical areas: (1) connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division and using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; (2) completing understanding of division of fractions and extending the notion of number to the system of rational numbers, which includes negative numbers; (3) writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations and (4) developing understanding of statistical thinking.

M1200 Math 7
Prerequisite: District Placement Criteria
Instructional time will focus on four critical areas: (1) developing understanding of and applying proportional relationships; (2) developing understanding of operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; (3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two- and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface area, and volume and (4) drawing inferences about populations based on samples.

M1020 Science 6
Sixth grade science students will explore concepts related to ecology and earth science. Throughout the school year, students will study matter and energy in organisms and ecosystems, interdependent relationships in ecosystems, natural selection and adaptations, the history of the Earth, Earth’s systems, and the human impacts on Earth systems.

M1030 Social Studies 6
Students will continue their journey through the history of the United States that they started in 4th and 5th grade. 6th graders will begin by reviewing the causes and consequences of the Civil War and continue with Reconstruction through 1946. This course delves into the history of the United States through multiple cultural lenses. Students will engage in a curriculum that integrates all the stories of the people who contributed to the diverse landscape of our country after the Civil War. The curriculum is divided into 6 Units that focus on major themes: Politics and Citizenship (Reconstruction), Transformation and Change (Industrialization, Westward Expansion and Immigration), Reform (Progressive Era), Globalization (WWI), Changes in culture and economy (1920’s and 1930’s), and Defending Democracy (WWII). Learning materials for each thematic unit acknowledge the different learning modalities among students and include primary source documents, maps, charts, graphs, the United States Constitution, and digital resources.

M1035 Gifted Social Studies 6
Prerequisite: District Placement Criteria
This course is for students who participate in the district’s gifted program. Learning goals and targets for the class have been developed by incorporating the WGSD Social Studies and Gifted curricula, creating a unique class with content and teaching methods for this special population of students. Much of our Gifted curricular goals will be met through our social studies work, but we will also incorporate projects and activities during the year which will specifically address Gifted needs.

M1060 Physical Education/Health 6
Physical Education is designed to help students develop a love for physical activity and to instill in them the importance of a sound mind and body. Through Physical Education, students will obtain skills, abilities, and attitudes to participate successfully in lifetime activities. Physical Fitness and Health topics will be integrated throughout the program and will build upon the skills and topics learned in 5th grade.