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, which build off of the Grade 5 standards and are based on the 2017 Massachusetts State Framework for English Language Arts:

Essential Standards: Reading (Literature & Informational)

1. Independently and proficiently read and comprehend grade-level literary texts representing a variety of genres, cultures, and perspectives and exhibiting complexity.

2. Determine a theme or central idea within or across texts and explain how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of a text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.

3. Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what a text states explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, quoting or paraphrasing as appropriate. 

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 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 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 arguments (e.g., essays, editorials etc) and explanatory text to support claims with clear reasons, relevant evidence, and explanation of the evidence as it relates to the claim.

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.

• Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 

• 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.