6th Grade at L-Dub

Language arts

The language arts class offers students a chance to grapple with big topics like identity and community while teaching skills in reading strategies, comprehension, and writing. In addition to learning the conventions of literary analysis and essay writing, students use creative writing to discover more about themselves and communicate those understandings clearly to others. Throughout the year, students practice vocabulary based on the units, build academic writing skills by crafting claim paragraphs, strengthen active reading skills with annotations and reading responses, and discuss texts through Socratic Seminar-style discussions. 

Social Studies

The social studies class focuses on learning and practicing historical research, thinking, and analysis as well as geography and writing skills.  Exploring the ancient civilizations of world history, sixth graders survey prehistory, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Africa, India, China, Greece, 

Rome and the Americas. By examining the elements of a culture, students compare and contrast various forms of government and social structure while also learning about the arts and culture of these significant historical eras. This course uses group projects and presentations as well as individual writing and research assignments to hone skills in analysis and thesis development. Throughout the social studies curriculum, students engage in making connections between ancient civilizations and modern issues in world history.

Science

Science at L-Dub is framed by the following four questions: How do scientists work together? How do scientists ask questions and find answers? How does science connect to your life? How do scientists make sense of "failure"?
 

Sixth-grade science focuses on life sciences. Students explore the nature of science and discover mental tools scientists use as they begin to develop their own scientific identities. In class, students focus on making observations, inferences, and asking questions. The year begins with an investigation of cells and how the parts and processes of cells differ between plants and animals. As the year progresses, our focus shifts to studying individual organisms, populations, and ecosystems. Students develop their scientific communication skills by practicing making claims, displaying data, and explaining their thinking. We investigate topics related to natural selection, adaptation, and evolution. The year concludes with case studies on how humans impact ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest. Throughout each unit, students complete in-class models and activities, labs, and several readings to construct evidence-based explanations to our essential questions. Students are assessed through unit quizzes, presentations, discussions, lab reports, in-class assignments, collaboration, and participation.

math

The focus for sixth-grade math is to develop problem-solving practices, increase number sense, and ensure that students have strong mental calculation skills. Throughout the school year, we will review, practice, apply, and grow our understanding of  fraction and decimal calculation, computation with negative numbers, using ratios and proportions, and applying percentages. Students will also begin introductory work with algebraic concepts involving variables, simplifying expressions, and solving equations and inequalities. They will also study new ideas involving data and geometric figures. Students will be assessed using regular exit tickets, checkpoints, and quizzes. Assessments in the form of tests or projects will occur each unit. 

STEAM

The LWGMS STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) curriculum seeks to produce creative problem-solvers who are undeterred by failure. STEAM class is designed not only to excite students about engineering, technology, science, and math but also to allow them to apply their knowledge of those disciplines in a creative, hands-on way. Each STEAM project connects to content from students’ art, math, and science classes and exposes students to design thinking, coding, robotics, woodshop, and maker space tools, and circuitry. In this once-a-week class, students collaborate with their peers to solve design challenges and build prototypes, developing their interpersonal and project management skills. Students are assessed on their final product, reflections on and engagement in the design and building stages, collaboration, and participation.

Spanish

The focus for sixth grade Spanish is to develop skills for new language learners, introduce students to the diversity, history, and current events of the Spanish-speaking world, and foster an appreciation for the relevance of the Spanish language in students’ lives and communities. Students consider how and why language learning benefits an individual and society, and ask what role multilingualism has played - and could play - in the United States. Throughout the year, students develop and strengthen their language skills while learning about the context of the language and the cultures that speak it. 

 

In sixth grade, students operate in the present tense building oral and written communication and interpretation skills. They develop a foundation with basic grammatical structures and an introductory vocabulary. Through the use of communication- and task-based activities, movement and games, songs, projects, and partner and group work, students practice and apply their Spanish. Students have regular homework practice, and they are assessed both formally and informally through daily class activities, skill checks, performance tasks, and written unit assessments.  

Visual Arts

In this course, students will learn to use a variety of art tools and techniques, as well as explore the elements of art and principles of design to create original works of art with a focus on both process and product. Furthermore, students will learn about art history and develop a vocabulary to discuss and critically examine works of art and make connections to the world around them. Throughout the year, students will work with ink, pencil, sculpture, fiber, paint, and printmaking. Students will also engage in a feedback process to give thoughtful and constructive feedback to peers, and apply feedback as they develop their own artworks. At the end of the year, student work is displayed at the annual art show. Students are assessed on craft, feedback, production, and learning behaviors.

Theater Arts

The Theatre Arts program at LWGMS is an opportunity for students to work together as they build strong voices, strong minds, and strong bodies. Through script analysis, interpretation, and memorization, students develop strong minds; by learning to perform on stage, students develop strong voices; and finally, through learning to use physical movements to express emotion and meaning, students develop strong bodies.

 

The Theatre Arts program also provides opportunities for students to practice teamwork and leadership skills. As members of a cast and crew, the students must learn to work together and be responsible on both an individual level as well as for the entire group. In addition to performing as actors, students take on leadership roles in stage management, lighting, sound, set design, assisting the director, and choreographing musical numbers. To showcase their new theater skills, students perform a one-act show for the school community. The sixth-grade production is an event that relies on teamwork and peer support for success; consequently, with every show, the students learn to work cohesively and collaboratively. The process of creating a show is filled with opportunities for social and emotional learning and the personal growth that results from meeting challenges and taking appropriate risks. Students are assessed based on their mastery of basic theatre skills such as memorization, projection, dictation, and audience awareness. 

martial arts

The Martial Arts program is taught by experienced instructors from Quantum Martial Arts. Throughout their martial arts training, students are required to express their strength through a “kihap” or “spirit yell” when they perform their forms and techniques – a literal exercise in strengthening their voices. Students perform techniques alone, in partner drills, and with targets. Students are encouraged to explore and discuss body mechanics as they learn. The students regularly engage in discussions regarding the tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. Each term culminates in a “test” where students perform what they have learned and advance to the next rank. These tests are not linked to technical proficiency, but rather are a celebration of the strengths gained by each individual.

Physical education

The goal of the physical education (PE) program is to help develop strong, confident, and well-balanced individuals. Students participate in a variety of physical activities and learn the role movement plays in their overall health and well being. Each student takes three terms of PE and may take additional fitness-related courses through L-Dub enrichment programs. Each grade level will progress from basic large motor skills to smaller motor skills utilizing more compound movements. Sixth grade is expected to learn form, body awareness, and a basic understanding of healthy behaviors. Students will be able to demonstrate and explain various activities and the role these movements play in building and maintaining healthy lifestyles, while creating and tracking their individual SMART goals. Students are assessed on learning behaviors in daily lessons as well as on the overall progress they have made for each skill.

Mind, Body, Voice

Our Mind, Body, Voice class will be taught as a trimester class. Sixth grade students will take the MBV class first trimester and will begin their middle school experience building community with classmates, and learning about organization and time management with direct instruction on how to use the L-Dub planner. During the MBV class, all students will have the opportunity to build community, set goals and intentions for the year, learn about adolescent brain development and how this translates to behavior and skill acquisition during their specific developmental period of adolescence. Moreover, all students will learn about the importance of executive function skills and how best to organize themselves in school. In addition, topics focused on social-emotional learning such as self-awareness, self-management and emotional regulation, personal values, social awareness, empathy and perspective taking, decision making, relationship skills, puberty and health, and identity will be covered. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on and explore their knowledge of themselves as individuals, to learn about their peers, and to understand how they have an impact on their community. Classes will be a combination of lecture, group discussion, and journal entries. 

Electives

L-Dub offers a variety of electives based on student interest and teacher expertise. The goal of this enrichment program is to provide students with skills and opportunities beyond their regular academic program. The design of the enrichment program reflects the belief that students should have choice in their learning and opportunities to explore and expand their individual interests, skills, and passions. L-Dub enrichment classes are often project-based, and they allow students to create products to publish, perform, or display in class. The enrichment program gives students opportunities to work in groups and on subject matter that relates to real-world experiences. These classes rotate three times per year and students are assessed on learning behaviors.

In the current trimester, we offer the following electives: 

  • Art
  • STEAM
  • Coding
  • Current Events
  • Model UN
  • Geometry
  • Journalism
  • Yearbook

 

 

 

 

"I have the opportunity to get a ton of support from my teachers so I can make sure I understand the content."

 
 

 

 

"L-Dub feels like home."

"People at L-Dub are really open-minded and making friends is a really positive experience."