LEARNING AND LEADING IN THE 21ST CENTURY GRADE 6 COURSE DESCRIPTION GUIDE 2018-2019 Registration Deadline for completing the CIMS Course Selection Worksheet and submitting to your 5th grade teacher or Cimarron Middle School is FEBRUARY 2, 2018 Douglas County School District Learn today. Lead tomorrow.
GRADE 6 CURRICULUM OVERVIEW 2018-2019 Required Courses Elective Courses Year Long Quarter Long* Advisement 6 Language Arts Language Arts 6 Language Arts 6 Advanced Math Mathematics 6 Mathematics 6 Accelerated 6th Grade Science Social Studies 6 (Geography) Art 6 (one quarter) Physical Education 6 (one quarter) Vocal Music 6 (one quarter) Technology (Multimedia Productions 6* or STEM Applications 6* (one quarter)) Chinese 1A French 1A Spanish 1A Band 6 Orchestra 6 Exploratory Wheel Consumer & Family Studies 6 Digital Design 6 Exploring Drama 6 Exploring World Cultures 6 Speech 6 Technology (Multimedia Productions 6* or STEM Applications 6*) *Students will be RANDOMLY placed in 4 of the quarter long classes. In addition to the required year long courses, 6th graders have one period a day to take an elective course of their choice. This is an opportunity for students to explore a wide range of interests. As in all Douglas County Middle Schools, all course offerings are subject to modifications or deletions based upon student enrollment figures. A fee will be charged for certain elective classes as per Board of Education policy. Preparing students for the 21st century is a cornerstone at Cimarron Middle School, and one way we accomplish this is to embed critical thinking strategies into all classes. These strategies are: Monitoring for meaning Activating, utilizing, and building background knowledge Asking questions Drawing inferences Determining importance Creating sensory images Synthesizing information and ideas Problem solving
GRADE 6 REQUIRED COURSES Advisement 6: All students have an advisement class with a team teacher. Students work on homework assignments, complete missing assignments, participate in team activities, DEAR (Drop Everything and Read), Be RED lessons, and character development. Language Arts: Language Arts 6 Language Arts is the entire study of communication through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Reading competency and writing fluency will form the majority of classroom emphasis. As readers, students will read and comprehend a variety of grade level/course appropriate materials and texts using a wide variety of reading strategies. Students will read various types of literature including: novels, short stories, plays, and magazines. As writers, students will use the writing process to achieve writing fluency. The appreciation and understanding of literature will also be addressed through writing. Additionally, students will become comfortable speaking in front of others, and cooperative learning groups will provide students with an opportunity to build leadership and communication skills. Language Arts 6 Advanced Language Arts 6 Advanced is a program designed for those students who have been formally identified by the district as gifted and talented learners in reading and writing. These students are provided with a rigorous program that includes indepth, complex instruction and fast-paced study related to Douglas County s academic standards. Mathematics: Mathematics 6 The student will master four critical areas: (1) connecting ratio and rate to whole number multiplication and division using concepts of ratio and rate to solve problems; (2) 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) basic statistical thinking. Mathematics 6 Accelerated (PREREQUISITES: Recommendation from 5th grade math teacher and gifted and talented facilitator as well as successful scores on the CiMS math placement exam.) This course includes the critical areas contained in Mathematics Grade 7 course and contains content from 8th grade. This course is designed for students that are one or two years ahead. In addition to content, students need to have high problem solving skills and perseverance. The course demands a faster pace for instruction and learning. The students will master these critical areas: (1) applying proportional relationships; (2) operations with rational numbers and working with expressions and linear equations; (3) solving problems involving scale drawings and informal geometric constructions, and working with two and three-dimensional shapes to solve problems involving area, surface
area, and volume; (4) drawing inferences about populations based on samples considering probability concepts; (5) formulating and reasoning about expressions and equations, including modeling an association in bivariate data with a linear equation, and solving linear equations and systems of linear equations; (6) the concept of a function and using functions to describe quantitative relationships; and (7) analyzing two and three-dimensional space and figures using distance, angles, similarity, congruence, and understanding and applying the Pythagorean Theorem. 6th Grade Science: 6th Grade Science will integrate topics of physical, life, and earth systems science. Within physical science, students will investigate atoms as the building blocks of all matter, molecules, states of matter, and measurement of matter. Within life science, students will investigate the flow of matter and energy in ecosystems, populations, survival, social interactions, and human impact. Within earth systems, students will investigate natural resources, processes of nature, and water cycle. Throughout the course students will gain this knowledge through inquiry based investigations. Social Studies 6 (Geography): This year long course will engage students in the study of the western hemisphere. 6th Grade Social Studies (Geography) will include the study of physical as well as cultural geography. Landforms, water bodies, climate, vegetation and natural resources will be explored to set the stage to include the human factor. Cultural geography will include the gathering of data to compare the characteristics of the variety of cultures of the western hemisphere. Students will use this study of geography and culture to make connections to the modern western hemisphere. Art 6 (Required): Welcome to 6th Grade Art! During a student s time in this required course they will design and create engaging artwork using multiple materials. Students will experience ceramics, drawing, painting, and mixed media. This course provides a foundation for 7th and 8th Grade Art. Physical Education 6 (Required): This is a required course for all 6th graders where students will learn the importance of lifetime fitness and the skills needed to participate for life. They will learn the four fitness components: cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Students will study how to improve the four components and be tested in the fitness program, with an introductory component to the fitness program. They will also participate and learn introductory skills in such units as team and individual sports and fitness. Students will also participate in daily cardiovascular activities. Vocal Music 6 (Required): This is a required course for all 6th graders. Students will expand their choral knowledge by studying vocal technique, basic rhythmic and melodic sight-reading, two and three-part singing, music theory, and music history. A commitment to attendance of quarterly concerts is required and is included in the grading criteria. Black pants/skirts, white dress shirt or polo, and black shoes are required for all performances.
Technology (Required): Students will be RANDOMLY placed in Multimedia Productions 6 OR STEM Applications 6 Multimedia Productions 6 This course will be an introduction to multimedia and video production. Students will be introduced to a variety of projects using professional multimedia tools to communicate, design, produce, and present creative digital projects. Projects include but are not limited to: animation, video and audio production. Students will have an opportunity to show work on the school's Colt Cast TV show. Projects and complexity of projects are adjusted and differentiated based on student interest and ability. This course is highly recommended for students wanting to participate in the E-Media Colt Cast TV course. STEM Applications 6 In the STEM lab, students engage in a variety of applications to promote exploration, creativity, and innovation. Through teamwork, networking, and the blending of ideas students build skills to take on STEM lab challenges. Students use of scientific principles, technology tools, engineering process, and math concepts promote critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making.
Foreign Language: GRADE 6 ELECTIVE COURSES (YEAR LONG) Chinese 1A/ French 1A/ Spanish 1A The Level 1A language course focuses on speaking, reading, writing, and listening in the chosen language as well as learning cultural information. Students will study simple grammatical structures, which include present tense verb conjugations, gender of nouns, adjective use, and sentence structure. Vocabulary study is an integral part of language learning and students are expected to continually practice so they will be able to communicate on a variety of topics. All skills will be practiced through speaking, writing, listening, and reading. The combination of Level 1A and Level 1B is equivalent to the high school Level 1 course. Please note: After successful completion of Level 1A, students will proceed to Level 1B. Successful completion is defined by having an A or B by the end of the year and a teacher recommendation. Instrumental Music: Band 6 This class is open to any student that has limited to no playing experience with baritone, clarinet, flute, French horn, percussion, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, or tuba. Evening concerts are required. Emphasis will be placed on learning to read and write musical notation, playing a wide variety of music representing many cultures and styles, listening critically to music, creativity, working together as a team, and performance. Orchestra 6 This class is open to any student that has limited to no playing experience with cello, viola, violin, or string bass. Evening concerts are required. Emphasis will be placed on learning to read and write musical notation, playing a wide variety of music representing many cultures and styles, listening critically to music, creativity, working together as a team, and performance. Exploratory Wheel: GRADE 6 ELECTIVE COURSES (QUARTER LONG) Students will be RANDOMLY placed in 4 of the quarter long classes Consumer & Family Studies 6 The 6th grade Consumer and Family Studies class is an experiential course that will introduce students to basic culinary skills while preparing and serving a variety of foods and snacks. Culinary skills will include safety, sanitation, and nutrition, and basic kitchen preparation. In addition, students will create a sewing project involving hand stitching.
Digital Design 6 Give your creative side a boost with this Digital Design course. The impact of digital art and design is all around us. In this class students will learn how to create original design compositions using a variety of industry standard software and technology. Students may create designs utilizing digital drawings, paintings, and pictures. They will learn to use principle design concepts in order to communicate a visual message. Projects and complexity of projects are adjusted or differentiated based on student interest and ability. This course can be taken in 6th grade and then can continue on again in 7th through 8th grades. Exploring Drama 6 This course will begin the exploration into the world of dramatic arts. It will give students the beginning experience, the practice of speaking, and the art of acting in front of a group. The creative process will be used as students explore pantomime, improvisation, and scene work. Students will be encouraged to gain confidence and composure by performing for each other while using various explorative drama strategies. They will begin to gain knowledge about using their voice, body, imagination, and mind to create characters and solve certain situations. Class time is given for writing and rehearsing their drama scripts. Join in the fun! Exploring World Cultures 6 In Exploring World Cultures 6 students explore components of culture as they relate to various world societies and ourselves. The course focuses on preparing students to participate in an increasingly global society. The students will use research, reflection, discussion, and projects to demonstrate understanding of global issues. Multimedia Productions 6 This course will be an introduction to multimedia and video production. Students will be introduced to a variety of projects using professional multimedia tools to communicate, design, produce, and present creative digital projects. Projects include but are not limited to: animation, video, and audio production. Students will have an opportunity to show work on the school's Colt Cast TV show. Projects and complexity of projects are adjusted and differentiated based on student interest and ability. This course is highly recommended for students wanting to participate in the E-Media Colt Cast TV course. Speech 6 This course is designed to help students increase their effectiveness, confidence, and fluency in public speaking. Students will develop an understanding of both interpersonal communication and public speaking skills through a variety of speaking strategies. Assignments include writing and presenting short stories and delivering speeches based on demonstration, information, persuasion, and current events. Students are required to use visuals, which can turn an average speech into an impressive presentation.
STEM Applications 6 In the STEM lab, teams of students rotate through a series of learning stations. Each station promotes individual exploration, creativity, and innovation. At the same time, it encourages teamwork, networking, and the blending of ideas. The STEM lab challenges students through the use of science, technology, engineering, and math through the use of critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. It helps students to not only master technology but also to master the process of learning how to learn.