Sixth Grade Key Learning Targets

Clarkston School District (CSD) strives to provide opportunities for students to meet their full potential. Students must develop the ability to be independent thinkers. They must learn to solve real-life problems and keep up with latest developments. This curriculum summary identifies key learning targets that represent the skills and knowledge required in each classroom to meet the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements at this grade level.

We encourage you to contact any of our elementary schools if you would like additional information.

CHARACTER EDUCATION

CSD believes that values education is central to the personal growth and development of its students. It helps prepare them to meet the complex challenges of a rapidly changing world.  The district further believes the following common values are essential to the character of an educated person. The school must model, teach and reinforce these values:

• Respect
• Self Discipline
• Honesty
• Work Ethic
• Responsibility
• Citizenship

COMMUNICATION

Communication develops at different rates and is used in all aspects of life.

The sixth grade student in CSD works on using listening and observation skills.

• Focuses attention.
• Listens for and interprets information.
• Checks for understanding through questioning and paraphrasing.
The sixth grade student in CSD works on communicating ideas clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.
• Develops content and ideas.
• Uses effective delivery, language and style.
• Presents effectively using action, sound, or images.
• Utilizes available technology to present reports.

The sixth grade student in CSD works on using communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.

• Works cooperatively as a member of a group.
• Seeks agreement using conflict resolution strategies.

The sixth grade student in CSD works on analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of formal and informal communication.

• Assesses own and others communication strengths.
• Sets goals for improvement.
• Seeks and offers feedback.

READING

The sixth grade student in the CSD strives to understand and use different strategies and skills to read fluently.

• Uses context to read words.
• Uses phonics in reading.
• Reads aloud with fluency and expression.
• Uses structure of sentence to determine unknown words.

The sixth grade student in the CSD strives to understand the meaning of what is read.

• Paraphrases and summarizes the sequence of a story.
• Compares and contrasts complex story elements.
• Identifies and analyzes cause and effect.
• Reads text independently.

The sixth grade student in the CSD works on reading different materials for various purposes.

• Utilizes primary and secondary sources in preparing a report.
• Application in content areas.
• Reads science and social studies texts.
• Understands bibliography and reference lists.
• Follows complex written directions.
• Reads newspaper.
• Creates questions and evaluations.

The sixth grade student in the CSD sets goals and evaluates progress to improve reading.

• Shares reading experiences.|
• Identifies criteria that characterizes a good reader.
• Seeks and uses feedback to improve reading.
• Assesses own strengths and works to improve.

WRITTEN LANGUAGE

Learning to write brings the learner into the literate community as an active participant.

The sixth grade student in the CSD strives to write clearly and effectively.

The sixth grade student in the CSD works toward writing in a variety of forms for different audiences and purposes.

• Creates a bibliography or reference list for reports.
• Writes clear directions for accomplishing complex tasks.
• Explains and substantiates personal points of view in writing.

The sixth grade student in the CSD utilizes the writing process.
• Uses a word processor in completing a written document.
• Uses a thesaurus to improve word choices.
• Views technology as an important part of learning and uses it in the writing process.
• Uses a dictionary or computer spell checker when needed.

The sixth grade student in the CSD is working toward analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of written work.

• Gives constructive help to others during writing sessions.
• Has developed a successful process for improving own writing.
• Requests assistance in editing when needed.

MATHEMATICS

The sixth grade student in the CSD understands and applies the concepts and procedures of mathematics.

Number Sense

• Adds and subtracts positive and negative numbers.
• Computes using four operations with whole numbers.
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides fractions and mixed numbers.
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides using decimals.
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides using percentages.
• Easily recalls addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts to 12’s.
• Understands the relationship of percentages, decimals, and ratios.

Measurement

• Understands the relationship of metric measurements.
• Understands Fahrenheit and Celsius measurements.
• Uses conversion charts.

Geometric Sense

• Understands relationships among radius, diameter, circumference, and area of circles.
• Calculates volume of rectangular solids.
• Calculates linear dimensions of polygons and the areas of squares, rectangles, and triangles.

Probability/Statistics

• Understands concept of probability, as favorable over possible.
• Understands concept of range, medium, mean, and mode.
• Calculates averages.
• Collects a random sample and organizes data into charts, tables, and graphs.
• Defines terms and solves problems involving average, ratio, proportion, and percentage.

Algebraic Sense

• Solves problems using algebraic concepts with single variables.
• Uses mental arithmetic, pencil and paper, calculator or computer as appropriate to task.

SCIENCE

Our science curriculum is under review. We are updating goals and choosing materials to teach the following concepts at this grade level.

Clarkston’s Science Program focuses on Earth, Life and Physical Sciences at each grade level. Through the study of specific topics at each grade level, students will gain a breadth of knowledge and develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry.

The following topics have been selected at this grade level.

Intro to Chemistry, Electricity and Magnetism, Animal Life Simple to Complex, Ecology of Washington State/Asotin County/Snake River Biomes and Environmental Science, Genetics, Earth/Moon/Sun Relationships, Land Forms, Workings of Water and Air.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Social studies provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to participate as responsible and effective citizens in an increasingly complex world.

The sixth grade student in CSD develops an understanding of major events, turning points, chronology, and the cause and effect relationships among them in U.S. history beyond the Civil War period.

• Examines historical contributions of various individuals and cultures to U.S. History beyond the Civil War period.
• Understands historical perspective: what happened in the past impacts the present and future.
• Understands that historical events may be interpreted from multiple perspectives.
• Uses information and a variety of resources to investigate and understand history.
• Understands the impact of the technology, ideas, and creativity on U.S. history and social change.

The sixth grade student in CSD continues to develop a stronger sense of the impact of the environment on country’s choices.

• Recognizes the impact of environment on the United States.
• Shows responsibility in caring for the nation’s environment.
• Identifies how technology impacts the United States.

The sixth grade student in CSD continues to develop an understanding of the influences of continuity and change.

• Understands that our country is always growing and changing (migration).
• Recognizes changes influence national choices.
• Identifies how past and present choices influence the future of the United States (emerging cultures).

The sixth grade student in CSD begins to understand how people participate in making decisions for the United States.

• Continues to develop an understanding of the structure and processes of national government.
• Practices appropriate processes and responsibilities of good citizenship.
• Expands the understanding that rules impact safety, order, and harmony nationally.

The sixth grade student in CSD continues to develop an understanding of the principles of economics.

• Understands that work is rewarding.
• Develops an understanding of past/present economic systems of the United States.
• Expands their understanding that economic choices involve costs and consequences.
• Compares and contrasts the impact of past business markets/trade on the United States.
• Begins to examine how government policies influence national economy.

The sixth grade student in CSD continues to develop an understanding of geographical concepts.

• Identifies areas of a map or globe (i.e. parallel, meridian, international dateline).
• Creates regional maps of the United States.
• Readily recalls states, capitals, major cities, rivers, and mountain ranges.
• Uses geographic tools (compass rose, map legends, atlases & globes).
• Begins to use technological tools in geographical research.

MUSIC

Music is an essential part of the curriculum of the Clarkston School District.  The objective of music education is to provide each student with meaningful knowledge and skills to empower them to be involved in music throughout their life.

The major goals of music education in CSD include:

• to develop self-discipline and a positive self-image.
• to broaden student’s sensitivity to their own and other cultural heritages.
• learn appropriate social behavior in group situations.
• provide students with knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in music.
• provide an opportunity for students to display their musical knowledge and skills through performances.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

The sixth grade student acquires the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain a healthy, active life: movement, physical fitness, and nutrition.

Understands and applies strategies for developing productive eating habits.

• Knows foods and appropriate serving sizes for a healthful diet.
• Knows benefits and drawbacks of various weight loss strategies.
• Knows the short-term and long-term effects of inadequate diet and improper eating habits.
• Knows food and eating habits which minimize risk of developing debilitative diseases.
• Convenience Foods/Fast Food Choices.

Understands the process of human reproduction.

• Knows about the process of conception.*
• Knows about the growth of a baby from conception to birth.*
• Knows about the process of birth.*
• Knows the responsibilities of parenthood.*
• Knows about available pregnancy counseling.*

            *part of sexual education - parental approval necessary.

Understands the short-term and long-term effects of substance abuse.

• Knows the short-term effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
• Knows the long-term effects of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
• Knows why most people do not use alcohol, tobacco, and drugs (social, emotional, physical).
• Defends a position choosing to live an alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free life.

Understands the steps to acquiring guidance and assistance with infectious diseases.

• Knows what community services are available.
• Contacts the appropriate persons within various agencies when needed.
• Knows the laws and local policies regarding privacy of information.
• Knows your responsibilities for finding out whether or not you have contracted a disease.

HIV/AIDS Prevention*

• Has knowledge of risk factors.*
• Understands transmission and prevention (abstinence).*
• Utilizes positive decision-making skills.*

            *part of HIV-AIDS Education - parental approval necessary.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The sixth grade student in CSD applies physical education to life.

• Demonstrates physical fitness (coordination, endurance, nutrition, good attitude).
• Assesses physical fitness needs (heart rate, fitness levels, know differences between aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, relationship between body composition and fitness).
• Knows basics of individual and group sports and recreational activities (benefits, conditioning requirements, safety practices, responsibilities of participation, rules of activities).
• Manages personal health, wellness, and fitness needs (prevention and care of injuries, nutrition and diet, commitment necessary to gain and maintain fitness).
• Demonstrates sportsmanship in sports and recreation (benefits of competition, value of winning and losing, united goal-setting, ground rules for team play, basic social and cooperative skills).
• Uses a variety of strategies to succeed in sports and recreational activities (recognize strengths and weaknesses, analyze strengths and weaknesses, and tendencies of opponents, know resources for improving skills, develop preparation skills, know value of repetition and practice).
• Demonstrates consumerism skills in purchase of sports equipment (cost of equipment, different types of sources, quality vs. price, needs).

The sixth grade student in CSD strives to gain knowledge and skills which enable and/or improve participation in group and team sports (i.e. basketball, soccer, softball, and volleyball).

The sixth grade student in CSD strives to increase muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, body awareness, and agility through fitness and recreational activities.
• Knows fitness capabilities according to standardized test and is able to set goals and achieve progress as measured on fitness test.
• Uses proper cool-down techniques (stretching, larger-slower movements, slow cooling).
• Knows strengths and weaknesses for strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility.

TECHNOLOGY

The district strives to provide access to technology to all students.  Age-appropriate curriculum is being developed in these areas:

The sixth grade student understands and uses:

• Basic Computer Operation
• Word processing, drawing and painting software
• Presentation and communication software