Rising Sixth-Grade Parent Resources

Welcome to the exciting transition to Marietta Sixth Grade Academy! This marks a significant milestone in your student’s academic and personal growth, and we are thrilled to be part of their experience. Sixth grade brings new challenges and opportunities for exploration, fostering independence, and building lasting friendships. Our dedicated team is here to support both students and families during this transition and looks forward to working together to make their year at MSGA memorable and enriching.

Welcome to MSGA!

Important 2025 Dates and Resources

Event	Dates	Resources/Information
Advanced Drama Auditions	March 1 \| 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. March 15 \| 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.	MSGA Drama
Advanced Chorus Auditions	March 1 \| 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. March 18 \| After School	MSGA Chorus
Student Elective Requests	March 3 – March 17	ASPEN Elective Selection Instructions
Show on the Road	March 11 – During School Hours	Current fifth-graders will attend this student-only event with their elementary schools
Blue Devil Showcase Preview Night	March 13 \| 6:00–8:00 p.m.	AT MSGA, for rising 6th grade families
Teacher Recommendations for Core Classes	March 18 – April 1	Fifth-grade teachers make recommendations for sixth grade core classes (Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies)
Parent Review of Teacher Recommendations and Student Elective Requests	April 23 – May 2	Parents will review both the core classes recommended by their fifth-grade teachers and their students elective requests.
Parent Waive-Up Requests	April 23 – May 2	Parents have the option to waive teacher recommended core classes. Parents are advised to talk to their children’s current teacher regarding recommendations Waive-Up Request Form
Blue Devil Day	May 9 \| 9:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.	Student only celebration at MSGA welcoming the newest Blue Devil class

MSGA On-Level and Advanced Course Comparisons
Advanced Studies and Gifted Resources

Category	On-Level	Honors	Accelerated (Grades 6/7)
Experience	Students formalize and extend mathematics learned in previous grades through three big ideas of content: numerical reasoning, patterning and algebraic reasoning, and geometric and spatial reasoning Students engage in learning tasks that develop and apply their understanding of concepts	On-Level plus: Learning tasks involve a greater degree of abstract reasoning and complexity Students learn and apply skills almost entirely within real-world contexts Students will use a high level of reasoning when applying skills and strategies	On-Level and Honors plus: Standards are addressed at an increased pace Learning tasks may include seventh-grade standards and/or greater complexity
Depth of Knowledge and Rigor	Recall and apply information such as facts, definitions, terms, and simple procedures Perform simple algorithms and apply formulas Classify and identify information Interpret information from graphs and tables Use models to represent math concepts Solve routine problems involving multiple steps or multiple concepts Make decisions regarding the process of solving problems	On-Level plus: Use strategic thinking that involves a higher level of reasoning Explain the thinking processes involved in solving a problem Interpret information from a complex graph Solve problems involving multiple steps and concepts Relate math concepts to real-world applications in new situations	On-Level and Honors plus: Generalize skills in one area (positive numbers) and apply them to new skills (negative numbers) Skills and concepts are applied to seventh-grade standards
Standards	Sixth-Grade Georgia Mathematics Standards Georgia Standards for Mathematical Practice	Sixth-Grade Georgia Mathematics Standards Georgia Standards for Mathematical Practice	Sixth-Grade Georgia Mathematics Standards Georgia Standards for Mathematical Practice MCS Gifted Standards

Category	On-Level	Honors
Experience	Students engage in sixth-grade three-dimensional science curriculum through science and engineering practices Students identify crosscutting concepts in science Students are introduced to Phenomenon based on the sixth-grade curriculum utilizing current events	On-Level plus: Complete year-long capstone project Utilize Lab Aids – Science and Engineering Projects designed at UC Berkeley
Depth of Knowledge and Rigor	Recall scientific knowledge Conduct scientific experiments Ask questions and make inferences about Phenomenon Construct explanations about routine scientific problems Identify patterns in current events Develop and use models Construct arguments about Phenomenon Analyze and interpret data about Phenomenon	On-Level plus: Apply scientific knowledge Conduct and design scientific experiments and investigations Construct explanations about complex scientific problems Identify multiple patterns in current events Develop and use complex models Construct elaborate arguments about Phenomenon
Standards	Sixth-Grade Science Georgia Standards of Excellence	Sixth-Grade Science Georgia Standards of Excellence MCS Gifted Standards

Category	On-Level	Honors
Experience	Structured literacy approach Guided reading and test analysis Structured writing process Collaborative discussions Explicit skill development Scaffolded critical thinking Support for diverse learners Independent reading and writing opportunities	Anchored in William and Mary Gifted Unit of Instruction Rigorous text analysis – students read and interpret texts, including classical literature, contemporary works, and primary source documents Exploration of themes, author’s craft, and multiple perspectives Socratic and collaborative discussions – students participate in rich, student-led discussions where they analyze, debate, and support their ideas with text-based evidence Advanced writing and composition – students craft sophisticated analytical essays and arguments, create narratives, and complete research-based projects Integration of multimodal texts and media – students analyze and synthesize information from diverse sources, including film, podcast, infographics, and digital media Independent and self-directed learning – students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning through independent reading, self-selected projects, and differentiated assignments that cater to their interests and strengths
Depth of Knowledge and Rigor	Encourage text-based evidence Use open-ended, higher-order questions Incorporated complex, multimodal texts Facilitate inquiry and discussion Require authentic application of learning	Read and comprehend informational texts and literature of high complexity and meet and often exceed the demands of grade-level texts Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis and inferences Analyze the theme and central idea Analyze the responses and changes of complex characters contributing to the episodes in the plot Analyze and evaluate how an author develops the narrator or speaker’s point of view, purpose, and craft Compare, contrast, and analyze texts in different forms and genres Trace and evaluate specific claims Write highly effective, compelling pieces to support claims Use critical thinking skills to gather, interpret, organize, and synthesize information
Standards	Pending implementation – Georgia’s Sixth-Grade Standards of English Language Arts	Pending implementation – Georgia’s Sixth-Grade Standards of English Language Arts MCS Gifted Standards

Social Studies

Category	On-Level	Honors
Experience	Students will focus on World Studies Students will study Latin America, Canada, Europe, and Australia, concentrating on history, geography, government/civics, culture, and economics Science of Reading vocabulary strategies are the focus for vocabulary Students complete learning activities, mini-projects, and map and geography skills	On-Level plus: All of seventh-grade social studies standards which include Africa, Southwest Asia, and Southern & Eastern Asia Students complete a unit on personal financial literacy
Depth of Knowledge and Rigor	Recall prior Social Studies knowledge Focus on specific facts and definitions Focus on applying skills, concepts, and relationships (cause and effect comparisons) Real-world applications and connections to content	On-Level plus: Complex and abstract thinking Reasoning and inquiry-based learning
Standards	Sixth-Grade Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence	Sixth-Grade Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence Seventh-Grade Social Studies Georgia Standards of Excellence MCS Gifted Standards