SIXITH GRADE
CURRICULUM

• Unit1: A Deep Study of Character
• Unit 2: Tapping the Power of Nonfiction
• Unit 3: Social Issues Book Clubs
• Unit 4: Test Preparation
• Unit 5: Fantasy Book Club

• Unit 1: Restarting a Writing Life
• Unit 2: Personal Narrative: Crafting Powerful Life Stories
• Unit 3: Research-Based Information Writing
• Unit 4: Literary Essay: From Character to Compare/Contrast
• Unit 5: Test Preparation

• Unit 1: Infection: Detection
• Unit 2: Infection: Modeling and Simulation
• Unit 3: Robotics and Automation

• Unit 1: LIFE SCIENCE: Where Have All the Creatures Gone?
• Unit 2: INTRO TO CHEM: How Can I Smell Things From A Distance?
• Unit 3: EARTH SCIENCE: How Does Water Shape Our World?
• Unit 4: PHYSICAL SCIENCE: Can I Believe My Eyes?

PLTW Launch is built around exploration and problem-solving. Families can support this by:

• Encouraging students to ask questions
  Wondering aloud together (“How do you think that works?”)
• Allowing students to test ideas and make mistakes
• Celebrating creativity and effort, not just correct answers

Helpful phrases:

• “What problem were you trying to solve?”
• “What did you discover?”
• “What would you try differently next time?”

Students in PLTW Launch often use an engineering or design process to solve problems. Families can ask:

• What was the challenge?
• What solutions did you brainstorm?
• How did you improve your design?
• What did you learn from testing?

Physical Education is an important part of every student’s FHPS educational experience in grades Junior Kindergarten through 6th grade. Through regular participation in physical activity, students develop movement skills, build healthy habits, strengthen social-emotional skills, and learn the value of teamwork, perseverance, and personal responsibility. Research shows that physical activity supports overall academic success by improving focus, memory, problem-solving, and learning. Our Physical Education special area class provides opportunities for all students to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to lead active, healthy lifestyles while supporting their physical, cognitive, and emotional growth.

• Demonstrates competency in complex movement patterns and sports-specific skills
• Evaluates and applies game strategies to solve movement challenges
• Creates and follows a personal fitness plan based on individual goals

Music is an important part of every student’s educational experience in grades Junior Kindergarten through 6th grade. Through singing, performing, listening, creating, and responding to music, students develop musical skills, creativity, self-expression, and an appreciation for diverse musical traditions and cultures. Music education supports the development of collaboration, discipline, perseverance, and confidence while strengthening listening, communication, and critical-thinking skills. Research shows that participation in music can enhance cognitive development, memory, and academic learning. Our music special area class provides opportunities for all students to explore and experience music in meaningful ways, supporting their artistic, social, emotional, and intellectual growth.

• Plays/sings with correct posture (and for instruments, correct instrument position)
• Plays/sings with proper tone
• Plays/sings correct rhythms individually and together with the ensemble
• Plays/sings the correct notes and with proper intonation
• Reads music notation with accuracy

Art is an important part of every student’s educational experience in grades Junior Kindergarten through 6th grade. Through creating, exploring, and responding to art, students develop creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-expression. Students learn artistic techniques, use a variety of materials and tools, and build an understanding of artistic concepts while exploring diverse cultures, perspectives, and forms of artistic expression. Art education encourages imagination, perseverance, and confidence while helping students communicate ideas and emotions in meaningful ways. Our art special area class supports the development of the whole child by fostering creativity, collaboration, and appreciation for the arts as an essential part of lifelong learning. 

• Demonstrates purposeful use of elements of art and principles of design (e.g., line, shape, color, emphasis, pattern)
• Builds skills with a variety of art materials and makes independent choices