Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Ann Arbor Public Schools

Logo Title

6th ELA Family

 

 Dear Sixth Grade Families:

Welcome to the Ann Arbor Public Schools Family Pages. We hope the information you find here assists you in supporting your child while s/he is learning important skills and concepts throughout the sixth grade year.                                                                                  To take a deeper look at each unit go to:  Atlas: Sixth Grade ELA   

The Council of Great City Schools provides information on such topics as: 1) the progression of student learning across grade levels; 2) suggestions for helping your child at home; 3) questions to ask your child's teacher for a better understanding of your child's growth; 4) parents may find ways to enrich a child's work at home by understanding the learning that will happen in the following year.
 
 
Sixth Grade English Language Arts Units 
 
 
 
Independent Reading
In this yearlong unit, students will select novels, audiobooks, podcasts, magazines, blogs, websites, and read fiction and informational text to understand themselves and the world around them. Students will understand the importance of their lifelong reading habits. 
 
Word Study / Language
The Word Study / Language unit is a year long study of how words and language impact understanding. By focusing on Greek and Latin roots and affixes as well as academic vocabulary, students develop nuanced understandings of grade level language. The study of grammar and vocabulary is a year long experience embedded in reading and writing activities in the classroom. Student will demonstrate their understanding in writing projects and assignments all year long.

Argumentative Writing
Students will understanding how authors use claims, evidence, and reasoning. Students will learn to use these techniques within their own research and writing. By critically analyzing arguments and persuasive presentations for validity, accuracy, and clarity, students will become more effective consumers of information. Students will analyze persuasive devices in mentor texts as they develop their own persuasive writing.
 
Research Writing 
Students will learn the research skills of gathering, analyzing and synthesizing information needed to support a particular topic of study. This may include various media types such as academic databases, print, video etc. Students will learn about reliable sources, paraphrasing and citing sources. Research writing may be taught as part of the argumentative writing unit.
 
 
Narrative Writing
The Narrative Writing unit will focus students on capturing particular scenes or a series of events in one's life (nonfiction) or it may be an imagined event (fiction). Students will learn how to use story elements to expand a moment in time. This unit may be taught as part of the folktale, fantasy, or adventure genre study units.
 
Folktale Genre Study

Students will explore the history, meaning, and cultural importance of folklore: fables, fairy tales, tall tales, pourquoi tales and legends. Through reading and discussion, students will develop an understanding of the characteristics and purposes of folklore. Students will summarize, analyze, and determine the theme or meaning of the folklore. This unit may be combined with the narrative writing unit.

 
Fantasy Genre Study
The Fantasy Genre Study unit incorporates an immersion into the fiction genre of fantasy. This unit may be taught in a readers' workshop using differentiated, leveled novels in a small group setting or taught using a whole class novel and it may be paired with the narrative writing unit. Fantasy stories typically center around a character's fantastic journey that teaches the character about self-examination, reflection, and growth.
 
Adventure Genre Study
The Adventure Genre Study incorporates an immersion into the fiction genre of action and/or adventure. This genre study may be taught in a readers' workshop using differentiated, leveled novels in a small group setting or taught using a whole class novel. Action/Adventure stories usually center around forms of survival and how characters grow and develop based on their experiences.
 
The Michigan K-12 Standards may be found at the following link: Michigan K-12 English Language Arts Standards
 
Contact:
Sarah Andrew-Vaughan
District English Department Chair
andrew@aaps.k12.mi.us