Learning Expectations
Sixth Grade

Language Arts

Reading :

• Uses a variety of decoding and word analysis strategies
• Uses a variety of comprehension strategies
• Makes inferences
• Summarizes main ideas and key points
• Understands story elements and their effect on the piece of literature (characters, setting, plot – conflict, obstacles, climax, resolution)
• Identifies literary techniques and devices and their effect (flashback, foreshadowing, point of view)
• Comprehends a variety of genres and understands their defining characteristics (myths, historical fiction, biography)
• Applies criteria to evaluate literary works
• Makes interpretive responses using text to text, text to self, and text to world connections
• Infers author’s audience and purpose

Writing:

• Writes expository (informative) pieces
• Writes persuasive pieces
• Writes personal narratives
• Writes fictional narratives
• Writes for a variety of audiences
• Applies the trait of idea in writing
• Applies the trait of organization in writing
• Applies the trait of word choice in writing
• Applies the trait of sentence fluency in writing (complete and compound sentences)
• Uses pre-writing strategies
• Revises and edits own writing
• Applies parts of speech correctly in writing (noun, verb, adverb, adjective, pronoun, conjunction)
• Spells high frequency words correctly
• Uses spelling strategies to spell unfamiliar words correctly

Speaking & Listening:

• Delivers oral presentations

• Adapts oral communication for a variety of audiences and purposes
• Comprehends oral communications
• Uses active listening behaviors
• Participates effectively in discussion

Research:

• Uses a variety of informational sources
• Evaluates information while researching
• Organizes information

 Mathematics

Problem Solving:

• Uses a variety of problem solving strategies for real world problems and situations
• Communicates and defends solution and process
• Reads and understands mathematical texts

Number Operations and Relationships:

• Understands the relationship between various rational numbers (fraction- decimal-percent)
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides whole numbers
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies, and divides decimals
• Adds, subtracts, multiplies and divides fractions
• Uses mathematical notation with operations
• Understands inequalities
• Understands ratios, rates, and proportions
• Solves problems involving number-theory concepts
• Selects and uses appropriate computational procedures with rational numbers
• Applies the skill of estimation
• Selects effective algorithms in problem solving situations

Geometry:

• Understands two- and three-dimensional figures
• Understands the transformation of figures
• Understands and uses a rectangular coordinate system

Measurement:

• Understands basic measurement facts, principles, and techniques
• Selects and uses appropriate units and tools to find measurements for real-world problems
• Determines measurements indirectly using estimation
• Converts units within a system

Statistics and Probability:

• Organizes and displays data on bar graphs, line graphs, and line plot graphs
• Interprets and analyzes information from organized data
• Compares data to generate, test and confirm and/or deny hypotheses
• Evaluates data for validity
• Understands the concept of probability

Algebraic Relationships:

• Uses appropriate symbolism when working with algebraic expressions
• Identifies and evaluates algebraic expressions
• Uses linear and non-linear patterns
• Understands that a function is a relationship between the independent and dependent variables
• Writes linear equations to represent problem situations
• Recognizes and uses algebraic properties

Science

Space:

• Knows the law for the conservation of energy
• Knows various models of the solar system and how they changed through time
• Knows the relationship between solar systems, galaxies, and the universe
• Knows the characteristics of galaxies and stars, the solar systems, and the universe
• Knows the daily, monthly, and yearly cycles of the earth
• Knows the Big Bang theory

• Understands how theories and models discovered in the past can be used to predict and impact future occurrences
• Knows the relationship between science and technology (Instructional Only)

Laws of Physics:

• Knows the laws of motion
• Knows how the laws of motion exist in real life situations

• Understands the concept of gravity

Waves:

• Knows the physical properties of energy and how they react
• Knows the forms of energy transmission

Adaptations:

• Knows why organisms need to adapt to survive in their environment
• Knows how organisms have adaptations to help them survive in their environment
• Knows that an organism’s behaviors are influenced by adaptations to its environment

Science Investigations and Inquiry:

• Uses the scientific method to conduct investigations (PHEOCA)

• Communicates results from scientific investigations
• Uses scientific evidence to defend or take a position on an issue
• Uses a variety of sources to research scientific discoveries
• Knows how things studied in science can be classified by common themes, models, and/or systems
• Knows historical people that influenced major discoveries
• Knows the positive and negative impact of science and technology (Instructional Only)

Social Studies

World History (6000BC-1400)

Map Skills:

• Uses a variety of maps, globes, and pictures to gather and compare information
• Gathers information from a variety of sources
• Knows the location of the regions, states, and countries, major bodies of water and mountain ranges
• Creates maps

Cradles of Civilizations:

• Understands the cradles of civilization
• Knows the natural resource bases of the world

Ancient Africa:

• Knows how environmental effects of the earth impact short-term physical changes

Mesopotamia and Ancient Asia:

• Knows how environmental effects of the earth impact long-term physical changes
• Knows the contributions of various racial and ethnic groups

Ancient Americas:

• Knows how the past can be interpreted using a variety of sources

Ancient Europe:

• Knows how structures and their decorations reflect cultural values and ideas
• Understands how laws are developed
• Understands how governments are established and maintained

• Understands and defends a position of concern

Early Middle Ages:

• Knows that culture influences people

• Knows that differences in cultures may lead to understanding or misunderstanding among people

• Knows how the needs of individuals and society are met

Late Middle Ages:

• Understands the benefits and uses of money

• Knows the role of economic institutions
• Knows significant events in the major eras of world history

• Knows significant people in the major eras of world history