Connections | Threads Of Ames

Connections Overview

Threads Connections is designed for 6th graders and older students who are not yet ready for the academic demands of Threads 7. The program runs for twelve weeks in the fall and twelve weeks in the spring, with classes meeting in both the morning and afternoon and a 45-minute break for lunch.

The goal of Threads Connections is to help students develop greater educational ownership and academic independence. Parental support at home is essential, particularly in helping students learn time management, plan assignments, and take responsibility for completing work. Classes consist of complete academic courses in the subjects of IEW writing, Language Arts, Literature, Geography, Science, and History/Presentations.

Sample Connections Schedule (6th)

Geography

Students learn the locations of all U.S. states and capitals, as well as the countries of the world, and practice identifying them on maps. The teacher will introduce cultures of the world to students.

9:00 AM – 9:30 AM

Literature

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Students read and discuss selected works of literature, including fiction and non-fiction at an appropriate level. The goals are to improve reading comprehension, encourage thoughtful discussion, and deepen understanding of historical periods studied.

Language Arts: Grammar and Composition

In writing, students develop writing skills by preparing weekly compositions. Instruction emphasizes organization and style using the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) elements of style. Skills build progressively throughout the year, from single-paragraph assignments to a multi-week, five-paragraph project.

Come learn English grammar with a focus on sentence structure and the function of words. Teachers emphasize active engagement through writing, listening, and speaking, helping students master grammar concepts for clear communication. At home, students apply their skills by hunting for and correcting errors in daily passages that cumulatively tell a story. The “Fix It! Grammar” approach ensures immediate application of new knowledge in context, reinforcing skill transfer into writing.

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Science

Connections Science introduces students to the brilliant minds and discoveries behind history’s greatest scientific achievements. Topics include; microscopic organisms, genetics, heat and light energy, scientific methodology, DNA, diseases, atoms, chemistry, physics, and more. Diagrams, timelines, and colorful illustrations, along with hands-on experiments, help students understand complex concepts.

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

History/Timeline Presentations

1:00 PM – 2:00PM

Students study history from creation to the modern era from a Christian perspective. Topics include Egyptian civilization, the Roman Empire, Gutenberg’s printing press, the Industrial Era, the World Wars, and more. Students learn key terms, timelines, and detailed descriptions of famous events, with weekly review questions to reinforce understanding. mathematical instruction focused on abstract problem-solving and building a strong foundation for high school level courses.

For the presentation portion of the class, students prepare weekly 2-minute presentations, practicing public speaking skills. Presentation topics align with historical events or figures from the timeline cards used in class.

Governing Groups

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Unit 1: U.S. Government and Citizenship, including the Naturalization Test. Students complete handouts at home and discuss in class, ultimately learning all 100 questions on a mock test.
Unit 2: Iowa History, covering native peoples, pioneers, railroads, the Civil War, immigrants, state government formation, education, the Great Depression, wars, and modern events such as 9/11.
Unit 3: Royal Fireworks Press Problem-Based Learning, where students collaborate to solve problems associated with city government using historical incidents as a launching point.