PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Physical education is part of a school-based program that promotes social, emotional, and physical well-being. The purpose of physical education is to develop and enhance gross motor skills, social and life skills, and the learner’s thinking and problem solving skills.
Sixth grade physical education encompasses teaching students the skills related to lifetime fitness, team and individual sports, the art of movement, and dance. A focus is placed on increasing muscular strength, cardio-respiratory endurance, flexibility and agility based on physical fitness assessment. These skills are taught through a variety of units including soccer, basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, movement and dance, track and field, and softball.
The purpose of health education is to provide information and develop skills, attitudes, and behaviors that will result in life-long healthy decisions. It is concerned with the students’ physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Some of the other topics that are covered are tobacco and alcohol education, drugs, introduction to HIV/AIDS, and the reproductive system. Another part of our curriculum is the DARE program conducted by our Glen Ridge DARE officers. This program helps to reinforce good choices and refusal skills, and to further promote life-long healthy decisions.
LIBRARY
Appreciation for the printed word
is a priority at the
Additionally, the librarian provides instruction for all grades in research skills and computer skills. It is also an “open library” in that teachers and students may use the resources within whenever necessary. Students are scheduled for library at least one period every six-day cycle.
Starting in the third grade,
students begin developing their research skills. They use dictionaries, almanacs, encyclopedias,
and atlases. Gradually, they become more
comfortable with finding answers on their own.
By the time they are sixth graders, students should be quite comfortable
using print sources as well as databases and the Internet.
At all levels, emphasis is placed
on the accuracy and reliability of information sources. Information literacy grows significantly
during their years at
ART
Sixth grade students continue to gain expertise with the Visual Literacy components of the Principles and Elements of Design and with the Entry Point Approach based on Multiple Intelligences Theory. Students will have numerous opportunities to use these design basics and composition rules to articulate two-dimensional and three-dimensional visual representations. Students will also continue to learn to write about art and critique their work, incorporating history and aesthetics as well as production. Students will have a great balance of producing and exploring art for a communicative purpose and interdisciplinary purpose and art for the sake of art.
Students are encouraged to transfer their learned skills and knowledge with their creative process in art class such as perseverance, concentration, divergent/creative thinking, critical thinking, and mindful thinking to their other academic content areas and real life situations. The sixth grade curriculum uses the New Jersey State Core Content Standards as a base for instruction. Students consistently have the opportunity and are encouraged to go beyond standard criteria.
MATHEMATICS
The fundamental goal of Holt
Middle School Math is to provide teachers with the necessary tools and
understanding of school mathematics to ensure student success at all
levels. This new program enables
teachers to easily differentiate instruction.
By implementing the process of scaffolding, the program provides
continuous support for challenging work.
Sixth
grade units of study in mathematics focus on the following: whole numbers, introduction to algebra, decimals,
number theory, fraction operations, collection and displaying data, geometry,
ratio, proportion and percent, integers, perimeter, area and volume, and
probability.
In addition to using the Holt
Middle School Math text, sixth
graders regularly complete word problems.
Using a three-step process, students restate the problem in their own
words, then describe how they went about solving the problem, and explain their
solution to the problem. Computation
drills are also given periodically.
SYNERGISTICS LAB
With an ever-increasing demand for and usage of technology today, the Synergistics Lab offers students a hands-on experience utilizing technology tools to explore topics in physical and life science. Appropriate yet high tech gear, computers, videotapes and hands-on lab experiences guide students’ learning. Problem solving strategies are an integral part of all eleven modules and apply to other classroom activities.
GLEN RIDGE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Ms.
Betsy Ginsburg, President
Ms.
Karen Eisen, First Vice President
Ms.
Julie Raskin, Second Vice President
Mr.
Thomas Agnew
Mr.
John Cable
Ms.
Mr.
Jeffrey Kobernick
Ms.
Suzanne O’Connor
Ms.
Gwen Schoenfeld
GLEN RIDGE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Dr.
Daniel Fishbein
Superintendent
of Schools
Mr.
Principal,
Mr.
Michael Donovan
Assistant
Principal,
RIDGEWOOD AVENUE SCHOOL
Glen Ridge
School District
SIXTH GRADE CURRICULUM FRAMEWORK PARENT BULLETIN
Dear
Parents and Guardians,
A recent article in Education Week stated, “the family is the cradle of learning.” Research has shown repeatedly that student
achievement improves when parents are involved in their children’s education by
forming a partnership with the school community to help children succeed.
This curriculum bulletin was
created to help develop that partnership and as a means to communicate an
overview of the curriculum delivered during the academic year. The staff is encouraged to utilize strategies
that appeal to multiple intelligences and learning styles and enable students
to use higher level thinking skills.
We encourage you to keep in
touch with the teacher through parent conferences, get involved by joining the
Home School Association, and participate in Back To School Night, American
Education Week, and as many activities as you can to be involved in your
child(ren)’s school life.
I hope your child will have a
successful and enjoyable school year.
Sincerely,
LANGUAGE ARTS
The sixth grade language arts curriculum encompasses a broad array of opportunities to read, write, listen, and speak, immersing the student in advanced language activities. Employing both a thematic and a genre approach, students explore themes in various forms, such as the novel, the short story, the poem, drama, and non-fictional works such as the essay, journalistic pieces, and letters.
Novels presented in recent years include Tuck Everlasting, The Giver, and the Jack London classics, White Fang and Call of the Wild, offering a rich background for writing and discussion. Furthermore, a self-selection reading program exposes students to diverse titles, which are formally shared, by students, for students, honing presentation and critiquing skills. Literary analysis is presented for the first time as students read for the additional purpose of understanding story elements; plot development characterization, setting, theme, and tone.
An expansive poetry study inspires love of the language as well as experimentation with creative applications of language and its many forms.
Sixth grade brings new focus on vocabulary skills, emphasizing pronunciation, parts of speech, word families, analogies, syllabication context, and usage. Vocabulary integrated into expressive writing coupled with developing personal style, distinguishes writing as more advanced than previously attempted, and contribution to a strong, student focused, process-oriented program. Daily writing, idea generation drafting, revisions, conferencing, and overall skill development within the context of writing support student growth as critical thinkers, discerning readers, and competent writers.
Sixth graders are actively involved in authentic language activities, which require them to use prior knowledge, investigate, problem-solve, make decisions, and contribute to group learning not only within language arts, but also across all content areas. Study skills appropriate to each grade level are integrated into the curriculum.
WORLD LANGUAGES
Students in grade six receive world language instruction two periods in a six-day cycle, with a teacher who comes into their classroom. Students are assessed and a grade for world language appears on their report card.
Effective communication in Spanish is the primary goal. Students are being asked to use all four components of language: listening, speaking, reading, and writing in order to be able to communicate in an effective manner. Spanish is often used in the classroom to teach language concepts. Pictures, stuffed animals, gestures, acting, and music help to convey meaning and reduce or even eliminate the necessity for direct translation. Homework is a written reinforcement of concepts taught in class. Periodic assessments are given to determine the students’ level of comprehension. All four language components are assessed during the marking period.
In addition to language, the world languages program includes the instruction of different cultural practices. Projects to be worked on outside of the classroom focus on cultural activities; and, specific cultural lessons are taught in class. The goal is to instill a life-long appreciation for language and culture.
SCIENCE
Sixth grade science students are exposed to
all of the major areas of science and how they relate to one another. At this level, the students learn that
science is found in everything and it can be applied and discussed in all of
their academic subjects. The course
begins with a discussion of what role our earth plays in the universe and in
our own solar system. They identify what
other celestial bodies exist and how they affect our existence.
Since the universe holds the answer to our
existence, the students learn about the characteristics of life at the cellular
level. From the cell they learn that
organisms are created and become diverse to create the various plants and
animals that inhabit the earth. The
biological aspect of science is discussed and explanations are made that the
cell would not be able to survive without the chemical properties and reactions
that are vital for its existence.
All life needs water to survive and this
compound can be discussed biologically as well as chemically. Students will learn that water makes up the
majority of our planet and controls our existence. They will study the oceans of the earth and
the resources that they provide.
At the completion of this course in sixth
grade science, all students will take with them some knowledge of biology,
chemistry, earth science and physics.
SOCIAL STUDIES
People, Places and Change, the newly revised sixth grade social studies curriculum, immerses students in world cultures, introduces them to the concept of the global village, and fosters appreciation of commonalities within diverse populations today. Students become world explorers as they investigate the history, geography, culture, and economy of locations and nations throughout the world. Sixth grade students at all achievement levels are captivated and challenged by this multi-media, multiple intelligence approach to discovering their neighbors in the global village.
As students travel through a particular region, they take notes on several topics, such as the customs of various people they have met, the types of artifacts they have examined, the geographical features they have discovered, and the forms of government they have encountered. When students complete the study of a particular region, as a culminating activity, they share what they have learned through their experiences in one of many ways, among them travel logs, brochures, PowerPoint presentations, folk art, and skits.
MUSIC
The curriculum for music in sixth grade is divided into three sections. All sixth grade students take the first section, general music. In this class, students will learn the basics of listening to, performing, writing, and appreciating music. The second section of music offered to sixth graders is the chorus. This is a performing ensemble that meets twice a week before school. The chorus consists of students in fifth and sixth grades. The main focus of this ensemble is reading music and performing. The last section of music available to the sixth grade is the instrumental program. There are two bands at this school currently, an advanced band and a beginner band. The beginner band is for all first year instrumental students. They perform one concert a year in the spring with the advanced band. The advanced band is available for anyone wishing to audition during the year. The advanced band performs two concerts, one in the winter and the other in the spring. All instrumentalists receive one music lesson a week during the school year.