Humanities+Overview+2007-8


 * __[[image:schoolbooks.gif]]Grade Six Humanities (English & Social Studies) Curriculum__**

The ISB Middle School timetable provides an uninterrupted 90 minute block of time each day for the study combination of English/Social Studies (commonly referred to as Humanities). These integrated studies are merged thematically as much as possible, providing for a more authentic, meaningful education. Our curriculum addresses higher order thinking and reasoning skills, creative and effective written and oral communication skills, and group contribution skills. The curriculum also stresses the personal qualities of responsibility, organization, self-management, integrity, and respect.


 * __English__**

The grade six English course aims to enrich our sixth grade students’ basic skills of **Re**//**ading**////**, Writing, Listening,**// //and// **//Speaking//****.**

Students will be exposed to reading a wide range of genres in order to develop a love and appreciation for literature. Novels will be both student and teacher selected, and scaffold the Humanities units nicely. Visits to the library will be scheduled on a regular basis. Explicit reading strategies will be taught, and students are expected to be actively involved in analyzing text and purpose. The Writing Process will be integrated for all process papers and published pieces. The “Six Traits + One” writing model (Ideas, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, Organization, Voice, Conventions, & Presentation) will also be incorporated to strengthen students’ writing skills. Students will be required to be actively involved in the learning process and will assess their own work as well as others’ work.

Listening will be an integral part of the grade six classroom. Students will be encouraged to develop their listening skills through formal and informal experiences. Each will learn how to think critically and actively about what s/he hears while developing the knowledge and strategies necessary for analyzing our spoken language.

Through speaking, students will be encouraged to express their thoughts, feelings, experiences, and opinions. Students will benefit from a myriad of opportunities to speak both formally and informally for a variety of purposes.

Our English classroom is a caring, supportive, encouraging, and respectful environment for our students to engage in creative thinking, expression, and writing. Students will be able to reflect on their own particular strengths and needs, recognizing their individual progress throughout the year. The course will help all students to learn to the best of their ability and potential, and will encourage them to be self-reliant, life-long readers, writers, listeners and speakers.

//**__Social Studies__**//

Through integrating our English and Social Studies curricula, three major themes are taught over the course of the grade six school year:

Exploring the foundational study skills in English and the fundamental concepts of geography, which includes mapping skills, current events and the foundation of the //Five Themes of Geography//. Also included is a focus on foundational study skills, organizational skills, & personal responsiblity for learning. Studying Early Humans and our archaelogical records, as well as early civilizations such as Mesopotamia. Investigating the effects of living in various Harsh Environments.
 * Keepin’ It Real!**
 * Digging Up the Past**
 * Harsh Environments**

Each unit incorporates creative and effective learning strategies to help students develop a holistic understanding and a greater appreciation of social studies. Through a variety of investigation and presentation methods, students will develop a global awareness, an open mindedness, and a respect and sensitivity toward different cultures and viewpoints. An understanding of the role of the environment and its impact on people and their lifestyles will also be a focus in social studies. Other areas of focus in our program include integrating pertinent research skills/projects, and applying a variety of collaborative, creative projects to build teaming skills. A variety of assessments, both summative and formative, are in place to support individual learning styles and to provide meaningful learning and successes for each student.

//**__Learning Essentials__**//

ISB’s “Learning Essentials” will be incorporated in all that our students learn and experience this year. We believe these areas to be foundational to all other life-long learning.