Trinity Lutheran School
Sixth Grade
Teacher: Mr. Bruce Mertens
Email: bmertens@trinityjanesville.com
For more information, call the school office (507-231-6646) or email Mr. Mertens.
SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM
Religion
The Concordia Publishing House Voyages curriculum is used for religion instruction. Within the context of each lesson, students are taught key concepts of faith such as Law, Gospel, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and grace and are encouraged to put these concepts into action in their daily lives. The course includes lessons on the Word of God, the life and work of Martin Luther, and sequential study of selected Bible stories that span biblical history from exodus through the life of Christ. Thru a planning memory program students learn Scripture verses, hymns, and portions of Luther’s Small Catechism.
Literature
The sixth, seventh, and eighth grades use the Prentice Hall literature series. The students are introduced to several literary genres including short stories, drama, non-fiction, poetry, oral tradition, and novels. The students analyze story development such as character, setting, plot, and theme.
English
English is grammar instruction including learning the parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections) and their proper usage in a sentence. The art of writing is taught through teaching proper sentence structure which includes capitalization, punctuation, and paragraph development. Types of writing may include a research paper, short stories, and poetry.
Spelling
Sixth grade students are led to see spelling patterns as they build on basic word roots using affixes and word endings. They are taught syllabication vowel relations, and consonant relationships. Students learn to spell in their regular daily work. Dictionary, thesaurus, and critical reading vocabulary are used to strengthen spelling skills.
Math
Students with be able to read, represent and compare rational numbers as fractions, decimals, percents and ratios, be able to multiply and divide decimals, fractions and mixed numbers. They will begin an introduction to basic algebraic concepts, geometry and measurement, and data analysis and probability. They will be able to use the concepts they are learning to solve real-world problems. The students will use the textbook Mathematics Course 1, by Holt McDougal, copyright 2010.
Science
Students will study basic Physical Science with an emphasis on understanding the process of scientific inquiry. They will study the structure of matter, chemical reactions, energy transformations, motion and forces of nature. They will further their understanding of all types of energy. Students will both observe and participate in laboratory experiences to help them appreciate how God both created and sustains His creation. Text book used for this course is Physical Science, by Holt, Rinehart, Winston with a copyright of 2007.
United States History
Students need to recognize and understand the geographical and cultural differences of the peoples around the world. Our world is “small” due to access to the internet and the news media. Because of this, students need to have an understanding of cultures and know the locations of countries across the globe to better comprehend what occurs in their country and the world. Map study will be a part of their curriculum throughout the year, as well as doing reports about a variety of countries. Each student will become an “expert” on a country of his or her choice from an approved list.
Computers
Students learn keyboarding skills using Type to Learn. Students are also taught how to use a word processor and to prepare a presentations using Star Office software. The proper use of the internet for doing research is also part of the sixth grade learning experience.
Art
Artistic ability is either a natural gift or a learned ability. The students will have the opportunity to learn different techniques in a variety of mediums. They will be able to work with watercolors, acrylics, colored pencil, chalks, and charcoal.
Choir
The Junior High Choir is for students in sixth through eighth grades. Its main purpose is to provide glory to God through singing together while providing musical enjoyment and growth in vocal technique. The Junior High Choir sings at scheduled church services, the Christmas service, and at the spring choral festival.
Band
Students in fifth through eighth grade are able to join band. The band class and lessons are provided by the JWP band director. Band students gain deeper musical understanding through the study of theory and performance. Emphasis is placed on tone quality, scale memorization, rhythm recognition, and musical interpretation. The students are exposed to increasingly challenging music as they progress through band. Generally, two concerts are offered each year, one in the fall and one in the spring.
Physical Education
Developing and refining locomotor skills and object control is ongoing at this level. Use of a variety of sports and activities help this development. Activities to build students’ strength, endurance, flexibility, and power lay a ground work for physical fitness. Using a various team individual, and dual sports as units of instruction, a number of things can be taught; the rules of the game are taught not only to those looking to play at a higher level, but also to those who will choose to watch and enjoy the game as spectators. Social and personal skills are being worked in at this level. We will build on cooperation and leadership, integrity, respect, fair play, initiative, responsibility, effort, self-discipline, and decision-making. Students are given the opportunity to qualify for the Presidential and National fitness awards and are encouraged to view fitness in terms of lifelong activities and fun.