Embedded Files
Teacher Resources
Unit Overview
Unit Overview
In this unit, students will harness the power of observation in writing to investigate and inform. Students will learn the techniques and strategies that journalists employ in writing clear pieces and will practice writing about an issue or topic that affects their community or themselves. Students will consider the relationship between the news and their identity through answering the question about what stories and events matter to them -what’s in your news?
In this unit, students will harness the power of observation in writing to investigate and inform. Students will learn the techniques and strategies that journalists employ in writing clear pieces and will practice writing about an issue or topic that affects their community or themselves. Students will consider the relationship between the news and their identity through answering the question about what stories and events matter to them -what’s in your news?
Vocabulary
Vocabulary
source
elaboration
subject
subtopics
facts, statistics
anecdotes
lead
domain-specific vocabulary
concrete details
context
formal and informal style
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
Why are reading, writing, and storytelling essential components of the human experience?
How does English Language Arts expand our perspective?
How does where we come from shape our identity?
Unit Standards
Unit Standards
All ELA standards can be found listed in the updated 2017 Massachusetts State ELA Grade 6 Frameworks:
Students will learn...
Writing
Text Types and Purposes
How to write informative/explanatory texts (e.g., essays, oral reports, biographical feature articles) to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
a. How to introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information in paragraphs and sections, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include text features (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
b. How to develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
c. How to use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
d. How to use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
e. How to establish and maintain a style appropriate to audience and purpose (e.g., formal for academic writing).
f. How to provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented.
Production and Distribution of Writing
How to produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. For example, students studying the genre of mystery stories write narratives in which they introduce a variety of characters with distinctive traits, create plausible yet mysterious events, use vivid descriptions to create mood, use foreshadowing clues that point to the solution of the mystery, and resolve the mystery with an explanation by one of the characters.
How to develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.
a. How to demonstrate command of standard English conventions
b. How to demonstrate the ability to select accurate vocabulary appropriate for audience and purpose
How to use technology, including current web-based communication platforms, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others.
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