Sixth Grade Curriculum
English - Language Arts

 

The grade six language arts curriculum emphasizes systematic, explicit skills instruction in reading and writing. Students read and comprehend a wide variety of grade-level appropriate literature. Students learn the writing process, writing strategies and writing applications with an emphasis on written and oral English language conventions and correct spelling. Some examples of specific concepts and skills which students are to master are provided in the topic areas listed below:


READING:

Word Recognition, Vocabulary and Concept Development

  • use word, sentence and paragraph clues to determine meaning of unknown words in expository (informational) and narrative text
  • distinguish and interpret figurative language and multiple-meaning words
  • compare and explain connotation, “shades of meaning” for related words (e.g., softly - quietly)

Comprehension

  • clarify understanding of texts by creating outlines, notes, summaries, or reports
  • make reasonable judgments about the text and suport with examples and details
  • note instances of unsupported inferences, fallacious reasoning, persuasion, and propaganda in text
  • distinguish among forms of fiction and describe the major characteristics of each
  • identify and explain the effects of key literary techniques in a variety of fictional and non-fictional texts
  • make predictions and draw conclusions from evidence in text and give examples to support the inference

Fluency

  • read numerous books to build fluency and comprehension
  • read narrative and expository text aloud with fluency, accuracy, pacing, intonation, and expression

WRITING:

Application

  • write a multiple paragraph composition that states a clear purpose, develops the topic with details, and concludes with a summary
  • write persuasive compositions that state a position, and include evidence to support the position
  • write research reports that support the main idea(s) with facts and examples from multiple sources and include a bibliography

Research and Technology

  • use organizational features of electronic text to locate information
  • use word processing skills to compose documents

Capitalization, Punctuation and Grammar

  • use simple, compound and compound-complex sentences
  • use effective coordination and subordination of ideas to express a complete thought
  • identify and use verb tenses, subject-verb agreement with compound subjects and indefinite pronouns
  • use colons in business letters, semicolons to connect independent clauses and commas to link two independent clauses with a conjunction in compound sentences
  • use correct capitalization

Spelling

  • apply spelling rules and knowledge of patterns to correctly spell words
  • spell frequently misspelled words correctly (e.g., their, they’re, there, belief, receive)
  • use spelling skills in reading and written work

LISTENING AND SPEAKING:

  • restate and follow multi-step oral instructions and directions
  • interpret the speaker’s verbal communication through the use of word choice, pitch, tone, and the speaker’s non-verbal messages
  • identify persuasive techniques used in the media and identify false and misleading information
  • use effective speaking skills (e.g., appropriate pacing, phrasing, intonation, expression, gestures, and vocal projection)