Sixth grade at Edmund Burke is a thematically integrated program of studies designed to help students grow as self-directed learners and to serve as a transition between the self-contained classrooms of elementary schools and the more discipline-based approach of middle and high schools.  The curriculum centers on research, involving hands-on investigation, field trips and real-world problems stemming from the question “Where am I?”—in my new school, in Washington, DC, in the Chesapeake Bay region, in the United States and in the universe. The students and their teachers identify specific questions for study and skills to be developed within the larger themes set for the year. The many long-term projects and presentations reflect each student’s personal interests.

Students will explore a range of topics in music, drama, and other performing arts in this yearlong class. Students work to develop social-emotional and other skills needed to successfully engage in group performance work. Activities include note reading and rhythm basics, exposure to performing art forms from a variety of musical genres and styles from around the world, viewing and assessing different types of performances, and theater games.

The emphasis of this beginning French course is the growth of all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing). Students’ simple narrative and descriptive abilities in the present tense are developed through music, role-playing and story telling. By the end of the year, a student who completes French 6 should be able to hold basic conversations about school, meals, family & friends, and express likes and dislikes. In addition to language acquisition, the course aims to broaden the students’ understanding of the cultures and customs of the francophone world.

Math 6 helps students to develop their number sense, problem solving, higher-order thinking, and discovery of the connections among math, science and the world around us.  The math concepts and skills that students practice include: estimation, order of operations, decimal and fraction operations, data and graphing, relating fractions, decimals and percents, measurement, divisibility, ratio, and proportion.  Students begin to practice algebraic thinking by using equations to model problems and by solving equations using a manipulative approach called "Hands-on Equations".  Throughout the year Math 6 challenges each student to grow and gain confidence as a mathematician.

Students in the 6th grade take a daily yearlong physical education course. In addition, 6th grade students may participate in athletics. In physical education, students learn the principles of fitness and receive guidance in making healthy choices in their lives. Each yearlong course emphasizes the spirit of play, cooperation and the need for work and practice. Through physical education, students increase their individual levels of physical fitness, build self-esteem, explore the idea of lifelong sports and further their cognitive and social development.  Activities include soccer, floor hockey, badminton, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, basketball, softball and the students’ invented games.

In sixth grade students activate their sense of wonder and discover the world through Earth Science. We explore the geosphere (land), hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air & climate), and biosphere (living things) of the local Chesapeake Bay region, as well as the wider world, before launching into outer space. Along the way, the course emphasizes the power of science in understanding the world around us and celebrates the diversity of methods scientists use to advance that goal. Varied projects and activities require students to think and act as scientists by observing, questioning, predicting, collecting and analyzing data, drawing conclusions, communicating results and ideas, problem-solving, and engaging in cooperative learning.

The emphasis of this beginning Spanish course is the growth of all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing). Students’ simple narrative and descriptive abilities in the present tense are developed through music, role-playing and story telling. By the end of the year, a student who completes Spanish 6 should be able to hold basic conversations about school, meals, family & friends, and express likes and dislikes. In addition to language acquisition, the course aims to broaden the students’ understanding of the cultures and customs of the Spanish-speaking world.