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| Sixth Grade Language Arts
- English and Reading Language arts skills are recursive. Students at every grade level apply similar language skills and concepts as they use increasingly complex materials. In this way, students build upon and refine their knowledge, gaining sophistication and independence as they grow. The Massachusetts English Language Arts Curriculum Framework, the document that guides the MCAS language arts tests, describes four curricular "strands," in the areas of l anguage, reading and literature, composition and media. As the framework points out, these strands are interdependent. Each strand intertwines with and supports the others. Students might, at any point in their language arts work, read and write, view and discuss, or interpret and perform in order to understand and communicate meaning.At John Glenn Middle School Grade 6 English and reading teachers value this interdependence and strive to weave together skills and concepts from several strands. For example, a project in rading class may require a written or oral student presentation. The English teacher may work cooperatively to help the students prepare this presentation. The Framework's language strand focuses on speaking and listening, vocabulary development, grammar, usage and mechanics. Within the composition strand, students write with a clear focus, coherent organization, and sufficient detail; discover how to adapt their writing for different audiences and purposes; and explore and show improvement in revising and editing strategies. At John Glenn Middle School, sixth graders produce brief stories, descriptions, and poems. In addition, they write informational and persuasive paragraphs. As they do so, they enhance their skills in using all the stages of the writing process, prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. The reading and literacy strand is designed to build students' literacy competencies and enhance their enjoyment of reading. At JGMS literature unites organized by genre, theme, or by historical periods. Students read the selected literature and involve themselves in class discussions. Further they respond to their reading through various types of writing, and analyze and apply their knowledge through extension activities.Some Topics In Grade 6 Language Arts Literature Writing Grammar Mechanics English Texts1. Elements of Writing - Rev.Ed. 98 Intro/Grade 6 ISBN 0-03-050858-4 2. Write Source 2000 ISBN 0-669-46773-1 3. English Workshop 95- Student Workbook ISBN 0-03-097173-X Longer Selections for Reading Class So Far From the Bamboo Grove Midwife's Apprentice Silverwing Running Out of Time The Ear, the Eye and the Arm Maniac Magee Heads or Tails The Boggart Grasshopper Summer |
