6th Grade
Middle school is a critical time for developing critical thinking and problem-solving strategies.
The online middle school program at Pathfinder Career Academy of Ohio is tuition-free. We designed our Ohio state-approved online middle school program with your child’s success in mind. We offer education for sixth, seventh, and eighth grade in our online middle school curriculum.
We strive to provide a relevant, engaging, and challenging online public school curriculum that is developmentally appropriate, meets their individual needs, and prepares them for high school.
* Course offerings are subject to change and may vary based on school staffing.
Career Awareness
Career awareness refers to an individual’s understanding of various career options, industries, job roles, and the skills required to succeed. It involves developing a basic understanding of the diverse careers available, their qualifications and educational paths, and the potential growth opportunities within each field.
Introduction to CTE
An “Intro to CTE” focus aims to expose students to the possibilities and benefits of pursuing a career through technical education, helping them make more informed decisions about their educational and career paths. It lays the foundation for students to explore specific CTE programs and pathways that align with their interests and goals. Intro to CTE will include defining career tech education, career pathways, skills development, industry exposure, educational pathways, hands-on learning, career exploration, and future opportunities. An in-depth introduction to CTE will prepare students to make an informed decision in their 11th grade year on what career pathway program they would like to pursue at Pathfinder Career Academy.
6th Grade Student Experience
Students will engage in academic coursework that connects learning to career pathways through real-world applications, critical thinking, and employability skill-building. Listed are some examples of how Pathfinder’s academic and CTE teachers will incorporate real-world applications in your student’s coursework:
💡 English Language Arts (ELA) – Communication & Career Exploration
🧮 Mathematics – Practical Applications in Careers
🔬 Science – STEM & Career Connections
🌎 Social Studies – Economics & Careers
🚀 Career Exploration & Readiness
Students will participate in structured career exploration activities to learn about various career paths and align their interests with future goals.
✔ Naviance Interest Inventory – Students will complete self-discovery surveys to explore strengths, interests, and career options.
✔ Pathful Connect Activities – Virtual career exploration sessions with industry professionals.
✔ Career Exploration Elective – Introduction to the five Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways at Pathfinder Career Academy of Ohio:
- Health Science
- Teaching Professions
- Business Administrations
- Information Technology (I.T.)
- Construction
✔ Job Exploration Journal – Students will keep a career research journal to reflect on different career interests.
Students will engage in real-world, hands-on projects that promote problem-solving, creativity, and innovation.
🔹 Kidvation Global Curriculum – Students will work through an entrepreneurship and innovation program, where they design, develop, and pitch a product to a panel of judges at the end of the year.
🔹 Community & Career Interviews – Students will interview a professional in a career of interest and present their findings.
🔹 Soft Skills in Action – Group projects will focus on teamwork, communication, leadership, and critical thinking.
Throughout the year, students will build essential workplace and leadership skills, including:
- Critical thinking & problem-solving
- Time management & goal setting
- Collaboration & teamwork
- Professional communication (verbal & written)
- Creativity & innovation
- Adaptability & resilience
By the end of 6th grade, students will have:
✅ Explored various career options and identified interests.
✅ Developed essential soft skills for leadership and teamwork.
✅ Engaged in hands-on, real-world learning experiences.
✅ Created and pitched an innovative product idea.
Core Curriculum: Grade 6
ENGLISH 6
Middle school students are able to independently read increasingly complex text, as well as respond in writing to these same texts. Readings include classic short stories and a variety of informational texts related to historical topics. Students will also have the opportunity to read and study a novel of their choice. Each unit in 6th grade Language Arts includes explicit instruction and practice in writing, grammar, morphology, spelling, and reading.
Grade 6 writing expands in scope and complexity, consisting of a robust series of unit- long writing activities that incorporate language skills and focus on developing craft and structure while incorporating and building upon writing skills learned in the earlier grades. These writing projects are intended to prepare middle school students for the writing they will do in high school, college, and the professional world.
The semester culminates with a project in which students apply the learning from the semester to complete a comprehensive activity. The projects are intended to promote independent learning as students make choices about work products and apply self- management skills to plan activities.
MATH 6
In this problem-based curriculum, students will build on their math skills through exploration. Throughout this course, students will use interactives and offline tools to explore math concepts. Students learn by doing math, solving problems in mathematical and real- world contexts, and constructing arguments using precise language. Students hear thoughts and ideas from their “virtual classmates” as they explore mathematical concepts and are encouraged to explain their thinking in writing throughout the course.
Students begin the year exploring geometry through the study of area and surface area of figures. They then move into a study of ratios, unit rates, unit pricing, and percentages. The semester concludes with an in- depth dive into dividing fractions, focusing not only on algorithms, but also conceptualizing and applying this skill. Additional course elements include real- world applications, discussions, graphic organizers, and unit projects.
SCIENCE 6
In this inquiry-based curriculum, students engage with science questions with the goal of explaining a phenomenon and/or solving a problem. Students begin by posing questions, developing models, proposing ideas for investigation, investigating and gathering data, applying data to answer questions and revise models, and then forming new questions to answer. They question, investigate, and build understanding as they read, complete interactive activities and simulations, and engage in virtual labs.
Students begin the semester with a study of light and matter, exploring the phenomenon of one- way mirrors which act as both a window and a mirror. They will investigate how light transmission and reflection impacts how we see an object. Next, they will study thermal energy and learn how containers can keep materials hot or cold. During this study, they will investigate closed and open systems and the movement of particles. Finally, they will learn about cells and systems. Students will explore the systems of the body and investigate how we heal from injuries at a cellular level. Additional course elements include readings, discussions, and unit projects.
State Specific versions available for: GA, IN, OH, PA, WV
SOCIAL STUDIES 6
The first semester of Social Studies 6 introduces students to the beginnings of ancient civilization. We will trace the path of human origins in Africa and follow the path of migration around the Earth. This course will help students understand why we study history and the process in which we form conclusions about events in the past. Students will begin to learn about the major ancient civilization around the world and their cultures. Modern civilizations can trace their foundations to these ancient civilizations, and their cultures and histories teach us much about ourselves and the modern world in which we live.
In addition to our core curriculum, the program will integrate career exploration throughout. Students will investigate the world of work and relate careers to their interests, skills, and abilities. Students will begin to build their personal development and habits of success. Students will focus on creating a sense of identity and purpose. Middle school students will prepare to determine a career pathway or program of study as they matriculate into High School.
List of Possible Elective Courses:
MS Career Exploration I
How do you pick a career path when you’re not sure what’s even out there? This course allows you to begin exploring options in fields such as teaching, business, government, hospitality, health science, IT, and more! you’ll align your interests, wants, and needs to career possibilities, including the required education for each. Let’s find a pathway that works for you.
MS Career Exploration II
Imagine that it’s 20 years from now. What career do you see yourself in? What do you imagine that you’ll be doing? In this course, you’ll explore more careers and what it takes to succeed in different fields. You’ll learn more about what steps are needed to prepare for your career and how to compare the pros and cons of different career choices to find one that’s best for you.
MS Exploring Music
What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘music’? Do you think about your favorite band or artist? In this course, you’ll learn about how we hear music; how music affects our lives; essential elements of music like rhythm, pitch, and harmony; different musical genres; singing and your voice; various instruments; music composition; and the history and culture of music over the years.
MS Game Design
We love to play video games, but have you ever wanted to build your own? If you are interested in a career in technology but also want a creative outlet, Game Design might be the field for you. Learn how to build a game from the ground up in this interactive and hands-on course that will teach you all the ins and outs of making your own game.
MS Health
Our middle school health courses will help the student understand the importance of making decisions that will affect his or her physical, emotional, mental and social health. This course will provide students with the knowledge and resources they will need to make responsible informed decisions about their health. Students will have an opportunity to evaluate their own values, opinions and attitudes about health.
Physical Education
In this course, students are introduced to exercise and physical fitness and the general recommendations for physical activity, while examining the benefits of exercise, lifestyle choices that can help prevent disease, and tips for kick-starting a healthier lifestyle. Students will explore each type of fitness, include the benefits, and the federal guidelines for exercise in detail. Students will also learn about bones and joints and the functions of the skeleton, and the different types of movements that occur at various joints. Students will learn about the different types of muscle in their bodies, and how they are structured, with particular attention to the different types of muscle fibers. Students will explore the functions that muscles perform, how they work, and their interaction with the central nervous system and special considerations for safe and effective exercise.
Students will learn how the cardiac and respiratory systems work and interact with each other and about the different blood vessels that makeup the circulatory (vascular) system. Students will learn about the body’s energy systems and how eating and drinking relates to exercise. Finally, students will learn about the psychology of exercising.
Spanish
Open the door to all the possibilities of your Spanish language passport! Sip your virtual cafecito as you delve into topics like school, daily escapades, food preferences, nationalities, family, sports, music, clothing, transportation, and weather. On this journey you’ll unearth a trove of cultural gems, discovering the richness of different Spanish-speaking countries through breath-taking locations, unique celebrations, and cherished traditions. Your goal is to master the basics—the key to unlocking Spanish conversations. Are you prepared for this exciting new adventure?
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