What your child learns in 6th grade in Alabama
6th grade is the start of middle school in many Alabama districts. Math moves to ratios, rates, percents and integers, and science is Earth and space science, with an ACAP science test. Social studies is Making a New Nation: colonization, the American Revolution, the Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
6th grade subjects in the Alabama Course of Study
Math
Focus areas
- Numbers and operations: ratios and rates, dividing fractions, integers, and expressions and equations
- Measurement, data and geometry: area, surface area and volume, and statistics
- Student mathematical practices: making sense of problems and explaining reasoning
17 units, including Facts & Factors, Mixed Numbers & Ratios, Decimal × and ÷, Percents & Budgets.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: central idea, citing evidence, and author's purpose
- Writing, speaking and listening: argument writing, and judging media messages
- Vocabulary and language: building word knowledge and using grammar, spelling and punctuation
12 units, including Point of View, Connotation & Tone, Make Your Case, Agreement.
Science
Focus areas
- Earth and Space Science: the sun, Earth and moon, the solar system, rocks and plate tectonics, weather and resources
- Science and engineering practices: analyzing data and building models
- Engineering design: solving real problems in Alabama and beyond
10 units, including Our Solar System, Solar System Tour, Stars, Galaxies & the Universe, Stars & the Universe.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Course: Making a New Nation: United States Beginnings and Civic Foundations
- Colonization of North America
- The American Revolution
14 units, including The Columbian Exchange, The Thirteen Colonies, Colonial Trade & Work, Road to Revolution.
Printable 6th grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
- 6th grade MathFacts & Factors, Mixed Numbers & RatiosOpen the sheet →
- 6th grade English Language ArtsPoint of View, Connotation & ToneOpen the sheet →
- 6th grade ScienceOur Solar System, Solar System TourOpen the sheet →
- 6th grade Social StudiesThe Columbian Exchange, The Thirteen ColoniesOpen the sheet →
What to look for on the report card
Look for comments about organization, explaining reasoning in math and writing with evidence.
Alabama has no statewide report-card scale in 6th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
6th grade students also take the Alabama state tests (ACAP). Read the state tests guide.
Alabama's learning practices apply in every grade. Read about Learning practices.
The four practice steps in 6th grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the content standards. Most answers still need a hint or a second try.
- At home: Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Practice shows a partial understanding of the content standards. Some answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Practice shows a solid understanding of the content standards. Most answers are right on the first try.
- At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Practice shows a deep understanding of the content standards, including harder, unfamiliar questions.
- At home: Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Ready for 6th grade?
6th grade builds on what your child practiced in 5th grade. If a skill feels shaky, a few short practice sessions before or early in the year can help:
- Math: Numbers to a Million, Multiply, Divide, Equivalent Fractions, Decimals
- English Language Arts: Plot and Conflict, Figurative Language, Purpose and Structure, Context Clues, Greek and Latin Roots
- Science: Solid, Liquid, Gas, Matter & Particles, Measuring Matter, Solutions & Mixtures, Changes of State
- Social Studies: Industry & Inventors, The Progressive Era, World War I, Boom, Bust & the New Deal, World War II
Common questions
6th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Alabama Course of Study. 6th grade is the start of middle school in many Alabama districts. Math moves to ratios, rates, percents and integers, and science is Earth and space science, with an ACAP science test. Social studies is Making a New Nation: colonization, the American Revolution, the Constitution and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
Alabama has no statewide report-card scale in 6th grade, so Gradelings describes practice in four steps: Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. Students in 6th grade also write the Alabama state tests (ACAP), which is separate from the report card.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the content standards. Most answers are right on the first try. At home: Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
6th grade builds on 5th grade. In math, that means Numbers to a Million, Multiply, Divide. In English language arts, that means Plot and Conflict, Figurative Language, Purpose and Structure.
About 15 minutes a day of short practice works better than long sessions, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Look for fractions, decimals and percentages in sale signs, sports statistics and recipes. Read what they are interested in: graphic novels, sports pages, series. Then talk about it. Praise effort, and stop on a success.
Practice 6th grade skills with Gradelings
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