What to Expect in 6th Grade ELA this Year!
Sixth grade English Language Arts is a fantastic year! You have already spent years learning how to read, this year you will deepen your ability to learn from your reading. As a class, we will read more complex texts and uncover meanings that you may not understand at first. To build your strength as a reader, you will be expected to read for at least 30 minutes a day. This is SO important! We will also have a lot of fun discovering word meanings through their Greek and Latin origins, and you will build your vocabulary significantly through an online site called Membean. You will build a solid understanding of the 8 most common parts of speech, learn how to expertly diagram a sentence, and use all these tools and knowledge to produce incredible writing!
If this sounds hard, it is. BUT, that is the point! Hard work makes you feel strong and powerful. Mistakes will happen, you will be confused, AND those are signs of learning. As teachers, we not only expect that, but hope for that. Mistakes mean you are giving your brain exactly what it needs. This year you can expect hard work, and you can expect to have a lot of fun! You will be a success!
If this sounds hard, it is. BUT, that is the point! Hard work makes you feel strong and powerful. Mistakes will happen, you will be confused, AND those are signs of learning. As teachers, we not only expect that, but hope for that. Mistakes mean you are giving your brain exactly what it needs. This year you can expect hard work, and you can expect to have a lot of fun! You will be a success!
Regular Weekly Assignments
There are some things we will do every week. This repetition (like training for any sport), is what builds our strength in our reading and writing skills. Since you can count on these happening every week, using your time wisely at school, and not leaving things to the last minute will minimize your stress and homework load. Find out more about the four main things you will accomplish every week below.
Article of the Week (AoW)Due Fridays at 11:59 p.m.
Using the NewsELA website, you will read an article every week that you will then write a 225 word reflection about. Occasionally the article will be chosen for you, but you mostly will have free choice. Reflections are due Friday at 11:59 p.m. via Turnitin. They are worth 20 points. Two people will have the opportunity share on Mondays in class.
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MembeanDue Fridays at 11:59 p.m.
You will train 30 minutes a week on this vocabulary website to build your word knowledge and grow your reading ability. Minutes are tracked starting on Saturdays and due on Fridays at 11:59 p.m. Due to the nature of reporting, minutes cannot be made up. Find out more about this program and how it is scored here.
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Independent ReadingDue the last day of each quarter, beginning Q2
This year is full of reading! You can expect daily reading assignments of between 20 and 40 pages, with daily quizzes covering those assignments. In addition, you should have a book you are reading independently. Although we don't use AR "points" you are expected to read independently on a regular basis, and we will set quarterly goals. Listening on Audible with the book in front of you is a wonderful way to read should you choose. Did you know that an average 6th grader that reads 30 minutes a day will read about 150 pages a week! That is approximately 1000 pages a quarter! That is awesome!
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Class Novels
Daily
We will read a lot in class and outside of class for homework. Students are expected to read 20-40 pages a night throughout the year, and will take a daily quiz on their reading the following day. It sounds like a lot, and in the beginning it can be until independent reading stamina is developed. Students are always allowed to use their books for quizzes. Additionally, we sometimes have daily sessions right after school (usually) for those who would like to listen to the audio with me as we read along.
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