Language Arts

What happens in a Grade 6 Language Arts lesson?

The Writing Workshop Model

Grade 6 students begin their entry into the literary world this year by creating a longer realistic story. Most sessions begin with mini-lessons that focus on a skill or strategy that good writers use. Students might identify the strategy in an excerpt from a published text, be introduced to the strategy through the teacher modeling its use, or apply the strategy in a guided class writing activity. Students then write independently, applying the strategy as part of their work. The teacher will meet with individual students during this time to discuss their writing and monitor progress. Students are invited to share their writing as they reflect on their learning at the conclusion of the workshop.

Other genres that will be covered in Writing Workshop are Opinion/Argument, Information, and Poetry.

Reading Workshop

Students need daily opportunities to read self selected, texts at their reading level. Usually at the start of Reading Workshop, there will be a mini-lesson where a reading or comprehension strategy is introduced. The students then read independently from a self-selected text and apply the strategy. During this time students discuss text with partners, participate in a reading conference and/or record responses in a journal. The practice component may also be guided reading. This is where the teacher assists individuals and/or small groups of students at their instructional reading level in applying appropriate strategies with both familiar and new texts. The purpose of guided practice is for students to improve their reading proficiency.