1. Developing Study Skills:
In 6th grade, students should be able to develop their own study strategies and successfully complete assigned tasks on time. Crucial skills include note-taking, active listening, organization, stamina, and time management. Additionally, they should learn how to effectively use resources like tutors and library databases.
2. Reading Comprehension:
At this age, students should have a solid command of the fundamentals of reading and be able to understand different genres of literature. Skills include identifying main ideas and details, making inferences, drawing conclusions, understanding complex themes, and analyzing characters.
3. Writing:
By 6th grade, students should have a strong foundation in writing skills. These include composing complete paragraphs and essays with proper grammar and punctuation; developing an argument backed by evidence; summarizing texts; conducting research; and responding to prompts effectively.
4. Mathematics:
In mathematics, 6th grade skills involve evaluating numerical expressions; solving linear equations; graphing points on coordinate planes; comparing fractions, decimals, and percents; working with geometry concepts; and understanding basic probability.
5. Scientific Inquiry:
At this age, students should be able to apply the scientific method in order to understand how the world works. This includes being able to create testable questions, analyze data using charts and graphs, make predictions based on evidence, and draw conclusions from experiments.
6. Social Studies/History:
Social studies skills involve learning about cultures past and present; identifying similarities and differences between societies; analyzing major political events in history; understanding the development of different civilizations; recognizing patterns of cause-and-effect relationships over time; and drawing connections between social phenomena.
7. Information Technology Literacy:
In the digital age, 6th grade students must know how to use computers and other technology effectively. This includes understanding basic hardware and software concepts; navigating the internet safely; using appropriate search strategies to find information; creating and formatting documents through word processing programs; communicating via email, social media, and other technologies; and understanding ethical issues related to technology.
8. Physical Education/Sportsmanship & Healthy Living Habits:
Physical education involves learning proper techniques for sports, exercises, and other physical activities while developing teamwork skills. Additionally, this grade level should cover habits such as nutrition, sleep hygiene, stress management, drug awareness, personal safety, and injury prevention.
9. Art/Music Appreciation & Creativity Development:
In 6th grade, students should be able to appreciate the various roles that art and music play in a civilized society. Skills include recognizing artistic works from different eras and countries; expressing themselves creatively through visual arts, theater, dance, etc.; understanding musical forms; and exploring their own creativity.
10. Life Skills & Civic Responsibility:
As they transition into adolescence, 6th grade students should also develop life skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, communication, assertiveness, critical thinking, self-advocacy, etiquette/manners, and respect for authority figures. Additionally, this is the age at which students start to learn about civic responsibility, including participating in their community and understanding their rights as citizens.