6th Grade Launch
Our Launch courses are designed for our sixth-grade students in order for them to learn and strengthen the skills that are necessary for success in Middle School. Students will rotate among all Launch courses throughout the school year.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CONNECTIONS
Math Connections is an enrichment math course designed to supplement the instruction of our math curriculum. The course will be taught by teachers in the math department in a differentiated workshop format. This course will provide our students and teachers with the opportunity to work in small groups and one-on-one hands-on enrichment to increase math skills and assist with building math confidence.
READING WORKSHOP
Reading Workshop is a sixth-grade course that aligns with our Language Arts course in that it focuses on building reading comprehension and fluency skills. Over the course of the year, students will read from a variety of texts and genres to expand and deepen their abilities to process texts effectively. This course is designed to prepare students for increasing reading tasks and build comprehension strategies in the hopes of developing life-long readers.
SIXTH GRADE SEMINAR
This course is designed to introduce the necessary skills for student success at Maclay Middle School as they learn about our student handbook. Students will learn the importance of organization, study and note-taking skills, and character qualities. Study skill topics include organization, note-taking, prioritizing, how to study, time management, and test-taking skills. Character development topics include cyber safety, honesty, integrity, courtesy, cooperation, compassion, and trustworthiness.
SIXTH GRADE COMPUTER SCIENCE
The emphasis in sixth-grade Computer Science is placed on essential user proficiencies, including file management, Microsoft Office & keyboarding, as well as an introduction/continuation of Coding and Computational Thinking through Code.org and Scratch. Digital Citizenship, Online Safety, and Cyberbullying are key topics, as well as an open discussion ‘Tech Talk’ where students share their experiences and opinions/advice about various technologies.
SIXTH GRADE WELLNESS
Our Wellness course is taught by our Middle School Guidance Counselor. Students will learn about the importance of understanding their body and mind, and how to navigate through new middle school experiences. From stress management and sleep to overall wellbeing, we will explore personal health, health-related attitudes and beliefs, and individual health behaviors.
EXPRESSIONS
Sixth Grade Expressions is a writing enrichment course that is part of the sixth grade World Language Wheel. Students will tackle a variety of different forms of writing, ultimately creating a writing portfolio. For example, students will write a narrative that will have them composing a brand-new version of a classic fairy tale, making sure to provide a major twist. As the course name indicates, artistic expression is at the heart of the matter, but we will also be reinforcing important grammar and writing concepts from language arts class. We will emphasize proofreading and editing, and students will often engage with peer groups for feedback.