The sixth grade
English curriculum is focused on expanding skills in reading, writing, and
speaking. The classroom is a supportive place for the exploration of ideas and
students have daily opportunities for both collaborative and independent work.
Students
participate in the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award program by
reading at least five books from this year’s selection and voting for their
favorite titles.
Students
read from a variety of genres, examining not just what is said, but also how
and why. In early fall, students read short fiction and fairy tales, becoming
familiar with the literary elements of plot setting, characters, point of view,
and theme. Students also read sections from memoirs, essays, and articles.
Later literature selections include Witness
and Counting on Grace, as well as
literature connecting to the school wide global education unit and a cross
disciplinary unit on Australian art. Poetry is integrated into regular readings
and assignments, with a special focus during National Poetry Month in April.
In-class
writing exercises give students the chance to use the literary elements from
the writer’s perspective. Each student keeps a writing journal for in-class
work. Assignments are varied, allowing students to examine and practice
expository, descriptive, narrative, and persuasive writing. Students are encouraged to think
broadly and stretch beyond their comfort zones in their writing. Students expand
their spelling and grammar skills through revision of their own work, group
proofreading exercises, and with additional material from Rules of the Game and Painless Grammar. Students gain new vocabulary from weekly lessons in
Painless Vocabulary as well as
vocabulary from the literature selections.
Speaking
and listening skills are practiced on a daily basis, with all students
participating in class discussions.
With the expectation that all ideas are valuable, students are
encouraged to share their thoughts with others in whole-class and small-group
activities.
In
the spring, students complete independent research (I-Search) projects on
topics of their choosing. In a
combined social studies/English unit, students research their topics, write an
in-depth report (with multiple drafts), and make an oral and visual
presentation to an audience.
