Curriculum

My special day class follows the guidelines set by the state and district content standards. We will be presenting the same material as in the mainstream classes in a modified form, and will be accommodating each student's individual learning style as much as possible. Instruction will be a balanced combination of traditional learning methods and hands-on activities. Field trips will be an important component of the learning experience. Students will be expected to work individually, as well as in small and large groupings. The development of social skills is also an important part of the special day program. Organization skills will be integrated throughout the curriculum. The use of technology will be featured in the core subjects, and will help each student to develop his or her computer skills. The following section gives a brief description of some of the material that we will cover in class:

 

Language Arts

Students will read the sixth grade core books Julie of the Wolves, Roll of Thunder-Hear My Cry, and D'aulaire's Book of Greek Myths. We will also read The Iron Giant and a biography of Jackie Robinson. In addition, we will use the SRA reading program to help improve basic reading skills. In writing, emphasis will be placed on the fundamentals of sentence and paragraph construction. Students must be able to write good sentences before they can write essays. Spelling, grammar, and vocabulary will be covered.

 

Mathematics

Basic skills will be emphasized and reviewed. The use of manipulatives is incorporated in order to help students visualize the concepts and make them less abstract and more "real". Units will include number sense, fractions (including decimals and percents, measurement, money, and geometry. The application of math concepts to life situations is also emphasized.

 

 

Social Studies

The sixth grade course of study features the study of ancient civilizations. Students will study the basics of archeology and what it is. The focus will be on the big ideas of how man has developed, physically and intellectually. Units will include early man, early farming civilizations, Mesopotamia, Egypt, the ancient Israelites and early Christianity, Greece, and Rome. Students will also keep up on current events and develop their skills with geography.

 

 

Science

Earth science is studied in sixth grade. Students will study landforms, geologic time periods, plate tectonics, and earthquakes and volcanos. In the second semester, units in ecology and plants will be included. These units will emphasize man's relationship with the earth.