Language Arts 6

Writing, reading and communication are the basic components of the middle school language arts curriculum. Students build and expand on prior skills developed in elementary school.

In writing we continue to focus on the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing and publishing. Students further develop their understanding and use of the six writing traits: conventions, word choice, organization, content, fluency and voice.

In reading, students and teachers select literature which includes a variety of genre and themes. These selections are explored through whole group activities, story circles and independent reading.

Social Studies 6

Social studies draws from disciplines of archaeology, anthropology, economics, geography, history, philosophy, political science, and sociology. The sixth grade curriculum covers prehistoric man and ancient civilizations. Among the civilizations that may be covered during the year are the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese, and Mayans. Our basic text, A Message of Ancient Days, examines these cultures through the various aspects that define a civilization, (e.g., trade and food supply, social structure, specialization of labor, form of government, and culture). In the process of exploring these civilizations, students compare and contrast their own present lives with the pasts of these great civilizations.

Mathematics 6

A major goal of 6th grade mathematics is to provide students with a solid foundation for exploring and understanding algebra and geometry concepts as they move from elementary to middle school. Students will explore geometric transformations, the area of non-rectangular figures, area models, and the coordinate system. Fractions, their operations, and their relationship to decimals and percents is another central topic. Other areas covered are problem solving, data analysis and probability, integers, rational and real numbers, measurement, number sense and number theory, ratios, and proportions. Communicating about mathematics, both verbally and in writing, is emphasized during instruction. Students will be encouraged to reason and communicate with each other about skills and ideas in mathematics that lead to conceptual and computational development. Much effort is made to link learning to real life applications of mathematics.

Accelerated Math 6

Students in Accelerated Math 6 study Math 7 learning target using the 7th grade text book. Probability is one of the focuses of seventh grade mathematics. Students explore the probability of an event, geometric probability, and compare theoretical and experimental probabilities. Ratios, proportions, and percents areemphasized. Students will review working with fractions and decimals. Students are introduced to the formal methods of algebra, which they will continue to investigate in eighth grade. Measurement and area formulas are extended to less familiar plane figures and spatial figures are introduced. Data analysis and statistics are extended to include additional graphing forms, such as scatter plots, histograms, and box-and-whisker.

Science 6

Sixth grade science students conduct scientific investigations to expand their understanding of the natural world. Instruction includes hands-on activities, reading, writing and research. Students begin to develop science process skills such as predicting and testing hypotheses, collecting and interpreting data, and evaluating their results to show conclusions.

Life science incorporates the study of ecosystems, ecology, environmental education, and animals. Units in the physical sciences are magnets and motors, the study of speed and motion, computer programming (Robolab, aka Lego Logo), and light and sound. Health, HIV/AIDS, and drug awareness education are two additional curriculum components.

Physical Education

The Islander Middle School physical education curriculum provides students with the necessary skills, fitness levels, knowledge and attitudes for developing and enjoying a healthy and physically active lifestyle. Islander Middle School is committed to meeting the needs of all students through a program that offers high activity, sound skill development, with an emphasis on lifelong health and physical fitness.

Chinese

Students gain Chinese language communication skills through TPRS (Total Physical Response Storytelling), and various other activities that target the diverse learning styles. TPRS is a communicative method that closely resembles first-language acquisition. The students act out and tell vocabulary-rich stories. Crafts, coloring, special projects, skits, songs, and cultural activities are part of this experience to develop a strong foundation of the Chinese language.

Fine Arts