6th Grade Curriculum Outline (Words Only)

Parent-facing planning outline. For DBM’s full scope & sequence, visit: https://www.dbmlearningacademy.com/compliance/general/compliance/curriculum.php

English Language Arts

Citing Textual Evidence

• Quote or paraphrase precisely; use signal phrases and parenthetical page/paragraph refs.
• Differentiate relevant vs. irrelevant evidence; explain how evidence supports claims.

Argumentative Writing

• Clear claim, logical reasons, credible evidence, and counterclaim with rebuttal.
• Use transitions (consequently, however, in contrast) and maintain formal tone.
• Conclude by synthesizing key points and implications.

Grammar & Sentence Structure

• Expand/condense sentences; vary simple/compound/complex forms for effect.
• Pronoun–antecedent agreement; active vs. passive voice; commas with clauses and nonrestrictive elements.

Analyzing Literary Elements

• Character arcs, conflict types, setting as catalyst; analyze how plot advances theme.
• Point of view and narrator reliability; text–to–text comparisons of structure and tone.

Theme & Author’s Purpose

• Infer theme from multiple details; distinguish message vs. moral vs. main idea.
• Author’s purpose (inform, persuade, entertain, explain) and how choices serve it.

Cursive, Notes & Rhetoric (Level 6)

• Maintain fluent cursive for multi-paragraph work; headings and consistent spacing.
• Cornell/outline notes from texts and lectures; summarize in 2–3 sentences.
• Rhetorical basics: claim, reason, evidence, explanation (C-R-E-E) in short writes.

Keyboarding, Research & Media Literacy

• Target 30–35+ WPM with accuracy; draft multi-paragraph essays digitally.
• Evaluate sources (authority, currency, bias); track citations (Author, Title, Site, URL, Date).
• Recognize misinformation techniques; cross-check facts before citing.

Mathematics

Ratios & Proportions

• Write/interpret ratios; solve unit rate and percent problems (tax, tip, discount).
• Use tables, tape diagrams, double number lines, and equations.

Integers & Rational Numbers

• Locate integers/rationals on the number line; compare/order with <, >, =.
• Add/subtract integers using models and rules; apply to elevation/temperature contexts.

Expressions & Equations

• Write/simplify expressions; evaluate with substitution; properties (commutative, associative, distributive).
• Solve one-step and simple two-step equations/inequalities; represent solutions on number lines.

Area, Surface Area & Volume

• Area of triangles, quadrilaterals, polygons by composition/decomposition.
• Surface area via nets; volume of right rectangular prisms (V = l × w × h).

Statistics & Data

• Populations vs. samples; design a fair sample; display data (dot plots, histograms, box plots intro).
• Center & spread (mean/median, range, MAD conceptually); interpret in context with claims.

Coordinate Plane & Patterns (add-on)

• Graph in all four quadrants; analyze relationships from tables to graphs.

Science

Cells & Microorganisms

• Cell theory; basic organelles and functions; unicellular vs. multicellular life.
• Microscope skills; safe slide prep; record observations with labeled diagrams.

Human Body Systems

• Digestive, circulatory, respiratory, muscular, skeletal, nervous—structures and interactions.
• Homeostasis examples and lifestyle factors (sleep, nutrition, activity).

Forces & Motion

• Net force, balanced/unbalanced forces; friction and gravity; speed vs. velocity.
• Plan/graph simple motion investigations; discuss error and variables.

Earth’s History & Systems

• Geologic time scale overview; fossils and rock layers; plate tectonics basics.
• Spheres interactions (geo/hydro/atmo/bio) and human impact.

Energy Transfer

• Thermal, electrical, sound, and light energy; conduction/convection/radiation.
• Design insulated container or simple circuit to test energy transfer.

Scientific & Engineering Practices (add-on)

• Ask, model, investigate, analyze, compute, argue from evidence, and communicate clearly.

Social Studies

World Geography & Culture

• Physical/political maps; regions, climate zones, biomes; human–environment interaction.
• Case studies of culture (language, religion, foodways, arts) with respectful comparisons.

Ancient Civilizations

• Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, China, Mesoamerica: geography, governance, economy, belief systems.
• Technologies and legacies; continuity and change over time.

Government Systems

• Monarchy, democracy, republic, authoritarian systems—structures, rights, responsibilities.
• Compare civic participation across systems; pros/cons discussions with evidence.

Economics & Resources

• Scarcity, opportunity cost, supply/demand; trade networks and specialization.
• Personal finance basics: budgets, saving goals, wise consumer choices.

Historical Sources & Inquiry

• Primary vs. secondary sources; corroborate across accounts; detect bias and perspective.
• Create timelines; write short evidence-based explanations with citations.

Logic, Problem-Solving & Projects

• Weekly logic/problem sets (rate/ratio puzzles, integer mazes, argument maps) with written justifications.
• Monthly cross-curricular projects: cell city model, energy transfer build, ancient culture museum, global trade simulation.
• Presentations with slides; cite sources, use speaker notes, and handle Q&A professionally.

Tech & Creation (optional enrichments)

• Coding beginnings (Scratch or Python basics): variables, loops, events.
• Data viz from class surveys using spreadsheets or simple charts; interpret findings.

For DBM’s complete scope and samples across grades, visit: https://www.dbmlearningacademy.com/compliance/general/compliance/curriculum.php