• Grade Six

    English Language Arts
    Students in Grade Six are young adult readers and writers becoming fluent in the uses of many different forms and genres of text.  Using the components of a Balanced Literacy Approach, students in grade six receive a daily 90 minute literacy block during which they are challenged to read, write, listen, and speak independently, in pairs and small groups, and in whole group settings. 

    Specifically, in grade six, our focus and by using the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment system to insure prescriptive instruction at each student’s individual reading level.  The language arts curriculum in the general classroom is supported by a Book Room stocked and leveled with books spanning the range of reading levels and instructional levels for Pre-K through grade 6.  In addition, students at this level read a variety of young adult novels that support the English Language Arts Curriculum.

    The focus of English Language Arts instruction at any level remains NYSED Core Curriculum and challenges students to read, write, listen, and speak for information and understanding, for literary response and expression, for critical analysis and evaluation, and for social interaction. 

    Math
    The Elementary Math Program in the North Tonawanda City School District provides a comprehensive curriculum that is aligned to the New York State Standards for Learning. The Elementary Math curriculum focuses on foundational mathematical reasoning skills beginning with number sense and operations, geometrical shapes, measurement, patterning and sequencing, problem solving, and reasoning. Building on these foundational skills each year, we provide students with explicit, grade level instruction in our daily 60 minute math block.

    Specifically, in grade six, students will read and write whole numbers to trillions, Read, write, and identify percents of a whole (0% to 100%); define absolute value and determine the absolute value of rational numbers (including positive and negative); locate rational numbers on a number line (including positive and negative), and order rational numbers (including positive and negative).  In addition, students will add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions with unlike denominators, evaluate expressions having exponents where the power is an exponent of one, two, or three, and justify the reasonableness of answers using estimation (including rounding).  Students at this grade level advance to more sophisticated thinking and reasoning skills in the areas of algebraic variables and expressions and equations and inequalities, as well as in geometric shapes and measurement.

     

    The focus of Mathematics instruction at any level remains the NYSED Core Curriculum through which teachers provide students with the knowledge and understanding of mathematics necessary to function in a world very dependent upon the application of mathematics.  Instructionally, this goal translates into three components:

    • conceptual understanding
    • procedural fluency
    • problem solving 
    Social Studies
    The Elementary Social Studies curriculum provides students with opportunities to confront questions about humankind and the world. As part of the New York State Core Curriculum, students engage in the study of history, geography, economics, government, citizenship and civics.  Concepts and themes explored at the elementary level begin with the study of families, communities, local places in the North Tonawanda community and the Western New York region, citizenship, rights and responsibilities, and rules and laws.

     

    Specifically, in grade six, the social studies curriculum emphasizes the interdependence of all people, but focusing on the Eastern Hemisphere.  Many of the lessons and activities for this grade level draw on specific examples of nations and regions in the Eastern Hemisphere chosen by the district.  Students also compare and contrast this specific information with similar data from the United States, Canada, and Latin America.  The grade 6 program focuses on a social science perspective emphasizing the interaction of geography and economics. The core disciplines of geography and economics are used to develop and draw relationships and understandings about social/cultural, political, and historic aspects of life in the Eastern Hemisphere. Historical insights are used as a means of developing a total perspective rather than an organizing framework.
    Science
    The Elementary Science Program in the North Tonawanda City School District provides a comprehensive curriculum that is aligned to the New York State Standards for Learning. The Elementary Science curriculum uses Scientific Inquiry to explore broad topics of the physical setting and the living environment. Students use simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend their senses acquiring simple skills such as how to observe, measure, connect, record and report data, and to classify objects using their own rules. From their own observations, they begin to ask questions and make predictions. Students' investigations are largely based on systematic observations and simple classifications to bring order and organization to their understanding. As students develop concepts and vocabulary from such experiences, they develop the ability to ask meaningful questions, investigate aspects of the world around them, and use their observations to construct reasonable explanations for their questions.

    Specifically, in grade six, the science curriculum focuses on the scientific method of conducting research including formal hypotheses to test explanations.  Students also explore the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere and how they interact, evolve, and change as well explain daily, monthly, and seasonal changes on Earth.  Students begin comparing and contrasting the parts of plants, animals, and one-celled organisms and continue learning about genetics, motion, and the periodic table of elements.

    In addition to academics, the North Tonawanda City School District provides instruction in an experiential setting by offering one mandatory field trip per grade level for each elementary student.  Grade Six students visit a local art gallery or museum.