Sixth Grade Looking Back & Looking Forward

Sixth graders are a unique bunch of kids. I call sixth grade the “Cupcake Year.” At the beginning of the year, just like in fifth grade, the students with fall birthdays are glad to have their parents bring cupcakes to class and celebrate. But by the end of the year, stu-dents with spring birthdays are not so sure they want their parents bringing cupcakes to school—it’s a little too elementary for them. This is the journey which sixth graders take in a year and reflects the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual development happen-ing within each child. It’s a great and exciting year, and it takes a special educational plan to teach these children-going-on-adolescents well.

That’s why sixth grade at Trinity has always been a transitional year, a hinge year between our Lower School and our middle grades. We have worked hard over the last several years to create a special faculty, space, pace, and curriculum for this unique grade of children at Trinity.

In 2007-2008, the sixth grade officially became the crowning year of our Lower School program, the top of our K–6 division. Trinity’s sixth grade year looks back toward the lower grades and forward toward the middle grades. We look forward to exploring this vision of education for your sixth grader.

Sincerely,

Chip Denton, Headmaster

4011 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705 • 919.402.8262 • www.trinityschoolnc.org

Looking Back Toward the Lower Grades...

Looking Forward to the Middle Grades...

The Trinity Sixth grade year offers: • Individual attention to sharpen the tools of learning;

• Small classes of no more than eighteen, fostering close and nurturing relationships between students and teachers;

• Academic testing and evaluation to see where each student may need some catch up before middle grades;

• Organizational and time management skills to reinforce lifelong habits;

• A well-paced day including a generous lunch period and daily recess to provide ample social and recreational time;

• An intentional shift toward more responsibility in the second semester;

• Reasonable homework, which still allows for outside activities;

• An atmosphere which makes every effort to encourage kindness among classmates and to build community across the entire class.

Trinity sixth grade also offers stimulus through a rich and thoughtful academic curriculum, exposure to deeper thinking through Socratic discussion, and a focus on study and organizational skills. Students learn to balance the new freedoms of adolescence with new responsibilities. Trin-ity sixth grade is located in its own space, at the end of the second floor hallway in the Lower School building.

As the leaders of the Lower School, these students have many chances to develop leadership through clubs, athlet-ic teams, community service, reading to younger children, and leading assemblies.

JANUSAt Trinity School, sixth grade students are still children, albeit growing children, not pushed out of childhood, but enjoying who they are. At Trinity, we desire to give these students time to grow.

Like the Roman god Janus, the god of gates and doors, beginnings and endings, who looks two ways, sixth grade looks back toward the lower grades and forward toward the middle grades.

AcademicsCurriculumLanguage ArtsIn sixth grade language arts, the literature course is taught in tandem with the historical study of the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The composition component is built upon the development of a single, tightly knit paragraph, and evolves into multiple paragraph writing as the year unfolds. Skills, includ-ing spelling, vocabulary and grammar, are stressed in both reading and writing classes. Sample texts include: The Hobbit by Tolkein, the story of Beowolf, The White Stag by Seredy; Favorite Medieval Tales by Osborne; Son of Charlamagne, The Song of Roland, Robin Hood and excerpts from an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice.

HistorySixth grade history begins as the Roman Empire comes to an end. We study the expansion of Christianity, with such various kingdoms and cultures as the Byzantine Empire and early Islam. We continue through the Middle Ages in Western Europe, including monasticism, and finish up with an introduction of the Italian Renaissance. We create a large timeline to help us understand the sequence and scope of this historical period. A study of current maps helps us connect the history with modern places.

BibleSixth grade Bible is a conversational, in-depth study of the Old Testament story, beginning with Genesis. We explore the Old Testament books with a focus on who Yaweh (God) is, especially in relationship to his creation. The course employs maps of the ancient near east to help us chart the journeys of the Hebrew nation. The student should leave this course with a clear understanding of the Old Testament narrative and its major figures, as well as a greater understanding of the character of God.

MathSixth grade math involves the exploration of basic math concepts through various mediums. Decimals, fractions, measurement, variables, equations, geometry, integers, and probability are some of the topics covered over the course of the year. The emphasis is on problem solving strategies and vocabulary.

Earth ScienceSixth grade students explore topography, geography, plate tectonics, Earth chemistry, weather, climate, the solar system, and galaxies through readings, research, lectures, projects, field trips, nature walks, and lab experiments.

LatinIntroductory Latin begins in fourth grade at Trinity and continues through eighth grade. Students learn Latin grammar and build on vocabulary during the early years. Note: The Trinity Latin course is designed to include new students who have not previously taken Latin. Please inquire if you have questions.

ArtThe art curriculum for all grades at Trinity integrates the study of famous artists with hands-on student experience with line, shape, form, space, color, texture, rhythm, bal-ance and unity. The sixth grade art rubric includes the study of Icons, Byzantine art, Islamic tile prints, manuscripts, Gargoyles, stained glass, and Gothic arches. Students study and emulate the works of artists such as Michelangelo, Bruegal, Matisse, and DaVinci.

MusicThe sixth grade music curriculum includes music theory, history, movement, instruments, and singing each week. Students study the music and composers from the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Sixth grade students may also participate in band.

Athletics

Trinity sixth grade students have the opportunity to compete on all interscholastic sports teams. In the words of Athletic Director Sue Eckstein, “At Trinity we are building a program that teaches our athletes that success is not measured solely by wins and losses. Make no mistake – we play to win! But at Trinity, we have the wonderful opportunity to teach our athletes that there can be victory in every endeavor. We are blessed with coaches who teach the skills to compete well and at the same time model and encourage personal and spiritual growth.”

Last year at Trinity, 80% of sixth grade students competed on at least one interscholastic team and 50% competed on two teams or more. This year, offering multiple teams of each sport is enabling even more students to participate.

FallGirls’ volleyballBoys’ soccerBoys’ and Girls’ cross countryBoys’ and Girls’ tennis

WinterBoys’ and Girls’ basketball

SpringGirls’ soccerBoys’ and Girls’ track and fieldBoys’ baseballBoys’ and Girls’ golf

AdministrationRobin Lemke is Trinity’s Director of Lower School and was part of the lead-ership team that formed the sixth grade program. She came to Trinity in 2003, but has been in education for thirty-four years.

Robin’s observes of this sixth grade students, “There exist many paradoxes within the students’ thoughts, emotions and behaviors: pleasing authority, but discovering themselves; showing excitement, but also bewilderment; accepting authority, but also questioning. Even though these traits seem to oppose each other, they provide wonderful opportunities for teaching

students about their world, their friends, their God and themselves. Listening, talking, learning and laughing are the verbs that describe the Trinity sixth grade classroom. These can be very rewarding years for both the students and the teachers.”

4011 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705 • 919.402.8262 • www.trinityschoolnc.org