6th Grade

OBJECTIVES:

In Grade 6 Math, instructional time is focused 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

(4) developing understanding of statistical thinking

Throughout the curriculum, the importance of Mathematical Practices is emphasized.    Sixth grade students should be able to: 

1.      Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

2.      Reason abstractly and quantitatively.

3.      Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.

4.      Model with mathematics.

5.      Use appropriate tools strategically.

6.      Attend to precision.

7.      Look for and make use of structure.

8.      Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 6th GRADE STUDENTS WILL:

BOY

Ratios and Proportions

Understand ratio concepts and use ratio reasoning to solve problems.

Number Systems

Divide fractions by fractions

Compute fluently with multi-digit numbers and decimals

Find common factors and multiples

MOY

Number Systems

Use positive and negative numbers in real-world situations and on a number line

Distinguish comparisons of absolute value from statements about order

Graph in all four quadrants on the coordinate plane and find distances between two points

Expressions and Equations

Apply the order of operations to evaluate expressions involving exponents

Identify equivalent expressions

Solve a one variable equation or inequality and apply to real-world and mathematical problems

EOY

Expressions and Equations

Represent and analyze quantitative relationships between dependent and independent variables

Geometry

Apply appropriate tools to solve real-world and mathematical problems involving area, surface area, and volume

Statistics and Probability

Use a set of numerical data to develop an understanding of and recognize statistical variability

Use numerical data and apply statistical properties to summarize and describe a situation.

OBJECTIVES:

With a focus on college and career readiness, the instructional shifts as reflected in Common Core are evident throughout the Sixth-Grade curriculum

• Balancing the reading of informational and literary texts so that students can access nonfiction and authentic texts, as well as literature

• Focusing on close and careful reading of text so that students are learning from the text

• Building a staircase of complexity (i.e., each grade level requires a “step” of growth on the “staircase”) so that students graduate college or career ready

• Supporting writing from sources (i.e., using evidence from text to inform or make an argument) so that students use evidence and respond to the ideas, events, facts, and arguments presented in the texts they read

• Stressing an academically focused vocabulary so that students can access more complex texts

In Wilkinsburg School District, the Sixth-Grade standards provide the targets for instruction and student learning essential for success in all academic areas, not just language arts classrooms.   Students will read, understand, and respond to text—with an emphasis on comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, and making connections among ideas and between texts with a focus on textual evidence.

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 6th GRADE STUDENTS WILL:

BOY

Informational Text

Text Evidence

Characterization, Theme, Point of View

Central Idea

Text Structure

Literary Text

Text Evidence

Plot

Theme/Central Idea

Text Structure

Language

Conventions of English grammar and usage.

Conventions of English capalitation, punctuation, and spelling.

Writing

Opinion Writing

Text Dependent Analysis

MOY

Informational Text

Context Clues

Compare/Contrast Texts

Research Using a Variety of Sources

Literary Text

Figurative Language

Context Clues

Author’s Purpose

Language

Conventions of English when writing, speaking, reading, and listening

Multiple Meaning words

Writing

Narrative Writing

Text Dependent Analysis

EOY

Informational Text

Research Using a Variety of Sources

Integrate and present information in different media

Literary Text

Compare/Contrast Texts in different forms and genres

Language

Figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in meaning

Academic and domain-specific words and phrases

Writing

Informative Writing

Fluency

Read and comprehend literary and informational text on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.

OBJECTIVES:

In Wilkinsburg School District, Sixth Grade students will engage in the scientific method process to design and test investigations.   Special emphasis is placed on designing experiments with variables, data collection, and statistics study.

“The State Board of Education’s current regulations include two sets of science standards-Science and Technology, and Environment and Ecology-which serves as the basis for this curriculum development and instruction in schools.”

NGSS Science Practices

• Ask questions and define problems
• Develop and use models
• Plan and carry out investigations
• Analyze and interpret data
• Use mathematics and computational thinking
• Construct explanations and design solutions
• Engage in argument from evidence
• Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 6th GRADE STUDENTS WILL:

Scientific Method

•Plan and implement an investigation using the scientific method.

•Collect, display, and interpret data from a scientific investigation.

Variables

• Gain experience with the concept of variable. 

• Gain experience with the concept of system. 

• Design and conduct controlled experiments. 

• Construct materials that will be used in the investigations. 

• Acquire some understanding of the behavior of pendulums. 

• Gain experience with buoyancy. 

• Use data to make predictions. 

• Apply mathematics in the context of science. 

• Record and graph data concretely, pictorially, and symbolically to discover relationships. 

• Acquire the vocabulary associated with controlled experimentation

Earth 

& 

Sun

• Observe and record how the Sun, Earth's star, rises in the east and sets in the west in a predictable pattern.

• Learn that Earth rotates on its axis, causing day and night. Day happens when a location on Earth is facing toward the Sun, and night happens when a location is facing away from the Sun.

• Understand that the exact path the Sun takes in the sky varies by season.

• Understand that shadows are the areas of darkness created when an opaque object blocks light and that shadows on Earth depend on the position of the Sun in the sky.

• Learn that Earth is one of several planets that orbit the Sun in the solar system.

• Learn that the Moon orbits Earth and can appear in the sky during both day and night; observe and record how the Moon changes its appearance or phase in a regular pattern over 4 weeks.

• Learn how useful telescopes are in studying the solar system, as they make distant objects look closer and larger.

• Learn that stars are suns positioned at great distances from Earth and form groups called constellations that appear to move together across the sky at night.

• Use tools to collect and analyze data to develop logical conclusions about the movements of objects in the sky.

• Predict the outcome of an event and compare the results with the prediction.

WHAT CHILDREN WILL BE ABLE TO DO BY THE END OF THE YEAR:

• Understand how theories are developed. 

• Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations and evaluate the appropriateness of questions. 

• Design and conduct a scientific investigation and understand that current scientific knowledge guides scientific investigations. 

• Describe relationships using inference and prediction. 

• Use appropriate tools and technologies to gather, analyze, and interpret data and understand that it enhances accuracy and allows scientists to analyze and quantify results of investigations. 

• Develop descriptions, explanations, and models using evidence and understand that these emphasize evidence, have logically consistent arguments, and are based on scientific principles, models, and theories. 

• Analyze alternative explanations and understanding that science advances through legitimate skepticism. 

• Use mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry. 

• Understand that scientific investigations may result in new ideas for study, new methods, or procedures for an investigation or new technologies to improve data collection. 

OBJECTIVES:

“Social Studies is the integrated study of human society and its contributions, influences, and impact on the world.  There are many content areas which combine to create overarching concepts of social studies.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has delineated the disciplines and developed academic standards in social studies areas to be civic government, economics, geography, history and student interpersonal skills.”

In Wilkinsburg School District, Sixth Grade students will study social sciences with a special emphasis on Geography and Ancient History.  Also, on a daily/weekly basis, students will explore current events to make connections to the past, as well as the relevance in their own lives to enhance citizenship.

DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR 6th Grade STUDENTS WILL LEARN:

BOY

Describe how common geographic tools are used to organize and interpret information about people, places, and environment.

Describe and locate places and regions as defined by physical and human features.

Describe the characteristics of places and regions.

Describe the physical processes that shape patterns on Earth’s surface.

Describe the human characteristics of places and regions using the following criteria: (Population, Culture, Settlement, Economic activities, Political activities)

Describe and explain the effects of the physical systems on people within regions.

Describe and explain the effects of people on the physical systems within regions.

Explain continuity and change over time using sequential order and context of events.

Differentiate between fact and opinion, multiple points of view, and primary and secondary sources to explain historical events.

Identify a thesis statement using appropriate primary and secondary sources.

MOY

Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups to world history.

Identify and explain the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.

Explain how continuity and change have impacted world history: (Belief systems and religions, Commerce and industry, Technology, Politics and government, Physical and human geography, Social organizations)

Examine patterns of conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations that impacted the development of the history of the world.

EOY

Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups from Pennsylvania.

Describe the importance of significant historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to Pennsylvania history.

Explain how continuity and change have impacted Pennsylvania history:  (Belief systems and religions, Commerce and industry, Technology, Politics and government, Physical and human geography, Social organizations)

Explain how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the history and development of Pennsylvania: (Ethnicity and race, Working conditions, Immigration, Military conflict, Economic stability)

Explain the social, political, cultural, and economic contributions of individuals and groups to United States history.

Explain the importance of significant historical documents, artifacts, and places critical to United States history.

Explain how continuity and change have impacted U.S. history (Belief systems and religions, Commerce and industry, Technology, Politics and government, Physical and human geography, Social organizations)

Explain how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the history and development of the U.S: (Ethnicity and race, Working conditions, Immigration, Military conflict, Economic stability)

Explain how limited resources and unlimited wants cause scarcity.

Describe how resources are combined to produce different goods and services.

Examine how various economic systems address the three basic questions:  (What to produce? How? For whom?)

WHAT CHILDREN WILL LEARN BY THE END OF THE YEAR:

During this year, students will take a close look at past civilizations and peoples, how they lived and interacted, and how different periods in history affected progress. In addition, students will take part in 6th grade social studies activities in reading and writing to develop their literacy skills even further.

These skills and others are embedded throughout the curriculum.

• Map reading, construction, and interpretation.
• Spatial analysis and interpretation.
• Historical thinking skills.
• Problem solving/critical thinking.
• Roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship.
• Strategic reading of social studies text.
• Economic decision making.
• Explanatory and argument writing.
• Information literacy
• Analysis and evaluation of primary and secondary sources.
• Data analysis and interpretation.