da Vinci Sixth Grade Program
- Sixth graders entering da Vinci take a
year-long technology class. In this class, students learn to touch
type and become competent in the basics of word processing.
- Students work independently to reach a goal of
25 words per minute - the ninth grade technology benchmark. In
this class students complete technology standards in word
processing, charting, spreadsheets, hypercard, and web page
development They learn to use the internet to obtain
science-related information.
- Students take language arts and social studies
as an integrated block. In block they work on reading, writing,
speaking, and listening skills. They practice daily dictation at
the computer to learn the mechanics of writing and reinforce the
keyboarding skills learned in their technology class.
- Sixth grade literature and reading are
integrated with social studies. Students read novels that follow
ancient history and geograhy themes, folktales from Asia, poetry
of Japan and China, and Greek myths.
- Basic geography skills are reviewed prior to
studying ancient world cultures, from Egypt to Greece and Rome.
Students research topics from ancient history using traditional
sources as well as internet sites.
