Daily and Weekly Schedule
Every day the student should spend between 30 and 50 minutes on each of the following:
- Mathematics
- Nature Study/Science/Health
Every day the student should spend about 2 hours, divided into two 60-minute morning and afternoon sessions on the following:
- Reading
Every day the student should have two sessions of the following, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, no more than 20 minutes each:
- Writing/Penmanship
Two days a week, the student should have 30 minutes devoted to:
- Foreign Language
Two days a week, the student should have between 30 and 50 minutes dedicated to:
- Grammar
In addition, each of the following subjects should get at least 20 to 40 minutes at some point during the week:
- Art/Handicrafts
- Music
Do not neglect the fact that kids need recesses for lunch and in the morning and afternoon!
Subjects
Grammar
In sixth grade, grammar study continues.
Lessons 89-100 in Elementary English Grammar by Reed and Kellogg, one lesson per week.
Follow this with Reed and Kellogg’s Higher Lessons in English, two lessons weekly through lesson 62.
Grammar will be reinforced through writing assignments.
Reading
In sixth grade, all reading is done silently with the exception of poetry reading.
For in-school reading:
Start with McGuffy’s Sixth Eclectic Reader, two 50-60-minute sessions daily (one in the morning, one in the afternoon) until completed.
After that:
On Mondays: One chapter from First Across the Continent in the morning and Grammar instruction/practice in the afternoon.
On Tuesdays: One chapter from Heroes and Heroines in the morning, and 1/2 chapter from March of the Titans. (Can be purchased from Amazon and other sellers) in the afternoon.
On Wednesdays: About 10 pages daily from Plutarch in the morning and Grammar instruction/practice in the afternoon.
On Thursdays: 1/2 chapter from March of the Titans in the morning. Free choice from sixth grade book list in the afternoon.
On Fridays: Free choice from the sixth grade book list
Sixth Grade Book List:
The Hobbit (you’ll have to purchase this.)
Animal Farm
Tales of Troy and Greece(The Iliad & Odyssey translated for elementary school)
Mysterious Island
Rob Roy
Jack and Jill(This isn’t the popular nursery rhyme despite the notable resemblance of the title!)
The Cricket on the Hearth
The Swiss Family Robinson (This is the full version, not the one-syllable version from earlier in the curriculum.)
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Other titles worth considering that aren’t included in the curriculum:
A Christmas Carol
At the Foot of the Rainbow
Where the Red Fern Grows
Miracles on Maple Hill
The Bronze Bow
Writing
Composition — In sixth grade, students should continue writing the classic five-paragraph essay. Two essays should be written weekly and should be examined for proper grammar, spelling and punctuation. Double-check before marking something as incorrect, as a sixth-grade student who is using this curriculum will likely have an understanding of grammar surpassing that of most college graduates. The questions posed by the parent-educator should be slightly more challenging than those posed in fifth grade; but still take into account the level of reasoning that the child has developed.
Essays can continue to be based upon material read for school (including free reading from the book list), and they can be based upon a question regarding the material that is posed by the parent-educator. The questions posed by the parent that lead to the introductory thesis statement should be substantive, straightforward and easily answered from the material upon which the question is based.
In addition, children should start composing short poems of one page or less.
Spelling
Select 15 words per week, giving preference to words your child spelled incorrectly during writing exercises. If there aren’t fifteen words, supplement with words from McGuffy’s. As part of spelling exercises, have your child use every word in a sentence to make sure the meaning is understood. Complete one lesson weekly from Word Lessons, starting with lesson 109.
Latin
After fourth and fifth grade Latin studies, the student is ready for easy translation. Translate one selection weekly from Selections from Easy Latin. When the student has completed this, continue with one selection weekly from Extracts from Cicero. Each selection can cover two days of study.
Mathematics
Goals:
Complete section VII in Lower Arithmetic by Sutton and Bruce
Follow this with Geometry for Elementary School.
Finally, complete the first two lessons in MoneyMath: Lessons for Life
Don’t forget that the secret to mastery at this level is practice, practice practice!
Art/Handicrafts/Music
By sixth grade your child should already have basic command of a musical instrument. The actual instrument chosen doesn’t matter, so long as the child finds it interesting. It can’t hurt to let young students try several instruments before settling on one. You can purchase formal lessons if it is in the budget. If not, very good self-teaching method books are available for several instruments. The student should practice 3 days a week, for 15 to 25 minutes per session.
Good self-teaching guides include Mel Bay’s Complete Method for Modern Guitar and It’s Recorder Time by Alfred d’Auberge and Morton Manus. A good suitably-sized guitar or recorder can be purchased for less than $200 or $100 respectively.
Science/Nature Study/Health
Continue with chemistry, electronics and microscope studies where they were finished in fifth grade. (See fifth grade curriculum for material suggestions.) Devote 50 minutes weekly to the study of Physiology and Hygeine. This text may be slightly advanced for some sixth graders. Feel free to present the material to the degree of depth suitable for your student.