6th Grade Social Studies
Sixth graders will take four quarters of social studies. Each quarter will focus on a different ancient culture or element of ancient history. These studies will emphasize ancient technologies and geography, and the ancient civilizations of Maya, Egypt, and Greece!
7/8 Language Arts
Students are in the same homeroom / LA group for 7th and 8th grades (mixed grade classes). Homeroom is a time to plan for activities such as camp, WEP, as well as to communicate with students about all-school events and organization. The 7/8 LA class continues the writer’s and reader’s model with an emphasis on different forms of writing, and a more rigorous use of book clubs and reading reflection. The 8th grade project is also included in the LA class.
Math
Salmon Bay School uses the district adopted Connected Mathematics curriculum in all grades. Topics are supplemented with other materials to provide students with extra practice and to ensure students are challenged. Students are grouped by grade level in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.
PE
Our main goal in PE is to increase student confidence in physical fitness. We accomplish this by providing opportunities to build personal strength, flexibility and endurance while exposing students to a variety of individual, team, and alternative sports to develop sportsmanship and an overall appreciation of a variety of sports from around the world.
Science 6
A beginning biology course that starts with answering the question, “What is Life?” We then move to microscope use, then cell basics, plants, insects and searching for bacteria. We build on the scientific method to explore these topics.
Science 7/8
Our science curriculum in the 7th and 8th grade consists of learning about science content (the properties of matter, earth science, biology, and more) through inquiry based classes that incorporate content, lab skills, investigations and projects.
Social Studies 7/8
Social Studies has a two-year rotating curriculum. This year focuses on US History and Washington State History, which meet the high school graduation requirement for a Washington State History class.
Reading and Writing in the Sixth Grade
Each sixth grader will take a two-hour literacy block both semesters. In this block students will learn, and continue to develop, specific skills that will support their growth as independent writers and readers. The curriculum is centered around each student’s own experiences and interests. In addition to teaching the students the skills and craft they need to know for language-arts growth in whole class mini-lessons, the class will include one-on-one conferences between teacher and student for both subject areas. The conferences guide the student toward becoming independently aware of their growth and progress as learners
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