Curriculum Detail - Grade 6

Sixth Grade

Sixth Grade Curriculum-at-a-Glance

Through interdisciplinary work, Sixth Graders study Classics and Classical Studies. The year focuses on Ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt, West Africa, and worldwide sustainability. During science class, girls dive into units in physical, chemical, biological and earth sciences. Throughout the year, students put their course work into action and participate in multiple immersion experiences such as the Greek Olympics, competing as different City States, and Space Week, which focuses on designing a colony on Mars. The year culminates with the entire Sixth Grade studying and performing a play in community and collaboration with their work in English, Social Studies and Performing Arts.

English 6
- Practice basic literary analysis through historical fiction considering the rights and responsibilities of rulers and their subjects and the themes of activism and social change
- Explore resource use and scarcity through a variety of short stories and dystopian and utopian speculative fiction especially in the context of climate change
- Read plays and, in collaboration with the Dance and Drama class, stage an end-of-year production
- Write creatively and analytically to review and practice conventions of formal paragraph writing with short essays and research papers
- Master vocabulary through class texts, and grammar through texts, writing, and explicit exercises
- Representative texts may include The Hunger Games, The Giver, The Windeby Puzzle, Children of Blood and Bone, Greenglass House, A Rover’s Story, We Dream of Space, The Last Beekeeper (Cartaya), selected plays, and Shakespeare’s Secret.
Social Studies 6
- Study ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and West Africa and explore the rights and responsibilities of rulers and their relationships with the people
- Examine various forms of government that existed in ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and West Africa, and their corresponding social structures
- Trace how political and social change arises, focusing on climate change and its impact on human geography
- Simulate real-world stage negotiations, conducting a Model UN simulation
- Use frequent visits to the Cleveland Museum of Art as a inspiration for historical research and writing
Mathematics
Math 6
- Ponder how to use mathematical evidence to support problem-solving strategies
- Examine mathematics as a series of logical steps applied to theoretical and real-world problems
- Discover how to prove solutions using mathematical thinking and evidence
- Employ number lines to show rational numbers and interpret inequality; factor numbers; evaluate numerical expressions with exponents; understand positive and negative numbers and the absolute value of a number; use ratios to convert units and use ratio and rates to solve real-world problems; evaluate algebraic expressions; use variables to solve problems; write equations to express one quantity in terms of another; locate positions on a coordinate plane; make tables and plot pairs of values; use measures of central tendency to analyze data sets
Math 7
- Ponder how mathematical evidence supports problem-solving strategies and answers
- Discover that mathematics can be proven
- Analyze proportional relationships and use them to solve theoretical and real-world problems; apply and extend operations with fractions to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers; construct and describe geometric figures and the relationships between them; reason abstractly and quantitatively; construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others; model with mathematics.
Algebra
- Consider how mathematical evidence supports problem-solving strategies and answers
- Discover the meaning of mathematical symbols and diagrams
- Determine the similarities and differences between functions that are linear, quadratic, or exponential and the meaning of a solution to an equation, inequality, or system of equations or inequalities
- Manipulate and simplify arithmetic and algebraic expressions, including exponential and polynomial expressions; identify patterns to understand equations; solve linear and quadratic equations; graph linear, quadratic and exponential functions; use function notation correctly and interpret transformations of functions; describe the connection between a function and an equation; communicate mathematical thinking effectively verbally and in writing.
Integrated Mathematics

Pending
Science 6
- Use scientific methods to answer questions and solve problems
- Understand why it is important to support conclusions with evidence and reasoning
- Run controlled experiments using lab equipment such as beakers, graduated cylinders, balance scale, scoopulas and pipettes
- Communicate like a scientist with precise measurements, supporting evidence and scientific reasoning
- Create and interpret graphs, including misleading graphs
- Measure and describe physical and chemical properties of matter; describe the relationship between mass, volume and density; find the density of a material; identify phase changes; articulate the composition of substances; understand and describe different chemical reactions
- Apply Newton’s Laws of Motion to everyday situations
- Identify the components and origins of the universe; use solar system models to explain and predict eclipses, lunar phases and seasons
French 1B
Complete the second half of Level I

Reflect on the use of the target language to negotiate meaning; that language mirrors our cultural products, practices and perspectives; and that connections can be made between the target language and other disciplines.
- Discover that everyday products and practices can reflect cultural differences and that shared experiences and combining and elaborating on learned patterns improves communication skills
- Learn approximately 500 words and a range of products and practices, and use vocabulary for everyday topics and themes
- Describe habits and choices, conduct a simple transaction, and exchange information about housing, food, activities, and clothes; produce simple statements.
French I 6
Complete the second half of Level I

Reflect on the use of the target language to negotiate meaning; that language mirrors our cultural products, practices and perspectives; and that connections can be made between the target language and other disciplines.
- Discover that everyday products and practices can reflect cultural differences and that shared experiences and combining and elaborating on learned patterns improves communication skills
- Learn approximately 500 words and a range of products and practices, and use vocabulary for everyday topics and themes
- Describe habits and choices, conduct a simple transaction, and exchange information about housing, food, activities, and clothes; produce simple statements.
Humanities 6
- Explore the forms of government, the rights and responsibilities of rulers and the relationships with those they govern by diving into ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt and West Africa
- Trace how political and social change arise, focusing on climate change and its impact on human geography
- Practice basic literary analysis, considering the rights and responsibilities of rulers and their subjects and the themes of activism and social change
- Develop close reading skills, including understanding of author’s craft, literary devices, genre distinctions and word choice/tone
- Explore resource use and scarcity through a variety of short stories and speculative fiction
- Read plays and, in collaboration with the performing arts courses, stage an end-of-year production
- Write creatively and analytically to develop critical-thinking and mechanical skills through writing formal paragraphs, short essays and a research paper
- Master vocabulary and grammar through class texts, writing and explicit exercises
- Representative texts may include The Giver, The Ogress and the Orphans, The Windeby Puzzle, Greenglass House, A Rover’s Story, We Dream of Space, selected plays and Shakespeare’s Secret
Spanish 1A
- Discover that Spanish uses an inflected system for verbs and nouns and accent marks to emphasize syllables
- Learn approximately 250 words; practice words and phrases on everyday topics; and use regular and irregular inflections in the present tense
- Converse, give and ask for contact information; conduct introductions; and exchange information about family, school and activities
Spanish 1B
Complete the second half of Level I

Reflect on the use of the target language to negotiate meaning; that language mirrors our cultural products, practices and perspectives; and that connections can be made between the target language and other disciplines.
- Discover that everyday products and practices can reflect cultural differences and that shared experiences and combining and elaborating on learned patterns improves communication skills
- Learn approximately 500 words and a range of products and practices, use vocabulary from everyday topics and compose basic compound sentences
- Describe habits and choices; conduct a simple transaction; exchange basic information about housing, activities, and clothes; produce simple statements
Spanish I 6
Complete the second half of Level I

Reflect on the use of the target language to negotiate meaning; that language mirrors our cultural products, practices and perspectives; and that connections can be made between the target language and other disciplines.
- Discover that everyday products and practices can reflect cultural differences and that shared experiences and combining and elaborating on learned patterns improves communication skills
- Learn approximately 500 words and a range of products and practices, use vocabulary from everyday topics and compose basic compound sentences
- Describe habits and choices; conduct a simple transaction; exchange basic information about housing, activities, and clothes; produce simple statements
Seminars

Health

Continue to practice growth mindset, stress management and mindfulness; learn about puberty, hygiene, anatomy and reproduction.

Technology

Practice programming; act responsibly by preserving academic integrity and avoiding cyberbullying; optimize study time by harnessing the power of school-provided laptops, as well as Canvas, our Grades 6-12 learning management system.

Learning Strategies

Learn and practice research-based study skills that help students excel across the curriculum.

Better the World

Practice the skills that help students thrive in our diverse and complex world through service learning projects specific to each grade level, like self-reflection on identity, consideration of equality versus equity, and how to co-create a community in which belonging is a central tenet. Better the World Projects are developed to help students recognize that their area of influence is all around them, and the time to learn-by-doing is now.
Visual Arts 6
Using a Teaching for Artistic Behavior (TAB) model, students are empowered to make their own choices and develop their own artistic skills and interests. Students will have the opportunity to create original works of art using a variety of materials and techniques exploring the elements of art and principles of design to develop artistic skills and creativity. Students will:
- Interpret and analyze works of art to develop critical thinking skills to discuss and evaluate artwork.
- Explore the historical and cultural contexts of art, and how art can be used to communicate ideas and emotions.
- Make connections between art and other subjects, such as science, math, and language arts.
- Access a wide range of materials and resources, including technology and multimedia tools, to explore artistic interests and goals.
Performing Arts
Drama
- Wonder about what it means to be an artist; appreciate how an artist uses technique to communicate; explore personal connection to storytelling
- Discover the importance of warming up the body and voice, the role of time and patience in creating high-quality work, the value of the arts as a viable tool for communication of one’s thoughts and ideas, the importance of improvisation in the creation process and the need to receive feedback for improvement
- Consider the art form of live performance and explore the various roles that exist in “show business”
- Learn the fundamentals of vocal production, memorization, blocking and character development to create a framework for rehearsal
- Perform in a culminating class production
Grade 6 Band*
- Learn proper technique, air support, tone production, position
- Work as a team to play together, read music, and respond to the conductor
- Instruments welcome: flute, clarinet, trumpet, french horn, trombone
- Piano/string instrumentalists will be directed to join Choir to strengthen aural skills
- String players can enter Instrumental Ensemble starting in Seventh Grade
- Pianists can enter Chamber Ensemble starting in Ninth Grade
Grade 6 Choir*
- Learn proper vocal technique, starting with the breath and body
- Learn how to produce beautiful sounds, layer harmonies, and articulate words
- Dive into traditional choral repertoire and songs from around the world, including study of culture and musical influences
- Students who are high-level pianists may have opportunities to collaborate with the choir as well as sing in it
*In addition to Drama, Sixth Graders choose either Band or Choir for the year.
Physical Education 6
- Demonstrate movement skills and patterns in a variety of individual performance activities and lifetime physical activities while using critical elements of specialized manipulative skills in a variety of settings
- Apply tactical concepts and performance principles in game-like settings
- Perform specialized skills using critical biomechanical principles properly
- Exhibit responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others with the ability to apply rules and procedures to class activities
- Communicate effectively with others in a way that promotes respect and conflict resolution
- Understand the impact physical activity has on one’s physical, emotional, and intellectual health
- Utilize a growth mindset approach to learning and embrace a willingness to stretch one’s comfort zone

6-8 Curricula

Faculty

Joy Barton

Visual Art Teacher, Middle School

Education: University of Georgia - B.S.Ed.

jBarton@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2017
Sarah Brown

Middle School Science Teacher

Education: Brigham Young University - B.S.

sBrown@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2022
Dennis Ficklin

Spanish Teacher, Upper and Middle School

dFicklin@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2023
All School General

Hired: 2023
Elana Glasner

Mathematics Teacher, Middle School; Learning Strategies Coordinator

Education: Hunter College - M.S.
Barnard College - B.A.

eGlasner@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2020
Kristin Hicks

Sixth Grade Dean, Middle School Mathematics Teacher

Education: Cleveland State University - B.A.

kHicks@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2018
Ian Lanney

Physical Education Teacher, Middle School

Education: Bethany College - B.A.

iLanney@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2022
Francesca Macri

fMacri@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2024
Candace Maiden

Interim Director of the Middle School and Co-Director of DEIB

Education: The Ohio State University - B.A.
Dallas Baptist University - M.A.
Liberty University - M.A.T.

cMaiden@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2017
Joel McDaniel

Music Teacher, Primary & Upper Schools; Theater Technical Support

Education: Baldwin Wallace University - B.M.E.

jMcDaniel@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2017
Veronica McDowell

Latin Teacher, Middle School

vMcDowell@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2024
Ilissa Pearlman

In-House Psychologist

Education: University of Michigan - B.A.
Ohio State University - M.A.
Ursuline College - M.A.
Case Western Reserve University - Ph.D.

iPearlman@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2005
Karen Redmond

Technology Innovation Specialist & Maker Mentor

Education: Kent State University - B.A.
Ohio State University - M.A.
Ursuline College - M.Ed.
Baldwin Wallace College

kRedmond@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2002
Kristen Sector

Performing Arts Chair, 6-12; Music Teacher; Middle School, Upper School

Education: Syracuse University - B.Mus.
Kent State University - M.Mus.
Conservatoire National de Strasbourg

kSector@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2019
Alec Stott

World Languages Teacher

aStott@LaurelSchool.org

Hired: 2023