THE PREPARED CURRICULUM: FOR POST-SECONDARY AND CAREER READINESS Sixth Grade Curriculum Course Overview It s important to help your 6th-grade student plan for college and careers now. Sixth grade is the perfect time to start building a college awareness culture in your home which will lay the foundation for a successful middle school career. Colleges offer students varying types of degree programs. Colleges also vary in costs, but many have scholarships or merit aid that will address your child s financial aid needs and fit your budget. The information in this 6th-grade program will help to identify colleges that are aligned with your student s goals. You will learn facts about how to apply and save for college, college admissions testing and admissions process, relevant study skills, community service and the financial aid process. Finally, the course offers tips on how to make sure your child will succeed once he or she arrives on campus. September Ø Program walkthrough Ø Introduction to middle school Ø What will you learn in middle school? Ø Making the move to middle school Ø High alert: it s a new school year Ø Career assessment Ø The middle school concepts Ø Student survival tips for the middle school transition Ø The importance of good attendance Ø 6 th grade supplies Ø Middle school discipline and college admissions
Ø 7 tips for 6 th grade success Ø The role of the middle school counselor Ø Keeping it all straight -- your middle-school graduation plan Ø How to get better grades Ø Building your middle-school support team Ø What are study skills? Ø Getting organized to study Ø Understanding middle school grade reporting/report cards Ø 6 th grade milestones Ø Signing the homework contract Ø Organizing homework assignments Ø Being a good leader Ø 6 steps to a successful career Ø Organizing your study materials October Ø Top tips for studying Ø Getting off to a good start Ø Effective reading tips Ø Critical reading and writing strategies Ø Extracurricular activities for your family Ø Starting a club or organization in middle school Ø The importance of extracurricular activities Ø Get going with smart goals Ø Teachers are people too
Ø Note-taking for verbal exchange Ø Note-taking for reading Ø My study skills checklist (Worksheet) Ø Reviewing your notes Ø Important test-taking strategies Ø Managing stress in 6 th grade November Ø What is bullying Ø Bullying and teasing: no laughing matter Ø How to report bullying Ø What are the signs of bullying? Ø Help! I m a victim of bullying Ø Short-term planning Ø Resolving teacher -student conflict Ø Asking your teacher what s on the test Ø Plan ahead for college Ø A space that makes you want to study Ø How to beat test stress Ø It s brain food Ø What are your after-school plans? Ø Getting organized Ø 7 tips for becoming less forgetful Ø What are colleges and universities? Ø Your fingertips on your future Ø Steps for planning your career
December Ø What is career planning? Ø Knowing how to speak college Ø Decision making and money Ø Why homework matters Ø Why attendance matters Ø The importance of good character development January Ø Becoming a 6 th grade honors student Ø Preparing to take exams Ø What is conflict resolution? Ø How to deal with conflicts in 6 th grade Ø Strategies for conflict resolution Ø What percentage do I need for an A? Ø Ease the temptation to tease Ø Beyond the bully Ø 6 ways to help with peer problems Ø How to research a career Ø Building strong study skills
Ø Math and money Ø Tips for getting it together in middle school Ø Middle school discipline and high school success Ø Developing good time management skills Ø Values what s important to you? Ø What is character development? February Ø Dazed and distracted Ø New number challenges Ø Let s be friends Ø The importance of having school spirit Ø Classroom participation Ø Decision making Ø Problem solving Ø Stages of problem solving Ø Understanding career clusters Ø Questions you can ask people about their careers Ø The importance of community service Ø Start thinking about your money Ø The art of making money Ø Surviving the rumor mill Ø Staying safe online
Ø Bonding students and staff Ø Respecting yourself and others Ø Establishing your first budget Ø The importance of developing good study habits March Ø Your road to middle-school success Ø Are you a super studier? Ø Are you accepting of others? Ø Growing in character Ø What do you stand for? Ø Responsibilities rather than excuses Ø Story to self Ø Why go to college? Ø My future, my way: first steps toward college Ø Exploring your career options Ø Let s research your career options Ø Learning about budgeting Ø What are college admissions types? Ø College planning: when should I start? Ø Jump-start your college career while in middle school Ø Taking your first college visit Ø Understanding college costs Ø The value of a college education
April Ø How to use middle school to prepare for college Ø Researching college scholarships Ø Types of post-secondary options Ø Types of college degrees Ø Learn more, earn more Ø Participating in college readiness programs Ø Read, read, read Ø Time management skills for college prep Ø Explore your interest Ø Make a college plan Ø Four steps to college Ø 8 ways to prepare middle-school students for college Ø Building your first college list Ø Writing a letter of interest to colleges you re interested in Ø Getting on college mailing lists Ø Preparing for final exams Ø Final exam study tips Ø Prioritize your classes for final exams Ø Organizational skills for final exams Ø Transition to 7 th grade
6 th Grade Student Worksheets Ø Signing Your Homework Contract Ø Getting Organized Ø Setting Smart Goals Ø My School Subject and Careers Ø What is Your Class Schedule Like? Ø How to Use a Calendar? Ø Building Good Study Habits Ø How Did They Get There? Ø Make the Match Ø What Would You Do? Ø The World of Careers Ø How Am I? Ø Nonverbal Communication Ø Guess My Emotions Ø Your Interest and Your Future Ø What is My Career Focus? Ø Saving is Smart Ø Summer Goals Ø Being Proactive Ø What Do I Want to Learn? Ø What Did I Learn? Ø Inappropriate Classroom Behavior Ø Correcting Undesirable Behaviors Ø I have a Plan! Ø Meet Someone Who Ø Dream On Ø Celebrate the Places You Will Go! Ø Newspaper Hunt Ø How to Write a Complete Paragraph
Sixth Grade Parent Curriculum Course Overview September Ø Transitioning your 6 th grade student into middle school Ø Parent survival tips for middle-school transition Ø Questions to ask your child s school counselor Ø Meeting with your child s school counselor for the first time Ø What 6 th grade students should know Ø What will my child learn in 6 th grade? Ø Homework tips for your 6 th grade student Ø Homework checklist for parents Ø Homework contract for parents Ø Building a positive relationship with the staff at your child s school Ø 6th grade sight words Ø Example of a 6 th grade course schedule Ø Important 6 th grade milestones Ø Inside your 6 th grader student s classroom Ø Setting the stage for dreams to become reality Ø Required 6 th grade courses Ø Outside of your student s classroom Ø Selecting your 6 th grade electives Ø Building your student s support network for middle school success
October Ø Creating a college culture in your home Ø What is a Pennsylvania 529 Savings Plan? Ø What 6 th grade students should know Ø What students learn in sixth grade Ø Self-survey Ø Standards for literacy in history/social studies, science and technical subjects Ø Reading in 6 th grade Ø Writing in 6 th grade Ø Speaking and listening Ø Language Ø Social studies Ø Partner with the staff at your child s school Ø Career terminology Ø Career definitions November Ø Becoming career explorers Ø Parents get real: breaking down myths about college Ø Why should my child go to college?
Ø What can I do now to encourage my student to plan for college? Ø What kinds of colleges are out there? Ø How much will my child s college education cost? Ø Career exploration Ø Promoting your child Ø Building a foundation for educational success Ø How am I going to pay for my child s college education? Ø The benefits of extracurricular activities Ø Transiting your child into 7 th grade