Sixth Grade Curriculum

Carden Arbor View School is dedicated to providing an outstanding Middle School learning experience. Middle School students' days are spent with several teachers, each of whom is experienced in his or her subject area and trained in the Carden method of teaching. Students in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades have a challenging eight period day, consisting of six core subjects and two center subject classes. To meet individual student needs better we provide additional faculty for small group instruction in English and math classes. Supporting this rich and diverse program is a teacher who serves as an advisor to a group of seven to eight Middle School students. These teacher advisors meet with their individual group of students daily to provide guidance and support in achieving school success.

All Middle School students have the opportunity to participate in after school sports, drama, yearbook, and Student Council. Carden Arbor View School students are expected to take an active role in the life of the school by taking advantage of one or more of these opportunities.

Literature: Five periods per week

In classical literature students learn to appreciate and evaluate the problems and values of other cultures and eras. Students give book reports regularly to enrich vocabulary and knowledge of the subject area. Composition skills are emphasized for writing character analyses, comparisons of characters, and descriptions. Free reading is also strongly encouraged.

Textbooks: The Odyssey, Tom Sawyer, Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur, A Dog of Flanders, Composition Forms 6

Spelling: Five periods per week

This class focuses on developing mastery of Carden controls and their importance in spelling skills. Students learn the related forms and multiple definitions of words as they increase their speaking and writing vocabularies.

Textbooks: Carden Spelling Book 6, Analogies I (1st half only)

English Grammar: Five periods a week

Students learn to apply the intricacies of grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and comprehension through practical experience. Educational steps are small and inter-related, allowing the student to progress at his or her own rate of understanding while gaining mastery of the material. The ability to write with clarity and coherence is developed through mastering outlining and paragraph formation before writing short stories. Correct usage of grammar and spelling, neatness, and proof-reading are emphasized and expected.

Textbooks: Learning to Think as You Read, Comprehension Techniques 6, Warrinerâs English Grammar and Composition

Ancient History: Five periods a week

This class covers historical periods from ancient civilizations through the 1500s. The class focuses on the development of analytical thinking skills and the acquisition of factual knowledge which together provide the necessary foundation for students to develop an understanding of the historical concept. The past is related, compared, and contrasted to the present. As writing skills improve, the conceptual approach is used to bring analytical thinking into essay form.

Textbooks: Learning to Think as You Read, A Message of Ancient Days, Across the Centuries

Math: Five periods a week

Major topics covered are fractions expressed as percents, ratios/proportions, types of numbers, geometry (volume, area, and perimeter), simple algebraic equations requiring one or two operations, and factoring numbers to determine the greatest and lowest common denominators.

Textbooks: Passport to Mathematics Book 2 by McDougall Littell

Earth Science: Five periods a week

Students learn about the land, water, and air that make up the planet on which we live. An introduction to biomes and aquatic life helps students understand and prepare for the lab work that is required on the Catalina outdoor education trip. Course work includes the study of volcanoes, types of rocks and rock formations, the study of pollution, earthquakes, plate tectonic theory, and weather. To view volcanoe reports, click here. (30 MB)

Physical Education: Three periods a week

Emphasis is placed on physical fitness activities, major muscle group recognition, individual skill development, and participation in team games. Students change to physical education wear for most activities. (See uniform information for current physical education dress.)

French: Five periods a week

This is an intermediate level course with an emphasis on fluency in speaking, reading, writing and listening. In addition, students will deepen their appreciation for French culture by continuing to explore art, music and customs.
Textbook and workbook: Dis-Moi!, Scott Foresman

Life Skills: Five periods a week - first trimester

The purpose of Life Skills is to provide students the opportunity to explore and develop successful communication skills, positive decision-making skills, media literacy, and a positive self-concept. We believe that assisting students in developing strong communication skills is supportive of the Carden philosophy of respecting others and ourselves. The ability to recognize and avoid the pressure of peers and media are crucial in making positive decisions.

We will provide a comfortable and supportive atmosphere for discussion groups and activities. We will use videos, role playing, and guest speakers as a part of our presentations. We encourage parental support by asking parents to be available to their children to discuss topics that concern them.

Computers: Three periods a week in third trimester

Keyboarding skills are reviewed with speed and accuracy as the new goal. The software used is Hyper Studio, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Excel, and SimCity on Apple iMacs. Click here to view class projects.

Music:

This class is designed to give students a greater understanding and appreciation of music. The different eras of music are studied and analyzed with emphasis on musical styles and forms. Students study styles of music from other cultures and from the U.S.

Art:

Course work covers art from different periods of time including primitive, medieval, renaissance, American colonial, and impressionism.

Students participate in art activities that present the foundation for drawing and painting techniques, and in art projects using mixed media.

Outdoor Education

Sixth graders make a week-long trip to the Catalina Island Marine Institute on Catalina Island.

We encourage you to learn more about our curriculum by grade level:

• Back to main curriculum page
• Kindergarten
• First Grade
• Second Grade
• Third Grade
• Fourth Grade
• Fifth Grade
• Sixth Grade
• Seventh Grade
• Eighth Grade
• Outdoor Education
• Athletics
• Computers
• Art

If you are not familiar with Miss Carden and the Carden Method, we encourage you to review the information we have prepared.