This school year we will use the new ELA textbook.. I will work in lessons from the Writers Workshop when appropriate. As always, my goal for all students this year is to create strong, confident WRITERS who ENJOY writing.
We have three main writing focuses: Narrative Writing (storytelling with dialogue, action, internal thinking, and more) , Argumentative Writing (Essay writing), and Informational Writing (writing to teach).
Research shows those who read often improve their reading. It is also true that those who write often, improve their writing. Practice makes better in all walks of life, whether it be in school for math, reading, writing, and learning a new language; or outside of school for soccer, band, or dance.
Grammar, language conventions, vocabulary, listening and speaking skills and more are included in this year's curriculum.
I use standards-based learning and grading with a 0-4 scale.
(0.5 means the student hasn't demonstrated any of the skills required to meet expectations.)
The following link provides a review of all the standards: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy
Then select an area - Reading Literature, Reading Informational Text, Writing, Speaking and Listening, or Language - and select 6th grade.