Mrs. Meg Knop is the Sixth Grade teacher at St. John.  She has been on the staff since 1985 and has taught various grade levels.  She teaches departmentalized English in grades 6 - 8.

Religion
     Creation, redemption, and sanctification are understood in view of the Trinity.  Learning about the Fruits of the Spirit and Law versus Gospel provides the students with tools to use in sharing the Good News with others.  The chronology of the Bible becomes more concrete as students study the Old Testament but with the focus of how the New Testament tells the “rest of the story.”  Baptism and Holy Communion are studied in depth.

Math
     Math 76 from Saxon reinforces the basic mathematical concepts and skills that students learned in Math 54 and Math 65.  Concepts, procedures, and vocabulary that students will need in order to be successful in upper-level algebra and geometry courses are introduced and continually practiced.  Students learn to simplify expressions containing parentheses as the first step to solving multi-step equations.  In addition to adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing signed numbers; students are introduced to exponents, square roots, and geometric formulas.  Students work extensively with ratios, percentages, fractions, mixed numbers, and decimals.  Daily mental math and problem-solving exercises enhance students’ repertoire of skills and increase their mathematical power.

Language Arts
     Reading, thinking, and improving study skills are interrelated at this level in order to prepare students for the years to come.  Students explore author’s intent and uses of literary devices to understand reading selections.  They read widely in classis and contemporary selections and informational texts.  They complete research reports and many projects.  Diagramming sentences on a more complex level is introduced at this level.  The student learns to diagram up to the compound sentences.  Grammar skills progress to the point that students can correctly use simple, complex and compound sentences.  Use of various forms of writing enables the students to make use of their grammar skills.

Handwriting
     Maintaining and reinforcing correct letter and number formation is emphasized in this grade.  Students are expected to show an orderliness and high level of neatness in all written work that uses letter and/or numbers.  As students progress they also explore other types of cursive penmanship.

Social Studies
     God’s hand in making all the nations of the earth is the slant of this class.  A study of ancient history shows the development of world trends and cultures and their relationships to the historic backgrounds of world societies. Students learn how the governments and the societies were affected by major shifts or displacements and what affect these had on future nations or generations.  Understanding different forms of government around the world helps students see the roles of citizens of those governments and how the roles of citizens change according to the expectations of the government and the power controlled by the people or by the governments themselves.  Throughout the course of this class there are many hands-on learning centers that fit the needs of the students’ understanding of the previous generation’s way of life.

Science
     Students will receive an overview of life, earth and physical science.  They will receive training in scientific tools that will prepare them for advanced learning in each of the science academic areas.  Each student will learn to use the proper measuring tools and be able to function in laboratory work.  All three areas will be related to their relationships with God’s creation.  The text and material will have examples of how God’s handiwork is present in every part of our discovery world.

Computer Science
     Students begin familiarizing themselves with Microsoft Word.

Art
     Students explore many different mediums of art at this level.  Some of the mediums include: drawing with charcoal and chalk, copper punch, plastic canvas quilting, paper mache, wood carving, lanyard art, leather, tissue paper as well as other forms.  Students also incorporate the color wheel into many of their art forms.
 
Music
     Recognizing, playing and singing melodies and parts of musical pieces are accomplished at this level.  Students are exposed to various types of musical pieces from classical to more popular with the idea that they will have the opportunity to appreciate them.  Exposure to different types of classroom instruments gives the students the occasion to try different sounds and sound combinations.  Qualities and examples of ethnic music are compared to traditional music.  Students are introduced to famous musical composers and the period their music represents.

Health/Quest (Skills for Adolescence)
     Students identify daily health and safety practices that ensure a healthy body and promote a positive self-concept.  Knowing they are responsible for their actions is introduced.  They explore ways to be a more meaningful member of their family, school, church, community, and world.  Learning manners is also a part of this class.  The most emphasis is put on W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Do) and our Christian values.

Physical Education
     As team sports in the school arena become more important to the student, these same sports are favorites of the students to continue to improve upon whenever they are given the opportunity.  The students have time to fine tune aspects of these sports such as knowing and understanding the rules, the use of specialty teams within the larger teams, and Christian sportsmanship.  Along with this desire to play well for the school comes the need to encourage self-control in losing situations and a willingness to try again.