Grade 6 English Language Arts is designed to develop students’ literacy skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language in alignment with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The course emphasizes critical reading, effective written communication, and evidence-based analysis across a range of texts and tasks.
Students will read and analyze a variety of literary texts and informational texts, focusing on key ideas, details, structure, and author’s craft. Instruction emphasizes citing textual evidence to support analysis (RL.6.1, RI.6.1), determining theme or central idea (RL.6.2, RI.6.2), analyzing plot and text structure (RL.6.5, RI.6.5), and interpreting word meaning, figurative language, and tone (RL.6.4, RI.6.4).
Writing instruction aligns with the CCSS Writing Standards and requires students to produce argumentative, informative/explanatory, and narrative writing (W.6.1, W.6.2, W.6.3). Students will engage in the full writing process, including planning, revising, editing, and publishing (W.6.5), while incorporating evidence from texts to support ideas (W.6.9). Writing tasks emphasize clear organization, appropriate style, and command of grade-level conventions (W.6.4).
Speaking and listening skills are developed through structured discussions, collaborative activities, and formal presentations. Students are expected to participate effectively in discussions (SL.6.1), interpret information presented in various formats (SL.6.2), and present information clearly using appropriate eye contact, volume, and language (SL.6.4).
Language instruction supports students’ understanding of grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary acquisition. Students will apply conventions of standard English (L.6.1, L.6.2), determine and clarify word meanings using context and reference materials (L.6.4), and demonstrate understanding of figurative language and word relationships (L.6.5, L.6.6).
