Reading Reading is the foundation for all learning. When we teach reading, we want to excite our students with such enthusiasm that they will want to read, not only for learning, but also for enjoyment. Hopefully they will carry away a positive attitude toward learning. The reading curriculum is literature based using a wide variety of novels which results in daily reading, discussions, skills development, vocabulary enrichment, projects and response journal entries. Response journals are required of all students. Their journal entries should include a personal reflection of their assigned readings and class discussions. The literature chosen is used successfully in teaching about and enhancing other areas of the curriculum. Students are also expected to keep a novel of their choice in school for S.S.R., (Sustained Silent Reading) time.

Mathematics The D.C. Heath Connections textbook is used in grade six. It was written to correspond with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards.
We will be learning the following skills: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of whole numbers, decimals and fractions, graphing and statistics, measurement, geometry, ratio, proportion and probability, percent, area, volume and integers.
Concepts and skills are continually applied and articulated through problem solving. Supplementary materials, activities and manipulatives are continually used to support what is being taught.

Spelling A twenty-word pretest will be given every Friday. Students should be able to use each word in an original sentence showing that they understand the meaning of their words. Tests are given on Thursday of the following week. Additional vocabulary words will be drawn from content areas.

Handwriting is expected on all assignments and daily work.

Writing Students will be exposed to and taught various types of writing throughout the year. They will also be using their "writing talents" in all areas of the curriculum such as with essay questions in social studies and science, math logs and reading journals. Lessons in grammar, mechanics and punctuation will be taught and applied to their written work. We will be using a writing process similar to that used in previous years.

Social Studies Our social studies text is Macmillan's Eastern Hemisphere. Grade six is an in-depth study of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome using higher order thinking skills. The history, geography, economics and government of these civilizations will be addressed. Activities, projects, essays, quizzes and tests are part of each unit of study. Current events are discussed weekly through the use of various newspapers, radio and television.

Science Our science curriculum consists of many facets. Some of the units we will study are ecology, heredity, aerodynamics, and structures. These units include components such as research, design, inventions and the use of technology. Our program also includes a health component made up of the "Michigan Model" and Current Health magazine.

Homework Homework is an important component of the sixth grade curriculum. Homework at this grade level is not only to instill a sense of responsibility and independence but also to reinforce and assess skills that have been taught in school. Students will be responsible for recording daily and long-term assignments in their agenda books. Agenda books are given to each student during the first week of school. Although assignments are the student's responsibility, parent and teacher monitoring are an important part of their success.

Parents/guardians are asked to contact the school for homework after their child has been absent for two consecutive days. The work will be available in the office at 2:45 p.m. provided a call has been made prior to noon of that day.