CCA Sixth Grade Curriculum

Bible
Theme/Master
New Testament Epistles—Acts to Revelation

Description:
This class is a graded course and is intended to build the students’ love of scripture and knowledge of the historical events and context of the NewTestament early church. Emphasis is placed on practical application through teacher-led devotions and memorization of key passages aimed at building character and godliness.  

This is done through: 
• Bible reading and note-taking
• Research work by small groups and individuals on specific projects
• Integration with art, geography, history, and literature
• Dedicated memory work time during the “memory period”
• Guest speakers (when applicable)
• Teacher-led devotionals
• Discussion
• Answering written and oral questions about scriptural text
• Prayer and confession

Grammar
Theme/Master
How do the parts of grammar fit together to help us communicate?

Question: 
This course completes the grammar school study of formal English grammar as well as the fundamentals of composition. Students master parts of speech and apply their knowledge of words to form strong written and oral compositions. This study lays essential groundwork for future lessons in logic and rhetoric and is a key part of the overall curriculum.

This is done through: 
• Primarily large-group instruction in parsing-classifying sentences/grammar
• Reviewing all basic grammar instruction through repeated chants, jingles, and applications
• Individual instruction and editing
• Using imitation of well-written works to teach writing skills
• Integration with other subjects in writing / oral presentations
• Frequent creative, poetic, and analytical writing exercises involving the elements of a story, connected with literature/history reading
• Peer editing and student presentations on composition work

Spelling/Penmanship
Theme/Master
How is a mental discipline such as spelling and an art such as penmanship useful to every student?

Question: 
God reveals Himself as a God of order.

Description:
This course completes the grammar school study of linguistics, including spelling, handwriting, and basic grammar and composition. Students master parts of speech and apply their knowledge of words to form strong written and oral compositions. This study lays essential groundwork for future lessons in logic and rhetoric and is a key part of the overall curriculum. (See also Grammar / Composition.)

This is done through: 
• Primarily large-group instruction in parsing-classifying sentences/grammar
• Review of all basic grammar instruction through repeated chants, jingles and applications
• Individual instruction and editing
• Use imitation of well-written works to teach writing skills
• Integration with other subjects in writing / oral presentations
• Frequent creative writing exercises involving the elements of story connected with literature / reading
• Dedicated memory work time during the “memory period;”
• Peer editing and student presentations on composition work.

Theme
How do the experiences of people throughout time relate to me today?

Question: 
What happens in our minds when we read? 

Description:
This course helps students improve their reading skills and understanding of literature, as well as the application of literary skills preparing them for further study in the school of logic. Sixth-grade literature focuses primarily on American-themed pieces tying in with the study of American history.  

This is done through: 
• primarily reading and discussion-oriented classes, based on individual orin-class readings
• Debates, recitations, reading worksheets, and student presentations
• Focus on literary devices, techniques, and elements of story
• Lecture and discussion, particularly as introductory material or historical framework requires
• Viewing and discussing pertinent works of art, literature, music, and poetry
• Discussing and imitating great poetry
• Class begins each day with a brief activity, questions to consider, or written response designed to focus the class discussion and prepare students for the lesson.

Math
Theme/Master
How do mathematics reflect the ordered world of God’s creation and his immutable, logical character?

Question: 
Do numbers help us to understand things better?

Description:
This course completes the grammar school study of mathematics and introduces basic algebraic concepts, preparing students for further study in the school of logic. Students should demonstrate an increasing understanding that God gave us numbers and mathematical systems to help us in life and to also help us understand His immutable(unchangeable) and logical character.  

This is done through: 
• Teaching primarily lectures and coaching, presenting new material and reviewing with the class using individual whiteboards at the desk, followed by working with students individually and in small groups to practice problem-solving strategies and conceptual thinking about math
• Math is connected as often as possible to real-life situations and challenges
• Emphasis is placed on the logical evaluation of how and why math works
• Math drills and games
• Class begins each day with a brief activity, questions to consider, or a math drill to prepare for the lesson or review.

History/Geography
Theme/Master
The United States of America from its founding to the present day.

Question: 
This course completes the grammar school study of history, focusing primarily on America’s founding and the subsequent events leading up to the present day. An emphasis is placed on examining primary source documents and telling the story of the United States through the eyes of its leading characters. Students should be familiar with the most essentialAmerican historical events and locations.   

This is done through:
• Primarily reading- and discussion-oriented classes, based on individual orin-class readings as well as lectures
• Debates, recitations, reading or history card worksheets, and student presentations
• Viewing and discussing pertinent works of art, literature, music, and poetry
• Class begins each day with a brief activity, questions to consider, or written response designed to focus the class discussion and prepare students for the lesson
• Research work by small groups and individuals on specific projects
• Field trips to related sites and museum exhibits
• Building models, making drawings, writing stories, playing games, and making collections and displays.