Sixth Grade

In our 6th grade English Language Arts and Literature class, students will explore the world of great literature, hone written expression skills, and build skills and proficiency in listening and speaking. Each unit of study will include interactive and thoughtfully sequenced work: vocabulary and grammar development, written expression, focused literary components, creative writing and poetry, interactive art, and technology projects, as well as public speaking presentations. Students will read novels, poetry, short stories, both fiction and non-fiction, and news and magazine articles. Students will learn to cite textual evidence, determine the theme and central ideas of bodies of writing, how plots unfold, and character development. Writing skills will improve throughout the year through drafting processes and peer editing.

We kick off the year by stretching our brains with puzzles and games that build both logical thinking and number sense. From there, we dive into core 6th grade math concepts that help students develop confidence and fluency with numbers and patterns.

Throughout the course, students will explore ideas like greatest common factors, the connections between fractions, decimals, and percents, rates and ratios, absolute value, variables, combining like terms, the distributive property, and the order of operations. We'll also investigate the geometry of 2D and 3D shapes—learning to calculate area, perimeter, surface area, and volume—as well as probability and data representation.

Math learning at SBMS is hands-on and engaging. Students will experience concepts through traditional practice, digital tools, interactive activities, and real-world applications—especially within our science curriculum. Our goal is to make math meaningful, memorable, and fun, while helping each student grow as a flexible, confident thinker.

In this class, students build a strong foundation in mathematical thinking while exploring topics from both the 6th and 7th grade levels. We create space to revisit important concepts when needed and move forward into new, exciting territory.

Students will engage with ideas like proportional reasoning, probability, rational numbers, algebraic expressions, equations, geometry, and more. Along the way, they’ll sharpen their problem-solving skills and learn to approach challenges with confidence and creativity.

Math at SBMS is not just about finding the right answer—it’s about discovering patterns, making sense of the world, and using logic and imagination to explore new ideas. Students will learn to reason through problems, explain their thinking, and see how math connects to the world around them.

This is a space to explore, question, create, and grow. We’re excited to make math meaningful, relevant, and—most importantly—fun!

Students will analyze the past from Pre History through Medieval Times across the globe and connect it to the present. Using the acronym GRAPE, students learn about the geography, religion, achievements, politics, and economics of civilizations such as Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, Greece, and Rome - along with the the Empires of Mali and Ghana. Students are equipped with the knowledge of how to use primary sources vs. secondary sources, the principles of causation, and CER (claim, evidence, reasoning) to write academic papers. Throughout the year, students present projects, collaborate with others, and participate in interactive activities like the Paleolithic Olympics.

This course is all about sparking curiosity and building a lifelong sense of wonder about the natural world. We explore big questions, investigate how things work, and connect science to everyday life.

Students dive into a wide range of topics across both life and physical science, including the scientific method, marine science, states of matter, density and buoyancy, atomic structure, astronomy, and current events in the scientific community. As the year unfolds, new topics may be introduced based on the interests and curiosity of the group, allowing space for student voice and discovery.

Science at SBMS is hands-on, minds-on. Students will think critically, ask questions, conduct experiments, and engage with real-world problems. The goal is for every student to find something that excites them—whether it's the stars above, the ocean below, or the mysteries of matter in between.

At SBMS, 6th graders get an early and exciting start on their Spanish journey—one year ahead of the traditional middle school path. Our approach is rooted in natural language learning, where students absorb Spanish the way young children do: through movement, songs, repetition, and interactive play.

Using techniques like Total Physical Response (TPR), students build confidence and vocabulary in a way that feels fun, safe, and intuitive. They'll explore greetings, basic conversation, numbers, colors, weather, songs, and more—all while moving, singing, and playing games that bring the language to life.

Along the way, students also explore cultural traditions, use targeted technology tools, and engage in creative projects that support different learning styles and levels. The goal is not just language acquisition, but also a growing appreciation for the diverse cultures that speak Spanish around the world.

This is where language learning begins—with joy, curiosity, and connection.

The Santa Barbara Middle School Life Skills Program prepares and empowers our students to champion their individual futures. It provides them with the tools and knowledge necessary to cultivate their roles in our local and global communities and deepen their relationships with themselves and with others. Students will examine dilemmas, sort through choices and imagine alternatives. As students share their unique knowledge, thoughts, and life experiences, they will fulfill the roles of both teacher and learner. They will then continue the conversation at home, engaging in cross-generational discussions to deepen their understanding of the values and experiences of their families and the impact those values and experiences have on their lives.