Sixth Grade Curriculum Overview

Sixth grade students participate collaboratively in literature circles, where they analyze literary elements such as characterization, plot, setting and theme. Students explore the connection between literature, society and life and expand their independent reading stamina and skills. Students are asked to examine questions including:

• Whose stories are told and not told?
• How can we identify and disrupt biased stories?
• What can we do to make sure more stories are told and heard?
• Why do authors make certain choices, and how can I apply those authorial choices to my own writing?

Through these explorations, 6th graders develop annotation strategies, develop thesis statements, and write in a multitude of genres.

The focus of 6th grade math is building the foundation necessary for success in the study of algebra. Students learn pre-algebra with a special emphasis on the representation of the number system: decimals, fractions, whole numbers and percentages. As students learn about the number system, they will learn to represent the numbers on the number line. Sixth graders will learn to represent ratios in multiple ways and model them as verbal descriptions, equations, tables and graphs. They will also learn to model real‐world situations using ratios, rates and percentages in order to solve problems.

Students will also learn how to write algebraic expressions to represent situations in the world around them. They work on deriving formulas for areas of triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, and regular polygons. Students use the formulas to find areas, surface area, and volume and, given an area or volume, identify unknown dimensions.

Units of Study:

• Whole Numbers, Prime Numbers, Prime Factorization
• Number Line and Negative Numbers 
• Fractions and Decimals
• Ratio
• Rates and Speed
• Percent
• Algebraic Expressions
• Equations and Inequalities
• The Coordinate Plane
• Area of Polygons
• Surface Area and Volume of Solids
• Introduction to Statistics
• Measures of Central Tendency
   

Sixth graders examine history and social studies through the lenses of power and choice. Through studies of stolen artifacts, citizenship, ancient empires and the Holocaust, students explore shifts in power throughout history, as well as the human behavior and choices that influenced them.

With inquiry at its core, the 6th grade science curriculum aims to guide students to collaboratively and independently investigate issues through observation, research and experimentation. As students investigate real examples of science applications they discover the dependencies and tensions between ethics, culture, economics, and environment. 

In 6th grade, students select a topic from their studies to delve more deeply into for the annual Science Expo, where visiting scientists attend and assess projects students have designed, implemented and evaluated. 

The Classroom Advisory Program (CAP) builds upon community building lessons that take place in the lower grades. Our middle school CAP program focuses on identity, health and wellness, communication and interpersonal relationships. CAP provides students with a spiraling curriculum that allows for a deeper dive into character education, social-emotional learning and citizenship as students progress through Middle School. 

Sixth grade topics include:

• Self-image 
• Empowerment
• Making decisions
• Coping with anxiety and anger
• Time management 
• Managing stress in healthy ways
• Social skills and interpersonal relationships
• Confronting bullying, bias, and discrimination
• Upstander vs bystander
• Microaggressions/racism
• Responsibility and accountability  
• Effective communication
• Assertiveness 
• Resolving conflict 
• Study skills
• Peer pressure
• Conflict resolution
• Respect 
• Identity 
• Mental health awareness
• Puberty, hygiene and hormone changes

Beginning in fifth grade, Electives are offered once per week to middle school students in mixed group settings. This is a chance for students to have choice and voice through personal selection and an opportunity to work with peers from other middle school classes. Offerings change from year to year and have included ​​Photography, Creative Writing, Fiber Arts, Tinkering and Makerspace, The Art of Public Speaking, Healthy Habits and Nutrition, Service Learning, Theatre, Coding, and Ethics Bowl.

Sixth graders can expect daily homework that is purposeful and helps students manage their time and workload responsibly. Students are assessed in a variety of ways, including class discussions, homework assignments, comprehension questions, essays, end of unit tests, quizzes, and research projects. Stevens uses authentic observation, testing and ongoing assessment to provide a comprehensive evaluation of each student. In the fall of 6th grade, students take the CTP-5 standardized test, administered by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).

In addition to exploring relevant curriculum connections through local day trips to museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, students participate in a fall overnight trip to the Poconos Environmental Education Center (PEEC) for two days and one night focused on enhancing teamwork, leadership and self-confidence. In the spring, students attend their first overnight city trip for three days and two nights to Washington, D.C.