The Hewitt School

Curriculum Overview

2014-2015

Grade 6

English Pg. 1 Foreign Language Pg. 3 History Pg. 5 Physical Education Pg. 6 Math Pg. 7 Science Pg. 9 Technology Pg. 10 Performing Arts Pg. 12 Visual Arts Pg. 14

1

English 6

Course Description:

The sixth grade English curriculum complements the study of American history in social studies, giving students another lens on the diverse stories that define a nation. The texts vary from the sonnet collection by Elizabeth Alexander and Marilyn Nelson, which vividly reimagines the historical account of Miss Crandall’s School for Young Ladies and Little Misses of Color, to Laurie Halse Anderson’s historical novel Fever 1793. Students use process writing and other writing-to-learn strategies to develop close reading and interpretative skills and to explore how to expand ideas in a longer piece. Writers’ Workshop is folded into the curriculum, giving students an opportunity to explore different topics in a writing journal and to choose pieces to develop into more formal genres, including fiction, poetry, and essay. Instruction in grammar and vocabulary decoding skills continues throughout the year and in the context of student reading and writing. Class presentations, debates, and discussion rooted in reflective writing enhance students’ confidence as public speakers.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

The sixth grade English curriculum underscores the character and conviction of young women who passionately rise to the challenges of their time. The first semester introduces students to Kit in The Witch of Blackbird Pond, a free-spirited girl, fresh from Barbados, who moves to a Puritan colony where she must both adapt and remain true to herself. From there, students meet Maddie Cook, whose city and family are devastated by the yellow fever epidemic, and who must struggle against the hardships of illness and a treacherous escape.

In the second semester, sixth grade scholars embark on an 1800’s maritime journey from England to America in The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. Through the heroine’s account, students discover what life is like as the only girl on a ship full of pirates, who proves herself their equal in strength and determination. Finally, in a book of sonnets, students explore a school in which the founding members are young women of color who must fight for their right to an education. These inspiring stories invite exciting and thoughtful reflection. Students develop their reading comprehension all year through their responses to the texts: journals, annotations, class discussions, quizzes, and essays. While writing and revising, students receive daily instruction and support in mechanics, organization, and clarity.

Educational Resources:

Alexander, Elizabeth, and Marilyn Nelson. Miss Crandall's School for Young Ladies and Little Misses of

Color: Poems. Honesdale, PA: Wordsong, 2007. Print.

Anderson, Laurie Halse. Fever, 1793. New York: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2000. Print.

Avi. The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. New York: Orchard, 1990. Print.

2

Killgallon, Don. Sentence Composing for Middle School: A Sentence Composing Approach. Portsmouth, NH:

Boynton/Cook, 1997. Print.

Speare, Elizabeth George. Witch of Blackbird Pond. New York: Yearling Book, 1986. Print.

3

French 6

Course Description:

In the sixth grade, students of French learn strategies and skills for accurate communication through

grammar, poetry, plays, technology, art, and art history. Emphasis is placed on the spoken language,

and students are encouraged to use French consistently in the class. Grammar is emphasized, with

particular topics including the agreement and location of adjectives, the conjugation of reflexive

verbs in the present tense, and an introduction to the imperative mood. We will also be focusing on

the 6th grade theme for the year: “Who am I?” through our class reading of Pauvre Anne.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

Semester I:

General review of material covered previously.

Vocabulary, grammar, and culture related to the themes of textbook Adospheres 1, Unit 1,

Unit 2, and Unit 3, (each unit contains four lessons.)

For each unit there is a theme linked to a school subject and the way it is taught in French

schools: Unit 1 (cours de maths), Unit 2 (cours d’informatique) and Unit 3 (cours d’art)

Semester II

Vocabulary, grammar, and culture related to the themes of Adosphère 1, Unit 4 (cours de

sport), Unit 5 (cours d’instruction civique) and Unit 6 (cours de musique)

Literature: Pauvre Anne, small sections of Le Bourgeois gentilhomme from Molière and poetry.

Project: Mon dossier perso

Project: Study of a French artwork

Project: Study of a French fashion house

Project: Study of a French song

Project: Study of a French region

Project: Study of French organizations in NYC

Educational Resources:

Himber, C : Adosphère 1-Méthode de français/Cahier d’activités

Pauvre Anne, Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, bandes dessiné, et poésie

Age-appropriate excerpts of different French films.

4

Spanish 6

Course Description:

Students learn vocabulary and grammar in appropriate contexts through an oral approach (conversation and listening) and a written approach (reading and writing). A range of grammatical concepts is introduced, such as irregular verbs and possessive adjectives. Throughout the year, the cultural aspects of Spanish-speaking countries are emphasized by reading articles and literary extracts and by listening to songs.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

Semester I:

Comprehensive review of vocabulary and grammar studied in the 5th grade in order to

consolidate all the concepts previously acquired

Study new vocabulary about courtesy expressions, school life and the calendar

Study new grammatical structures: --ar verbs conjugations in the present tense and

differences between ser and estar

Facts, history and culture about the Spanish-speaking community in the USA and Canada

Audio practice on the topics mentioned above, online activities, along with authentic

material from websites and songs.

Semester II:

Study new vocabulary about the people, professions, sports and pastimes.

Study new grammatical structures: possessive adjectives, present tense of –er and –ir verbs,

both regular and irregular and stem-changing verbs

Facts, history and culture of Spanish-speaking countries: Spain, Ecuador and Mexico

Read and discuss texts about the topics mentioned above.

Audio practice on the studied topics, online activities, along with authentic material from

websites and songs.

Reading study: Pobre Ana

Project: Spanish-speaking countries presentation.

Educational Resources:

Descubre 1A, Audio/Video and Online material. Vista High Learning , 2014. Boston, MA

Ray, Blaine. Pobre Ana. Ray Blaine Workshops. 1999. USA.

http://www.vhlcentral.com

5

History 6: Our Nation’s Beginnings

Course Description:

What does it mean to be an American? History 6 is a chronological and theme-based exploration of early American history. Combining a traditional linear approach with project-based learning, students investigate America’s struggle to establish a national identity. We begin with a study of pre-contact Native peoples and the uniquely American meeting of three cultures—Native, European, and African. Topics include the regional Native Americans of New York, the Age of Global Encounters, the Thirteen English Colonies, the American Revolution, the US Constitution, Western Expansion, Slavery and the Abolitionists, and the Civil War and Reconstruction. Throughout the course, students wrestle with concepts of culture, change, and community. Students will have fall and spring projects exploring colonial history and the Civil War.

Topics of Investigation & Rationale:

This course is designed to examine the roots of the American Experience. Students will study primary source documents, among other resources, and engage in interdisciplinary activities. Guided by essential questions, students will make predictions, debate ideas, collect and analyze data, draw conclusions, and communicate their findings to others in a variety of ways. Particular attention will be paid to writing as a tool for exploring, describing, and analyzing. Students will learn research skills such as synthesizing information from a variety of sources and using simple citation.

Assignments and Assessments:

Students are expected to consult MyHewitt daily for assignments, test schedule posting, links, and downloads of important and relevant material. Assessments of various kinds occur about every 2-3 weeks or following units. Assessments may take the form of quizzes, tests, in-class essays, or projects.

Participation, including attendance in class, contributes 20% to the grade for each term, and a participation rubric in available on the MyHewitt 6th Grade History site. Students receive formal feedback on their participation monthly.

Educational Resources:

Davidson, James West. Prentice Hall America: History of Our Nation: Beginnings through 1877. Hakim, Joy. A History of Us. The Nystrom Atlas of Our Country’s History.

Course Agreements:

Students should consult the syllabus and the participation rubric.

6

Physical Education 6

Course Description:

In grade six the physical education curriculum focuses on each student's continuous development of physical fitness attributes, movement skills, and physical literacy. The program features a strengthening curriculum, with development standards that are central to the program. The program involves the application of concepts, skills, and strategies to the ability to perform their best in class exercises like fitness, group activities, and fundamentals of sports. Students are also provided with opportunities to develop leadership skills and work in small groups to solve problems or accomplish tasks. This allows for diverse capabilities and social needs of individual students to be fostered in the physical education program. Through purposeful learning activities, students are guided to refine motor, social, and intellectual skills while expanding physical knowledge in order to promote a fit and active lifestyle.

7

Mathematics 6

Course Description:

The goal of sixth grade mathematics is to create an environment in which students see and

understand math as an integral and interesting part of life. The course reviews the basic facts of

addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication of whole numbers, decimals, and fractions.

Students also work on graphing and statistics; algebra; geometry and measurement; percent, ratio,

and proportion; and probability. To target the development of problem solving skills, all sixth grade

math students will focus on real-world applications, collaboration, and the development of strategies

for approaching a wide range of math challenges.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

In the first semester of sixth grade mathematics, students begin to expand and solidify their

understanding of foundation skills with integers, decimals, fractions, exponents, and order of

operations. Students will be expected to apply these skills to problem solving based questions that

stretch their thinking and challenge them to think divergently. Beyond the solution, emphasis will

be placed on process and comprehension and students will be encouraged to take risks and try new

methods of solving problems. Students will learn to graph and write equations of linear functions,

and use these skills to create lines of best fit and interpolate and extrapolate information from data

sets. Students will also be exposed to algebraic thinking through the solving of equations and

inequalities, as well as algebraic approaches to problem solving situations.

In the second semester, students will use their foundation of understanding to delve further into

mathematical thinking through exploration of more advanced topics including rates, ratios, and

percents, measurement, and probability. Several chapters of geometry will also be covered and will

explore triangles, quadrilaterals, circles and three-dimensional figures, as well as area, perimeter, and

circumference.

Throughout the year, students will be asked to problem solve both individually and in small groups.

Beyond review of homework and formal quizzes and tests, students will also be assessed through

their contributions to group work and discussion, as well as through their work on larger projects

that will necessitate skills learned throughout the year.

Educational Resources:

http://illuminations.nctm.org/

http://www.funbrain.com

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/

http://www.khanacademy.org

8

Advanced Mathematics 6

Course Description:

In sixth grade Advanced Mathematics, the students begin by solidifying their methods of calculation and continue developing their algebraic skills. Students perform operations with whole numbers, decimals, and fractions before progressing to operations with negative numbers. The class then progresses to a study of proportions, unit rates, and percent change followed by a discussion of measurement and units and a detailed unit on geometry. Students develop their algebraic skills by solving multi-step algebraic equations and inequalities. An in-depth exploration into statistics and probability will also occur in the spring. Class activities range from completing practice work to participating in small labs and problem-solving scenarios. To target the development of problem solving skills, Advanced Mathematics students will be assigned regular Problem Sets, which stretch their thinking and challenge their mathematical “tool-belts”.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

In the first semester of sixth grade mathematics, students begin to expand and solidify their

understanding of foundation skills with integers, decimals, fractions, exponents, and order of

operations. Students will be expected to apply these skills to problem solving based questions that

stretch their thinking and challenge them to think divergently. Beyond the solution, emphasis will

be placed on process and comprehension and students will be encouraged to take risks and try new

methods of solving problems. Students will learn to graph and write equations of linear functions,

and use these skills to create lines of best fit and interpolate and extrapolate information from data

sets. Students will also be exposed to algebraic thinking through the solving of equations and

inequalities, as well as algebraic approaches to problem solving situations.

In the second semester, students will use their foundation of understanding to delve further into

mathematical thinking through exploration of more advanced topics including rates, ratios, and

percents, measurement, patterns, statistics, and probability. Several chapters of geometry will also be

covered and will explore triangles, quadrilaterals, circles, and three-dimensional figures as well as

area, perimeter, and circumference.

Throughout the year, students will be asked to problem solve both individually and in small groups.

Beyond review of homework and formal quizzes and tests, students will also be assessed through

their contributions to group work and discussion, as well as through their work on larger projects

that will necessitate skills learned throughout the year.

Educational Resources:

http://illuminations.nctm.org/

http://www.funbrain.com

http://pbskids.org/cyberchase/math-games/

http://www.khanacademy.org

9

Science 6:

Course Description:

Sixth grade science provides a project-based approach to science, with a strong emphasis on

problem solving and the development of laboratory skills. The topics, which draw from both

biological and physical sciences, establish the necessary foundation for seventh and eighth grade

science. One of the overall goals of the course is for students to recognize the necessary

intersections between the physical and the biological sciences. In order to accomplish this, topics

will be presented in tandem. For example, as students investigate the structure and functions of the

eye, they will also learn about properties and behaviors of light. In this way investigations into the

nervous system, open the door for a deeper understanding of physics.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

The course begins with a refresher on the scientific method and experimental design to reinforce

skills that are developed throughout the k-12 curriculum. From here, students investigate 3 main

areas of study. The first explores energy, through the lenses of both physics and biology. The

second unit investigates electricity, and its applicability to the nervous system. During unit 2

students will also design and build robots. The third unit is an exploration of forces and structures

as they relate to the human muscular and skeletal system. Other concepts that may be treated

during the semester include, sound, hearing, light, and the eye.

Educational Resources:

Dumas, L. and W. Lamb. Forces, Motion, and Energy. Holt Science & Technology: 2007.

Padilla, M., I. Miaoulis, and M. Cyr. Human Biology and Health. Prentice Hall Science

Explorer: 2009.

10

Digital Literacy 6:

Course Description:

The technology program in middle school focuses on project-based work throughout the different disciplines, whereby students acquire the skills necessary to use appropriate software and incorporate that knowledge into final projects and presentations. This course emphasizes skill building, critical thinking, ethical discussion, and decision making. Students will learn how to use tools for writing, presenting and analyzing data. They will also explore how to present themselves online; and deepen their knowledge of the Internet for research purposes. In addition, students learn responsible and safe use of technology at school and at home.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

Students will learn there are exciting places to go online, but that they should choose safe, age

appropriate sites, so safety is of paramount importance. In addition to safety, reviewing security

procedures on handling spam, creating strong passwords and understanding privacy policies will be

integrated on keeping their information secure online – to avoid online scams. Digital citizenship is

an area where students need strict guidance. How do they present themselves? How should we

analyze the upside and downsides of social media outlets? Ethics of online communities, both a

delicate topic but one that is needed to combat cyberbullying.

Researching the web has evolved exponentially over the last decade and much has changed. Students

will learn how to identify high-quality websites and explore different search options. (Adapted by

Digital Literacy and Citizenship – Common Sense Media)

Educational Resources:

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/educate-families

http://www.commonsensemedia.org//educators/curriculum/grades-6-8

11

Arts Rotation: Grade 6

Course Description:

Students will participate in two arts classes at a time, which will rotate. These classes expose students to a variety of offerings in the performing and visual arts. They are designed

to nurture students’ creativity and to develop a sound basis of knowledge in each of the

disciplines.

Course in the arts rotation include the following:

Handbell Choir Drama Digital Arts

12

Middle School Handbell Choir

Course Description:

The sixth grade Handbell Choir is a survey performance ensemble which extends and develops the work that students began in the fifth grade handbell choir. The group will rehearse and perform literature written or transcribed for handbell choir from the twelfth century to the present. The class centers on process, with a large portion of rehearsal devoted to the procedures needed to decipher written sheet music and realize it for performance. The class culminates in two concerts at the end of each semester, for which the students rehearse throughout the year.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

The middle school handbell choir begins by exploring proper handbell technique, including basic ringing techniques and extended techniques. Students will concurrently develop their facility as music readers, with emphasis placed on memorization of the pitches on the grand staff and rhythmic notation up to and including whole, half, quarter and eighth note rhythms. Each class will begin with a sight reading exercise, after which the choir will rehearse the selections for the fall and winter concerts. Students are assessed in daily participation grades and on monthly music reading, rhythm skills and performance technique rubrics. Grading and assessment is done both via CourseWeb and during rehearsal. The difficulty of the musical selections is noticeably increased during the second semester, taking advantage of the larger rehearsal period prior to the Spring Concert. Special emphasis is placed on meter and rhythm studies, with the note values studied expanded to include all dotted rhythms and ties. The grading system will continue as in first semester.

Educational Resources:

Five-octave set of Schulmerich Handbells

Three-octave set of Yamaha tone chimes

Various Existing Sheet Music from the pre-Renaissance period to the present, AHM Levels

3 to 5

Compositions and arrangements by the instructor

Notation software: Noteflight (freeware, download)

13

Drama 6

Course Description:

The sixth grade drama class primarily seeks to give the students tools for self-expression through improvisation, physical exploration of space, character development and interaction with other students. In improvisation games, the students learn to trade ideas and to tell stories. Through character development the students will learn how to express themselves and to communicate through a character. Learning theatre history, acting exercises, scene work, both of pre-existent scenes and scenes that the students have composed and improvised the students learn the basic concepts of theatre. The ultimate goal of the class is to have the students create a traveling Commedia dell’ Arte troupe and perform for their peers.

Topics of Investigation and Rationale:

The students in the sixth grade drama elective will develop skills in character development,

improvisational skills, collaboration work, acting terminology and Theatre history. They will gain

confidence in themselves and experience the success of performing improvisations as an ensemble

for their peers. With warm-ups every day, basic acting games, character development, sensorial

exploration and collaboration work, the students in the end of the trimester will have rehearsed and

collaborated on skits and stock characters creating a traveling acting troupe.

Educational Resources:

Text(s)

Kids Take the Stage - Linka Peterson & Dan O’Connor

The Ultimate Improv Book- Edward J Nevraumont and Nicholas P. Hanson

Theater Games for the Classroom – Viola Spolin

Improv, An Handbook for the Actor- Greg Atkins

Theatre Through the Ages- Michael Kramme, Ph.D

The Italian Comedy- Pierre Louis Ducharte

DRAMA RESOURCE presents: TEACHING COMMEDIA D’ELL ARTE © David

Farmer 2012

Related Websites

Learn Improv: http://www.learnimprov.com/

Educational Theater Association: http://www.edta.org/adult_html.asp

History of Commedia del Arte http://www.davidclaudon.com/arte/commedia.html

14

Digital Arts 6

Course Description:

Digital Arts 6 is a trimester course that introduces 6th grade girls to digital imaging in Adobe Photoshop. Students approach Photoshop through a series of explorations during which they are encouraged to ask ‘What is this? How does it work?’ and ‘Why?. Armed with a variety of problem-solving techniques, Digital Arts 6 students use the tools in Photoshop to create new imagery and to manipulate stock photographs in order to visually express their own personal ideas.

Topics & Themes:

Adobe Photoshop explorations (ex: paintbrush, paint bucket, eraser, custom shape tool, etc.)

Digital storytelling (ex: fables/fairy tales, superheroes, personal stories)

Identification and manipulation of stock photographs

Digital photography

Visual art collaboration

Educational Resources:

http://www.madmuseum.org/

http://whitney.org/

http://www.moma.org/

http://www.metmuseum.org/