Sixth grade is a very significant year. It is a time of changes and challenges. It is the transition year when students make the leap from Lower School to Upper School. We make this transition a relatively smooth one by keeping the the sixth grade class together for much of the day, and introducing the students gradually to the challenges of of Upper School. We aim to provide a sound base of knowledge and study skills which will enable each student to grow and flourish successfully.
We start the school year with a four day retreat for the whole Middle School, usually in a remote place like Opal Creek Ancient Forest.
Our English program is rich with a variety of modes of writing and genres of literature. Writing is an integral part of all our studies, taking many different forms, including note taking, journals, creative stories, poetry, essays and research reports. We read and study a range of literature, including such texts as The Giver, Catherine Called Birdy, The Alchemist, and The Pearl. Vocabulary enrichment, grammar and usage skills are learned in the context of the students’ reading and writing.
The Ancient World is the focus of the social studies curriculum, from the earliest humans to Rome, stopping off on the way for explorations of places such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and Greece. Much of out study is project or activity based, including artistic creations and constructions, dramatic interpretations, role -playing and debates. We enhance learning with “Jeopardy” type contests and other games. We also have an extensive cross-curricular archaeology project.
Our science studies are both down to Earth and out of this world. We look at the structure and dynamic changes of the Earth, observe and identify different rocks, learn about plate tectonics and undertake special projects on volcanoes and earthquakes. We also take time to look at the heavens and study the solar system and the stars One special aspect of our science program is our ongoing stream restoration project, in which we work with our resident naturalist to repair and maintain one of the main creeks running through the school property.
The sixth grade mathematics curriculum is based on an exploration of number theory, leading up to a foundation and preparation for algebra. We delve into basic operations with decimals, fractions and then integers. Construction of of geometric shapes enhances our study of geometry. Along with basic topics like graphing, averages, proportions, percentages and probability, we also have special challenges for greater exploration of some concepts.
