MS Departments & Courses

6

(scroll to the bottom down for course descriptions)

6th Grade
is a thematically integrated program designed to help students grow as self-directed learners and to serve as a transition between the self-contained classrooms of elementary school and the discipline-based approach of middle and high schools.

The curriculum involves 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. 

Community building, appreciation for the natural world, and stewardship of that world are at the heart of the 6th grade program.

Middle School Departments:

ENGLISH lays the foundation for a lifelong love of reading and writing, as well as success in high school English. We foster depth, self-awareness, exploration, and experimentation in the writing process, and variety, relevance, and excitement in reading. Courses emphasize analysis, discussions, collaborative projects, creative writing, and skill building through challenging and joyful practice.

* 6th Graders all engage in a “Core” curriculum that encompasses the humanities, literature, history, and storytelling.

HISTORY: program encompasses American history, DC history, and world geography and cultures, with a focus on research-based projects, often rooted in real-world challenges and problems. Students build skills in reading text and graphic sources, research, writing (analytical and creative), presentation, debate, and discussion. Burke’s DC location enables regular field trips to our city’s cultural, religious, political, and diplomatic institutions, as well as local businesses.

MATH: every student can succeed in mathematics. Our teachers make each course accessible and appropriately challenging. Our approach fosters student motivation and responsibility by emphasizing mathematical reasoning and real-world problems. We focus on classroom involvement, orderly thinking, and presentation of work.

* Starting in 7th Grade, we offer 2-3 pathways in math. Students are able to move from one pathway to another as their interest in and comfort with math develops.

SCIENCE: students develop scientific habits of mind and the skills to wonder, observe, predict, collect and analyze data, solve problems, and communicate results and ideas cogently. Students work together to solve problems and answer questions using design-thinking and scientific processes – and they rarely remain seated. Science classes make frequent use of Rock Creek Park and our nearby trails, as well as the dedicated Middle School lab and outdoor spaces around the school. We embrace the “maker movement,” providing students with a variety of materials for designing, building, and manipulating. 

WORLD LANGUAGE: courses enable students to develop listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in their chosen language. Our faculty develop a collaborative, risk-taking classroom culture that focuses on creative and flexible thinking. Our methods include skits, discussions, storytelling, reading, and games, along with videos, songs, art, news stories, podcasts, telenovelas, and authentic literary sources. We use the language outside the classroom through field trips to the Mexican Cultural Institute, French Embassy,  Maison Française, and National Gallery of Art, as well as through cooking classes, student clubs, and service learning.

* Students can choose between French and Spanish in Middle School.

MS - ARTS
Visual Arts: hands-on explorations with an array of media and techniques are the core of our program, paired with field trips to DC’s many museums and galleries. Students begin by learning the principles of 2-D and 3-D composition in 6th grade, and the creation of 2-dimensional space in 7th, before choosing among myriad electives in 8th grade – from ceramics to filmmaking.

Vocal & Instrumental Music offer options for emerging and experienced musicians to perform a variety of works while learning the fundamentals of music. Choruses and bands practice during class and perform throughout the year, including in assemblies and concerts.

Theater offers drama classes for all students during 6th and 7th grades, and students may choose to continue taking a Drama class during 8th grade. A Middle School play or musical takes place in the spring after school. Burke’s "no cut" policy ensures that everyone who wishes to act or work backstage has the opportunity to do so.

MS - HEALTH, VALUES & ETHICS
Our "HVE" program is comprehensive and progressive, helping students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to develop and maintain healthy minds, bodies, and relationships. Health educators support and nurture physical health and mental wellness. Our sexuality education programs model and teach compassion, respect, and justice.

* 6th Grade main topics: (1) Being a Good Member of a Community, (2) Building and Maintaining Friendships, (3) Puberty and Adolescence

MS - PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The primary goal is for every student to learn, contribute, and have fun, while feeling physically and emotionally safe. Our PE classes: refine motor skill; develop game strategies; foster student cooperation and teamwork. In our current schedule, MS students have PE every other day for 75 minutes.
  • 6th Grade Core

    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.
  • Art Explorations 6

    In this class students will explore different types of visual arts over the course of the year.

    First trimester students will learn to use drawing techniques such as shading and perspective to imply dimension and shadow.
    Projects include:
     
    - Drawing from still life
    - Drawing landscapes using 1 point perspective
    - Drawing portraits using facial proportions
    - Calligraphy and illuminated manuscripts
     

    Second trimester students will learn hand building ceramic techniques such as pinching, coiling, and slab building to create both functional and sculptural works of ceramic art.

    Third trimester students will learn to create sculptures using a variety of media.
    Projects include:
     
    - Wire sculpture
    - Land art
    - Paper maché
    - Found object sculpture
  • Diving In 6

    Students will experience the performing arts of music and drama in this yearlong class.  They will learn the basics of instrumental music, vocal music, and working as an ensemble in drama. The class may also include projects in music composition and production, and experiencing various other art forms.
  • French 6

    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

    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.
  • Middle School Play

    We encourage all members of the middle school to join for this production, bringing together students in grades six through eight for a blend of work and fun after school. The ensemble meets daily after spring break and the play goes up in May. Past productions have included Annie, Legally Blonde, High School Musical, The Lion King, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
  • PE 6

    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.
  • Science 6

    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.
  • Spanish 6

    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.

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Amy Cataldo

    Amy Cataldo 

    MS Dean of Special Programs/Co-Director of Leadership Development/Science Dept Chair/MS Science
    202-362-8882 x671
    LeMoyne College - BA
    College of William & Mary - M.Ed
  • Photo of Sean Felix

    Sean Felix 

    6th Grade Dean / Core Teacher / HVE Department Chair
    202-362-8882 x231
    Georgetown University - BA
    Graduate Theological Union - MA
  • Photo of Susan Hearn

    Susan Hearn 

    Head of Middle School
    202 362-8882 x628
    UNC Chapel Hill - B.A.
    University of Florida - M.A.
Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.