Carver Middle School 6th Grade Course Descriptions
The middle school structure encompasses sixth, seventh and eighth grades. At each grade level, students are enrolled in four courses in the core curriculum areas: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
Students are expected to achieve satisfactory performance in demonstrating the mastery of Oklahoma Priority Academic Student Skills and to earn a passing grade in each of the content areas. Curricula in each content area are planned to meet the unique developmental needs of Carver students.
Language Arts The Language Arts program aims to provide all students with the most effective instruction in the areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking and literature study. Based on rigorous connections to the MYP curriculum, a variety of methods for instruction and assessment will be used to help students develop their own unique talents. Such methods may include cooperative learning groups, writing workshops, experimental learning opportunities and interdisciplinary units. One section of 6th grade Language Arts will pilot a Language Arts Essay Writing class. Students will read and discuss a variety of literature and experience creative writing and exposition. Typical texts might include: poetry by Sandburg, Dickinson, Eliot and Lewis Carroll, Greek mythology, tales of King Arthur, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and Arthur C. Clarke's Childhood's End.
Mathematics Mathematics courses in the middle grades reinforce and develop new skills that require knowledge of processes for doing mathematics as well as mathematical content. During the 6th grade students will study problem solving, place values, percents, ratios, proportions, statistics and graphs. Sixth grade students will perform the four mathematical operations on whole numbers, decimals and fractions along with geometry, patterns, integers and the coordinate plane.
Social Studies This introductory World Cultures course identifies the elements of culture, locates the "cradles of civilization," and traces the development of humankind on all continents from the Stone Age Era through the Renaissance. Further investigation and analysis is made for selected cultures, such as Ancient Egyptian Kingdoms, the Shang Dynasty of China, Ancient Greece and Rome, the Medieval Trading Empires of West Africa, and the European Renaissance. Students discover that through struggles, achievements, aspirations and failures of the historical figures and groups of people studied, numerous cultural contributions which have occurred throughout the ages affected and continue to influence the world's peoples today in the areas of philosophy, religion, science, the arts and literature.
Science The goal of Carver's Science program is to introduce and integrate the disciplines of life, earth, physical science, technology, history of science and social perspectives of science. This program is based on the National Science Foundation objectives and Oklahoma PASS objectives. This is achieved using a balanced approach of hands-on, inquiry and traditional methods of education. Hands-on exploration provides a concrete experience for the students. This experience is used as a springboard for discussion, reflection and especially integration into the student's view of the natural world. Traditional methods of education allow reinforcement and practice for the concepts. Subjects include but are not limited to motion & forces, changes in matter, reproduction & heredity, structure of earth systems, solar system, personal health, history of science and technology.
Elective Curriculum In addition to the core curriculum, Carver Middle School offers a variety of Elective classes. Art The Art curriculum has a positive effect on each students' overall success in school. Art History and media are reinforced with hands-on learning experiences. Each student is firmly grounded in art theory and the vocabulary of visual elements. The students are required to engage in activities using higher order thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis and evaluation. "Art does not reproduce what we see. It makes us see" Paul Klee
Family and Consumer Sciences Family and Consumer Science is designed to enhance the students' feeling of self worth, while developing a sense of respect for diversity. Grade level courses pyramid the previous year of study. Units explore basic principles and skills in personal care, safety, health, image, consumer choices, nutrition, food preparation, housing, family and personal relationships.
Foreign Language Foreign language study during the middle years will provide opportunities for students to gain p roficiency in a foreign language that is equivalent to one full year of study. Carver students may choose French, Spanish, or Japanese/Chinese. Sixth grade classes introduce the language in an exploratory setting. Continuing study of one language is recommended for one semester in the 7th grade. Students will continue the sequence of the same language for one year in the 8th grade.
Instrumental Music Carver Orchestra students will start out on one of four string instruments: violin, viola, cello or bass. Band students may choose the flute, clarinet, trumpet horn in f, trombone, baritone, tuba or percussion. Emphasis the first semester is placed on proper posture, proper instrument/bow hold, proper breath support, learning to read and count rhythms, learning the pitch names of the respective staffs and getting a good tone on their instrument. The second semester students learn to play as an ensemble and to tune chords. Student will participate in competitions such as the TPS Band or Orchestra Festival, TPS Honor Band or Orchestra, Catoosa Band Festival, and will perform at the New Student Orientation for incoming 6th graders. No prior experience on an instrument is necessary, although students who have had piano lessons are at an advantage.
Vocal Music Vocal music students are taught ear and voice development, teamwork, goal setting, musical sight-reading and are immersed in a survey of all musical art forms. Vocal music is open to all students who love music. The choir will perform at school assemblies, city tours, winter and spring programs as well as TPS Vocal Festival and OSSAA District Music Contest.
Physical Education At each grade level, the physical education courses are designed to demonstrate the appropriateness of expectations at various age levels. The progression of the skills are determined by the students' physical development. The course requires students to perform various advanced intermediate locomotion and non-locomotion skills in a combination of rhythmic activities. Instruction will assist in the development of skills necessary to perform health-related fitness activities, i.e., cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and body composition.
Speech and Drama Carver's Speech course will include units of study on story telling, prose reading and dramatic reading. The course emphasizes the fundamentals of public speaking behavior, such as voice, posture and eye contact. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in drama productions.
Technology Education Technology Education gives students great opportunities to relate what they learn in the core curriculum to real life situations. Units or modules which integrate technology, communication, career search, problem solving and bio-related technology. The communication module will emphasize the use of technology as a tool to access/gather, synthesize/organize, and utilize present information in the classroom, community and everyday life.
Gifted and Talented 6th grade Gifted andTalented students will learn basic research skills, read literature and participate in hands-on activities. In the fall semester, the mystery unit includes viewing The Maltese Falcon, reading and completing projects on Macbeth, and experimenting with forensic techniques. In the spring, we will study architecture, investigating the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, building Leviitown in a day and creating games to architecture terms and concepts.
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