Students’ thinking must be established upon the solid foundation of truth and absolutes. The Bible is the source of all truth and the final authority.
In 6th-grade Bible, the enduring goal is for students to be able to communicate the Gospel using only the Old Testament. This is achieved by examination of the outward and inward structure of the canon. The outward structure of the canon refers to the three distinct groupings of books labeled the Law, the Prophets, and the Writings. The inward structure of the canon refers to the various covenants which define God’s salvific relationship to Israel and points toward Christ's salvific relationship to his Church. Through these two structures, students will be able to recognize how the New Testament is built on previous revelation and define the component parts of the New Covenant.
The students will learn, through memorization, recitation and logic-level tools, about God’s role in the life of His people throughout history and learn to take the scriptures to heart using them in their lives when opportunities arise.
- Memorize the seven covenants or promises that shape the history of Israel.
- Explain what each section of the Tanakh has to teach us.
- Communicate the Gospel using only the Old Testament.
Students continue to refine their chronological thinking skills, while at the same time develop a greater aptitude for historical comprehension.
As the year progresses, their abilities to compare and contrast differing sets of ideas and consider multiple perspectives will be refined.
Harnessing Harkness discussion capacities will enable them to challenge modern meta-narratives and to hypothesize the influence of the past using primary sources to support their findings.
Their historical research capabilities will be refined throughout the sixth grade year.
Geography of the historical time period is taught concurrently with history and literature.
- Pre-Greece History and Archaeology/7 Continents
- Egypt and the Sumerians
- Ancient India, China, Africa and the Phoenicians
- Assyrians and the Americas
- The Depression
- Athens, Sparta, Herodotus/Poles of the Earth
- Greek Gods, Greek Wars and Alexander the Great
- China/Asia
- Rome’s Rise & Downfall
- Augustine and Early Christian Teaching, Martyrs for the Faith
- Fall of Western Roman Empire, Eastern Empire and Constantine
Students will engage in activities to analyze the meaning of words using key ideas and details, and to integrate what they know through a variety of compare and contrast exercises.
Vocabulary study will develop their abilities to understand words based on their Latin and Greek roots.
Composition exercises will develop their critical thinking skills and ability to express themselves clearly and succinctly.
- Tales of Ancient Egypt by Roger Lancelyn Green (a Puffin Classic)
- The Golden Goblet by Eloise McGraw
- Famous Men of Greece by John Haaren
- Three Greek Children by Alfred J. Church
- Outcast by Rosemary Sutcliffe
- Famous Men of Rome by John Haaren
- Stories from Homer by Alfred J. Church
- The Aeneid for Boys and Girls by Alfred J. Church
- The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth Speare
- Institute for Excellence in Writing and teacher-created materials
Students expand their knowledge of Latin vocabulary/grammar and improve their ability to translate Latin sentences into English.
Translation texts, drawn primarily from Latin Alive: Volume 1, will reinforce their knowledge of American history and Roman mythology.
- Expand their Latin vocabulary and grow in their ability to identify English derivatives of Latin words.
- Acquire the skills necessary to translate complex Latin sentences.
- Learn and recite/sing historic Christian prayers and songs, "Pater Noster," the "Benedictio post Mensam," "the Actus Spei," and a version of "Gloria Patri."
Using the Math in Focus Course 1 textbook, students build on the foundation of mathematical comprehension established in the Grammar School and continue in their study of numbers, learning different ways to communicate through mathematics.
- Solve real-world problems involving ratios and rates.
- Find speed, distance, or time using the speed formula.
- Use and find percents in real-world situations.
- Write, evaluate, simplify, expand, and factor algebraic expressions.
- Solve and write linear equations.
- Find the area of triangles, parallelograms, trapezoids, composite figures, and other polygons.
- Find the circumference and area of a circle.
- Find the surface area and volume of prisms pyramids.
- The student will be able to find the mean, median, and mode of a set of data.
Life science uses a mastery-oriented curriculum which focuses on topics such as defining and classifying life, various systems of the human body, and life’s energy cycle.
Throughout the course, students will learn and utilize the scientific method and document most work in a formal scientific lab book. Students will consider the changes in their world-view and how it affects them and their beliefs.
- Define and classify life, the structure of the human body, life’s energy cycle, and various systems of the human body.
- Describe the steps of the scientific method, why they are necessary for a valid
controlled experiment, and why this method has enabled science to be successful over the past few hundred years. - Formulate a quantitative hypothesis. and identify independent, dependent variables and experimental controls.
- Collect data and set up scientific graphs with appropriate labels and scales.
- Apply convincing reasoning to analysis and discussion of experimental results.
Write an effective lab report. - Show proficiency in the use of the engineering design process.
In Introductory Logic, students will be introduced to the study and use of both formal categorical logic and informal logic. The curriculum generally follows the program outlined by Dorothy Sayers in her important essay, “The Lost Tools of Learning” which recommends that students learn “how to use language: how to define his terms and make accurate statements; how to construct an argument and how to detect fallacies in arguments.”
- Correctly define terms and relate those terms to other terms in genus and species charts
- Determine the truth value of a given statement and how different statements relate to one another
- Form valid arguments through the use of categorical syllogisms
- Construct valid real-world arguments and establish conclusions of their own
- Students will be able to identify and graciously defeat logical fallacies that they encounter in the classroom, home, and world.
In 6th-Grade Music, students will build on their knowledge of important classical compositions and musical notation through singing, playing Orff instruments, directed listening activities and participation in cooperative musical games. The focus will be on pentatonic and diatonic melodies in the keys of C, G and F; unison and part-singing through canons and partner songs; and basic meters and rhythms with an even and uneven subdivision of the beat. The 6th Graders will share what they have learned in chapel performances throughout the year.
- Sing folk songs, hymns, canons and melodies from notable classical works.
- Play melodies, ostinati and other accompaniment parts on Orff instruments.
- Learn characteristics of notable composers and musical works in the Classical, Romantic and Contemporary music periods.
- Read and notate melodies on the treble clef staff in several different keys.
- Read and notate even and uneven rhythms using rhythm syllables and notation.
- Perform steady beat and rhythmic patterns using body percussion and movement individually, with a partner and in large groups.
In 6th-Grade Art, students will review color theory and build upon their understanding of the elements of art. They will regularly practice observational drawing and gain a deeper understanding of color theory and painting techniques with simple and complex subjects. Art lessons are aligned to the 6th-grade students’ study of creation and ancient civilizations in history. Throughout the course of the year, students will complete a varied body of work, including a still life composition, a reproduction of a historical art piece, a 3-d sculpture, and a completed painting project. The 6th Grade art work will be displayed in the hallways throughout the year, and a selected piece for each student will be displayed in the yearly Art and Recitation program.
- Review color theory and extend their knowledge to primary, secondary, tertiary colors with their tints and shades
- Practice and refine drawing and painting techniques
- Master contour line drawing, shading and highlights
- Engage with the basics of drawing in perspective
- Analyze and imitate the artworks of master artists from history
- Create a 3-D sculpture
At the Logic School, physical education is integrated into the House system. Each week, students participate in House Competition, where they compete in various games against their peers. They are encouraged to play hard and strive for victory, but they also learn to win with humility and lose with grace, all while honoring God with the physical talents he has given them. Additionally, each quarter, students enjoy a full day of activities that take advantage of Arma Dei’s proximity to the Rocky Mountains. In the fall, they embark on a challenging hike to a peak over 13,000 feet on "Mountaineering Day." In the spring, they enjoy outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, or tubing during "Winter Sports Day."
- Learn to properly stretch and warm up before activity to avoid injury.
- Be instructed on hydration and nutrition regarding optimal physical activity.
- Experience a variety of physical games and activities throughout the year.
- Interpret how God’s design and intent relate to movement and physicality.
- Learn about Godly sportsmanship and how it relates to all areas of life.
- Experience joy through physical movement and God’s design for us in this world.
- Build strong bonds between each other due to shared sports activity.
- Glorify God by building strong minds and bodies.
