6th grade · K–8

What Should a 6th Grader Know?

Nobody can tell you what every 6th grade student knows; students differ, and so do states. What we can tell you exactly is what we teach. Below is the whole 6th grade list: 61 topics in eight subjects, in the order we teach them, each with the standard it addresses. It is a plan, not a test and not a legal standard — if your student is ahead in one subject and behind in another, that is ordinary.

61 topics8 subjects6,800 questions

Math

8 topics440 questionsSubject page

1. Ratios and ratesRatio language, unit rates, percents6.RP
2. Dividing fractionsFraction ÷ fraction with models and equations6.NS.A
3. GCF, LCM and decimalsMulti-digit division; greatest common factor6.NS.B
4. Negative numbersIntegers on a number line; absolute value; four quadrants6.NS.C
5. Expressions and exponentsWrite and evaluate expressions; whole-number exponents6.EE.A
6. One-step equations and inequalitiesSolve x + p = q and px = q6.EE.B
7. Area, surface area and volumeTriangles, polygons, nets, fractional edge lengthsGeometry (6.G)
8. StatisticsMean, median, range; dot plots, histograms, box plots6.SP

Reading

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Citing text evidence in a storyQuote or point to details that support what the text says and what you inferReading: Literature (RL.6.1)
2. Finding the theme of a storyDetermine a theme from particular details and write a summary without opinionsReading: Literature (RL.6.2)
3. How plot and characters changeDescribe how a plot unfolds in episodes and how characters respond and changeReading: Literature (RL.6.3)
4. Figurative and connotative languageWork out figurative and connotative meanings and how word choice sets toneReading: Literature (RL.6.4)
5. Citing evidence in informational textCite text evidence for what an informational text says and for inferences drawn from itReading: Informational Text (RI.6.1)
6. Central idea in informational textFind the central idea, how details convey it, and write an objective summaryReading: Informational Text (RI.6.2)
7. Author's point of view and purposeDetermine an author's point of view or purpose and how it is conveyedReading: Informational Text (RI.6.6)
8. Tracing an argumentTrace an argument and tell supported claims from unsupported onesReading: Informational Text (RI.6.8)

English & Writing

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Pronoun case: subjective, objective and possessiveChoose I/me, he/him, who/whom-style pronoun forms correctly, including in compound subjects and objectsLanguage (L.6.1a)
2. Consistent pronouns: fixing shifts in number and personRecognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and personLanguage (L.6.1c)
3. Commas, parentheses and dashes for extra informationSet off nonrestrictive and parenthetical elements with commas, parentheses or dashesLanguage (L.6.2a)
4. Greek and Latin roots and affixesUse common Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a wordLanguage (L.6.4b)
5. Writing a narrative with dialogue and pacingEngage the reader, organize an event sequence, and use dialogue, pacing, description and transitionsWriting (W.6.3)
6. Informative writing: organizing ideas and evidenceIntroduce a topic, organize ideas, develop with facts, definitions and examples, and concludeWriting (W.6.2)
7. Arguments: claims supported by clear reasonsState a claim and support it with clear reasons and relevant evidence, linked by transitionsWriting (W.6.1)
8. Gathering information: quoting and paraphrasingGather information from print and digital sources, quote or paraphrase without plagiarizing, and list sourcesWriting (W.6.8)

Science

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. Cells: the building blocks of lifeEvidence that living things are made of cells, one cell or many types of cellsMS-LS1-1
2. Cell parts and what they doModel how the nucleus, membrane, cell wall, chloroplasts and mitochondria help the cell work as a wholeMS-LS1-2
3. Body systems working togetherThe body as interacting subsystems of cells, tissues, organs and organ systemsMS-LS1-3
4. Atoms and moleculesModel simple molecules and extended structures built from atomsMS-PS1-1
5. States of matter and particle motionAdding or removing thermal energy changes particle motion, temperature and stateMS-PS1-4
6. The water cycleWater cycles through Earth's systems, driven by sunlight and gravityMS-ESS2-4
7. Moon phases, eclipses and seasonsModel the Earth-Sun-Moon system to explain lunar phases, eclipses and seasonsMS-ESS1-1
8. Air masses, fronts and changing weatherCollect and interpret data to show how the motion and interactions of air masses result in changes in weather conditionsMS-ESS2-5

History & Social Studies

8 topics960 questionsSubject page

1. River valleys and the first civilizationsUse maps to explain why early civilizations grew along the Tigris-Euphrates, Nile, Indus and Huang He riversGeography (D2.Geo.2.6-8)
2. From farming villages to the cities of MesopotamiaExplain the causes and effects of farming, surplus food and the rise of Sumerian city-states, writing and lawHistory (D2.His.14.6-8)
3. Ancient Egypt and the gift of the NileConnect the Nile's floods, desert and geography to Egyptian farming, beliefs, pharaohs and identityGeography (D2.Geo.6.6-8)
4. Ancient China: dynasties, change and continuityClassify developments from the Shang through the Han as change or continuity, including the Mandate of HeavenHistory (D2.His.2.6-8)
5. Athens and Sparta: two Greek governmentsCompare direct democracy in Athens with Sparta's mixed government and explain who could take part in eachCivics (D2.Civ.5.6-8)
6. The Roman Republic and the Twelve TablesExamine the origins, purposes and impact of Rome's written laws and republican governmentCivics (D2.Civ.3.6-8)
7. Barter, coins and the Silk RoadExplain how money made trade easier than barter and how distance, deserts, mountains and tolls were barriers to Silk Road tradeEconomics (D2.Eco.14.6-8)
8. Ashoka and the Maurya EmpireExplain why Ashoka and the Maurya Empire are historically significant, using his edicts, the Kalinga war and the spread of BuddhismHistory (D2.His.3.6-8)

Life Skills

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. Budgeting and my first incomeBuild a simple monthly budget from allowance or first earnings, separating needs, wants, saving and givingSpending (Jump$tart)
2. Digital citizenship and online safetyProtect passwords and personal information, think before posting and respond to unsafe or unkind online behaviorResponsible Decision-Making (CASEL)
3. Sleep, nutrition and exercise habitsUnderstand how sleep, food and movement affect energy and mood, and plan routines for a growing bodyNational Health Education Standard 7 (NHES)
4. Time management and study skillsPlan a week, break big tasks into steps and use active study methods instead of rereadingSelf-Management (CASEL)
5. Resolving conflicts with a win-win approachUse I-messages, listening and compromise to solve disagreements, and know when to involve an adultRelationship Skills (CASEL)
6. First aid and handling emergenciesRespond to common injuries such as cuts, burns, nosebleeds and sprains, and know when to call 911National Health Education Standard 7 (NHES)
7. Consumer smarts and advertisingSpot advertising techniques, separate wants from needs and make informed buying choicesSpending (Jump$tart)

Entrepreneurship & Business Thinking

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. Writing a one-page business planDescribe a business on one page and use the numbers to test whether a profit goal is realisticCouncil for Economic Education, Standard 14 (CEE)
2. Customer surveys and reading the resultsWrite fair survey questions and use counts and percents to decide what to makeCouncil for Economic Education, Standard 14 (CEE)
3. Why prices move: supply and demandExplain how shortages and surpluses push prices up or downEconomics (D2.Eco.7.6-8)
4. Fixed and variable costs and profit marginSeparate fixed and variable costs and find profit and profit marginCouncil for Economic Education, Standard 14 (CEE)
5. A business budget: planned and actualBuild a business budget and adjust spending when income falls shortCouncil for Economic Education, Standard 1 (CEE)
6. Marketing and the four PsDescribe product, price, place and promotion and compare ads by cost per personCouncil for Economic Education, Standard 14 (CEE)
7. Teams and leadershipAssign team roles, delegate and share profit fairlyCouncil for Economic Education, Standard 6 (CEE)

Psychology for Kids

7 topics840 questionsSubject page

1. How memory works and how to studyExplain encoding, storage and retrieval and plan study with retrieval practice and spacingSelf-Management (CASEL)
2. Attention and the myth of multitaskingExplain switch costs and design a plan to protect focusSelf-Management (CASEL)
3. Your changing brainDescribe how the brain develops in the early teen years and which habits support itSelf-Awareness (CASEL)
4. Naming and managing emotionsUse precise feeling words and pause before responding to strong emotionsSelf-Management (CASEL)
5. Sleep and the brainExplain what sleep does for the brain and build an evening routine for 8 to 10 hoursNHES Standard 7
6. Empathy and perspective-takingTell apart kinds of empathy and practice active listeningSocial Awareness (CASEL)
7. When and how to ask for helpChoose trusted adults and resources and practice asking for help clearlyNHES Standard 3

What one lesson contains

Every topic in every subject follows the same five steps, then an answer key. Nothing changes between subjects, so a student always knows what comes next.

1. Quick CheckQuestions before you teach, to show what the student already knows. A high score means you can move faster.
2. Learn ItKey words, step-by-step teaching with lines you can read aloud, worked examples, and the mistakes to watch for.
3. We Do It TogetherQuestions you work through side by side. The answer and the reason it is the answer are printed right after each question.
4. You TryThe student works alone. Do a page a day, or as many as the student needs.
5. Show What You KnowNew questions at the end. Compare the score with the Quick Check to see the change.
6. Answer KeyEvery question has its answer and a short explanation, at the end of each topic, so a student can work without peeking.

Other grades

• What should a kindergarten student know?
• What should a 1st grade student know?
• What should a 2nd grade student know?
• What should a 3rd grade student know?
• What should a 4th grade student know?
• What should a 5th grade student know?
• What should a 7th grade student know?
• What should an 8th grade student know?

More

• Summer math workbook for kids going into 6th grade
• Flashcards: fractions, decimals and percents, plus subject vocabulary
• Free: The parent's math guide
• Free: The parent's reading guide
• See the whole curriculum
• Workbook store
• Frequently asked questions

Questions parents ask