Sixth Grade English
The literature that we study in sixth grade includes novels, poetry, and Greek mythology. The novels we study include A Day No Pigs Would Die, Holes, and The Giver.
Each semester, the students will be asked to write three book reports in class based on a book they have chosen either from the list of suggested books that I gave them or from a book they have chosen to read and have had approved by me. As they read their books, they are to take notes, responding to their reading in various ways, such as by asking questions, making predictions, or relating to the characters.
The writing the students do will usually relate to the literature we are studying or to a topic they are studying in another class. Most of their writing will be completed in class. Students should use the writing process for all their papers and should learn to revise and proofread. By the end of the year, students should be able to write 150+ word paragraphs that are unified, coherent and developed. Some student writing will include research, so they will also be informed about responsible handling of source material and MLA format.
The big project of the year will be the poetry notebook, which is due second semester. Students will get the details for this assignment several months before it is due, so they have ample time to spend on it without getting stressed. They should work on this project every day so they do not fall behind.
Vocabulary study consists of unfamiliar words found in literature they are reading. Spelling Workout F is used for spelling rules, prefixes, suffixes and Latin and /Greek roots. We will complete one lesson per week and have a quiz on the list words and/or rules.
Grammar is traditional in nature. Most of the work comes from handouts that should go in the grammar section of their notebooks. We will study parts of speech, functions of nouns, diagramming and punctuation.
Students will also have memory work. They usually will be asked to memorize a poem and present it to the class as a performance, not just a recitation. I want the students to feel at ease in front of a group and to enjoy performing for an audience. They should emphasize energy, gestures, facial expressions, articulation, eye contact, and correctness of words.
