mvinette@lanesboroughschool.org
6th Grade Lanesborough Elementary School English Language Arts (ELA)
General Objectives: The sixth grade ELA program emphasizes comprehension, analysis, application, and the development of the student’s ability to communicate more effectively in both oral and written expression. Students are encouraged to think, learn from their experiences, and develop understanding that reading and writing are connected.
Major Units of Study:
- Fiction (various genres) & Nonfiction
- Drama
- Poetry
- Folklore
- Short Stories
- Literary Elements
- Writing Process
- Reading Strategies
- Study Skills
- Grammar, Spelling, Mechanics
- Vocabulary Development
- Research Skills
- Effective Listening & Speaking
- Technology Integration
Writing
High interest books are often used as models to students’ own writing. The stages of the writing process include pre-writing, planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Many assignments involve multiple drafts. Writing experiences will include the science project and other research reports, speech writing, thank you letters, expressive writing including personal narrative, persuasive and expository writing, journal entries, poems, and more.
Reading
Students read daily to expand comprehension and fluency, increase vocabulary, explore a variety of literary elements and genres, and to develop a positive attitude toward reading, thinking beyond themselves, and to gain an understanding of alternative viewpoints and ways of life. Reading/activities take place individually, in small groups, or with the whole class. Also, students are encourage to make connections, ask questions, infer, and synthesize. Student often select their own reading materials. Independent reading is part of the weekly homework routine.
Oral speaking and listening skills are developed through group and class discussions, oral presentations, oral reading & speeches, interactive groups, storytelling, and drama activities.
Word Study covers spelling, vocabulary, prefixes and suffixes, etc.