Sixth Grade

Our Philosophy

Sixth grade at St. Francis is a time of transition. Students not only move “upstairs” to the middle school, they also spend more time examining their personal morality, values and relationships. It is the perfect opportunity for students to recognize how Jesus can guide them through this rapid period of growth and change. By integrating Catholic faith lessons into every subject area, we try to help sixth graders develop healthy hearts, minds and bodies. 


Our middle-school students flourish in a nurturing climate where they feel respected and confident enough to try out new challenges and ideas. Our educational program reflects a challenging curriculum, professionally-certified instructors who have a passion for teaching, motivating lessons, multi-sensory activities and high expectations. Our students are given many opportunities to think and write critically and to solve relevant problems. The St. Francis Middle School is a place where students strive to fulfill their potential!

Sixth-Grade Curriculum


Religion

Sixth graders become familiar with the Old Testament through our text Spirit of Truth, published by Sophia Press.   Students learn from the successes and failures of our Biblical ancestors and gain an understanding of God’s mercy and love throughout salvation history. We also participate in Second Step, a program that teaches empathy, bullying prevention, emotion management, and problem solving. As students learn how to make moral choices, they come to realize how important it is to have Jesus at the center of their lives! 


Math

The sixth-grade math program includes a variety of learning experiences:  math games, demonstrations, mental math, manipulative work, collaborative problem-solving, solving problems with calculators, lectures, practice, review, homework, tests and quizzes. The topics and concepts covered during the year include statistics, algebra, decimals, measurement, fractions, geometry, integers, ratio, proportion, percent and probability. The text we use is Savvas enVision.


English/Writing

Our sixth-grade English program focuses on grammar and mechanics, composition, and vocabulary. In 6th grade, we take a writer’s workshop approach, beginning with the development of writing skills, then moving on to writing narrative, opinion, persuasive, and research-based writing. English and vocabulary are developed through this approach in writing, allowing students to have an authentic world approach to grammar, mechanics, vocabulary, and writing.


Literature

Sustaining a love of reading is an important facet of our sixth-grade literature curriculum. Students learn to read critically, analyze literature, and expand their vocabularies. Students engage in independent reading, projects, simulations, and novel studies.

 

Social Studies

Using the pedagogy of the “Flipped Classroom” and “Blended Learning” philosophies, St Francis offers an elite 6th Grade Social Studies Curriculum  The program is anchored by the renowned student centered resources of Dr. Phil Gersmehl and the content designers of TCI History Alive! and TCI Geography Alive! This curriculum has proven success and has turned Social Studies into the “favorite subject” of many sixth grade students since its implementation. 


Science

While studying earth science, space and weather, sixth graders engage in our project-based inquiry program. By starting with a challenge or question and then answering the question through collaboration, research and experimentation, the sixth graders “do as real scientists do!”


Drama

Sixth Grade students will participate in a DRAMA 101 class and perform in a “one act play” between 20 and 45 minutes in length during either the first or second semester this year with an assigned “troupe”. Students will participate in art class with Mrs. Nowicki in the opposing Semester.  All students receive a significant role and are expected to memorize lines at home. (They have 9 weeks to complete the memorization and there are no after school rehearsals) Performances are in December for Semester 1 and late May for Semester 2 and are part of a supportive "Competitive Drama” format.


Enrichment


Our sixth graders participate weekly in art, band, P.E., library, technology, drama, and Spanish classes, taught by our "Specials” teachers. Field trips, guest speakers and service opportunities also make up an important part of our sixth-grade year. Every day, sixth graders enjoy a 25-minute outdoor recess time followed by a 20-minute lunch. Recess and lunch are supervised by parent helpers.


Students in sixth-grade Spanish will begin using the SOMOS Curriculum as part of the Middle School Spanish program. Topics include: conjugating verbs, introducing their peers, and describing themselves. Students will learn how to say their own age, to express what they like or dislike doing, practice noun-adjective agreement and learn the uses of the verb “to have,” among other topics. Students will also acquire extensive knowledge of the diversity and culture of the Latin American countries. 


Service and Leadership


In addition to the options to participate as altar servers and singing in the choir, sixth-grade students participate in several church and community services throughout the year. This year our sixth graders will be invited to help Children Waiting Everywhere which is an Ann Arbor based charity that works with communities in rural portions of Uganda. The collaboration is now in its third year and our sixth graders have raised money with their own efforts to build water tanks and classrooms for schools and orphanages for some wonderful children in Uganda, Africa. 


Things to Know


  • Our sixth-grade teachers model empathy and respect for their students. Certified by the State of Michigan, they teach math, language arts, religion, science and history and geography. 
  • St. Francis School is accredited by the Michigan Association of Non-public Schools (MANS). It is also a member of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA).
  • The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) provides the assessment tools used by St. Francis School. Students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed three times a year to measure individual progress at their respective grade level.
  • Test scores are posted here.
  • Our web-based communication program, allows parents and students access to information about school activities, class assignments, progress reports, while providing a direct e-mail link between teachers and parents.


What Parents Say…


“Students learn and live the virtues of empathy and respect. The environment that is created within the classroom helps each child grow into a better person.”

 

“The teachers use common sense approaches, grounded in our Catholic Faith, to help the students’ transition from their childhood elementary school years to the challenges of middle school and beyond.” 

 

“I know that when my kids are grown, they’ll look back on their sixth grade year and smile. When students are taught in such creative ways, they experience the joy of learning and retain more of the material.”

 

“The results for our son were phenomenal. The integrated approach bolstered our son’s confidence in his intellectual abilities beyond our most optimistic hopes.”

 

“I believe sixth grade is the most significant and influential year. The teachers encourage learning through independence and responsibility, while appreciating every student’s learning style. God and His goodness are incorporated into all subject areas. Every day the children learn something new about themselves. Sixth grade at St. Francis is truly a blessing!”

 

“Connecting with real science and scientists keep the students and teachers sharp and focuses on what’s relevant for the students to learn.”