6th Grade

English

Students strengthen their skills reading fiction and nonfiction, increase their vocabulary using an individualized, web-based program, and engage in extensive writing practice, media projects and classroom discussion. iPad and print texts include A Long Walk to Water, Yellow Star, The Watsons Go To Birmingham, Membean / NoRedInk for personalized vocabulary and grammar study, and a variety of nonfiction texts.

Distinguishing features: Passion project, Global Read-aloud, Design-thinking and project-based learning, blogging with authentic audiences. 

Social Studies and Science

Social Studies and Science are taught together because of the high degree of overlap between these two disciplines and the many opportunities they present for exciting, hands-on projects. The four in-depth units are  Understanding Our Earth, Tools of the Trade: How We Know What We Know, Middle Ages and Vikings, and Climate Change. Students are evaluated not only on content, but also on global competencies such as effective communication, analytical and scientific literacy, and leadership and collaboration.

Distinguishing features: On-campus archaeology dig, Viking "raid," collaborative project addressing a problem caused by climate change on the Westtown campus, study of taxonomy and levels culminating in a dissection

Math

Math Using an integrated math approach, students master mathematical topics including problem solving, data analysis, sets and numbers, graphing, geometry, probability, fractions, exponents and other pre-Algebra topics. iPad and print texts include Big Ideas Math.

Distinguishing features: Instruction targeted to a student’s comfort level with math and facility with abstraction, Math Lab, coding/computer programming

World Languages

Beginning in 2020-2021, 6th graders choose among introductory-level courses in Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin) or Latin. Each language focuses study on developing language and communication skills, and deepening understanding of culture. 

Distinguishing features: independent multi-media presentations, Hispanic foods / staff appreciation lunch

Arts & Music

All students take both art and music. Visual art, music, and theater are combined in a year-long foundational course. Year-long, performance-based classes are offered in Band, Strings and Chorus.

Distinguishing features: Vocal and instrumental concerts, Shakespeare, all-Middle School musical

Athletics, Co-Curriculars & Health

All 6th graders play three seasons of inter-scholastic sports, dance, or play rehearsal. Practices are during the school day, and students generally have one to two after-school competitions each week.  A health curriculum covering self-esteem, media influences, and healthy decision-making is covered between athletic seasons.

Quakerism & Service Learning

Meeting for Worship, Friends’ testimonies of simplicity, stewardship, integrity and peaceful resolution of conflict, and Quaker decision-making practices are explored in a weekly class. All students participate in weekly Meeting for Worship. 6^th graders participate in Middle School – wide service projects and focus their service learning on campus by reaching out to our staff.