Apr. 14, 2007 - Sixth Grade Course of Study
Since it's never too early to start thinking about next year, I've been working on my plan for 6th grade. I don't think I'm going to add or drop any subject areas, which kind of surprises me. Even though I often change my idea of how I want the cubs to learn, I think I'm finally comfortable with my plan for what I want them to learn. This is how we've been doing things for the last two years, and I'm pretty sure this is how it's going to stay through middle school. I don't even want to start worrying about high school now. I just want to make sure we have a solid base for the upper levels.
Still have work to do on some areas, but I kind of need to see for sure where we end up at the end of this year to make those decisions. Here's the general plan for 6th grade:
History: United States: Reconstruction to Present; Eastern Hemisphere Cultures (Sonlight Curriculum)
Geography: Areas studied in History; continued review of geographic terms, maps, and graphs
State History: Local history club exploring city/state history through monthly meetings. Also, read three biographies of famous people from our state and study three major events in our state's history.
Math: Sister Bear--Saxon 7/6; Brother Bear--Finish Saxon 6/5 and begin 7/6
Science: Earth Science--focus on astronomy and geology (Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space & Apologia's Exploring Creation with Astronomy) . Continue attending monthly homeschool classes at local nature centers.
Nature Study: Weekly nature walks (except for in the dead of winter)
Grammar: Rod & Staff English 6
Writing: Continued requirement of 2-4 non-fiction writing assignments per week covering topics in history, literature, and science. Creative writing focus on short stories and plays.
Literature: Study of books in addition to our many historical fiction and non-fiction selections (too many of those to list here). Analysis of theme, character development, and reader enjoyment. Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle, Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit, The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, Hitty: Her First Hundred Years by Rachel Field and Dorothy P. Lathrop, The Borrowers by Mary Norton, Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain, and The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
Myths/Folktales: One Roman/Greek myth and one folktale from around the world monthly.
Poetry/Memorization: "The Snow Man" by Wallace Stevens, "Sonnet XXII" by William Shakespeare, "I'm Nobody! Who Are You?" by Emily Dickinson, "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost, "Petals" by Amy Lowell, "The Rainy Day" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Additional reading of selected poets. Also, poetry writing practice monthly.
Spelling: Mainly emphasized through real life writing. Possible supplement.
Shakespeare: One play per year. Whichever is being performed in our city's Shakespeare festival.
Art Appreciation: Minimum of six artists per year. Artists chosen based on time period being studied in history, local museum exhibits, and a desire to provide a mix of time periods and mediums. (List to be determined)
Art Instruction: Create a piece of art in the style of each artist studied in art appreciation. Lessons from God and the History of Art. Additional outside art instruction for Brother Bear.
Music Appreciation: Minimum of six composers per year. Composers chosen based on time period being studied in history, local orchestra/concert schedule, and a desire to provide a mix of styles. Attend one live production each month including music of all types, dance, and opera. (List to be determined)
Music Instruction: Keyboard and additional music theory.
Foreign Language: Continue with Latin.
Bible: Detailed study of three Old Testament and three New Testament books. Weekly verse memorization.
Physical Education: Swim team and homeschool hiking club.
Field Trips: At least one field trip just for fun per month (factory tour, etc.) with homeschool field trip group. At least one "educational"/historical field trip per month (museums, historic sites, etc.).
