English

Through cycles of core novel studies, book groups, and genre studies, students in sixth-grade build on their foundational literacy skills to grow their stamina, expand their use of strategies, deepen their literary analysis, and develop their ability to express themselves in speaking and writing as they read increasingly complex text. Below please find the essential standards for Grade 6:

Essential Standards: Literature / Reading

1. Proficiently read and comprehend grade-level literary texts representing a variety of genres, cultures, and perspectives. Core novels include New Kid and The Giver.

2. Identify the development of a theme or central idea over the course of a piece of writing in a variety of genres. 

3. Uses and cites text evidence (direct quotes and/or paraphrasing) to support inferences and analysis drawn from the text.

Criteria for proficiency:

• Uses a variety of pre-reading, think-along, and repair strategies to monitor and support reading comprehension and literary analysis. 

• Presents understanding and interpretation of a text in a variety of formats: quick writes, written responses, essays, assessments, participation in discussions, podcasts, etc.

• Identifies the key characteristics of a variety of genres: novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction and uses these characteristics to shape understanding and analysis 

• Recognizes and understands the use of authors' techniques to enhance meaning

• Reads a variety of texts to understand how literature can be a window, a mirror, or a sliding glass door into diverse perspectives and experiences

• Develops a personal appreciation for different genres, styles, and authors and finds relevance and joy in reading

Essential Standards: Language and Writing

1. Write responses to support claims with clear reasons and relevant text evidence. 

2. Write narratives to develop experiences or events using effective literary techniques, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured sequences.

Criteria for proficiency:

• Follows a process of planning, drafting, revising, and editing and uses resources (organizers, rubrics, checklists) and feedback provided at each stage to progress skills and enhance the quality of the writing

• Is able to craft a claim and support it with accurate text evidence and reasoning.

• Addresses the topic at hand and logically sequences writing for clarity and to have the greatest impact on the reader

• Demonstrates a command of language through grammar, sentence structure, and word choice and uses edits to repair errors that detract from clarity.

• Uses a variety of techniques to develop leads, transitions, and conclusions in a writing piece

Essential Standards: Speaking & Listening

1. Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6  topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and clearly expressing their own.