Virtual 6th Grade
Virtual 6th Grade
2023/2024 will be taught by Jackie Rushford (Mitchell)
Virtual Peer Projects | Student Work Samples (pdf)
6th Graders developmental stage leads them to naturally focus on chaos, conflict, and order. Enki supports this stage and engages with them through a curriculum that explores the unfolding of these issues in the Ancient Middle East; the world of the Inca; and, Ancient Greece and Rome. Click on each unit learn more, including examples of the group projects which foster the peer-to-peer learning that middle school students need to thrive.
- Autumn, 13 weeks: Greece and Rome
- Winter, 8 weeks: The Inca, with a Grammar unit focused on “the fundamentals” (sentence structure, punctuation, paragraphing and logical flow)
- Spring, 13 weeks:The Middle East
Fall – Greece and Rome
(September to December)
Humanities
In this unit, working through the life of Alexander the Great and his tutor Aristotle, we will explore the golden period of Greece (mythologies, philosophers, scientists, warriors). From there we will move into the expansion and then the hardening of Ancient Rome (rise and fall). During our work with Rome, we will explore the life of Jesus of Nazareth in his role as a visionary between the positive expansiveness of ancient Greece and early Rome, and its hardening and decline.
Horse poem (student work)
Blessed be the horses
Created by the Sea God Poseidon
Carriers of burdens and men
Symbols of pride and power
Loyal and serving in battle
A wonderful creature indeed.
~Rasika
Discovering π (Pi):
Enhanced Study Class: Math
During the Humanities Unit, through the eyes of the early philosopher /scientists, we will introduce the various mathematical systems. These were borrowed, developed, and used by the Greeks and Romans as they explored new ways to describe and interact with the world. This study will focus geometry in the context of roman Architecture.
We will focus on discovering the geometric principles of a circle, in its own right and in relation to polygons. Geometry tools will be needed.
If your child does not have a solid understanding of and skill with computation with whole numbers and fractions, please email the office to discuss home support.
Discovering π (Pi):
Enhanced Study Class: Science
Science will take the phenomenological approach used by early Greeks to explore optics and acoustics. Simple, readily-available materials will be needed for experiments.
As always, Enki math and science work is approached through a discovery process so the learning is the children’s own. We are happy to have discovered that this can be done in an online video-class, with support at home!
Applying Geometric Principles:
Want to see more? See the Grade 6 virtual peer projects and student work samples (pdf).
Winter – The Ancient Inca
(January to February)
Humanities
In this Unit we work with the history and daily life of the ancient Inca, in the context of the legend of the sacred, and hidden, gold. In the course of these stories, we learn of both the architectural and the ceremonial traditions surrounding agriculture, including pilgrimage to the temple of Machu Picchu.
Enhanced Study Class: Grammar
In the context of the governmental structures and the agricultural developments of the ancient Inca, we will focus on the structure of the English language. Through playful – and often hilarious – exercises, students will be brought to see that they already use punctuation and paragraphing, as well as logical flow, in their speaking. Once conscious of this, they will nail down these rules and learn to use this understanding in their writing. From the completion of this class forward, students are held accountable for basic grammatical accuracy in all writing for all classes.
Students will be given practice worksheets to keep Math skills active, and reinforce basic computational skills.
Chasca’s Perspective (student work)
Tonight is the night of the moon festival. Everyone gathers around the fire for stories and fun. I take a seat on one of the carved wooden benches and stare into the fire. Someone sits down next to me, and I look over my shoulder. Realizing it is my sister, I stop turn my attention away from the fire. As I look at her, I realize that this is the first time in a long time that my younger sister, Micay, has sat next to me up by the fire. Usually, she sits in the back or sometimes next to our father, hiding in the shadows of the people around her. I realize another thing while I am looking at Micay: she is bolder and more confident. She is definitely coming out of her shell. She is changing. My heart is full of love for my sister. She is really discovering who she is. I scoot closer to her, and we lean towards the fire to hear the story better.
Later that evening after the stories have been told and when the moon is high and bright in the dark, dark sky, it is time for the women and girls to dance. I get up to start dancing and motion for my sister to follow me. To my surprise, she gets up, and we join in the dancing together. I am happy that Micay is joining us to dance tonight and excited to spend this time with her. I want everyone to see how amazing my sister is, like I do.
~Lena
Spring – The Middle East
(March to June)
Humanities
This Unit works with the story of a modern day peaceful warrior, and through her eyes looks at the life of Mohammed and the core of Islam with its original focus on justice and equality. We then go back to ancient Sumer and look at the roots of education and the stunning inventions that made possible the shift from hunter-gatherer societies to city life.
Enhanced Study Class: Math
In the context of the Middle East and the people’s mathematical discoveries, we will focus on work with decimals and percent. We will review basic computation with whole numbers and place value systems.
Enhanced Study Class: Science
Science will focus on Ancient Sumer and the simple machines that brought humanity from hunter-gatherer to agricultural societies; chief among these are the lever and the wheel. In this context, we discover the principle of mechanical advantage. Most supplies for this exploration are readily available in any forest or park, though each child will also need a couple of pulleys.
As always, Enki math and science work is approached through a discovery process so the learning is the children’s own. We are happy to have discovered that this can be done in an online video-class, with support at home!
From the Blessings of Mohammed (student work)
They’re gone
They were gone in the night
Stolen away, away far away
From their master and home
They are gone, gone is our life
Those camels are gone
How many times will I say it, they are gone.
But what’s that in the darkness?
A shape, a small lump, a difference in brightness
The camels have come home.
But what’s that, there is more,
Three instead of two!
A blessing, it’s true
Our camels are home.
~Phaedra
Sumerian Irrigation using levers:
