Curriculum
The Language Arts curriculum focuses on the Common Core which divides learning targets into five categories. We will not only strive to master each learning target but to also develop skills and strategies in order to work towards academic growth.
1. Writing
Sixth Graders will work with the following four purposes of writing: narrative, informative/explanatory, argumentative, and short research projects. For each purpose students will begin developing ideas by completing daily Quick Writes in their Writer's Notebook. Students will then write on a variety of topics and choose the one topic they would like to develop through revision, editing, and publishing. Their final piece will be their Summative Assessment which will be graded by both the student and the teacher and included in their portfolio. The student will complete a Reflection highlighting the strengths and goals met in their writing. The teacher will use a rubric looking for the use of the skills mastered for each writing purpose (see below).
Narrative (First Marking Period)
lead, well-developed, organized, transition words, dialogue, descriptive details, sensory language, point of view, effective conclusion
Informative/Explanatory (Second Marking Period)
topic stated, organized, relevant ideas, relevant facts, transitions, precise vocabulary, quotations, graphics, multimedia, formal style, effective conclusion
Argumentative (Third Marking Period)
argument introduced, clear reasons, evidence to support, organized, credible sources, clarify relationships among claims and reasons, transitions, formal style, concluding statement
Short Research Projects ( Fourth Marking Period)
question answered, cite several sources, refocus inquiry when needed
2 & 3. Reading Literature and Informational Text
Reading is such an intricate part of academic success. Sixth graders will be striving to master the following Common Core Learning Targets in both reading Literature and Informational Text:
A part of our Daily Routine is GRAB (Go Read A Book) which gives the students 20 minutes to independently read a self-selected book during first hour. Sixth graders are expected meet a personal reading goal. Please be sure you are reading at home 20 minutes five nights a week. Students will be asked to respond to their reading in their planner each night that they read. As a class, we will go to the Media Center every other week. The I PICK method is recommended for selecting independent reading books.
I choose a book
Purpose - Why do I want to read it?
Interest - Does it interest me?
Comprehend - Am I understanding what I am reading?
Know - I know most of the words
4. Speaking and Listening
Throughout the year, students will be asked to engage in collaborative discussions including one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led. The goal is to build upon others’ ideas and for students to express their own ideas clearly. Some of the skills we will be assessing include:
Sixth graders will also be expected to present a speech to the class. Your speech will be assessed on the following:
5. Language
Sixth graders will continue to develop their language skills developing vocabulary, understanding figurative language, and working with grammar. The areas of focus with grammar are pronouns and using commas, parentheses, and dashes to indicate a pause or break. Our sixth grade focus is Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes.
The Language Arts curriculum focuses on the Common Core which divides learning targets into five categories. We will not only strive to master each learning target but to also develop skills and strategies in order to work towards academic growth.
1. Writing
Sixth Graders will work with the following four purposes of writing: narrative, informative/explanatory, argumentative, and short research projects. For each purpose students will begin developing ideas by completing daily Quick Writes in their Writer's Notebook. Students will then write on a variety of topics and choose the one topic they would like to develop through revision, editing, and publishing. Their final piece will be their Summative Assessment which will be graded by both the student and the teacher and included in their portfolio. The student will complete a Reflection highlighting the strengths and goals met in their writing. The teacher will use a rubric looking for the use of the skills mastered for each writing purpose (see below).
Narrative (First Marking Period)
lead, well-developed, organized, transition words, dialogue, descriptive details, sensory language, point of view, effective conclusion
Informative/Explanatory (Second Marking Period)
topic stated, organized, relevant ideas, relevant facts, transitions, precise vocabulary, quotations, graphics, multimedia, formal style, effective conclusion
Argumentative (Third Marking Period)
argument introduced, clear reasons, evidence to support, organized, credible sources, clarify relationships among claims and reasons, transitions, formal style, concluding statement
Short Research Projects ( Fourth Marking Period)
question answered, cite several sources, refocus inquiry when needed
2 & 3. Reading Literature and Informational Text
Reading is such an intricate part of academic success. Sixth graders will be striving to master the following Common Core Learning Targets in both reading Literature and Informational Text:
- making inferences
- determining theme or central idea
- describing plot and characters
- analyzing text
- citing textual evidence
- explaining point of view and author’s purpose
- evaluate claims
- use information from different media to understand a topic or issue
A part of our Daily Routine is GRAB (Go Read A Book) which gives the students 20 minutes to independently read a self-selected book during first hour. Sixth graders are expected meet a personal reading goal. Please be sure you are reading at home 20 minutes five nights a week. Students will be asked to respond to their reading in their planner each night that they read. As a class, we will go to the Media Center every other week. The I PICK method is recommended for selecting independent reading books.
I choose a book
Purpose - Why do I want to read it?
Interest - Does it interest me?
Comprehend - Am I understanding what I am reading?
Know - I know most of the words
4. Speaking and Listening
Throughout the year, students will be asked to engage in collaborative discussions including one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led. The goal is to build upon others’ ideas and for students to express their own ideas clearly. Some of the skills we will be assessing include:
- come to discussions prepared either reading or studying material
- share evidence on the topic
- ask and respond to questions
- give detailed comments that are relevant
- review key ideas
- restate and rephrase key ideas expressed by others
- follow rules for discussion
- set goals and deadlines
Sixth graders will also be expected to present a speech to the class. Your speech will be assessed on the following:
- topic or Claim presented
- organized
- descriptions, details, and facts included
- appropriate eye contact, volume, and pronunciation
- include multimedia and visual displays
- use of formal language
5. Language
Sixth graders will continue to develop their language skills developing vocabulary, understanding figurative language, and working with grammar. The areas of focus with grammar are pronouns and using commas, parentheses, and dashes to indicate a pause or break. Our sixth grade focus is Greek and Latin prefixes and suffixes.