6th Grade

Get ready for an exciting year in 6th Grade English Language Arts! Using the EL Education Curriculum, students will dive into powerful stories and big ideas that stretch their minds, challenge their thinking, and connect to the world around them.

This year, students explore Greek mythology through The Lightning Thief, where ancient gods, epic quests, and heroic adventures come to life. They'll tackle life-or-death problem solving in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, as they discover how one boy’s creativity and determination saved his village. Students will also blast off into space exploration and the fight for civil rights in Hidden Figures, learning how a group of brilliant women broke barriers and changed history.

Along the way, students strengthen their reading, writing, and speaking skills through close reading, meaningful discussions, research projects, and creative writing — all while connecting what they learn to real-world issues. By the end of the year, they’ll be ready to face any challenge as confident readers, writers, and thinkers

Math at SJS builds on foundational skills while introducing more complex mathematical concepts. Using the Big Ideas Math curriculum, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills through interactive lessons and real-world applications. Key topics include ratios, fractions, decimals, expressions, equations, geometry, and data analysis. Lessons incorporate hands-on activities, collaborative projects, and discussions to make learning engaging and meaningful. Students are encouraged to ask questions, explore different strategies, and build confidence in their mathematical reasoning. Our goal is to foster a strong mathematical foundation that prepares students for future success.

To kick-off the year, students will have a dynamic first few weeks to review the scientific method, lab safety rules, measurement tools, and how to covert units from the Standard International system. Soon after, students will dive into our Biology unit where they will

gather evidence about the structure and function of cells and how they can be used to treat infectious diseases. Then, during our Space unit, students will collect and analyze data to gain a better understanding of the impact of celestial changes throughout the year on Earth, the scale and objects in our solar system, and the effects of gravity on the universe. Finally, we culminate the year with our Physics unit where students carry out investigations to explore the relationship between the mass of objects and force. Throughout each unit, students will use their newly acquired knowledge and take on the role of different scientists to brainstorm solutions to real-world problems.

Step into the past and uncover the stories of ancient civilizations! In 6th grade Social Studies, students embark on an exciting journey of inquiry, where learning begins with a compelling question. Through a structured investigative process, they delve into the rich histories of Ancient Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, the Ancient Indian Subcontinent, and Ancient China.

Using these civilizations as case studies, students develop their own questions, analyze historical evidence, and explore key concepts. Their learning goes beyond memorization—they actively construct knowledge by proposing solutions, formulating arguments, and engaging in meaningful discussions. At the end of each inquiry, students share their discoveries and insights with the school community, bringing history to life in dynamic and creative ways.

Join us as we explore the past to better understand the world today!

Within the Spanish Department, SJS offers a Spanish as a Second Language program for students whose first language is not Spanish. This program implements a curriculum designed exclusively for children, following the ACTFL World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. In this program, we are passionately dedicated to helping our students learn Spanish from its most basic foundations to more advanced levels. Our approach focuses on differentiated, innovative, interactive, and practical teaching, ensuring an enriching learning experience while fostering respect and love for Hispanic culture and diversity. Our areas of focus include everyday conversations to develop confidence in verbal communication in social settings, grammar to provide essential communication tools, listening comprehension to enhance the ability to understand Spanish when spoken at different speeds and accents, differentiated reading and writing according to students’ levels to expand vocabulary and improve Spanish skills, and Hispanic culture, immersing students in the rich traditions of Spanish-speaking countries. Being part of the Spanish as a Second Language program is a great opportunity to acquire valuable language skills in one of the world's most important languages.