At San Domenico our sixth graders study the origins of humanity and of our planet.
In Science class they begin the year studying the beginning of the universe and the creation of stars. The students learn about the lifecycle of our own star, the sun, and discover how planets were made. Then they examine the early history of our planet earth, and consider the conditions that allowed life to evolve.
Sixth grade History class begins with a study of our human origins on the African savanna. The students imagine a world when several different species of hominids shared the earth. They study the development of tools, agriculture, and early civilizations. The effect of the environment on human history is the central theme.
In English and Religious Studies, the students read creation myths and discover what they teach us about the nature of our world and our selves. Through these stories the students learn of the sacred relationship we have with the environment.
Within all of our sixth grade classes we explore our human commonality and interconnection with the earth. We hope that this curriculum will inspire our students to feel connected with the earth, enchanted by the earth, and responsible for the earth. Our sixth graders were created in a distant star. They have been one cell beings, prehistoric plants, dinosaurs, mammals, and apes. They have evolved into humans and developed tools and civilizations. They have made art, written mythology and looked for meaning in their own origins. What will they do next?
