2025-2026 6th Grade Course Descriptions
- English Essentials
- English
- Health Enhancement
- Library (1 day a week opposite PE)
- Academic Applications (1 day a week opposite PE)
- Math Essentials
- Math Connections
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Beginning Drama - 5th/6th Grade Drama (Elective)
- Exploring Visual Arts (Elective)
- Intro to Family Consumer Science (FCS) (Elective)
- Next Level Math (Elective)
- STEM (Elective)
- Spanish (Elective)
- Beginning Band (Year) (Elective)
- Intermediate Band (Elective)
- Choir (6th Grade) (Elective)
- Drums, Keyboards, & Ukuleles (Elective)
- Intermediate Orchestra (Elective)
- Advanced Orchestra (Elective)
English Essentials
This course was designed with student interest in mind. We will be reading novels that challenge the student to use comprehension skills through direct instruction. We will be identifying literary elements throughout the year in hopes of progressing reading skills. This class will also require various types of written assignments: summarizing, persuasive, comparative, explanatory, and more.
What is Title One/ English Essentials?
Title One is a federally-funded, general education support program. The goal of Title One Reading is to provide extra reading help and instruction for struggling readers.
Title One instruction is specialized reading instruction that is provided through the cooperation of the classroom teacher and the Title One Reading teacher. This supplements classroom instruction.
Supplemental reading instruction with the Title One Reading teacher occurs in small groups, daily for approximately 45 minutes, a supplemental program.
This can be illustrated as some students needing an “extra snack of reading” during their day. We identify students in need of assistance and offer them extra instruction. The “main course” of reading is not enough instruction for these students.
Title One Goals
- To diagnose and identify specific reading problems in each eligible student.
- To supplement and support (not replace) the classroom reading instruction.
- To foster an enjoyment of books and to encourage reading as a leisure activity.
- To develop a positive attitude and self-confidence by providing reading success.
- To formulate and implement plans that will improve students’ reading skills.
- To help each student acquire the skills needed to function in the classroom.
- To obtain parental support and involvement in our program.
Student Identification Process
The opportunity to be a part of a Title One program is determined for each child and based on several pieces of information used by the Title One teacher including teacher recommendation, Fastbridge and iReady testing, and analysis of independent reading behaviors. Students are then monitored throughout the school year to measure progress.
A parent or guardian must sign the permission letter and contact and send it back to the Title One teacher to receive Title One services.
Exit Title One Program
Students may exit the program at any time during the year. Students will be dismissed from the program by showing grade level performance in the classroom, grade level performance on assessments, and/or parent and teacher referral. The student will only be dismissed from the program after consultation with the classroom teacher, parent, student, and Title One teacher. If you elect to receive these services for your child, English Essentials will take the place of an elective class.
Other Considerations:
Students with an IEP for reading are typically not served in the Title One program. Students whose parents object to their placement will not be served.
English
In this course, students will build advanced reading and writing skills through the application of vocabulary, grammar, and literature. The literature components will include an emphasis on fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. In addition, students will participate in a series of writing workshops: narrative, argumentative, and informative.
Health Enhancement
The 6th grade Health Enhancement program is designed to offer students the opportunity to learn basic skills in lifetime sports activities. Our main objective is to teach students the basic rules, strategies, and importance of sports that they can participate in throughout their lifetime. While participating in these activities an emphasis will be placed on participation, effort, physical fitness, teamwork and sportsmanship. Students will also participate in a district wide maturation class taught by the District Health Nurse.
Library (1 day a week opposite PE)
The goal of this course is to create independent and capable researchers and readers by focusing on locating and using library resources, both print and digital. Students will receive an introduction to basic Google Suite programs such as Documents, Slides Sheets and Kami. Library Technology class is interdisciplinary and supports other curriculum areas. It assists with the integration of technology into course work through research assignments and projects. Independent pleasure reading is monitored and encouraged using the quarterly reading log as well as our “Panthers Read” program.
Academic Applications (1 day a week opposite PE)
Academic Applications is a supported academic period for students to finish teacher assigned work, while working towards mastery of core subject standards. If students have finished their classwork and are complete in all subjects, a variety of other academic options may include, but not limited to, Typing Quest, Accelerated Reader, Novel study, and various other programs to support core curriculum skills. Independent pleasure reading will be highly encouraged, as well.
Math Essentials
Students will work toward achieving grade level standards. Students will work on number sense and computation, understand foundational operations and solving word problems.
What is Title One/ Math Essentials?
Title One is a federally-funded, general education support program. The goal of Title One Math is to provide extra math help and instruction for students who are struggling. Title One instruction is specialized math instruction that is provided through the cooperation of the classroom teacher and the Title One Math teacher. This supplements classroom instruction.
Supplemental math instruction with the Title One Math teacher occurs in small groups, daily for approximately 45 minutes.
This can be illustrated as some students needing an “extra snack of math” during their day. We identify students in need of assistance and offer them extra instruction. The “main course” of math is not enough instruction for these students.
Title One Goals
- To diagnose and identify specific math problems in each eligible student
- To supplement and support (not replace) the classroom math instruction
- To foster an enjoyment of math and to encourage problem-solving as a leisure activity
- To develop a positive attitude and self-confidence by providing math success
- To formulate and implement plans that will improve students’ math skills
- To help each student acquire the skills needed to function in the classroom
- To obtain parental support and involvement in our program.
Student Identification Process
The opportunity to be a part of a Title One program is determined for each child and based on several pieces of information used by the Title One teacher including teacher recommendation, Fastbridge and iReady testing, and analysis of independent math behaviors. Students are then monitored throughout the school year to measure progress.
Enter Title One Program
A parent or guardian must sign the permission letter and send it back to the Title One teacher in order for their student to receive Title One services. If you elect to receive these services for your child, Math Essentials will take the place of an elective class.
Exit Title One Program
Students may exit the program at any time during the year. Students will be dismissed from the program by showing grade level performance in the classroom, grade level performance on assessments, and/or parent and teacher referral. The student will only be dismissed from the program after consultation with the classroom teacher, parent, student, and Title One teacher. A parent or guardian must sign the exit letter and send it back to the Title One teacher in order for their student to decline further Title One services.
Other Considerations:
Students with an IEP for reading are typically not served in the Title One program. Students whose parents object to their placement will not be served.
Math Connections
Mathematics
In preparation for 7th grade, students in the 6th grade will study The Number System, Expressions and Equations, Ratios and Proportional Relationships, Geometry, and Statistics and Probability. Students will spend appropriate time on each unit to ensure that the basics of Math are understood. Students’ academic progress will be reviewed by a series of formative and summative assessments given through-out the school year. Research-based data will be used in the decision making of student placement. Students will move between tiers and levels based on data.
Science
The 6th grade Earth and Space Science inquiry-based curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to understand the world they live in. Students will explore topics involving processes at work below the Earth’s surface, on the Earth’s surface, and in the atmosphere. These topics include, but are not limited to: plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, storms, climate, ocean processes, and the impact of humans on Earth. Students will also investigate our solar system; partnership of the sun, earth, and moon to create seasons, day and night, and eclipses. They will study Earth’s history as a planet. This course utilizes a hands-on approach to facilitate learning and discovery.
Social Studies
Students will learn about the geographical, political, social, and religious structure of the Stone Age, Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, China, Greece, and Rome. Students will learn about 5 major world religions whose roots began in ancient times. These include Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam.
Beginning Drama - 5th/6th Grade Drama (Elective)
Learn the ABC’s of drama in this fun interactive course that explores foundational aspects of theater. Students will be on stage acting, designing costumes, studying set design, and learning all the working pieces involved in creating a theatrical performance. This class will include a live performance.
Exploring Visual Arts (Elective)
This course is designed for students to explore and experience a variety of art techniques. This visual art class will explore the Elements of Art through a wide range of mediums, such as pencil, paint, marker, clay, and more! As this is an introduction to the elements, students will try out new techniques that may apply in later visual arts classes, both at the middle school and high school levels. Students will understand the process artists go through when creating art, including: planning, producing, and reflecting on art. Glimpses of art history and the investigation of other cultures will also be found throughout this semester-long class. This hands-on class will help students gain an outlet where they can express themselves and allow others to celebrate their wonderful creativity.
Outline:
Elements of art:
- Line
- Color
- Value
- Texture
- Space
- Shape
- Form
Art History:
- Recognizing (works of art, artists)
Art Criticism:
- Analyzing/Interpreting
- Explaining Ideas
Based on our Standards Based Instruction, Students will able to:
- Design project steps and criteria to reach an identified goal and investigate personally relevant content for art-making
- Demonstrate awareness of issues and ethics of appropriation as they create artworks and design
- Apply criteria to plan revisions for artwork or design
- Compare similarities and differences associated with preserving and presenting two dimensional, three-dimensional, and digital artwork
- Evaluate methods for preparing and presenting artwork based on criteria
- Explain and cite evidence about how exhibits reflect history and values of a community
- Explain how a person's aesthetic choices are influenced by culture and environment
- Collaborate to interpret artworks
- Develop criteria to evaluate artwork
- Use art to express ideas and current interests
- Distinguish different ways that artworks represent, establish, reinforce, and reflect group identity.
Intro to Family Consumer Science (FCS) (Elective)
Family Consumer Science is a class where students learn about many different topics that will influence their lives. Students will learn about kitchen safety, kitchen science, light cooking (with convection ovens), hand sewing, interior design, and cupcake wars. Students will learn about travel in relation to culture and food around the world. (Participation in some units will require at home cooking/baking to be brought into school). Students will plan and complete labs on the following topics:
- Consumer Education
- Education
- Fashion, Textiles, and Apparel
- Food and Nutrition
- Housing and Furnishings
- Individual and Family Health
- Leadership Development
$20.00 suggested donation to offset materials cost in the class.
Next Level Math (Elective)
Next Level Math is a year long elective class that is targeted towards students who are interested in learning above grade level mathematical concepts, willing to persevere in problem solving, and committed to building confidence in their mathematical abilities.
These students will also have the opportunity to compete in the Mathcounts Competition Series for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. It starts with school level practicing, then the Chapter or area competition at MSU. Qualifying students will move onto the State competition at Montana Tech in Butte and finally to the National competition.
***Students are required to have approval from Mr. McBride to enroll.
STEM (Elective)
Get ready to explore, design, and invent! In this hands-on STEM class, you’ll build like an engineer, code and control robots, and bring your ideas to life through sketching, computer modeling, and building. You'll also explore electricity and light with circuits and computer programming. Think, create, and solve problems like an engineer.
Spanish (Elective)
Join us in creating a community of Spanish speakers! Come and enjoy Spanish acquisition while we play games, dance, hear stories and get to know each other. You will be exploring the culture of the world’s 3rd most popular language through video, stories, and crafts. Don’t miss out on this wonderfully interactive class! It is also a great prep class for High School Spanish!
Beginning Band (Year) (Elective)
This class is designed specifically for students who have never played in band before! This class will start with all of the foundational elements with the intention that students who did not start band in 5th grade can join the more advanced ensembles in the future.
Students will perform two evening concerts during the school year.
By participating in a band ensemble, the goal of the Belgrade Middle School band program is to develop the values of hard work and self-discipline, create and appreciate aesthetic beauty, learn how to learn and problem solve, and exercise group skills to work toward a common goal.
Instruments permitted in this course are:
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- Baritone/Euphonium
- Percussion
Please contact Mr. Binder if you have questions about instrument selection. kbinder@bsd44.org
Intermediate Band (Elective)
6/7/8(year) (Prerequisite = 5th Grade Band or Beginning 6/7/8 and/or permission from director)
Intermediate Band is intended for students with one year of band experience. This class offers the opportunity to participate in an instrumental music program dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in music through performance. Students participate in daily full-band rehearsals. Students perform two evening concerts during the school year.
Choir (6th Grade) (Elective)
This beginning choir experience is all about growing your love for singing music! Students will engage in fun games and activities to learn skills to become better vocalists and sing as a group. We learn a variety of music from current pop tunes to old classics as well as traditional choral pieces. The class is designed to engage the learners with their musical interests while embedding important music concepts. Students will have a minimum of 3 performances each year with the final performance, the Pop Concert, being student driven with song selections and groups. This course is a great way to start singing and gain confidence!
Drums, Keyboards, & Ukuleles (Elective)
Students will be able to get hands-on experience making music while playing drums, keyboards and ukuleles. During the drumming unit, students will prepare African and Latin drum ensembles using hand drums and other percussion instruments. The keyboard unit will introduce students to the basics of playing piano and reading notation. The last unit, students will learn to play ukulele including playing melodies and chords. The semester will end with a performance to share the new skills they have gained with their parents.
Intermediate Orchestra (Elective)
This course is designed for students with one or more years playing a string instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass), mostly 6th graders. 6th-8th grade students who have never played a string instrument are encouraged to join this class as well. We will begin with a quick review of beginning orchestra skills, then move on to more advanced techniques. Students in this class will study Rock, Fiddle, Jazz, Classical, Mariachi, and other musical styles. Students enrolled in this course are invited to participate in Belgrade’s Rock Orchestra Club.
Advanced Orchestra (Elective)
This course is designed for students with two or more years of experience playing their instrument (violin, viola, cello, or bass). We will be exploring advancing techniques, and more challenging (and FUN) pieces as we prepare for the transition to Belgrade High School Orchestra. We will continue our study of Rock, Fiddle, Jazz, Classical, and Mariachi styles while adding Baroque, Renaissance, Country, Pop, and more! Students enrolled in this course are encouraged to participate in Belgrade’s Rock Orchestra Club in order to continue to grow their skills.
***To be in this class you must have approval from Mrs. Stone.