Sixth Grade

During the first week of school, every sixth grader embarks on a personal journey of discovery. Without looking, each student takes a turn using a finger to stop a spinning globe; wherever their finger lands determines the country they will study as part of a year-long research project. 

In addition to this individual geography study, sixth graders investigate journeys that change people and the world. They explore the world’s diverse religions, geography and countries through literature, nonfiction, periodicals, films, interviews, presentations from guest speakers and field trips. Students patiently create beautiful mandalas in the Buddhist tradition and practice daily their reading, writing, research, presentation and study skills. Their country studies are shared in a magnificent Foote tradition in the spring, the Festival of the World. 

Along the way, our sixth graders learn about geography, migrations, religious pilgrimages, the impact of international trade and the meaning of discovery.

In this sixth-grade introduction to biology course, students explore a variety of key concepts through hands-on projects and engaging activities. The year begins with an introduction to scientific skills, followed by a study of ecology, focusing on ecosystems and endangered animals. Students work in teams to create presentations, 3D animal models, posters, and PSAs, learning about climate change and its impact on biodiversity.

In the winter term, they dive into cell biology, genetics, and evolution, mastering concepts such as cell division, Punnett Squares, and DNA structure, while creating models and engaging in experiments like DNA extraction. The study of evolution continues with projects on mutations, variation, and survival, culminating in the design of a novel organism.

In the final term, students learn about human body systems through interactive labs, including dissections of an earthworm and a rat, and finish with a project creating a model of a body part. Throughout the course, students develop a deep understanding of biology through exploration, problem-solving, and creative design.

In sixth grade, students’ thinking is stretched through an extension of the foundational skills they acquire in the Lower School. Early in the year, students focus on important number skills such as fractions, decimals, perecents, and ratios, setting them up for success throughout the middle school grades. Students strategize and solve real world problems; in the Ratio and Proportions unit, students calculate and analyze the unit price of food brands to determine the best deal, and they discuss the importance of knowing and understanding these figures. 

As the year progresses, they model situations and problem solve with equations. At this stage, students are developing their understanding of the foundations of algebra, which prepares them for next year’s seventh grade courses. 

They finish the year by looking at two- and three-dimensional geometry, exploring properties of angles, solids, area, surface area and volume. Students also have the opportunity to appreciate the concepts of probability and risk by creating their own games of chance to share with parents, friends, and teachers on our Sixth Grade Casino Night.

Learn more about Math at Foote

In sixth grade, students focus on digital literacy, design and problem-solving, and digital fabrication. Some digital literacy topics include creating healthy screen usage/internet habits, proper online etiquette, and techniques for deciphering factual information from misinformation. Students develop an understanding of media bias by looking at fake news and the psychology and technique behind it as well as strategies for evaluating a source’s credibility. Students also solve given problems within certain parameters by designing, creating, testing, and evaluating solutions over multiple iterations. For digital fabrication, students use design software to create products — such as indoor vertical  planters — using our state-of-the-art laser cutter and 3D-printers.

In sixth grade Chinese, students learn to converse about topics in their everyday life, such as names, ages, nationalities, schools, families, pets, friends, languages, sports and foods. While all of the lessons are initiated through listening and speaking, students are expected to read all of the text while writing only a subset of characters in each thematic unit. 

Students’ reading and writing fluencies increase considerably in sixth grade. A major portion of each class period is spent on engaging interactive oral and aural practices. As students learn about each topic, they make cultural and linguistic comparisons between Chinese and their own lives and expressions. 

The students participate in various activities, including role-playing, video-making, and performances. Special projects may include a research and comparison of traditional Chinese and American festivals; writing and illustrating an online comic book about themselves with audio; an autobiography picture book; or an oral presentation about their favorite celebrity.

Students design and present family trees, short skits and slideshows to demonstrate their confidence and proficiency in Spanish. Students integrate math and language skills as they explore their likes and dislikes presenting pie charts and graphs. Through these authentic activities, sixth graders develop greater proficiency in the four language skills: speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Students study the present tense of regular and commonly used irregular verbs as well as stem-changing verbs, possessive and descriptive adjectives, noun-adjective agreement, comparatives, interrogatives and contractions. Students practice these grammatical concepts within the context of situational dialogues and videos that depict the daily activities of young people from a variety of Spanish-speaking countries and cultures. Vocabulary exercises expand students' fluency as they facilitate the gradual transition toward reading and writing.

The sixth-grade Wellness class provides students with information and opportunities to ask questions about topics in physical, mental, and sexual health, and other wellness topics. Through presentations, class discussions, activities, and games, students build a strong foundation for forming their own opinions and making decisions that align with their values and the values of their family. The discussions build upon the health education units students may have experienced in fourth and fifth grades at Foote and other schools. 

The overall goals for discussions are: 

• to use knowledge and understanding to empower personal decision-making that aligns with the individual student’s and their family’s values;
• to promote trusted adults (including teachers, family members and medical professionals) as essential resources for information about healthy decision making; and 
• to establish the immediate classroom community as a place to practice asking questions, explore discomfort and exercise acceptance of multiple perspectives.

In the sixth-grade year, there is an emphasis on the practical application of skills, including the skill of working with others in an ensemble setting. Students continue building music literacy by practicing and expanding upon melodic and rhythmic concepts learned in previous years. They use solfege and rhythm syllables, the numerical rhythm-counting system (including time signatures), and the absolute note naming system. They expand their understanding of key signatures and scales, and play increasingly complex soprano recorder material. Part-singing increases in complexity, including choral work in two or three parts. Dance and movement continue to be an integral part of the class as well. 

The bulk of sixth-grade repertoire is made up of world music. This year of the music program is designed to align with the humanities curriculum, with the capstone event being Festival of the World. Typically held in early May, Festival of the world is a presentation of world cultures that showcases student work done in humanities, theater, and music classes. The music performance portion of the event includes a selection of songs, games, instrumental music, and dances from across the globe.

Improvisation is one of the unifying themes of sixth-grade drama. Students learn the basic rules of improvisation and discussion techniques. Class activities include creating characters using voice and body movements, problem-solving, creating sets, using props and costumes. Students begin writing plays that incorporate dialogue, stage directions, plot, conflict, characters and editing. They learn and implement rehearsal techniques and analyze their own work, as well as the performances of their classmates. The collaborative process involves respecting various perspectives and points of view.

Sixth grade PE focuses on fostering a love for physical activity through participation, engagement, and enjoyment while emphasizing teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth. Students refine their athletic skills and develop confidence through a variety of sports, including soccer, Ultimate Frisbee, flag football, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, kickball, Capture the Flag, and badminton, along with other modified and large-group games. 

Middle school students have the option to participate in either competitive or non-competitive groups, ensuring an inclusive and supportive environment for all. The curriculum encourages active participation, cooperation, and good sportsmanship, making physical activity both fun and rewarding.

The sixth-grade library curriculum engages students in conversations around inspiring people and books. We celebrate the lives and words of Sonia Sotomayor and Althea Gibson. We discuss Banned Books Week and the importance of safeguarding access to books and ideas. We have conversations about misinformation and how easily information can travel. Research skills are honed, as we explore digital and physical resources available through the library. Students eagerly seek out books to take home for free reading.