The sixth grade classes are the sole occupants of the three classrooms in the upper log cabin and have several teachers visit their stationary homeroom. Each sixth grade has a homeroom teacher who is responsible for overseeing the majority of the academic work performed by a class.

L a n g u a g e A r t s
Language Arts in the sixth grade covers the basic parts of speech and sentence
structure, with the goal of improving a student’s writing ability and understanding
of grammar. Students will learn to recognize verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives,
adverbs, conjunctions and prepositions when they are used in sentences. Students
will be able to distinguish a linking verb from an action verb and a common noun
from a proper noun. In addition, students will study phrases, clauses and the
different types of sentences. Providing a student with a solid foundation in
grammar enables him to express himself more clearly and forcefully.

The grammar text is English Workshop, First Course, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1995.
The Language Arts course also includes sections on spelling and vocabulary. The
spelling section uses the textbook Spelling Connections published by Zaner-
Bloser. The textbook contains useful vocabulary exercises that explain the meaning
of words and how they are used in context. Students will learn important spelling
rules, such as when to use “i” before “e.” In addition, the textbook covers words that
students will encounter in their math and science courses.

Teachers derive words for their vocabulary lessons from the texts students read in
literature. Students will be tested on the definitions of words and how to use them
in sentences. Teachers supplement their vocabulary lists with textbooks such as
Vocabulary from Classical Roots published by Educators Publishing Service.
These textbooks teach students common root words, enabling students to surmise
the meaning of unfamiliar words. Furthermore, the textbooks test a student’s
ability to use words in a sentence, giving him a more vibrant sense of the word.


L i t e r a t u r e
The sixth grade literature curriculum is generally geared toward fostering within
the student both practical and theoretical pursuits. Therefore, literature is seen
not only as a pleasurable interest, but as a mode of knowledge, instructing not only
the mind, but the heart.

With our aim of heightening a student’s intelligence of feeling, the habit of art that
is literature has for its appreciation the employment of many skills. Stressing both
oral and written traditions, a love for literature is fostered in our students through
study of poetry and stories of various lengths and kinds. The books read in the sixth
grade year include: Sounder by William H. Armstrong, The Golden Fleece by
Padraic Colum, Gods, Heroes, and Men of Ancient Greece by W.H. D. Rouse, A
Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and Selected Tales from Shakespeare by
Charles and Mary Lamb. Poems for study are chosen from a working list and by the
homeroom teacher’s preference.

The main skills developed through the sixth grade literature curriculum include
reading comprehension, reading aloud, memorization and recitation of poetry,
literary criticism, plot mapping, and composition of critical essays and short
fiction. Far beyond the facts that are learned, the goal is to teach the young student
not so much to enter into, but to keep native in the world of thought, meditation,
intuition, and imagination. Recognizing that it is as important to cultivate the
imagination as it is to cultivate the will or the intelligence, The Heights School
models, in part, its approach to teaching literature based on the ideas of noted
children’s author and poet, Padraic Colum, in his book Story Telling New & Old:

Through the possession of a part of the heritage of poetry, of story, children can enter
or keep in the world that has been spoken about – the world of imagination, thought,
and intuition. It would be well if they could receive some of this heritage orally, and,
in the case of poetry, if they could receive it from some one who had regard for the
rhythm of the verse, and was able to impart a delight in the rhythm and in the struc-
ture of verse. The possession of poetry is a possession that lasts, a possession that
no one can take away from whoever has it; it is a talisman that gives an entrance into
the world that we may not be separated from without loss to our humanity. For without
some ability for making ourselves at home in the world of thought, imagination,
intuition, a student will never be able to understand all that is summed up in art and
philosophy, will never have any deep feeling for religion, and will not be able to get
anything out of the reading of history; in short, unless they are somewhat at home in
that world, they will live without any fineness in their lives.

M a t h e m a t i c s
This course is a combination of the theory and practical application of arithmetic
and geometry. Major concepts covered include the following: the review and mastery
of operations with fractions and mixed numbers, reciprocals, ratios, proportions,
exponents, square roots, scientific notation, order of operations, algebraic addition,
simple equations, perimeters, circumferences, areas, and volumes. Through
working with the abstract concepts and relations of numbers and figures, the
student develops and sharpens his imagination and reasoning capacity. Because the
student must solve problems that require a number of subordinate steps to find a
solution, the importance of attention to detail is impressed upon him as well as a
stepwise approach to solving problems. Students are encouraged to recognize how a
small error in an initial step will affect the conclusion of most math problems. The
primary textbook for the course is Math 87 by Hake & Saxon.


E a r t h S c i e n c e
This course acts as an introduction to the geological sciences and in doing so also
serves as preparation for the study of chemistry. Major topics covered include the
following: the earth’s topography, rocks, minerals, water displacement, specific
gravity, the earth’s interior, magnetism, fresh water, the oceans, the atmosphere,
the planets, and the moon. The course strives to impress upon the student the
immensity, order, and beauty of the created world. It gives him a deeper under-
standing of the physical world with which he has relevant, daily contact. This is an
understanding prior to the laboratory and atomic analysis of chemistry. Through
classroom demonstrations and activities, habits of observation and analysis are
exercised. The primary textbook for the course is Earth Science published by
Prentice Hall. The course is also supplemented by TOPS labs and activities.

A m e r i c a n  H i s t o r y
The focus of the American History course in the sixth grade is on the westward
expansion of the 1800’s. Students study the plight of the immigrant laborer, the
impact of industry and the railroad, the conditions of life in the north and south,
slavery, the wars and battles of the West including the Mexican War, the lives of
mountain men, traders and trappers, the voyage of Lewis and Clark, the conditions
leading up to the Civil War, and the outbreak of the Civil War. Students complete
their study of the Civil War when they revisit the topic in-depth during the seventh
grade history course entitled Lands and Conquests.

As students learn more about the adventures of westward expansion, they are
required to take notes and learn how to outline chapters for later study. History is
taught from the perspective of a factual story and in an analytical sense students are
expected to understand the major themes of the day and how they relate to one
another throughout a course of events. The textbook series used for the sixth grade
history course is entitled A History of US by Joy Hakim.

R e l i g i o n
The sixth grade Religion course guides the student through a variety of topics
ranging from the ancestral roots of the Hebrew people to the beginning of
Christianity/Catholicism and finally to The Resurrection following the salvific
sacrifice of Jesus Christ’s passion and death on the cross. The student will gain a
better understanding of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments,
and a greater appreciation for the lives and contributions of the saints. They will
be asked to write in-depth papers on a variety of content related topics citing
specific quotes taken from Scripture and the writings of the saints.
Outside reading includes a book on the life of St. Isaac Jogues and his companions who
evangelized and converted multiple tribes of Indians. Also, different chapters from
the Bible will be assigned and read in class. The student will develop an enhanced
knowledge of the role of Mary, the Mother of God, in salvation history, as well as a more
comprehensive understanding and personal appreciation of the powerful mystery of
the Holy Eucharist available to us daily in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
Additionally, papers will be assigned on gratitude, the Ark of the Covenant, and the
Immaculate Heart of Mary. Also, several one page papers will be assigned in reaction
to short videos presented or on particular saints linked to their specific feast days.
The student can choose to take advantage of frequent opportunities to receive the
Sacrament of Reconciliation as a part of regular chapel services. The class objec-
tive is for the student to develop a deeper prayer life as well as a greater
understanding of his faith and ways to live his faith. The primary textbook is
Following Christ, part of the Faith and Life series published by Ignatius Press.

I n t r o d u c t o r y  L a t i n
This course gradually introduces the student for the first time to the grammar,
vocabulary, syntax, sounds, history, and importance of the Latin language. The
grammatical topics covered are as follows: the first and second declensions of
nouns and adjectives, the first and second conjugations of verbs (present, future,
imperfect tenses), and the present conjugation of selected irregular verbs. A large
portion of the course is given to Latin vocabulary and famous Latin sayings. The
student begins to learn how to analyze language systematically through the trans-
lation of simple sentences. Heavy emphasis is placed on the memorization and
recitation of forms, vocabulary, and Latin sayings. The student also gains an
elemental knowledge of many English words through their Latin roots. The
primary textbook for the course is Latina Christiana by Cheryl Lowe.


M u s i c
The sixth grade Music course studies the foundations of music including rhythm,
melody, harmony, and sound production. Students are introduced to a musical
vocabulary and they learn to write and perform rhythmic notation. Students are
also challenged to learn how to write what they hear in class. Performance skills are
introduced through a variety of small musical ensembles involving percussion and
tonal instruments. When studying great works, the focus is on the Baroque,
Classical, and Romantic eras as well as an introduction to the American music
style. The sixth grade music class meets two days a week.

A r t
The sixth grade Art class is a rotating trimester survey class that studies perspec-
tive, realism, architecture, and color through a variety of media. Students are
expected to draw and sketch as well as understand and appreciate great works of
art. This blend of experiences is intended to develop an aesthetic awareness in
the student. The opportunity is provided for longer-term projects, and an after
school Art Club is available for additional developmental time.

P h y s i c a l E d u c a t i o n
Students participate in physical education class on a daily basis. The emphasis of
this class is on fitness, skill development, understanding the rules of a variety of
sports, engaged participation, and sportsmanship. Students are encouraged to
engage in healthy competition and are given the opportunity for exercise on a
daily basis. Depending upon the season, soccer, basketball, baseball, and lacrosse
teams practice during this class period under the supervision and direction of
their coaches. All other middle school sports teams practice outside of physical
education class.