Sixth Grade

Autonomy & Advocacy

In sixth grade, students deepen their integration into middle school, building the independence and skills they will need for 7th and 8th grade and beyond.

They experience more autonomy, such as selecting a world language to focus on, encouraging ownership of their education and the confidence to advocate for their unique learning needs.

Students strengthen personal organization and collaboration across all subjects, guided by a growth mindset. By the end of the year, they have a strong foundation of skills and knowledge, preparing them to thrive as leaders in our middle school community.

ETHICS & EQUITY

Our sixth grade Ethics & Equity curriculum promotes diversity, empathy, and inclusivity through community-based problem-solving, collaborative play, and project-based learning.

Students explore topics like race, social dynamics, and microaggressions, examining how perceptions shape interactions. Using the graphic novel New Kid by Jerry Craft, they engage in meaningful discussions, distinguishing between impact and intent while strengthening their understanding of equity.

For Black History Month, students create digital posters celebrating key figures, deepening their appreciation for Black contributions to history.

In the spring, the curriculum shifts to sex-ed/health, following Washington State standards. Key topics include self-care, anatomy, reproduction, healthy relationships, and challenging gender stereotypes. This comprehensive approach fosters empathy, confidence, and inclusivity in our school community.

HUMANITIES

Students in costume participating in a Columbus Trial

In sixth grade humanities, students dive into historical themes and the impact of perspective, power, and expression on society. They begin with Cause and Consequence, learning how different viewpoints and unintended outcomes shape historical events. In Colonialism At Large, students examine cultural influences on U.S. history, using texts and sources to build strong, multi-perspective arguments.

With Expansion and Power, they investigate the effects of U.S. expansion and power dynamics, followed by The Governments All Around, where they compare the U.S. government’s structure to others worldwide. Revolution and Change explores the transformative effects of revolutions, and in Poetry and Protest, students discover how language and art have served as tools for social change.

Together, these units teach students to think critically, appreciate diverse perspectives, and understand the historical forces that shape our world.

MATH

Students tackle foundational concepts that prepare them for advanced math and practical problem-solving. They begin with Ratios, Rates, and Percents, using real-world contexts to explore and compare ratios. Moving into Operations with Fractions and Multi-Digit Numbers, they work with fraction division and factors to enhance their problem-solving skills.

As they progress to Rational Numbers, students expand their understanding to include positive and negative numbers, absolute values, and coordinate graphing. Expressions and One-Step Equations introduces them to algebra, teaching them to translate real-world situations into mathematical expressions.

In Area, Surface Area, and Volume, students apply geometric formulas in practical scenarios, while Statistics equips them with data analysis skills, covering concepts like mean, median, and interquartile range. This well-rounded approach builds confidence and a strong mathematical foundation.

SCIENCE

In sixth grade science at Westside School, students dive into Earth, space, and engineering through hands-on, inquiry-based projects. They start with The Moon and Beyond, studying our solar system and exploring the potential for life beyond Earth. In the NASA Engineering Project, they learn about survival in space and apply engineering principles to real-world problems.

For the Science Fair, students conduct personalized experiments, honing their research and presentation skills. In Geologic Processes, they examine Earth’s dynamic surface, from plate tectonics to natural hazards. Finally, the Earthquake Building Challenge has them design and test structures that can withstand earthquakes, blending science and engineering in a powerful learning experience.

WORLD LANGUAGE

When it came time for our oldest to start middle school our immediate priority became finding the best option for him. Out of the number of schools that we visited, Westside stood out having superior facilities, enlightened staff, and programs aimed at developing strong character like compassion and respect, leadership and academic discipline affording students the opportunity to succeed to their highest level."

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