6A-ELAR
The 6th-grade ELA curriculum, built on the SpringBoard program, emphasizes critical reading, writing, and analytical skills through engaging and diverse texts. Students master narrative, explanatory, and argumentative writing, focusing on structure, creativity, and coherence. Highlights include personal narratives, short stories, research presentations, and debates. Collaborative and reflective activities guide students in exploring themes of change, conflict, and ethics, fostering effective communication and literary appreciation.
Reading, Speaking, and Listening:
-Analyze literary elements, informational texts, and diverse media.
-Apply reading strategies for both fiction and nonfiction.
-Engage effectively in discussions and collaborative activities.
-Use textual evidence to support ideas.
Writing:
-Develop skills in narrative, explanatory, argumentative, and research writing.
-Create well-structured essays, personal narratives, short stories, and letters.
-Use proper grammar, sentence variety, and vocabulary.
Language Skills:
-Understand and apply literary devices such as characterization, plot, setting, and theme.
-Practice grammar elements, including punctuation, sentence types, and pronoun usage.
-Enhance writing with vivid verbs, transitions, and figurative language.
Character Development:
-Explore themes of change, conflict, and growth.
-Reflect on ethical and societal issues through texts and writing assignments.
-Collaborate on creative projects like storyboards and visual displays.
6th Grade Accelerated Math Overview
At Horizon Leadership Academy, the 6th Grade Accelerated Math curriculum, aligned with TEKS and powered by Savvas enVision Mathematics, challenges students to build a deep understanding of mathematical concepts while developing problem-solving and reasoning skills. This accelerated program prepares students for 7th Grade Advanced Math and future success in Algebra I.
Students explore ratios, rates, and percentages, applying proportional reasoning to real-world problems. They strengthen their understanding of fractions, decimals, integers, and rational numbers, performing multi-step operations with accuracy and fluency. Algebraic thinking is developed through simplifying expressions and solving one-step equations and inequalities, while geometry units focus on area, volume, and surface area of two- and three-dimensional figures.
The curriculum also introduces statistical reasoning and probability, teaching students to collect, analyze, and interpret data using measures such as mean, median, and range. Through hands-on lessons, visual models, and interactive technology, students build confidence, critical thinking, and a strong foundation for advanced middle school math pathways.
6th Grade Science Overview
The 6th Grade Accelerated Science curriculum, aligned with TEKS and supported by FOSS Next Generation resources, introduces students to essential concepts in physical science, life science, Earth science, and environmental science. This comprehensive program emphasizes hands-on investigations, critical thinking, and real-world applications.
By the end of the year, students will have developed the ability to analyze energy transformations, understand the properties of matter, and differentiate between physical and chemical changes. They will explore Earth's systems by studying tectonic processes, weather, and natural resources, and they will investigate the role of energy in ecosystems, including photosynthesis and food webs.
Key skills include calculating density, investigating energy transfers such as conduction and radiation, and building models of Earth's structural layers. Students will also explore cellular structures, identify organism classifications, and understand the interactions within ecosystems. This accelerated curriculum prepares students for more advanced science coursework while fostering curiosity and scientific inquiry.
6th Grade Fine Arts Overview
The 6th Grade Fine Arts curriculum fosters creativity and foundational art skills through diverse techniques and mediums. Students explore intricate line designs, create precise cutouts of letters and numbers, and experiment with printmaking to craft positive shape prints. They delve into color theory by identifying tertiary colors, using color to create contrast and emphasis, and achieving shading with value to add depth. Projects include designing radial symmetry patterns, crafting tissue paper collages, adding texture to detailed clay works, and creating expressive portraits. These activities encourage self-expression and artistic growth while reinforcing key art principles.
6th Grade Social Studies Overview
The 6th Grade World Cultures curriculum, supported by McGraw Hill resources, takes students on a global exploration of the geography, history, government, economy, and culture of various regions. Each week, students will delve into a specific place or region, developing an understanding of how geography shapes the history, economy, and cultural identity of societies.
Through engaging lessons and hands-on activities, students will analyze the impact of physical features such as mountains, rivers, and climate on the development of civilizations. By the end of the year, they will understand the interconnectedness of geography, history, and culture, fostering critical thinking and a global perspective as they explore the diversity of the world.
6th Grade Technology Curriculum
At Horizon Leadership Academy, the 6th Grade Technology curriculum, delivered through Learning.com and aligned with TEKS standards, develops students’ understanding of hardware, software, robotics, and digital citizenship. The program builds independence and responsibility in using technology safely and ethically.Students explore computer systems, learning the functions of input, output, and storage devices while managing documents and software applications efficiently. Through VEX IQ Robotics, they design, build, and program robots, applying STEM concepts and problem-solving skills in engaging, hands-on challenges.Ongoing lessons in digital citizenship emphasize online safety, privacy, and respect for intellectual property, while keyboarding practice continues to improve speed and accuracy. By year’s end, students use technology confidently to create, collaborate, and innovate.
6th Grade Music
At this level, students transition into more structured performance and theory study. They learn to sight-read short melodies, identify key signatures, and perform as part of small groups. Lessons focus on tone quality, phrasing, and emotional expression through both vocal and instrumental work. Students also explore music technology and composition tools, combining creativity with digital literacy
