6th Grade

St. Thomas More Cathedral School follows the Curriculum Guidelines of the Diocese of Arlington Catholic Schools. The core curriculum consists of instruction in the following subjects: Religion, Reading, Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Spanish

Students also participate in the following special classes: Art, Library Skills, Technology, Physical Education

A variety of instructional methods are used including cross-curricular units, cooperative groups, direct instruction, discovery learning and hands-on activities. Homework is assigned to review lessons and practice skills.

An optional instrumental band program during the school day and an after-school choir program supplement music instruction. The instrumental band program is offered for grades 4 - 8 and the choir program is available for grades 3 - 8.

The instructional program is supported through the following: Title I Program, Resource Program, Educational Field Trips, Guest Speakers, Community Service

A word from our teachers about 6th grade...

• First year in middle school
• First time to change classes every 45 minutes
• First time to have 4 academic teachers
• First time to participate in a Service Day

6th graders are responsible for the Safety patrol – which helps every day with arrival and dismissal

We study:

Old Testament in Religion
Lots of fractions and geometry in Math

Ancient World in Social Studies –

One of the most fun things we do is to have our Greek Day in the spring to culminate our study of Ancient Greece.  We study Ancient Greece for about a month and have been grouped in city-states (which we learn all about) – we dress in chitons (basically Greek togas!), perform plays for Pre-K through 5th grade which are student-written (based on Greek myths), have ancient Greek activities in all of the classes (play strategy games, do labyrinths, make kaleidoscopes, perform ancient Greek science experiments), have a traditional Greek buffet lunch (each student is responsible for bringing in something), and finally participate in the Olympics (with the city-state groups competing against each other).

We study mythology in Reading (during our study of Ancient Greece and Rome).

Our big field trip is the Kayaking Field Trip – at Ft. Washington Marina where we learn a lifelong sport.

Sixth Grade students will also have the special opportunity to visit the Chesapeake Bay Field Lab on St. George Island, MD, in mid-May to study the health of the Bay.

6th grade text book - Prentice Hall Ancient World book