Sixth Grade
At Saint Mary School sixth grade is the beginning of Middle School and a change from the Grammar Stage to the Logic Stage. While the skills taught during the Grammar Stage are used, new skills are developed that correspond to the developmental growth of the students from children into pre-adolescence
The Logic Stage is where our students grow deeper in the understanding of what they are learning. They also begin to ask deeper questions through Socratic questioning and make connections and make distinctions of opposing ideas through the Socratic Seminar. The practice of Socratic Seminar and of Socratic Questioning are ancient pedagogical techniques that develop deep knowledge and understanding of what is being learned and discussed. Students deepen their ability to discuss and present their findings in a more mature and professional way.
At this stage we vary from the classic liberal arts format of self-contained rooms to a middle school model. Although our teaching methods are classical, we believe the experience of multiple educators and viewpoints to be of value. The sixth grade is historically the ancient year.
LANGUAGE
Students continue to develop their ability to comprehend, analyze, and critique novels. Several novels of a classical nature are chosen by the teacher for use during the year that relate to the historic theme of the year. Students discuss the novels being read in a Socratic Seminar format.
In addition, teachers may refer to Voyages in English published by Loyola Press for literary grammatical support. Voyages in English teaches grammar and writing as essential and related skills, presenting concepts in a balanced approach that empowers students to become effective readers, writers, speakers, listeners, and thinkers. The series promotes instruction in and application of the seven traits necessary for high-quality writing: idea development, organization, word choice, voice, sentence fluency, conventions, and presentation. The practice of research and report writing is introduced with presentations made by students regularly.
MATHEMATICS
In sixth grade students use “6th GRADE MATH” published by Holt- McDonald. While continuing to strengthen their arithmetic skills, students begin to use and understand fractions within word problems, decimals, the conversion of one to the other, graphing, and other higher order mathematical skills.
HISTORY
This is the ancient year, and students make use of ALL YE LANDS as their textbook. This series is produced by the Catholic Textbook Project and published by RCL Benziger. The books of the Catholic Textbook Project are the first textbooks written since the 1960’s that tell the entire story of history including the tremendous part the Catholic Church has had in the development of western Civilization, including that of America. While telling the truth they continue to inspire wonder in the students who use them as the great drama of history unfolds before them.
All Ye Lands takes students on a journey through world history and cultures from prehistory through the Greeks, the rise of Christianity, up through the Middle Ages, as well as developments in China, Japan, Russia, Europe, and Africa. Told as a series of historically accurate stories the textbook includes thumbnail biographies, lives of the saints, maps, and illustrations, providing students with the necessary standard historical knowledge, while also giving credit to the contributions of the Catholic Church. Also, students hone their geography skills with vivid color photos, drawings, and maps.
SCIENCE
The study of science at the middle school level is an integration of earth, life, and physical science taught each year at deepening levels. The teachers use text, power points, videos, experiments, demonstrations, and student made projects in their teaching. This integration allows the students to see the connectedness of life at all levels and makes mastery of the concepts easy.
The textbooks used are Elevate Science courses 1,2, and Life published by Saavas Publications.
RELIGION
Students discuss and learn the aspects of Catholic Morality through study of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. In addition, the Holy Mass is studied extensively.
Our textbook is Following Christ by Ignatius Press.
Student involvement in the spiritual life of the school is strong with participation in daily prayers, weekly Mass, monthly confession, seasonal devotional practices, and service to others. During middle school students actively participate in the Mass as readers, servers, cantors and may lead morning prayers for the school.
ELECTIVES
In middle school students participate in “electives.” These are chosen to heighten their cognitive abilities and academic curiosities. Each trimester they change electives. The current selections are STEM, Theology/Financial Literacy (taught on alternating days) and Philosophy.
SPECIALS
In addition, each day students participate in physical education, Latin, Music, and Art.