Grade 6
English
Grade 6 English is dedicated to exploring the art of reading in all its forms. As students learn how to communicate through writing, speaking, performing, reading, and writing, they discover the depth and power of the English language. Through an examination of poetry, fiction, myths, and classics, students learn to become both excellent readers and writers, developing the art of self expression. Critical thinking, consistency, communication, and creativity are the cornerstones of this course, with lots of fun to be had along the way.
Mathematics
Through hands-on activities, visual representations, and lots of problem solving, students in Grade 6 Math build on their foundation of knowledge with new concepts, including:
- Positive and negative numbers and the number line
- Operations with fractions and decimals
- Ratios, rates, and percents
- Algebraic expressions, equations, and inequalities
- Geometry, including area of polygons, and 3-dimensional shapes
- Statistics
Ancient History
In Grade 6 History, students learn about the formation and evolution of societies through the lens of ancient civilizations, answering critical questions like: how do people form communities? What do societies need in order to be successful? By exploring early humans and key settlements throughout history and into modern day, students will begin to think like historians, factoring point of view and bias into interpretations of facts and events. By gathering information from a variety of sources and collaborating with each other, students will take a tour through time, exploring places like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Science
In Grade 6 Science, students learn about the nature of science and master basic skills through hands-on, inquiry-based activities. By setting up good, controlled experiments and conducting measurements with the metric system, students learn how to answer questions in a concrete way. Students learn what causes earthquakes and volcanoes, and get to know more about our planet through examination of minerals, rocks, plate tectonics, and seismic events.
Academic Support
Academic Support is available to all Middle School students. The goal is to develop a plan that enables each girl to reach her learning potential in a supportive and empowering environment. We believe academic support should be a team effort between the Learning Skills Specialist, teachers, and advisors to help students develop the strategies they need to become independent learners. The Learning Skills Specialist works in concert with classroom teachers and parents to monitor students' progress, work on organizational skills, modify study strategies, set goals, and make additional recommendations when appropriate.
Computer Skills
The Grade 6 Computer Skills course is an introduction to internet safety, in which girls learn the significance of issues such as computer viruses, copyright laws, computer and password security, and cyber bullying. Students learn/advance their typing skills using online typing websites and apply their technology skills for communication and collaboration, accessing and evaluating information, and creating and presenting relevant projects. Students also learn and demonstrate ethical behaviors and responsible use of technology tools.
Middle School World Languages
All students in Grades 6-8 are required to take French or Spanish. Additionally, all 7th and 8th Graders are required to take Latin I. New 7th and 8th graders to Lincoln should register for Level 1 Language courses in Upper School unless they have previously studied the language. (A placement test may be necessary.) Looking ahead: To meet US graduation requirements, all students must complete three years in the Upper School of one language.
Spanish or French
Middle school French and Spanish take students on an exciting trip to new cultures while introducing them to basic grammar, language functions, and everyday vocabulary. Individual and collaborative activities provide ample opportunity for the students to develop and use the language creatively and personally. Evaluation of student performance is based on participation and on frequent skills testing (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) throughout the year. Each year builds upon the other, allowing students to reinforce the old and incorporate the new.
Visual Arts
The middle school art curriculum blends an appreciation for art history and contemporary art with a focus on the elements of art and principles of design. Students learn about the different functions and purposes of art and create their own artworks in various materials including still-life drawing, collage, ceramics, painting, sculpture, and printmaking. Art works created in class will address problems that challenge them to think about personal and self-expressive uses for art and to be innovative and original in their work. Students will utilize technology in their classes to research for their projects and as a tool to help improve their art making practice.
Throughout their time in the studio, students also learn to present and curate their own artwork and display it school-wide as well as in the classroom, challenging them to consider how we look at artwork in society.
Music
Students in Grade 6 Music learn a musical vocabulary that allows them to discuss what they hear and be able to express their thoughts about it. We listen to and learn about various genres and musical styles, including world, folk, pop, and classical, and discuss differences and similarities. We also sing together and explore making music with our voices.
Drama
During the third trimester, 6th graders are given their first play script. They learn techniques for memorization, giving and taking focus, pursuing objectives, character development, and creating relationships. This culminates in a performance the last week of classes.
Physical Education/Health
Through exposure to a broad variety of activities, each student in the Lincoln School Physical Education program is encouraged to build her physical potential. The goal is to develop each student's competency and confidence in basic skills, her understanding of and appreciation for a variety of team and individual sports and her appreciation for physical fitness, fostering a desire to participate in physical activities throughout life.
Typical sports skill offerings include soccer, field hockey, football, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, team handball, badminton, and softball. The units emphasize skill development, game strategies, positioning, and rules. Other activities include personal fitness challenges, yoga, walking, jogging, and contemporary dance. Recreational games, team-building activities, and intramural opportunities are included throughout the year.
Grade 6 Health consists of units focusing on personal hygiene, growth and development, and social interaction. The goal is to help give the students a better understanding of their bodies, the changes they are experiencing, and how these changes affect them personally.