WELCOME TO THE
GRADE 6 CURRICULUM PAGE!

Below you will find a brief description overview of the Mars Area School District’s Grade 6 Curriculum. To explore specific content areas and view unit descriptions alongside of the standards, simply click on the specific content name located to the right.

GRADE 6 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

English Language Arts (ELA)

Grade 6 English Language Arts (ELA) has been designed to motivate and challenge sixth graders to use reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills at a higher level of interpretation and application. Students will read texts from a variety of genres such as fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. They will be expected to comprehend, analyze, interpret and evaluate texts. Through practice and exposure, these comprehension skills will be further refined and enhanced. Through writing and speaking opportunities, students will build, practice, and demonstrate standard language usage and vocabulary skills. This course is designed to complement previous learning to build lifelong, independent readers and writers.

Mathematics

Grade 6 Mathematics consists of reviewing arithmetic calculation with whole numbers, decimals and fractions, measurements, basic geometry, and other foundational concepts and skills. Students also engage in extensive pre-algebra exercises preparing for upper-level mathematics.  Students are exposed to mathematical vocabulary and the problem-solving skills which provide the foundation necessary for success in middle and high school mathematics classes. Students practice skills to better grasp the future abstract nature of upper-level mathematics.

Science

Grade 6 Science is specifically designed to engage students in their continuation of scientific exploration. Throughout the school year, students will explore earth and physical sciences. They will be given opportunities to develop skills using the scientific method to investigate theories and principles related to the study of weather and climate, astronomy, and simple machines. Experiments will include developing a hypothesis, metric measurements, data collection, calculations, graphing, and conclusions. This approach will allow students to recognize the role of science in their lives and its impact on their environment.

Social Studies

Grade 6 Social Studies encompasses cultures and geography from the United States, Canada, and Latin America. This course organizes the study of today’s world around the five geographic themes: location, place, region, human-environment interaction, and movement. The course examines the physical geography, history, government, economies, and cultures of the world today. Students explore the world through discussion, technology, interactions, and projects. The goal is for students to see the role that geography plays in understanding contemporary world cultures – our world’s peoples, places, and environments.

Art

Grade 6 Art class is designed to challenge young artists. Students will continue to explore art as a means for personal expression and also as a way to communicate ideas. Students are expected to know how to use and interpret the art elements and design principles, and demonstrate an understanding of applicable techniques in their artwork. Quality workmanship is important. Projects will involve a variety of subjects using a range of methods such as drawing, painting, printmaking and ceramic art. Students will be introduced to the work of famous artists who have mastered applicable techniques and methods for inspiration.

Health

Students in Grade 6 will be better able to discuss and understand the various skills and techniques that are needed to remain healthy and safe throughout their lives. The students will learn how to better interact in family and social situations, manage stress, and better understand changes that are occurring during this age span. The students will be able to recognize the correlation between mental/ emotional and social health. Students will be graded on participation and written assignments. 

Library

Students will continue to demonstrate an understanding of the functions and procedures of the library setting as well as mastering their independent library skills. Students will advance their resource awareness combined with independent research strategies to locate information quickly and efficiently. Students will also work to become more efficient and responsible digital citizens. Safe technology practice will assist our sixth graders both academically and personally. Students will gain a comprehensive approach to accessing information safely to support lifelong learning. This instructional approach combined with the reinforcement of safe digital citizenship will continue as our students’ transition to the Mars Area Middle School.

Music

Grade 6 Music students will sharpen and further develop the skills they learned in fifth grade. Students will sing together in unison, 2 part and sometimes 3 part harmony. The entire grade will perform a public concert in December and May. An emphasis on improved vocal technique and reading music will prepare students for future musical endeavors in school and beyond. Knowledge of notes/rests, melody/harmony, beat/rhythm, time signature/key signature, and tempo/dynamics will be reinforced. The students will also learn life lessons through music such as: teamwork, expression, commitment, risk taking, respect, patience and a positive mental attitude.   

Physical Education

Students in this course are introduced to various skills and techniques used to participate in team sports, cooperative games, and fitness activities. They will show an understanding of the rules, penalties, and procedures needed to perform sports such as football, soccer, floor hockey, volleyball, team handball, tennis, and basketball. Students will need to wear the proper attire, including appropriate athletic shoes, to participate in daily class activities. Students will be graded on active participation and proper attire.     

STEAM (K-6)

Mars Area School District's Elementary (K-6) STEAM Program is an authentic and engaging learning environment that challenges students to problem-solve through innovation, imagination, and creation. Students learn through a progression of skills aligned to the K-6 curriculum through the collaborative use of multi-media tools, computational thinking, and tinkering. STEAM instruction focuses on an integrated blend of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Students work collaboratively on projects that extend learning beyond curriculum content by tinkering/designing with tools and various materials as well as through coding and programming. STEAM classrooms at each elementary building are designed to promote teamwork and innovation in a high-tech maker space. Accessibility to iPads, robotics, building materials and resources enable students to hit their peak of curiosity and creativity. 

 

Band (optional)

Grade 6 Band continues the knowledge of band from the previous year. It is the beginning of the intermediate development of independent musicianship. Students will enjoy playing in small lesson groups and weekly large ensemble rehearsals. Students will perform a public concert in December and May. Additionally, students will have the opportunity to experience/participate in jazz band.