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REQUIRED
COURSES
GRADE
6
SJMS art classes aim to develop student creativity, aesthetic
sensibility, artistic workmanship, as well as expanding student understanding of
art history and art theory. Sixth grade art begins this process with classic
drawing exercises followed by class projects that explore all five elements of
Art: line, shape, texture, color, and value.
Students
are given the opportunity to experiment and develop different styles of writing.
The emphasis is on writing as a process.
Basic grammar and sentence structure provide students with the tools
needed to write fluently. Spelling
and vocabulary are also incorporated in the curriculum.
Courses
offered in Mathematics focus on: problem solving as a method of inquiry and
application; communication skills and techniques for conveying mathematical
ideas and concepts; reasoning experiences and processes that reinforce and
extend thinking skills; investigations of mathematical connections and the
interplay mathematics has in our daily lives. Topics explored in sixth grade
mathematics include measurement, fractions, decimals, percent, ratios,
probability, patterns, relationships and functions, geometry, introduction to
algebra.
Physical Education meets two times per week throughout the school year. All classes are co-educational. The units are designed to incorporate fundamental skills, physical fitness and knowledge of various lifelong sports. Emphasis is placed on participation, good sportsmanship and effort. Students are required to bring proper PE clothes to each class.
Students
learn to appreciate good literature in many forms. Trade books, poetry, and plays are used to develop basic
reading skills. Emphasis is on
having students develop strategies to comprehend, analyze and use inferences to
gain a better understanding of literature. Five thinking strategies are
stressed: recall, analysis,
inference, synthesis and evaluation. Semantic
mapping is stressed to help students organize the important facts about
selections they read. Opportunities are given in units to build and develop
listening skills. Time is set aside
for free reading, which is encouraged through the use of the Accelerated Reader
Program.
The Hebrew Scriptures are the focal point of study in sixth grade religion.
Students learn how to use the Bible and how to interpret what they read.
Units also include a continuing study of the liturgical year, prayer,
Catholic worship, and the history of the Bible.
Students express their faith through participation in prayer services,
liturgies and retreats. Sexuality catechesis and alcohol and other drug abuse
prevention education are a part of the religion program. The focus is on choices,
consequences and Catholic moral teachings.
This is a general science course with emphasis on using hands-on experience
to gain a better understanding of concepts.
Class participation, group work and lab activities are used to gain knowledge
of science in our everyday life. This
course also helps to instill a concern for our environment.
The sixth grade social studies program focuses on Latin America and Europe.
The year begins with a brief review of map skills, followed by the settlement
by the Native American peoples of Latin America. The conquest of this area is
also covered. Geography, government, economics, and the history of this area
are explored. Students then examine the history of Europe from the Middle Ages
to the present. Once again, the geography of this area is emphasized.
A
study skills program is integrated into the core curriculum. This program was
designed by SJMS staff in consultation with the Center for the Education of the
Young Adolescent at UW-Platteville. This program helps students learn
organizational skills (including how to use our custom-designed assignment
notebook, The Agenda) listening
skills, note taking, test taking, and skills in reading in the content areas.
ELECTIVE
COURSES
GRADE
6
(All
6th grade students must choose one of the following courses)
(Full
Year Course)
Band rehearsals are held three days per week.
Students participate in band festivals, solo-ensemble recitals and festivals,
winter and spring concerts. Students
receive a weekly individual lesson. Band
instruments may be rented through the school with director approval and availability
or from local music stores.
(Semester
Course)
In chorus, the main objective is to provide the middle school student
with a background in the fundamentals of good basic vocal production. The student will sing a well-rounded variety of music from
popular to sacred. Interval training
and the basics of notation will be taught.
The students will perform as a group at least once per semester.
(Full
Year Course)
The 6th grade General Music class is an assimilation of all the musical knowledge previously learned by the students. Through song, games, reading, writing, and listening, students learn about all styles of music and study music history. General Music also explores multi-cultural aspects of music and provides an opportunity for students to perform as a group at least once per semester. General music helps to prepare students for future endeavors and the enjoyment of music and the arts.
ORCHESTRA
(Full Year Course)
Orchestra is available to students in grades 6-8. (If students are beginning
orchestra for the first time, summer lessons are highly recommended.) The course
meets two times per week and each child has one 10-15 minute private lesson
per week. Students perform in two public performances per semester and are required
to perform at the annual Fox Valley Christian Music Association Solo and Ensemble
Festival.