Grade 6
In Grade 6, the advisory group serves as the organizational and support anchor to the year. Students meet in their advisory at the start of each day. After advisory, students have classes with different teachers for English, social studies, math, science, world languages, music, art, coding, physical education, drama and health.
In the advisory period at the start of each day, building relationships and guiding RULER implementation are prioritized to create a supportive advisory community centered on emotional intelligence, growth and meaningful connections. We teach the RULER approach through engaging activities and discussions that empower students to recognize, understand and regulate their emotions, fostering a positive and empathetic environment. Grade 6 teachers work together closely to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of students.
Spring overnight trip
Grade 6 students go to an adventure center near Swindon for four days after the late May bank holiday. Cooperative activities on site are combined with time in Bath at the Roman baths and to Fishbourne Roman Palace. The goals of this trip include developing friendships and strengthening existing ones, challenging students to try new activities and igniting interests in new hobbies, and developing a healthy sense of self awareness and empathy for others.
Grade 6 by subject
Art
In Grade 6, students refine their artistic skills and learn new techniques using a variety of art materials. They are encouraged to keep clear and useful records in their sketchbooks to show the development of their ideas, as well as examples of tested materials and techniques. Students widen their art appreciation in order to see parallels between themselves and past and present cultures. Projects are geared to develop craftsmanship and flexible problem-solving through creative thinking. We highly encourage students to be open to trying new ideas, materials, methods, and approaches to making works of art and design.
Students explore observational drawing while focusing on form and line as a descriptive art element. They gain an understanding of transformation, working from the realistic to the imaginary, to create their own re-imagined 2D, 3D, and time-based artworks.
Final works are as varied as the students' imaginations. They learn and apply principles of color theory, mood, abstraction, and perspective in their art-making, as well as learning how to better convey meaning and message to their audience.
Grade 6 students learn that they can further develop their art skills, not only through practice, but also through curiosity, constructive critique, reflection, revision, and refining work over time. They examine how artists work, how they determine whether or not their work is effective, and what creative insights they can gain from persistence, trial and error. Building a more complex visual language, they learn to better read a work of art as text, analyzing and interpreting works of art in new ways.
English
In Grade 6 English, student choice and agency are at the heart of our curriculum. Students grow as writers across the genres of informational writing, argument writing and narrative writing. Within the modified writers' workshop format, students learn specific writing strategies through whole class mini-lessons, and writing lessons scaffold to allow students to build upon skills learned throughout the year. Teachers stress revising and editing, helping students move independently through the writing process, and students learn to reflect on their own writing as well as to use peer and teacher feedback to clarify and strengthen their drafts. Vocabulary, grammar and conventions are taught through direct instruction, as well as within the context of student writing.
Our reading work throughout the year includes a whole class study of a mentor text and reading partnerships. During reading partnerships, students strengthen their own reading abilities by discussing and analyzing texts they have chosen with another reader. Guided by whole class mini-lessons, students use close reading strategies to develop claims about a text and learn to support their ideas with textual evidence. Whenever possible, teachers aim to integrate reading and writing concepts and skills to enable students to make valuable connections among these areas. Independent reading is emphasized for enjoyment and as a way to build reading skills and stamina.
In speaking and listening, students engage in various discussions around both fiction and nonfiction texts. They learn collegial discussion practices, how to pose intriguing questions, how to form relevant responses using textual evidence, and how to actively listen and pose follow-up questions.
Mathematics
The Grade 6 mathematics course is based on the Common Core State Standards for mathematics. In Grade 6, instructional time focuses 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; and (4) developing understanding of statistical thinking.
The core resource is Connected Mathematics Project (CMP). Buzzmath.com is an online program used to reinforce skills; teachers assign individual and class assignments using this tool. Manipulatives, math games and online resources are also part of the instruction.
Throughout the Middle School, there is an emphasis on developing a deeper understanding of concepts and how they are connected. We support problem-based learning; in mathematics, students are encouraged to make sense of a situation rather than memorizing techniques and algorithms. At each grade level, a select set of important mathematical concepts, ideas and related procedures are studied in depth rather than skimming through a larger set of ideas in a shallow manner. There is an emphasis on writing about mathematical understanding and demonstrating mastery through constructing viable arguments. Calculators are not intended to replace mental math operations.
Reporting to parents/guardians is made through conferences, mid-semester access to the mastery portal, and end-of-semester report cards. The semester proficiency level consists of unit assessments, projects, check-ups, quizzes (individual and partnered) and written reflections. Students are given multiple opportunities to show mastery of the math standards and practices. Homework is an opportunity to practice and to challenge.
Teachers seek to differentiate in order to meet the needs of each student. Instruction is responsive to the individuals, and teachers consistently monitor the level of enrichment and reinforcement needed.
Music
Students in Grade 6 participate in both an instrumental ensemble—either band or string orchestra—and the Grade 6 choir. Students new to the School, who have never played a band or orchestra instrument before, are given a specified choice of instruments to begin in Grade 6, and receive small-group instruction appropriate to their level. For all students, half of the music block is devoted to singing in the Grade 6 choir. Students who learned to play an instrument in Grade 5, either at ASL or at another school, can continue to build on that experience and in the appropriate instrument class. The emphasis of the performing groups in Grade 6 is on developing an understanding of communication through music, along with technical and ensemble skills. The ultimate goal is an enjoyment and appreciation of the ability to make music, and for students to think of themselves as musicians.
Grade 6 band class reinforces the basics of good musicianship, which include good posture, proper breathing, rhythmic accuracy, good intonation, ensemble balance, correct embouchure, proper fingerings, musical phrasing and clear articulation. Students learn many types of concert music, which represent a variety of styles and moods, and perform in both full band and small-group settings.
The Grade 6 string orchestra program continues to support the development of technical skills such as proper playing position, rhythmic accuracy, listening and intonation, stylistic use of the bow, musical phrasing and literacy. Students play and perform a wide variety of music reflecting different styles and periods.
Grade 6 choir students learn rehearsal skills, proper tone production, sight-singing and performance techniques. Students practice sight-singing using the solfege system. There is occasional written work. The Grade 6 choir emphasizes the development of musical understanding in a fun and collaborative setting.
Science
Students focus on the three dimensions of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) with an emphasis on the cross-cutting concepts of patterns, cause and effect, stability and change, and structure and function. Throughout the year, students have multiple opportunities to develop their science and engineering practices with a focus on: developing and using models, analyzing and interpreting data, evaluating information and constructing explanations. Units are driven by an interesting scientific phenomena and students mirror the work of scientists and engineers through investigation and develop an understanding of these concepts.
Grade 6 units for the year are:
- Light and matter: Why do we sometimes see different things when looking at the same object? Students participate in working towards answering questions about how a one-way mirror works. Students think about the structure of a mirror, a glass window, and a one-way mirror to develop a model to explain how light interacts with objects.
- Thermal energy: How can containers keep matter from warming up or cooling down? Students wonder how a regular single-wall plastic cup is different from a special double-wall plastic cup. Students observe changes in temperature, wonder about how features affect temperature, and model differences in warming rates. Students apply science ideas to develop, test and iterate a thermal energy engineering design plan.
- Weather and climate: Why does a lot of hail, rain or snow fall at some times and not others? Students develop science ideas about weather, climate and water cycling through investigations in which they analyze data about weather events.
- Plate tectonics and rock cycling: What causes the Earth's surface to change? Students wonder about how a mountain can grow. Students develop science ideas about processes that build up and wear down Earth’s surface. Students model using computer simulations and hands-on investigations, including exploring large sets of data.
- Natural hazards: Where do natural hazards happen and how do we prepare for them? Students develop science ideas about natural hazards and how society can respond to them. Students explain how tsunamis form and who is at risk; they investigate a tsunami warning system to figure out how to help protect communities. Students plan, test and analyze their warning system in order to mitigate the impact of tsunamis.
- Cells and systems: How do living things heal? Students learn about the biological process of healing that takes place in the human body after it sustains an injury. Through investigations, students discover how to identify living and nonliving things through looking at samples under the microscope.
Social studies
In Grade 6, the teaching of social studies emerges as a distinct academic subject. To build on the research skills and exploration of ancient societies introduced in Grade 5, students in Grade 6 study the concepts of cultural interaction and connection. Students examine how human interaction with geography impacts the settlement and development of societies and how societies interact and connect with each other through the exchange of goods and ideas. To begin, students review foundational components of social studies, including geography, society, politics, economics and culture. They use these lenses throughout the school year to deepen their understanding of the world today and our shared human history. They investigate the societies of ancient China and ancient Rome. In the second half of the year, students study the origins and expansion of Islam and the network of exchange known as the Silk Roads. A culminating independent research project affords students the opportunity to demonstrate their skills with an inquiry of their choice.
Throughout the year, Grade 6 students work on building key research skills, including generating and refining research questions, planning inquiries and identifying, and evaluating and gathering information from a variety of sources. Students learn to construct reasoned arguments and communicate their knowledge and understanding in writing, class discussions, debates, projects and presentations.
World languages and cultures
The middle school world languages program offers beginners’ and continuers’ courses in Chinese, French and Spanish for students in Grade 6.
Level A is aimed at true beginners and students who have had minimal academic exposure to the target language.
Level Ab is aimed at students who have successfully completed at least one full year of an academic program in their chosen language. Classes are designed to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills through a variety of communicative activities.
A student who successfully completes the A or Ab courses continues on to a B course.