Grade 6 Language Arts with Ms. Rachuri

Language Arts
Grade Six
Instructor: Ms. Rachuri
Theme for the Year: Voices


Sixth Grade Literature

Overview and Goals for Fall Term: Independent Reading, Summarizing, Visualizing, Making Connections, and Thinking Deeply About Characters

Throughout our first two terms of reading, we are focusing on numerous aspects of reading comprehension. First, we establish independent reading through the process of reading workshop. Students are expected to read independently for 30 minutes every day. Their requirement is to read one book each week and respond to this novel both through written reflections and oral presentation.

We will spend the first few weeks of Fall Term setting up Reader's Workshop.

Homework Expectations: Students are expected to complete 30 minutes of reading each night and record their progress using a reading log. Students are also expected to respond to their reading by writing in their reader's notebooks.

Assessment: Students are continually assessed based on reader’s notebooks, class participation, written responses, and in-class assignments.

A Look Ahead: During mini-term, we will be studying (and performing!) Shakespeare.

Sixth Grade Writing

This year, students are learning to create pieces of writing based on their own personal experiences. Students will be immersed in writing workshops throughout the week. This time consists of a mini lesson, independent writing time and sharing. Through routine and frequent writing practice, students learn the nature of the writing process. Each week students determine purpose and plan, draft pieces, conference with peers, revise and edit their work, and publish finished pieces. In the process, they continually focus on developing significant traits in their writing; include ideas, organization, voice, conventions, sentence fluency and word choice.

In addition to a daily writer’s workshop, students will have time each week to give explicit attention to rules of grammar and spelling, as well as writing conventions. They will also be learning new vocabulary each week. Frequent exercises of this kind will enable students to become clear and effective writers.

Homework Expectations: Students are required to complete a lesson in grammar and vocabulary every two weeks. Lessons are due on Fridays and quizzes take place on Friday morning. Students will occasionally have writer’s notebook assignments.

Assessment: Assessment for the writing process is ongoing and direct through student writing conferences and writing workshop notes. Students will be formally assessed through rubrics, homework assignments, class participation, the writing process, portfolio composition and spelling/vocabulary quizzes.

A Look Ahead: As the year progresses, students will also write a short fantasy story, poetry, an impact essay, and a personal memoir.