Grade+Six+Curriculum

**Language Arts for Grades K-6**
**Language Arts** (Note: The standards listed below are consistent from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Expectations are adjusted based on each grade level.)
 * Students read, understand and respond to a variety of materials.
 * Students read and recognize literature as a record of human experience.
 * Students write and speak for a variety of purposes and audiences.
 * Students write and speak using formal grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.
 * Students apply critical thinking skills to their reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.
 * Students read to locate, select, and make use of relevant information from a variety of media, reference, and technological sources.
 * Students use appropriate technologies to extend comprehension and communication skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing.

**Math for Grades K-6 **
**Social Studies for Grade 6**
 * Mathematics** (Note: The standards listed below are consistent from Kindergarten through eighth grade. Expectations are adjusted based on each grade level.)
 * Numerical and Proportional Reasoning - Students learn to express numerically quantitative relationships in multiple ways in order to make connections and simplify calculations using a variety of strategies, tools, and technologies.
 * Algebraic Reasoning: Patterns and Functions - Students represent and analyze patterns and functional relationships using a variety of strategies, tools, and technologies.
 * Geometry and Measurement - Students analyze, visualize, measure and transform shapes and structures using a variety of strategies, tools, and technologies.
 * Working with Data: Probability and Statistics - Students collect, display, analyze, compare, and interpret data to make informed decisions using a variety of strategies, tools, and technologies.
 * U.S. History **
 * What is an American?
 * How have conflict and compromise shaped our nation?
 * How have the creation and evolution of government addressed the rights and responsibilities of groups and individuals?
 * How have past events and individuals influenced my life and my world?
 * What is the relationship among geography, culture, and American history?
 * How has change impacted American society?

** Science for Grade 6 **

 * Properties of Matter - Materials can be classified as pure substances or mixtures, depending on their chemical and physical properties. Mixtures are made of combinations of elements and/or compounds, and they can be separated by using a variety of physical means. Pure substances can be either elements or compounds, and they cannot be broken down by physical means.
 * Matter and Energy in Ecosystems - An ecosystem is composed of all the populations that are living in a certain space and the physical factors with which they interact. Populations in ecosystems are affected by biotic factors, such as other populations, and abiotic factors, such as soil and water supply. Populations in ecosystems can be categorized as producers, consumers, and decomposers of organic matter.
 * Weather (Energy in the Earth's System) - Variation in the amount of the sun's energy hitting the Earth's surface affects daily and seasonal weather patterns. Local and regional weather are affected by the amount of solar energy the area receives and proximity to a large body of water.
 * Science, Technology, and Society - Water moving across and through earth materials carries with it the products of human activities. Most precipitation that falls on Connecticut eventually reaches Long Island Sound.

**Grades 3-6 **
Your student will also receive specific instruction in the following areas: Students will explore, understand, select, and apply media, techniques and processes unique to visual thinking. Students will explore, understand, and apply elements and organizational principles of visual language. Students will apply a range of visual thinking and problem solving processes to inspire their ideas and work. Students will understand visual thinking in relation to the development and success of humanity. Students will reflect upon, describe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate their own and other work individually and in groups. Students will make connections between visual arts, visual art careers, and daily life. Students meet in music class for thirty-six classes a year. Key: F = Fall, W = Winter, S = Spring Grade Six students participate in collaborative library classes and lessons. Students learn to select and enjoy fiction and nonfiction materials. All students receive instruction in library skills that help them select and enjoy fiction and nonfiction materials and conduct library searches to answer their research questions. Students practice and apply previously learned library skills and they develop new skills and attitudes that they apply to their class work. At the end of sixth grade, most students should be able to:
 * Art : Grade 4 through Grade 6**
 * Differentiate between a variety of media, techniques, and processes (examples include drawing, painting, sculpture, clay, printmaking processes, and technology)
 * Describe how different media, techniques, and processes cause different effects and personal responses
 * Use art media and tools in a safe, clean, and responsible manner
 * Explore, experiment, and apply media, techniques, and processes to create original work
 * Explore the elements of visual language
 * Use the elements of visual language to communicate ideas (Examples of elements of visual language include: line, shape, form, space, texture, pattern, value, and color)
 * Art content explored through own experiences and teacher directed sources
 * Explore and select art content to communicate meaning (Examples of content include: personal experiences, imagination, environment, music, storytelling, literature, poetry, cultural and historical context)
 * Explore characteristics and purposes of works of art representing various cultures, historical periods, and artists
 * Explore works of art belonging to particular styles, cultures, times, or places
 * Create art work that demonstrates understanding of how history or culture can influence visual thinking
 * Identify various purposes for creating works of art
 * Describe visual characteristics of works of art using visual thinking terminology
 * Recognize that there are different responses to works of art
 * Identify possible improvements in the process of creating their own artwork
 * Describe their personal responses to specific works of art using visual thinking terminology
 * Identify connections between visual arts and daily life
 * Understand connections between visual arts and other curriculum areas
 * Identify various careers that are available to the visual thinkers
 * Understand how the visual arts are used in the world around us
 * Music**
 * Listen and respond to various musical elements
 * Identify and describe ways in which skills and knowledge in music are related to skills and knowledge in other disciplines
 * Continue to develop singing voice, unison and 2-parts
 * Continue to develop music reading skills
 * Identify symbols and traditional terms
 * Perform a varied repertoire of music representing diverse genres and styles
 * Recognize aurally and identify simple musical forms
 * Compare and contrast musical styles
 * Improvise short pieces within specific guidelines
 * Study music of musical cultures
 * Simple and compound meters
 * Physical Education**
 * Soccer striking skills (dribbling, passing, kicking, etc.) - F
 * Cooperative team building - F
 * Health related fitness - F,W,S
 * Throwing and catching (activities may include basketball, handball, softball, frisbee, etc.) - F,W,S
 * Striking with an implement (short or long-handled) - F,W,S
 * Gymnastics (tumbling skills, fundamental apparatus skills, static and dynamic balance, climbing, and creative movement) - W,S
 * Jump rope skills - W,S
 * World Languages**
 * Library/Media**
 * Ask and answer information research questions
 * Apply appropriate library skills to research work
 * Use the electronic catalog effectively and demonstrate a knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System
 * Access information on-line
 * Evaluate the quality and accuracy of on-line information sources
 * Self-assess their research techniques
 * Avoid plagiarism and understand the ethical consequences of it
 * Understand copyright protection laws for print and electronic media
 * Understand the importance of reading as a life-long habit and continue reading for recreation, information and personal growth
 * Understand and abide by the Acceptable Use Policy