The course is aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards for ELA and focuses on reading and writing skills. Students will be engaged in reading grade level text including novels, poetry, plays, and short informational pieces while developing their writing skills to communicate. As they read students will analyze, evaluate, and annotate to develop a deeper understanding of the text. Emphasis is placed on using text evidence to support their analysis. In addition, students will follow the writing process as they develop narrative, argumentative, and informational pieces. The Next Generation Learning Standards for listening/speaking and language are integrated into the program to aide in the student’s ability to express themselves through both verbal and written expression. All sixth-grade students take the New York State (NYS) ELA 6 assessment.

All sixth-grade students participate in a developmental reading course. Students receive whole group, small group, and individualized instruction based on their comprehension, decoding, fluency, strengths, and areas of opportunity. Reading material is presented to students at their instructional or independent reading level. The focus of this course is to strengthen each student’s literacy skills while fostering an enjoyment for reading.

The course is aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards for math. The sixth-grade math curriculum involves five critical areas. These areas include ratios and proportional relationships, the number system, expressions and equations, statistics and probability, and geometry. The course provides sequential development of these skills while building student awareness of the relevance of mathematics in daily life. Students shape skills through practice and real-world applications with emphasis on inquiry-based instruction. All sixth-grade students take the NYS Math 6 assessment.

Sixth-grade social studies follow the New York State Social Studies Framework for Instruction. The course focuses on helping students recognize connections between members of different world communities and themselves. Students will examine the interdependence of all people focusing on Eastern cultures. The emphasis is on four perspectives in social studies, geography, political systems, economics, and social issues, and their influence on the development of civilization.

Throughout this course of study, students will focus on science concepts in living environment and the physical setting. The goal is to provide students with a sound understanding of the impact of scientific concepts and ideas, as well as use of engineering practices. The class and lab experiences will teach students concepts and skills that will prepare them for the three-year comprehensive Intermediate Level Science Test given in the spring of their eighth-grade year. There are four state mandated laboratory investigations in grades 6-8 that will be assessed on this test as well.

The physical education program is aligned with the New York State Learning Standards in Physical Education. Students participate in a variety of individual and team activities in a co-educational setting. Students are taught that physical activity provides an opportunity for life-long enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and communication. Individual lifetime activities such as ping-pong, tennis, yoga, weight training, bicycling, and snowshoeing are introduced. Students participate in modified team game activities in soccer, football, basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, and softball. Through participation in these physical education activities students will: y acquire the basic knowledge and fundamental skills necessary to participate in a variety of healthy activities; y understand and appreciate the benefits of maintaining a healthful lifestyle; y understand how to evaluate and access resources in their community to pursue a healthy and active life; y demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior through physical activity; and y Increase their understanding and acceptance of differences among people.

Fitnessgram is a comprehensive educational, reporting tool used to assess physical fitness and physical activity levels for children. This assessment is performed in the fall and spring of each year. It measures and evaluates four health related fitness areas that include the student’s cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance.