What your child learns in 6th grade in Washington
6th grade is the start of middle school in many Washington districts. Math moves to ratios, rates, percents, negative numbers and expressions. Science follows the middle school NGSS, and social studies explores world geography and ancient civilizations.
6th grade subjects in the Washington State Learning Standards
Math
Focus areas
- Quantity and Relationships: ratios and rates, negative numbers, and expressions
- Spatial Reasoning: shapes, measurement and the space around us
- Data Analysis: asking questions, collecting data and reading what it shows
17 units, including Facts & Factors, Decimal × and ÷, Integers & Decimals, Mixed Numbers & Ratios.
English Language Arts
Focus areas
- Reading: analysing arguments and sources
- Writing: argument writing with evidence
- Speaking, Listening and Digital Forums: sharing ideas and building on what others say
12 units, including Point of View, Text Forms & Features, Make Your Case, Connotation & Tone.
Science
Focus areas
- Matter and its interactions
- Cells and living systems
- Weather, climate and the water cycle
9 units, including Body Systems, Mixtures & Solutions, Particles and Heat, Our Senses.
Social Studies
Focus areas
- World geography
- Ancient civilizations to 1450
- How economies and governments began
8 units, including World Maps & Globes, World Regions, Mesopotamia & Egypt, Ancient India & China.
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.
Washington report cards describe learning with Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. See what each level means.
6th grade students also take the Washington state tests (Smarter Balanced and WCAS). Read the state tests guide.
Washington's Social Emotional Learning standards apply in every grade. Read about Social Emotional Learning.
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, Decimals, Multiply, Mental Math Tricks, Divide
- English Language Arts: Plot and Conflict, Purpose and Structure, Context Clues, Greek and Latin Roots, Figurative Language
- Science: Solutions & Mixtures, Solid, Liquid, Gas, Changes of State, Physical or Chemical?, Measuring Matter
- Social Studies: Native Nations & Encounters, The Thirteen Colonies, Colonial Trade & Work, Road to Revolution, The American Revolution
Common questions
6th grade covers math, English language arts, science, social studies in the Washington State Learning Standards. 6th grade is the start of middle school in many Washington districts. Math moves to ratios, rates, percents, negative numbers and expressions. Science follows the middle school NGSS, and social studies explores world geography and ancient civilizations.
Washington report cards describe learning with Beginning, Approaching, Meeting, Exceeding. Students in 6th grade also write the Washington state tests (Smarter Balanced and WCAS), which is separate from the report card.
Short, regular practice works better than long sessions: 10 to 15 minutes a few times a week, on the skills your child's teacher flags. Read together, use math in real life, and praise effort.
Practice 6th grade skills with Gradelings
Kind hints, no ads, and reports in the language of the Washington report card. Subscribe now, or try it free for 30 days with no card.