Sixth Grade English

Syllabus
Course Description
The 6th grade English classes will implement teacher-directed instruction,
individual work, group work, student-directed instruction, paired work, projects, writing
to learn, writing to demonstrate learning, writing for authentic audiences and purposes,
and multiple intelligence focused differentiation in order to meet the Common Core
Standards for Writing. Students will study parts of speech, English usage, kinds of
sentences, forming proper sentences, word meanings and forms, vocabulary, capitals, and
punctuation. Students will write arguments to support claims in an analysis of texts, using
valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. Also, they will write responses to
questions about informational/nonfiction articles. Students will write to compare and
contrast stories and articles. They will write routinely over extended time frames and
shorter time frames for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
Classroom Goals
1) Write complete, proper sentences and paragraphs.
2) Successfully apply and demonstrate proper English usage, parts of
speech, capitalization, and punctuation in writing tasks.
3) Write clear, well-developed essays, reports, responses, etc. to enhance
and build your knowledge base.
4) Effectively prepare and present orally.
Class Expectations
1) Complete daily writings (journal), daily usage and other languagebased activities (DOL), and weekly vocabulary study/writing response
activities.
2) Participate in class discussion and group work.
3) Learn and apply English skills and terminology.
4) Read and respond to informational/nonfiction articles.
Formal Learning Assessments Utilized
1) Weekly DOL tests
2) Journal
3) Essays
4) Narrative writing
5) Project-Based Assignments
6) Word Generation responses
Curricular Reference Tools
- Elements of Writing (6th grade English text)
- Daily Oral Language Plus
- Crosswalk Coach for the Common Core State Standards
- Word Generation Packet (Strategic Education Research Partnership
2010)
- Various informational articles
- Write Everyday
- Nonfiction articles from Read Works website