6th Grade English Language Arts

The following learning targets represent the major concepts studied and assessed in this course.

Semester 1

Unit 1

• Use characterization techniques to analyze a character from the story
• Use text evidence to figure out what the author does not directly state
• Use a root word and context clues to determine the meaning of an unknown word
• Analyze visual elements and their impact on a text
• Explain elements of plot in a text and analyze their impact on the text
• Read and write for sustained periods of time
• Use the writing process to create a personal narrative

Unit 2

• Determine how the theme of a text is conveyed through particular details
• Explain why a certain sentence, paragraph, chapter, stanza or image is important to a text
• Cite textual evidence to support inferences
• Analyze how various parts of a story contribute to the overall story
• Compare and contrast texts with similar topic/themes
• Use the writing process to create an essay comparing 2 stories

Semester 2

Unit 3

• Use text evidence to reach a logical conclusion
• Explain the main idea of informational text and use evidence to support it
• Analyze how supporting details contribute to the development of central ideas over the course of a text
• Compose an objective summary stating key points without adding personal opinions
• Explain why a certain sentence, paragraph, section or image is important to a text
• Use the writing process to create an argument with a claim and evidence
• Participate productively in discussions and set goals
• Paraphrase key ideas from various sources
• Clearly communicate ideas when speaking.
• Use eye contact and appropriate body language to convey ideas to an audience

Unit 4

• Explain how a picture, diagram, graph, or photograph adds to the understanding of a text
• Identify different text features
• Determine how visual elements contribute meaning to the text
• Draw conclusions using the visual elements
• Analyze how the structure of a text supports the purpose of the text.
• Connect the main points in an informational text to historical events, people, settings, conflicts etc
• Connect the main points in an informational text to aspects of culture
• Evaluate the credibility of a source, and identify and gather relevant information over a research topic
• Use the writing process to compose a compare/contrast research paper