6th Grade Parent Guide

In 6th grade, our aim is to provide a diverse range of literature and informational texts that encourage learners to engage with various topics through shared, paired, and independent readings, discussions, and writing activities. Through these 'reading or literacy experiences,' our focus is to develop students' understanding of how meaning is conveyed in complex texts, using both printed and visual materials. By year-end, students will confidently read and comprehend texts at or above grade level. While complexity varies for each reader, our educators ensure support and scaffolding for all to access grade-level texts. Alongside reading, our curriculum emphasizes writing skills, teaching strategies for planning, revising, and strengthening writing independently and collaboratively. Students will learn to use language effectively for different purposes, distinguishing between conversational and academic language, and adeptly utilizing various writing tools. Their academic language skills will evolve alongside content knowledge, fostering opportunities for learning, discussion, and writing to enhance communication. Students will continue honing their keyboarding skills and exploring technology's role in writing and communication. Our goal is to instill lifelong writing habits from an early age, supporting their growth as confident readers, writers, and communicators.

A Parent’s Guide to the NYS Next Generation ELA and Math Learning Standards

NYS English Language Arts Standards

• Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities by Mike Jung
• Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu
• Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
• The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson
• Galaxy Games by Greg Fishbone
• Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill
• Brave by Svetlana Chmakova
• The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
• The Nine Lives of Jacob Tibbs by Cylin Busby 
• Pennypacker by Sara Pax
• The Remarkable Journey of Charlie Price by Jennifer Maschari
• Gabby Duran: Troll Control by Elise and Daryl Conners
• A Week Without Tuesday by Angelica Banks
• Bad Magic by Pseudonymous Bosch
• Brambleheart: A Story About Finding Treasure and the Unexpected Magic of Friendship by Henry Cole
• Sweet Home Alaska by Carole Estby
• The Adventures of Lettie Peppercorn by Sam Gayton
• The League of Beastly Dreadfuls by Holly Grant
• Jack and Louisa: Act 2 by Andrew and Kate Bolger
• Masterminds: Criminal Destiny by Gordon Korman
• Audacity Jones to the Rescue by Kirby Larson
• The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd
• Just My Luck by Cammie McGovern
• The Hero Two Doors Down: A Story of Friendship Between a Boy and a Baseball Legend. by Sharon Robinson
• The Only Girl in School by Natalie Standiford
• Baker’s Magic by Diane Zahler
• Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
• Timmy Failure by Stephan Pastis
• The Tapper Twins Go to War (With Each Other) by Geoff Rodkey
• The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman

 

Grade 6 Social Studies introduces student to the geography and history of the Eastern Hemisphere. They learn about how different cultures, civilizations, and empires developed and interacted with each other. Topics such as government, economics, and the foundations of democracy are reviewed. Students start by studying the current geography and then move on to explore key ideas from ancient times up to the 1300s. They also look at belief systems and how they influenced societies. Some areas, like early river valley civilizations and interactions between different regions, get special attention. Students also learn about the impact of geography on human culture and settlements, from ancient times to more recent developments.  They study how societies in the Eastern Hemisphere changed over time, including the emergence of major religions and the growth of classical civilizations. The classes also cover the Mediterranean region's transformation after the fall of the Roman Empire, leading to the rise of feudal Western Europe, and the interactions between these regions.

 

As a result of their schooling, students will be able to…

Gathering, Interpreting and Using Evidence

• Develop and ask questions about historical events in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Identify and analyze different types of evidence in social studies, like art, photographs, artifacts, oral histories, maps, and graphs.
• Understand evidence by considering its content, authorship, point of view, purpose, and format, and recognize bias.
• Describe other people's arguments.
• Find hidden ideas and make conclusions with evidence.
• Recognize and analyze arguments about social studies topics, considering multiple viewpoints.

Chronological Reasoning

• Understand how events relate to each other in chronological order.
• Use math skills to measure time in years, decades, centuries, and millennia. Interpret timelines with help from teachers.
• Find causes and effects in current events, grade-level content, and history.
• Recognize and organize multiple causes and effects of events.
• Tell apart long-term and immediate causes and effects of events.
• Study how history changes over time and recognize important turning points.
• Compare histories from different places in the Eastern Hemisphere using timelines. See how changing the way we divide time affects how we tell history.
• See how patterns of change and continuity relate to big historical themes.
• Know that historians use periodization to organize events and describe different ways they do it.

Comparison and Contextualization

• Find a common characteristic to describe a region in the Eastern Hemisphere and compare it to other regions.
• Sort and judge different viewpoints on a single historical event.
• Explain and compare multiple events in Eastern Hemisphere history, considering both time and place.
• Understand how geography, economics, and history are connected and shape events in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Talk about historical changes in the Eastern Hemisphere, mentioning specific times and places, and how they relate to bigger regional or global trends.
• Learn how periodization and region are used to compare historical civilizations. Use general characteristics to compare case studies from the same time period in the Eastern Hemisphere, with guidance from teachers.

Geographic Reasoning

• Use maps, photos, satellite images, and models to show where places are in the Eastern Hemisphere, how they connect, and why certain places are good for specific activities.
• Tell apart human activities and human-made things from natural environments in the Eastern Hemisphere, and see how they're related.
• See how environments affect what people do and how people change the environment in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Understand how the cultural, economic, and physical aspects of regions affect how societies develop in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Talk about how people change places and regions in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Describe how places are organized, considering their history, society, politics, and economy.

Economics and Economic Systems

• Understand how scarcity makes people make choices; use examples from the Eastern Hemisphere to show how scarcity has affected decisions in the past and present. Compare the costs and benefits of economic choices using historical examples.
• Look at how different types of resources like human, physical, and natural resources help make goods and services.
• Compare market economies to other economic systems used in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Explore how job specialization and trade have been important historically and now in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Give examples of unemployment, inflation, production, income, and economic growth in economies in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Talk about government decisions that impact economies in real-life stories from the Eastern Hemisphere.

Civic Participation

• Respect others' rights in discussions and debates, even if you disagree. Listen to different viewpoints.
• Take part in activities about local issues in a country in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Learn about different political systems and ideas used in different places and times in the Eastern Hemisphere. See how individuals and groups influence these systems.
• Understand how individuals can take part in social and political activities in different times and places in the Eastern Hemisphere.
• Practice negotiating and finding compromises to solve conflicts. Learn about ways to resolve conflicts peacefully.
• Identify global issues that need social action and suggest solutions.
• Talk about the roles of powerful people in the Eastern Hemisphere, past and present, and how they can affect people's rights and freedoms.
• Know the rights and duties of citizens in Eastern Hemisphere societies.
• Understand that the world is interconnected and learn about global politics and how you can be part of it

NYSED Social Studies Framework

In 6th grade, students focus on five main areas in math. They learn how ratios and rates connect to multiplication and division, using them to solve problems. They also study dividing fractions and negative numbers as part of the rational number system. Writing, interpreting, and using expressions and equations is another important area. Students deepen their understanding of area, surface area, and volume, and they also start to understand basic probabilities and statistics. Although not all topics are listed here, teachers cover all standards during instruction.

As a result of their schooling, students will be able to…

Ratios and Proportional Relationships

• Use multiplication and division to solve problems involving ratios and rates.
• See how equivalent ratios and rates come from pairs of rows or columns in the multiplication table, and understand this concept through simple drawings showing the relative sizes of quantities.
• Solve more complex problems using multiplication and division, and understand how ratios relate to fractions.

The Number System

• Understand why dividing fractions works by using what they know about fractions and how multiplication and division are related.
• Learn about negative numbers and how they fit into the rational number system, including negative integers.
• Think about the order and size of rational numbers, including how to find their absolute value and locate them on a coordinate plane.

Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities

• Write expressions and equations to represent situations, using letters to stand for unknown values and show how quantities are related.
• Know that expressions can look different but still mean the same thing, and use math rules to change and solve them.
• Use math rules and the idea of keeping both sides equal to solve simple equations where you only need to do one step.

Geometry

• Solve problems about area, surface area, and volume in real life and math.
• Find the area of shapes like triangles and trapezoids by splitting them into rectangles or triangles, and use this in real-life problems.
• Calculate the volume of rectangular prisms with measurements like fractions in real-life problems.
• Draw shapes on a grid using given points and find the length of sides with the same coordinates. Use this in real-life problems.
• Represent 3D shapes with nets made of rectangles and triangles, then find their surface area. Use this in real-life problems.
• Explain perfect squares and cubes using models of area and volume.

 Statistics and Probability 

• Learn to describe and summarize numerical data sets, identifying clusters, peaks, gaps, and symmetry, considering the context in which the data were collected.
• Understand the probability of a chance event and develop probability models for simple events.

A Parent’s Guide to the NYS Next Generation ELA and Math Learning Standards

NYSED Math Standards

During the middle school years, grades 6 – 8, students will be exposed to three main areas of science.  This includes: Physical Science, Life Science and Earth Science. 
Utilizing the New York State P-12 Science Learning Standards (NYSP12SLS) they will explore three main parts of the standards—Science and Engineering Practices, Disciplinary Core Ideas, and Crosscutting Concepts—and create visual representations and read models. Students will also understand how these science topics are related while engaging in science labs and investigation through hands-on activities.

Topics reviewed in the middle school grades include:

Physical Science

Structure and Properties of Matter

• Atomic Composition Model
• Synthetic Materials
• Thermal Energy and Particle Motion
• Density of Matter
• Substances and Mixtures

Chemical Reactions

• Chemical Properties and Reactions
• Conservation of Atoms in Reactions
• Thermal Energy

Forces and Interactions

• Forces, Mass and Motion of an Object
• Electric and Magnetic Forces
• Gravitational Interactions
• Electric and Magnetic Fields

Energy

• Kinetic Energy
• Potential Energy
• Thermal Energy and Thermal Energy Transfer
• Electric Circuits

Waves and Information

• Wave Properties
• Wave Reflection, Absorption and Transmission
• Digitized Wave Signals

Life Science

Structure, Function, and Information Processing

• Cell Theory
• Cell Parts and Function
• Body Systems
• Information Processing

Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems

• Photosynthesis (Energy Flow)
• Food and Chemical Reactions
• Effects of Resource Availability
• Energy Flow in Ecosystems
• Ecosystem Interactions

Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

• Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
• Biodiversity

Growth, Development, and Reproduction

• Animal Behaviors and Plant Structures
• Environmental and Genetic Growth Factors
• Mutations
• Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
• Artificial Selection

Natural Selection

• Common Ancestry and Diversity
• Anatomical Evidence of Evolutionary Relationships
• Natural Selection
• Adaptation of Populations over Time

Earth Space Science

Space Systems

• Earth-Sun-Moon Systems
• Gravity and Motions in Space
• Scale Properties in the Solar System

History of Earth

• Geologic Time Scale
• Geoscience Process at Varying Scales
• Evidence of Plate Tectonics

Earth's Systems

• Cycling of Earth’s Materials
• The Water Cycle
• Uneven Distribution od the Earth’s Resources

Weather and Climate

• Air masses and Weather
• Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulation
• Causes of Global Warming

Human Impacts

• Natural Hazards
• Human Impact on the Environment
• Human Consumption of Natural Resources

NYSED Science Standards

Science:

Interactive Simulations 

Interactive Simulations 

Interactive Games 

Clearinghouse of Websites 

Animal Games 

Videos 

Math:

Videos 

Math Fact Fluency 

Math Fact Fluency 

Problem Solving Games 

Special Education Programs

A unique education program means specially designed individualized or group instruction to address student’s academic goals in reading, writing, and math.  The Committee on Special Education will determine appropriate program recommendations based on the continuum of services and students’ progress. 

Related Services

Related services are supportive services required to assist a student with a disability and include speech-language pathology, hearing services, vision services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, counseling services, and parent counseling and training.  A student’s need, identified through an evaluation, will provide the basis for written annual goals and appropriate provision of services. 

Resource Room & Consultant Teacher

Resource Room is a special education program where students require specialized supplementary instruction in a small group setting outside the classroom for a portion of the school day.  Resource Room is capped at five students per group.  Consultant Teacher, another special education program, is for students who require additional specially designed individualized or group instruction within regular education classes.  

Integrated Co-Teaching, or “Inclusion”

Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) is a special education program where students required specially designed instruction in an individualized or small group setting for multiple subjects within regular education classes.  A general education teacher and a special education teacher jointly provide instruction to a class that includes both students with and students without disabilities to meet the diverse learning needs of all students in a class.  ICT is capped at 12 students with a disability.

Special Class

Special Class is a special education program where students with disabilities have been grouped together with similar individual needs and academic goals for the purpose of being provided specially designed instruction in a small-sized class without general education students.  Students in a special class are exposed to the general education curriculum and are on a Regents pathway to graduation.  

Supplementary Aids and Services

Supplementary aids and services are other supports (i.e., additional personnel, assistive technology, instructional modifications) that are provided in regular education classes, Specials, and in extracurricular and nonacademic settings to enable students with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled students to the maximum extent appropriate in accordance with the least restrictive environment. 

English as a New Language Services and Programs:

The district offers two programs for eligible and identified English Language Learners (ELLs).

ENL: In an English as a New Language (ENL) program, English Language Arts and content-area instruction are taught in English using specific ENL instructional strategies by a NYS certified ESOL teacher.  This program typically serves ELL students from many different home/primary language backgrounds whose only common language is English and therefore cannot participate in a bilingual program. In an ENL program, there are two components to deliver instructional services, Stand-Alone and Integrated ENL services.  

Stand-Alone: Stand Alone ENL is a separate time devoted to English language acquisition and English language development. The required amount of stand-alone ENL instruction depends on the English proficiency level of each student.

Integrated: In an integrated ENL class, an ESOL certified teacher provides services during the students' content area classes alongside their classroom teacher. Some content area classes that are integrated include English Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, and/or Mathematics.  Students receive core content area and English language development instruction, including the use of the home/primary language as support as well as appropriate ELL instructional supports to enrich comprehension. 

Transitional Bilingual Education Program: Bilingual education uses the student’s native language (Spanish) as a tool of instruction while they begin learning English. This model is for English language learners who speak the same language.

The language goal of the program is for English language learners to learn English as quickly as possible and achieve success in their current academic placement and in the future. 

For more information on our Bilingual & English as a New Language Related Services please visit our Bilingual, ENL & World Languages Department Webpage.

NYSED Bilingual & English as a New Language Resources

Central Islip Bilingual, ENL and World Language Department

Information literacy is a skill necessary for today’s world of rapidly increasing information. Students will have to assimilate more information than has appeared in the last 150 years.

As a result of their schooling, students will be able to:

Information Literacy

• Continue to search the library computer catalog to identify and locate materials for individual interests and research needs
• Continue exploration of the virtual reference collection. 
• Continue to explore various literary genres within fiction and nonfiction
• Explore chapter books by noted authors, including state and national award nominees and winners
• Introduce the Newbery award
• Discuss elements of a story: characters, plot, setting, and theme.
• Continue to use a simple research process, learn how to evaluate a variety of resources, and summarize findings in students’ own words

Technology: Computers

• Introduce the effects of cyber-bullying
• Demonstrate the ability to use basic operation commands (opening and closing programs, save, log-on)
• Prepare documents that include a variety of media
• Determine correct keywords to use when conducting Internet research
• Work collaboratively with a team using information technology resources
• Adhere to safety and security policies
• Identify personal information that should not be shared. Explain the risks and dangers of sharing personal information

 

Physical Education Programs offer students the opportunity to enhance their minds and bodies.

As a result of their schooling, students will be able to:

Physical Skills

• Students will continue their refinement of motor skills to enhance sport-related situations and activities. Students will continue to pursue their development of teamwork, sportsmanship, and cooperation in modified competitive activities

Knowledge

• Students will begin to adhere to the understanding of rules within sports as well as develop multiple strategic methods to be successful within the activity.  In addition, students will understand and recognize fitness concepts while developing lifelong healthy habits

Physical Activity

• Students will be able to identify their heart rate during physical fitness activities. Students will also participate in sport-related activities and fitness

Intrinsic Value

• Each student will participate with the desire to succeed with confidence, and ultimately have fun, in a safe and nurturing environment, while developing the love of living a healthy lifestyle

NYSED Physical Education Standards

The elementary art curriculum focuses on integrating aesthetics, studio art, collaboration, connections to literature and art history in an engaging, creative and imaginative environment with an emphasis on the Elements of Art and Principles of Design.

Art skills/fine motor skills are taught as scaffolded skills based on appropriate development of the young artist and accommodations are made for students to reach their individual goals.  

• Exploring Materials: Students will continue to build skills and creatively explore materials in an advanced manner such as: utilizing studio materials to make the illusion of form or actual 3-dimentional forms, applying paint techniques while comparing paint viscosity, transparency and opacity with different kinds of paint and applying materials to create values and textures
• Use of Principles of design and Elements of art: Students will practice using line, shape, pattern, form, color theory, space, value, balance, rhythm, variety, proportion, unity and emphasis. Students will apply these to works of art
• Cultural connections: Students will explore examples of cultures and artists of the world that coincide with the principles and elements studied to create their own art
• Cross curriculum connections: Students will continue to use literature with illustrations to expand their visual literacy while utilizing social studies, science and math skills, at and above grade level to challenge advance learners to create new images in art
• Reflections: Students will continue to understand their own craftsmanship. Students will be able to identify in their own work and others where there are areas of improvement or great accomplishments. Students will be asked to use art vocabulary while commenting on work. Students will also begin to recognize how art creates emotion

NYSED Visual Arts Standards

Our art and music programs help our students build perseverance and achievement, teach responsibility, expose students to history and culture, help improve coordination, reading, math, and social skills, as well as nurture self-expression and creativity.  The arts connect us to the world and open our eyes to new ways of seeing. 

Elementary Music Department Benchmarks & Skills

Music Appreciation

• Students will learn about history and genre throughout their experiences, building knowledge of key musical terms, analyzing melody and harmony, rhythm, and form.  Students will learn to read, write, and compose music as well

Movement

• Reinforcing body awareness with various movement activities

Improvisation

• Exploring creativity through movement, rhythm, and pitch

Performance

• Giving opportunities for students to learn to sing, as well as use the recorder, ukulele, and world drumming, as a foundation to performing within an ensemble

Central Islip K-12 Full Music Curriculum

NYSED Music Standards & Resources

NYSSMA Frequently Asked Questions