Grade 6
Build models, establish evidence habits and connect ideas.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 6 curriculum map →Browse Grade 6 lessons →Middle School Curriculum Explorer · Grades 6–8
See the path.
Build understanding.
Explore a suggested progression, find a useful next lesson, and make the thinking visible. For parents, homeschool families, tutors and teachers.
96 original mini-lessons3 grades8 subjects
A starter map of selected skills, with practice and answers. Science and social studies sequences are suggested; electives and local requirements vary.
Follow a question.
Explain your thinking.
Grade → Subject → Unit → Lesson
Start with the bigger picture.
Grade 7
Compare explanations, strengthen reasoning and revise with purpose.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 7 curriculum map →Browse Grade 7 lessons →Grade 8
Synthesize evidence, evaluate alternatives and work more independently.
32 lessons · 8 subjects · Suggested unit orderView Grade 8 curriculum map →Browse Grade 8 lessons →Find a practical next step
Which skill comes next?
32 matching lessons
Clear filtersGrade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Number relationships and rates
Unit Rates at the Notebook Shop
Compare prices and travel speeds by finding a quantity per one unit.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.RP.A.3.bGrade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Number relationships and rates
Fraction Servings and Decimal Costs
Connect fraction division to a serving model, then check a decimal purchase.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.NS.A.1Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.NS.B.3Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 1 · Number relationships and rates
Rational Numbers Above and Below Zero
Use signed coordinates and absolute value to interpret elevation.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.NS.C.7.aGrade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.NS.C.7.cGrade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 2 · Expressions, equations and shape
Expressions and Equations for a Garden
Translate a cost rule into an expression and solve a one-step equation.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.EE.A.2.cGrade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.EE.B.7Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 2 · Expressions, equations and shape
Triangle Area and a Box Net
Decompose a triangle and unfold a box to keep area measures meaningful.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.G.A.1Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.G.A.4Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Mathematics
Unit 3 · Questions and data distributions
Dot Plots and Reading-Time Distributions
Describe a small data set with a dot plot, center and variation.
Contributes to Common Core standard6.SP.B.4Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standard6.SP.B.5.cGrade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 1 · Reading closely
Theme in a Missed Rehearsal
Use a character’s choices to infer a theme without reducing it to a single topic.
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.6.1Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardRL.6.2Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 1 · Reading closely
Central Idea and the Tool Library
Explain how a paragraph develops a central idea instead of listing unrelated facts.
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.6.2Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.6.5Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Writing with evidence and purpose
A Claim for a Quiet Reading Corner
Separate a supported claim from a persuasive statement with no evidence.
Contributes to Common Core standardRI.6.8Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardW.6.1Grade 6
Grade 6 · 35 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Writing with evidence and purpose
Research Notes for an Informative Explanation
Paraphrase two fictional sources and explain a process with basic attribution.
Contributes to Common Core standardW.6.2Grade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardW.6.8Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 2 · Writing with evidence and purpose
One Moment, Two Narrative Views
Develop a short scene through a consistent narrator and sensory details.
Contributes to Common Core standardW.6.3Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
English language arts
Unit 3 · Language and discussion
Clear Pronouns and an Evidence Talk
Revise ambiguous references, infer a word from context and discuss a text respectfully.
Contributes to Common Core standardL.6.1.dGrade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardL.6.4.aGrade 6
Contributes to Common Core standardSL.6.1Grade 6
Grade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 1 · Investigating Living Systems
What Can Seedling Data Tell Us?
Plan a fair light comparison and separate a measured pattern from a conclusion.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS1-5Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.1Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 1 · Investigating Living Systems
A Cell Works as a Team
Build a model connecting cell parts with the needs of the whole cell.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-LS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 2 · Matter and Earth’s Water
Draw What Warming Changes
Connect a short scientific description to particle diagrams of a pure substance.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-PS1-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 2 · Matter and Earth’s Water
Follow Water Along More Than One Path
Model a branching water cycle and identify the drivers of movement.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS2-4Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 30 min
Science
Unit 3 · Patterns and Design
Why the Moon’s Shape Seems to Change
Use a top-view paper model to distinguish illumination from Earth-based appearance.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ESS1-1Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 35 min
Science
Unit 3 · Patterns and Design
Which Shade Shelter Meets the Brief?
Compare competing designs with a clear decision rule and acknowledge tradeoffs.
Contributes to NGSS performance expectationMS-ETS1-2Grades 6–8 band
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRST.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Selected NGSS band contribution; not complete performance expectation coverage.Grade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 1 · Geography and Place
Read a River Valley Description
Use context and geographic vocabulary to interpret a fictional settlement memo.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.4Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 1 · Geography and Place
Settlement Patterns and Evidence
Connect a small visual display to a written account without claiming a single cause.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.7Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 2 · Sources and Historical Change
Compare a Diary and a Later Account
Analyze the relationship between two clearly labeled fictional source models.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.9Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 2 · Sources and Historical Change
Sequence Is Not the Same as Cause
Compare chronological and causal accounts of a fictional town’s bridge project.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.5Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 3 · Civic and Economic Choices
Choose a Community Proposal with Evidence
Support a public-choice claim with relevant fictional data and a clear tradeoff.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionWHST.6-8.1.bGrades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Social studies
Unit 3 · Civic and Economic Choices
Scarcity, Opportunity Cost and Claims
Distinguish facts, opinions and reasoned judgments in an economic choice.
Supporting Common Core literacy connectionRH.6-8.8Grades 6–8
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Visual arts · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Looking and Composing
Guide the Eye with Contrast
Use light, dark and placement to create a focal point, then explain the design choices.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.6.4Grade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Visual arts · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Looking and Composing
Describe, Interpret, Revise
Distinguish observation from interpretation and use a critique to revise a composition.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.6.1.dGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 25 min
Music · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Patterns and Musical Form
Read and Build a Four-Beat Rhythm
Represent a steady beat with quarter notes, paired eighth notes and rests using words or sound.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.6.2.dGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Music · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Patterns and Musical Form
Hear and Show ABA Form
Organize an original rhythmic idea into a returning A section and a contrasting B section.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.6.5Grade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 25 min
Health and physical education
Unit 1 · Movement Choices and Cooperation
Create Space in a Passing Game
Use a paper game model to explain how moving into space creates a passing option.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.6.2.bGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 30 min
Health and physical education
Unit 1 · Movement Choices and Cooperation
Design a More Inclusive Game
Compare two rule changes and ask questions that clarify participation and fairness.
Supporting Common Core connectionSL.6.1.cGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 25 min
Technology, computer science and digital literacy · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Instructions and Digital Decisions
Write an Algorithm Someone Else Can Follow
Write and debug an unplugged algorithm that moves a marker through a grid.
Supporting Common Core connectionW.6.2.aGrade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verifiedGrade 6 · 25 min
Technology, computer science and digital literacy · Elective / rotation
Unit 1 · Instructions and Digital Decisions
Read a Privacy Claim Carefully
Evaluate a fictional app description without sharing personal information or opening an account.
Supporting Common Core connectionRI.6.8Grade 6
Subject-content alignment not yet verified