English Language Arts
   (Grammar/Writing)
       Sixth Grade

Conventions are essential for reading, writing, and speaking. Instruction in language

conventions will, therefore, occur within the context of reading, writing,

and speaking, rather than in isolation. The student writes to make connections

with the larger world. A student’s ideas are more likely to be taken seriously when

the words are spelled accurately and the sentences are grammatically correct.

Use of Standard English conventions helps readers understand and follow the

student’s meaning, while errors can be distracting and confusing. Standard English

conventions are the “good manners” of writing and speaking that make communication

fluid.

a. Identifies and uses the eight basic parts of speech and demonstrates that words

can be different parts of speech within a sentence.

i. Identifies and uses nouns – abstract, common, collective, plural, and

possessive.

ii. Identifies and uses pronouns – personal, possessive, interrogative,

demonstrative, reflexive, and indefinite.

iii. Identifies and uses adjectives – common, proper, and demonstrative.

iv. Identifies and uses verbs – action (transitive/intransitive), linking, and

state-of-being.

v. Identifies and uses verb phrases – main verbs and helping verbs.

vi. Identifies and uses adverbs.

vii. Identifies and uses prepositional phrases (preposition, object of the

preposition, and any of its modifiers).

viii. Identifies and uses conjunctions – coordinating, correlative, and common

subordinating.

ix. Identifies and uses interjections.

b. Recognizes basic parts of a sentence (subject, verb, direct object, predicate

noun, predicate adjective).

c. Identifies and writes simple, compound, and complex sentences, avoiding

fragments and run-ons.

d. Demonstrates appropriate comma and semicolon usage (compound and

complex sentences, appositives, words in direct address).

English Language Arts

e. Uses common spelling rules, applies common spelling patterns, and develops

and masters words that are commonly misspelled.

f. Produces final drafts that demonstrate accurate spelling and the correct use of

punctuation and capitalization.

The student demonstrates an understanding of listening, speaking, and viewing

skills for a variety of purposes. The student listens critically and responds appropriately

to oral communication in a variety of genres and media. The student

speaks in a manner that guides the listener to understand important ideas.

a. Initiates new topics in addition to responding to adult-initiated topics.

b. Asks relevant questions.

c. Responds to questions with appropriate information.

d. Confirms understanding by paraphrasing the adult’s directions or suggestions.

e. Displays appropriate turn-taking behaviors.

f. Actively solicits another person’s comments or opinions.

g. Offers own opinion forcefully without being domineering.

h. Responds appropriately to comments and questions.

i. Volunteers contributions and responds when directly solicited by teacher or

discussion leader.

j. Gives reasons in support of opinions expressed.

k. Clarifies, illustrates, or expands on a response when asked to do so.

l. Employs a group decision-making technique such as brainstorming or a

problem-solving sequence (e.g., recognizes problem, defines problem, identifies

possible solutions, selects optimal solution, implements solution, evaluates

solution).

m. Writes a response to/reflection of interactions with others.

When responding to visual and oral texts and media (e.g., television, radio,

film productions, and electronic media), the student:

a. Identifies persuasive and propaganda techniques used in media and identifies

false and misleading information.

b. Identifies the tone, mood, and emotion conveyed in the oral communication.

When delivering or responding to presentations, the student:

a. Gives oral presentations or dramatic interpretations for various purposes.

b. Shows appropriate changes in delivery (e.g., gestures, vocabulary, pace, visuals).

c. Uses language for dramatic effect.

d. Uses rubrics as assessment tools.

e. Uses electronic media for presentations.