Grades 6 is part of the 6,7,8 Middle Level Grade Band.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Reading
Strand
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Cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences
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Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is developed by key supporting details over the course of a text; summarize a text
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In literary texts:
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describe how events unfold, as well as how characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution
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analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, stanza, chapter, scene, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme/central idea, setting, or plot
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In informational texts:
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analyze how individuals, events, and ideas are introduced, relate to each other, and are developed
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analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme/ central ideas
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Determine the meaning of words and phrases used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings
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Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings
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Identify the point of view and explain how it is developed and conveys meaning
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Explain how an author’s geographic location or culture affects his or her perspective
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Compare and contrast how different formats, including print and digital media, contribute to the understanding of a subject
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Trace and evaluate the development of an argument and specific claims in texts, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and relevant evidence from claims that are not
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Use established criteria in order to evaluate the quality of texts. Make connections to other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, and personal experiences
Writing
Strand
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Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources
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Introduce a precise claim, acknowledge and distinguish the claim from a counterclaim, and organize the reasons and evidence logically
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Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to argue a claim or explain a topic
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Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts
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Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented
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Establish and maintain a style appropriate to the writing task
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Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content
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Introduce a topic clearly; organize ideas, concepts, and information using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect
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Develop a topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension
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Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion; clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts; provide a concluding statement or section
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Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details and sequencing
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Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters
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Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another
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Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events
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Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative
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Create a poem, story, play, artwork, or other response to a text, author, theme, or personal experience
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Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
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Conduct research to answer questions, including self-generated questions, drawing on multiple sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate
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Gather relevant information from multiple sources; assess the credibility of each source; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others; avoid plagiarism and provide basic bibliographic information for sources.
Speaking
and Listening Strand
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Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners; express ideas clearly and persuasively, and build on those of others
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Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion
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Follow norms for collegial discussions, set specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed
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Pose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion
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Consider the ideas expressed and demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing
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Interpret information presented in diverse formats (e.g., including visual, quantitative, and oral) and explain how it relates to a topic, text, or issue under study
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Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not
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Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using relevant descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear enunciation
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Include digital media and/or visual displays in presentations to clarify information and emphasize and enhance main ideas or themes
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Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate
Language Strand
*The Language Strand identifies Conventions of Standard English and Core
Convention skills that develop from Grade 6 - Grade 8.
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Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
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Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, and possessive)
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Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person
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Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general, as well as in specific sentences
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Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers
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Use simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas
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Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives).
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Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice and recognize and correct inappropriate verb shifts
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Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing
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Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes, hyphens) to clarify and enhance writing
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• Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break
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• Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission
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Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening
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Vary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style
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Maintain consistency in style and tone
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Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
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Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase
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Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible)
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Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech
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Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
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Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings including personification
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Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., cause/effect, part/whole, item/category) to better understand each of the words
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Distinguish among the connotations of words with similar denotations (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty)
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Acquire and accurately use general academic and content-specific words and phrases; apply vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression