Math:

Mathematics is designed to transition students successfully into the middle school mathematics environment. Students will focus on improving their problem-solving skills as well as their mental math, estimation, and computation skills. The course curriculum includes performing basic operations of the number system using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Students will be provided with a solid foundation in understanding and applying ratios and rates, algebraic thinking, data analysis, the coordinate plane and Geometry. Students will increase their understanding of the course material by participating in homework, classwork, quizzes and tests.

Reading:

Reading class focuses on building students' reading abilities, including fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and critical thinking. Students learn and apply reading strategies throughout the year. The heart of the program is the students' independent reading, which allows them to select and read books of their choice.

Science:

The science curriculum starts with a review of the scientific method with a focus on analyzing data to build skills. First semester includes the life science units of ecology and biomes. Second semester focuses on Earth and space science units including geology, natural selection and astronomy. All units follow the NGSS standards and more details can be found on the 6th grade science website - https://sites.google.com/columbia4.org/koch-home-page/home

Social Studies:

The social studies curriculum concentrates on the history and geography of Africa, Asia, and Europe. The year begins with the Old Stone Age and ends in current times. Extended units include Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, the Middle Ages and Renaissance, revolutions and wars.

Writing:

Students will work with the parts of speech, sentence structure, grammar, and paragraph development in this class. Vocabulary will be integrated into class each week. Students will also compose a number of assignments in a variety of writing genres with an emphasis on basic structure and formatting of essays which includes multi-paragraph assignments.