What your child learns in 6th grade in Alaska
6th grade is the start of middle school in many Alaska districts. Math moves to ratios, rates, negative numbers and expressions. Science covers cells, heat and design, and social studies is Alaska studies and geography: the state's physical regions, earthquakes and other hazards, the peoples of Alaska, its resources and economy, and local, Tribal and state government.
6th grade subjects in the Alaska content standards
Math
Focus areas
- Number and operations: ratios and rates, negative numbers, and expressions
- Geometry: shapes, angles and the space around us
- Measurement and data: measuring, collecting data and reading what it shows
17 units, including Facts & Factors, Mixed Numbers & Ratios, Decimal × and ÷, Percents & Budgets.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: analyzing arguments and sources
- Writing: argument writing with evidence
- Speaking and listening: sharing ideas and building on what others say
12 units, including Point of View, Connotation & Tone, Make Your Case, Agreement.
Science
Focus areas
- Energy, heat and weather
- Cells and living systems
- Climate and the water cycle
6 units, including Body Systems, Our Senses, Cells: Life's Building Blocks, Thermal Energy & Insulation.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- Alaska's geography and natural hazards
- The peoples of Alaska
- Alaska's resources, economy and governments
9 units, including World Maps & Globes, World Regions, Time & Evidence, Alaska's Physical Regions.
Printable 6th grade sheets
One free practice sheet for each subject, with an answer key. Print them, or work through them on screen.
What to look for on the report card
Look for comments about organization, explaining reasoning in math and writing with evidence.
Alaska 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 Alaska state tests (AK STAR). Read the state tests guide.
Alaska's Cultural Standards for Students apply in every grade and every subject. Read about Cultural Standards.
The four practice steps in 6th grade
- Beginning
- Practice shows a first understanding of the learning 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 learning 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 learning 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 learning 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: Solutions & Mixtures, Solid, Liquid, Gas, Changes of State, Physical or Chemical?, Measuring Matter
- Social Studies: The Thirteen Colonies, Colonial Trade & Work, Road to Revolution, The American Revolution, Building a Government
Common questions
6th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Alaska content standards. 6th grade is the start of middle school in many Alaska districts. Math moves to ratios, rates, negative numbers and expressions. Science covers cells, heat and design, and social studies is Alaska studies and geography: the state's physical regions, earthquakes and other hazards, the peoples of Alaska, its resources and economy, and local, Tribal and state government.
Alaska 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 Alaska state tests (AK STAR), which is separate from the report card.
Practice shows a solid understanding of the learning 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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