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Sixth Grade
(PREPARED BY PAULETTE CEFALU-WALKWITZ)

Reading and Responding

Standard 1:

1.        Identify word meanings using a variety of strategies, including:

·      using context clues (e.g., definition, restatement, example, contrast)

·      using structural analysis (e.g., roots, affixes)

·      determining word origins (etymology)

·      using knowledge of idioms

·      explaining word analogies (ELA-1-M1)

2.        Identify common abbreviations, symbols, acronyms, and multiple-meaning words (ELA-1-M1)

3.        Develop specific vocabulary (e.g., scientific, content-specific, current events) for various purposes (ELA-1-M1)

4.        Identify and explain story elements, including:

·      theme development

·      character development

·      relationship of word choice and mood

·      plot sequence (e.g., exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution) (ELA-1-M2)

5.        Identify and explain literary and sound devices, including:

·      foreshadowing

·      flashback

·      imagery

·      onomatopoeia (ELA-1-M2)

6.        Answer literal and inferential questions in oral and written responses about ideas and information in grade-appropriate texts, including:

·      comic strips

·      editorial cartoons

·      speeches (ELA-1-M3)

7.        Explain the connections between ideas and information in a variety of texts (e.g., journals, technical specifications, advertisements) and real-life situations and other texts (ELA-1-M4)

Standard 6

8.        Compare and contrast cultural characteristics (e.g., customs, traditions, viewpoints) found in national, world, and multicultural literature (ELA-6-M1)

9.        Compare and contrast elements (e.g., plot, setting, characters, theme) in a variety of genres (ELA-6-M2)

10.    Use knowledge of the distinctive characteristics to classify and interpret elements of various genres, including:

·      fiction (e.g., myths, historical fiction)

·      nonfiction (e.g., newspaper articles, magazine articles)

·      poetry (e.g., lyric, narrative)

·      drama (e.g., short plays) (ELA-6-M3)

Standard 7

11.    Demonstrate understanding of information in grade-appropriate texts using a variety of strategies, including:

·      sequencing events and steps in a process

·      summarizing and paraphrasing information

·      identifying stated or implied main ideas and supporting details

·      comparing and contrasting literary elements and ideas

·      making simple inferences and drawing conclusions

·      predicting the outcome of a story or situation

·      identifying literary devices (ELA-7-M1)

12.    Examine and explain the relationship between life experiences and texts to generate solutions to problems (ELA-7-M2)

13.    Use technical information and other available resources (e.g., software programs, manuals) to solve problems (ELA-7-M2)

14.    Analyze an author's stated or implied purpose for writing (e.g., to explain, to entertain, to persuade, to inform, to express personal attitudes or beliefs) (ELA-7-M3)

15.    Identify persuasive techniques (e.g., unsupported inferences, faulty reasoning, generalizations) that reflect an author’s viewpoint (perspective) in texts (ELA-7-M3)

16.    Analyze grade-appropriate print and nonprint texts using various reasoning skills, including:

·      identifying cause-effect relationships

·      raising questions

·      reasoning inductively and deductively

·      generating a theory or hypothesis

·      skimming/scanning

·      distinguishing facts from opinions and probability (ELA-7-M4)

Writing

Standard 2

17.    Write multiparagraph compositions on student- or teacher-selected topics organized with the following:

·      an established central idea

·      organizational patterns (e.g., comparison/contrast, order of importance, chronological order) appropriate to the topic

·      elaboration (e.g., fact, examples, and/or specific details)

·      transitional words and phrases that unify ideas and points

·      an overall structure including an introduction, a body/middle, and a concluding paragraph that summarizes important ideas (ELA-2-M1)

18.    Organize individual paragraphs with topic sentences, relevant elaboration, and concluding sentences (ELA-2-M1)

19.    Develop grade-appropriate compositions on student- or teacher-selected topics that include the following:

·      word choices (diction) appropriate to the identified audience and/or purpose

·      vocabulary selected to clarify meaning, create images, and set a tone

·      information/ideas selected to engage the interest of the reader

·      clear voice (individual personality)

·      variety in sentence structure (ELA-2-M2)

20.    Develop grade-appropriate compositions applying writing processes such as the following:

·      selecting topic and form

·      prewriting (e.g., brainstorming, researching, raising questions, generating graphic organizers)

·      drafting

·      conferencing (e.g., peer, teacher)

·      revising based on feedback and use of various tools (e.g., LEAP21 Writer’s Checklist, rubrics)

·      proofreading/editing

·      publishing using technology (ELA-2-M3)

21.    Develop grade-appropriate paragraphs and multiparagraph compositions using the various modes of writing (e.g., description, narration, exposition, persuasion), emphasizing narration and exposition (ELA-2-M4)

22.    Use the various modes to write compositions, including:

·      comparison/contrast

·      essays based on a stated opinion (ELA-2-M4)

23.    Develop writing using a variety of literary devices, including foreshadowing, flashback, and imagery (ELA-2-M5)

24.    Write for various purposes, including:

·      business letters that include a heading, inside address, salutation, body, and signature

·      evaluations, supported with facts and opinions, of newspaper/magazine articles and editorial cartoons

·      text-supported interpretations of elements of novels, stories, poems, and plays (ELA-2-M6)

Writing/Proofreading

Standard 3

25.    Use standard English punctuation, including:

·      hyphens to separate syllables of words and compound adjectives

·      commas and coordinating conjunctions to separate independent clauses in compound sentences

·      colons after salutation in business letters (ELA-3-M2)

26.    Capitalize names of companies, buildings, monuments, and geographical names (ELA-3-M2)

27.    Write paragraphs and compositions following standard English structure and usage, including:

·      possessive forms of singular and plural nouns and pronouns

·      regular and irregular verb tenses

·      homophones (ELA-3-M3)

28.    Apply knowledge of parts of speech in writing, including:

·      prepositional phrases

·      interjections for emphasis

·      conjunctions and transitions to connect ideas (ELA-3-M4)

29.    Spell high-frequency, commonly confused, frequently misspelled words and derivatives (e.g., roots and affixes) correctly (ELA-3-M5)

30.    Use a variety of resources (e.g., glossaries, dictionaries, thesauruses, spell check) to find correct spellings (ELA-3-M5)

Speaking and Listening

Standard 4

31.    Adjust diction and enunciation to suit the purpose for speaking (ELA-4-M1)

32.    Use standard English grammar, diction, syntax, and pronunciation when speaking (ELA-4-M1)

33.    Follow procedures (e.g., read, question, write a response, form groups) from detailed oral instructions (ELA-4-M2)

34.    State oral directions/procedures for tasks (ELA-4-M2)

35.    Adjust volume and inflection to suit the audience and purpose of presentations (ELA-4-M3)

36.    Organize oral presentations with a thesis, an introduction, a body developed with relevant details, and a conclusion (ELA-4-M3)

37.    Demonstrate active listening strategies for various purposes, including:

·      viewing a video to interpret the meaning of the story, to determine the speaker’s/character's attitude using verbal and nonverbal cues, and to draw conclusions about the presentation

·      summarizing the main points of a speaker's message, including supporting details and their significance (ELA-4-M4)

38.    Deliver oral presentations and responses, including:

·      a research-based presentation

·      formal and informal descriptive presentations that convey relevant information and descriptive details (ELA-4-M4)

39.    Evaluate media for various purposes, including:

·      text structure

·      images/sensory details

·      support for main position

·      background information

·      opinions vs. facts

·      sequence of ideas and organization (ELA-4-M5)

40.    Participate in group and panel discussions, including:

·      explaining the effectiveness and dynamics of group process

·      applying agreed-upon rules for formal and informal discussions

·      assuming a variety of roles (e.g., facilitator, recorder, leader, listener) (ELA-4-M6)

Information Resources

Standard 5

41.    Locate and select information using organizational features of grade-appropriate resources, including:

·      complex reference sources (e.g., almanacs, atlases, newspapers, magazines, brochures, map legends, prefaces, appendices)

·      electronic storage devices (e.g., CD-ROMs, diskettes, software, drives)

·      frequently accessed and bookmarked Web addresses

·      organizational features of electronic texts (e.g., bulletin boards, databases, keyword searches, e-mail addresses) (ELA-5-M1)

42.    Locate and integrate information from grade-appropriate resources, including:

·      multiple printed texts (e.g., encyclopedias, atlases, library catalogs, specialized dictionaries, almanacs, technical encyclopedias)

·      electronic sources (e.g., Web sites, databases)

·      other media sources (e.g., audio and video tapes, films, documentaries, television, radio) (ELA-5-M2)

43.    Identify sources as primary and secondary to determine credibility of information (ELA-5-M2)

44.    Locate, gather, and select information using data-gathering strategies, including:

·      surveying

·      interviewing

·      paraphrasing (ELA-5-M3)

45.    Generate grade-appropriate research reports that include information presented in a variety of forms, including:

·      visual representations of data/information

·      graphic organizers (e.g., outlines, timelines, charts, webs)

·      bibliographies (ELA-5-M3)

46.    Use word processing and/or other technology to draft, revise, and publish a variety of works, including compositions, investigative reports, and business letters (ELA-5-M4)

47.    Give credit for borrowed information following acceptable-use policy, including:

·      integrating quotations and citations

·      using endnotes

·      creating bibliographies and/or works cited lists (ELA-5-M5)