Sixth Grade

The English curriculum at Rye Neck integrates the close, critical reading of a variety of literary genres with the development of reflective, analytical written work. While four years of English are required for graduation, Rye Neck’s English department offers a broad program of exciting core courses and electives rendering it possible for students to complete more than five years of credit in English.  

Each course in the four-year sequence incorporates reading, writing, listening, speaking, presenting and viewing skills as outlined in the New York State Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards. In addition, students are required to develop facility with a variety of research formats employing both traditional print and modern technological media sources.  

English courses 9-11 are Regents courses. Each grade level emphasizes selected parallels to social studies topics and also incorporates focused themes. All students take the Regents Comprehensive Examination in English in either June of sophomore year, or January of the junior year.  

English 6

Curriculum Level: Grade level  

State Examination: NY State English Language Arts Assessment 

Frequency:  Every day 
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DESCRIPTION

The sixth grade English program encompasses all of the components of a well-balanced language arts curriculum, incorporating N.Y.S. Common Core Standards for ELA as well as 21st century skills. Students use a variety of resources including: trade books, skills books, nonfiction selections and online material to develop and hone reading and writing skills. Students are guided and encouraged to take risks and delve in to discover the deeper meaning in both literary and informational selections.

TEXT and OTHER MATERIALS 

Texts may include but are not limited to:  Seedfolks, The Cay, The Lightning Thief, and Bud, Not Buddy as well as selected supplementary texts, most of which deal with overcoming obstacles, the importance of community, the search for identity, and the importance of hope and perseverance.

The purpose of the district mathematics program is to provide young students with experiences that will allow them to develop mathematical reasoning and acquire basic mathematical concepts and skills. The primary curriculum makes widespread use of manipulatives (concrete objects) for deeper understanding.

The curriculum is designed to provide students with growth in competencies essential to mathematical growth. As they progress through their coursework, they will develop increasingly sophisticated problem-solving abilities, a range of mathematical “habits of mind,” and a set of highly developed mathematical reasoning skills. In addition, students will become increasingly proficient in oral and written mathematical expression, as they gain fluency in the language of mathematics and ability to make connections within mathematics.

Math 6 

Types of Assessments: End of unit tests, mid-unit quizzes and cumulative quarterlies

Prerequisite: Math 5 

Credit: 1
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DESCRIPTION

Students in 6th grade mathematics are moving from an elementary based focus on understanding the idea of a unit and the commonalities between units to a middle school focus on ratios, how numbers relate to each other and can be manipulated. 

The major emphasis is on ratios and proportional reasoning and the foundations of algebra with expressions and equations.

1. Ratios and Unit Rates
        a. Representing and reasoning about ratios
        b. Unit Rates
        c. Percents
2. Arithmetic Operations
   1. Division of fractions
   2. Multi-digit decimal operations
   3. Dividing whole numbers and decimals
3. Rational Numbers
   1. Positive and Negative Numbers on a number line
   2. Rational Numbers and coordinates
   3. Absolute Value
4. Expressions and Equations
5. Special Notations
6. Expanding, factoring and distribution
7. Expressing in algebraic form
8. Solving equations
9. Applications of equations
10. Area, Surface Area and Volume
11. Area of triangles and quadrilaterals
12. Polygons on a coordinate plane
13. Volume
14. Nets and Surface area
15. Statistics
16. Summarizing distributions with symmetry, mean, and mean absolute deviation.
17. Skewed data
18. Describing distributions

TEXT 

• Teacher provided notes and handouts (primary)
  
• Mathematics Course 2, Holt (mainly reference for home use)

WORK EXPECTATIONS 

Be on time for class. Bring the materials you need and be prepared (have the homework that is due and study for any assessments). Be respectful and listen while others are speaking. Raise your hand to be called on. Respect classroom and classmates’ supplies. Be understanding that all students have different learning styles and learn at different speeds.

Math 6 Advanced

 Types of Assessments: End of unit tests, mid-unit quizzes and cumulative quarterlies

Prerequisite: Math 5 

Credit: 1

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DESCRIPTION

Students in 6th grade advanced mathematics are moving from an elementary based focus on understanding the idea of a unit and the commonalities between units to a middle school focus on ratios, how numbers relate to each other and can be manipulated. Students in this class are invited based on scores, habits of mind and teacher recommendation. The major emphasis is on ratios and proportional reasoning and the foundations of algebra with expressions and equations.    

1. Ratios and Unit Rates
1. Representing and reasoning about ratios
2. Unit Rates
3. Percent
2. Arithmetic Operations
   1. Division of fractions
   2. Multi-digit decimal operations
   3. Dividing whole numbers and decimals
3. Rational Numbers
   1. Positive and Negative Numbers on a number line
   2. Rational Numbers and coordinates
   3. Absolute Value
4. Expressions and Equations
   1. Special Notations
   2. Expanding, factoring and distribution
   3. Expressing in algebraic form
   4. Solving equations
   5. Applications of equations
5. Area, Surface Area and Volume
   1. Area of triangles and quadrilaterals
   2. Polygons on a coordinate plane
   3. Volume
   4. Nets and Surface area
6. Statistics
   1. Summarizing distributions with symmetry, mean, and mean absolute deviation
   2. Skewed data
   3. Describing distributions

TEXT 

• Teacher provided notes and handouts (primary)
• Mathematics Course 2, Holt (mainly reference for home use)

WORK EXPECTATIONS 

Be on time for class. Bring the materials you need and be prepared. Be respectful and listen while others are speaking. Raise your hand to be called on. Respect classroom and classmates’ supplies. Be understanding that all students have different learning styles and learn at different speeds. Students are expected to have the habits of mind that demonstrate they can work above grade level and be successful.

One of the main goals of the science department is to help students become better critical thinkers. The courses offered by the department are diverse and provide students with the opportunity to broaden their content knowledge. A wide variety of project-based learning experiences are provided for students through scientific research opportunities and other content-related work. Advanced Placement courses are offered in every possible subject area. Our electives are unique and diverse offering all types of learners an opportunity to experience science in action. The courses offered by the department assist students to become well-rounded, competitive and prepared for their college experiences.

6th Grade Science

Curriculum Level:   Grade level  

State Examination:   No state assessment 

Frequency:  Every day for the whole school year
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DESCRIPTION

The sixth grade science course is designed to provide students with a basic knowledge of fundamental concepts in life science through a hands-on approach. Topics include measurement, conversions, graphing, matter and atoms, space and gravity, Earth’s history/geologic time scale, cells and cell processes. Emphasis is placed on learning through inquiry and laboratory investigations. Whenever feasible, material will be interdisciplinary in design, providing students with the opportunity to learn science in a meaningful way that parallels its application in real world situations.  

1. Measurement, Conversions, and Graphing
   1. Metric System
   2. Converting Measurements
   3. Data Collection
   4. Graphing Data
2. Matter and Atoms
   1. Phases of Matter
   2. Phase Changes
   3. Density
   4. Properties of Matter 
3. Space
   1. Scale of the Universe  
   2. Earth’s Movement 
   3. Earth-Moon-Sun System
   4. Seasons
   5. Patterns in the Sky
   6. Shadows
   7. Equator and Poles
4. Gravity
   1. Our Solar System
   2. Gravity and Scale 
5. Earth’s History
   1. Pangea
   2. Stratigraphy and rocks
   3. Sequence of events 
   4. Index Fossils
   5. Geologic Time Scale  
6. Life Science 
   1. Trilobites 
   2. Human and Animal Cells
   3. Photosynthesis and Respiration
   4. Energy roles and Food Webs 

The department seeks to prepare students to be independent, forward-thinking participants, actively involved in the 21st century. Inclusion of technology and evidence-based learning are paramount to the curriculum which is designed to motivate each student to think for himself/herself, to analyze, and to draw conclusions from a variety of primary and secondary sources. At least one research paper is required at each level. The curriculum is supplemented with works of historical non-fiction and/or other works of literature in the content area. Each course integrates the social, political, economic and historical elements of culture, nations and governments as outlined in the NYS Syllabi for Social Studies as well as the NYS learning standards. Social Studies courses in grades 9-11 are Regents courses, culminating in a Regents exam in grades 10 and 11. College Board Advanced Placement courses are offered in grades 10, 11, and 12. For more information regarding the New York State Core Curriculum for Social Studies go to: 

https://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-k-12-social-studies-framework

Grade 6

Curriculum Level: Grade level

State Exam: None

Frequency: Every day
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DESCRIPTION

Grade 6 Social Studies is based on the geography and history of the Eastern Hemisphere, including the development of cultures, civilizations, and empires, interactions between societies, and the comparison of trends in government and economics. It also incorporates some elements of other social sciences. The course begins with an examination of the Eastern Hemisphere today using geographic skills. This provides the foundation for making connections between the past and the present throughout the course. The remainder of the course is divided into seven key ideas that cover a time span from prehistory into the 1300s. Students are provided the opportunity to explore belief systems across time and to examine the foundations of democracy.

TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS

Teacher provided handouts and articles & ebook World Civilizations

Selected readings, fiction and nonfiction

WORK EXPECTATIONS

Participation in class discussions and group activities, daily reading and writing assignments, analysis and synthesis of primary/secondary documents, quizzes, essays, research based projects

COURSE OUTLINE

1. Present day Eastern Hemisphere Geography
2. The first humans through the Neolithic Revolution in the Eastern Hemisphere
3. Early River Valley Civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere (ca. 3500 B.C.E. - ca. 500 B.C.E.)
4. Comparative world religions  (ca. 2000 B.C.E – ca. 630 C.E)
5. Comparative Classical Civilizations in the Eastern Hemisphere (ca. 600 B.C.E. – ca. 500 C.E.)
6. The Mediterranean World: Feudal Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Islamic Caliphates (ca. 600 C.E. – ca. 1450)
7. Interactions across the Eastern Hemisphere (ca. 600 C.E. – ca. 1450)

Grade 6 World Languages Information

One of the essential hallmarks of a well-rounded and complete education is the pursuit of the ability to communicate – to do business, to socialize, to conduct research, to live fully – in a language other than one’s own. This can only be a tremendous asset to any individual in our ever-shrinking and increasingly interdependent global society. The study of another language gives students an understanding and appreciation of a different culture which enables the student to see the connection between the culture that is lived and the language that is spoken. Each course is developed in alignment with the NYS learning standards for World Languages, such that students will study vocabulary and grammar topics, thereby developing the ability to communicate effectively. The World Languages Department immerses language learners in the target language and culture through various means of communication, technology and media. Students will be assessed on their ability to pronounce, speak, write, and understand the target language. Successful completion of the level III course and the Comprehensive Level III examination (along with requirements specific to other disciplines) may entitle students to a Regents diploma with Advanced Designation.

French 6, Italian 6, & Spanish 6

Curriculum Level:   Grade 6

State Examination:   None

Frequency:  Every other day; full year
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DESCRIPTION

In this course, students begin to explore a second language through simple and enjoyable thematic vocabulary topics and basic grammar structures.  An entry level of proficiency is taught in the four basic skills of speaking, listening, reading, and writing while also discovering aspects of the culture throughout their journey.  

Thematic vocabulary topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Greetings/small talk
• Family
• Classroom/school
• Days, months, & seasons
• Weather
• Numbers 
• Nationalities & nations
• Body parts 
• Adjectives & colors
• Neighborhood
• Animals
• Clothing
• Adjectives

TEXT and OTHER MATERIALS 

French Is Fun
Italian Is Fun
Spanish Is Fun