English Language Arts — Grade 6

To market, to market: Photograph analysis

In this lesson, students analyze photos of markets from around the world to gain an understanding of the similarities and differences between geographically distant places, to learn about the economic and cultural significance of markets, and to improve visual literacy skills.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Threads through South America: Weaving in Ecuador

This lesson for grade six takes a look at the weaving and textiles created in the Andes of Ecuador in and near the town of Otavalo. In addition to learning about Ecuadorian weaving, students may also create their own woven artifact.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–7 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Seven directions: Making connections between literature and American Indian history

This middle school lesson uses picture books to integrate American Indian culture and belief systems with language and visual arts.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts, Guidance, and Social Studies)

By Edie McDowell.

Pattern writing using nouns and adjectives

In this lesson plan, students will think and write creatively using nouns and adjectives. They will experience all phases of the writing process.

Format: lesson plan (grade 3 and 6 English Language Arts)

By Susan S. Craver.

Majestic peaks: Mountains of North Carolina and Ecuador

In this lesson, students analyze two photographs: one of the mountains of Ecuador and one of the mountains of Western North Carolina. Students then analyze the two photographs together to gain an understanding of the two regions' similarities and differences.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

By Eric Eaton.

Legends: Dramatic story telling

In Teaching about North Carolina American Indians, page 10.1

Introduction The act of storytelling makes learning exciting. Participating in a dramatic presentation of American Indian Legends allows class members to create, learn, and teach. Learning Outcomes Students will select an American...

Format: lesson plan (grade 4, 6, and 8 English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Theater Arts Education)

By Linda Tabor.

An integrated poetry unit

My students have always disliked poetry. The different ways in which this lesson approaches poetry and the connection it makes to their "March Madness" studies seems to make poetry more enjoyable, fun, and relevant for my students. In order to integrate with the sixth grade math and social studies teachers, I teach this unit during the ACC tournament to coincide with the "March Madness" unit that is covered in the math classes.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

By Nancy Guthrie.

Figurative language: Metaphor

This lesson is a part of a unit on poetry and figurative language. It is designed to teach students the characteristics of metaphor within the context of poetry.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

By Nancy Meyers.

Feel in the blanks

The following lesson is designed to function as a review of beginning, middle, and end and an introduction to individualized imagination, creativity, and perspective as it relates to the development of dialogue (i.e. improvisation).

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

By Lei Knight.

Autobiographical expression

In CareerStart lessons: Grade six, page 1.2

This lesson for grade 6 introduces students to the theory of multiple intelligences. Students consider what their personal strengths are according to this theory.

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Guidance)

By Ruth Roberts.Adapted by Jennifer Brookshire and Julie McCann.

The Great Gilly Hopkins: Characterization and prediction

In the final chapters of the novel, Gilly's grandmother learns she has a granddaughter and decides to take Gilly out of foster care. Many of my classroom readers are often dismayed by this unexpected conflict and its outcome. In this lesson, the classroom becomes a courtroom where students predict the outcome of this conflict.

This activity can be used at the end of the novel, but I like to use it after reading chapters 10 and 11 so students can compare the courtroom decision to the end of the novel.

Format: lesson plan (grade 4–6 English Language Arts)

By Emily Vann.

Resources on the web

You know the movie is coming—Now what?

In this lesson, students study cinematic terms and determine how the film version of the book would be created. This lesson uses Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl as an example; however, the activities can be... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Writing free verse in the "voice" of Cesar Chavez

In this ReadWriteThink lesson, students familiarize themselves with the characteristics of free verse and write a free verse poem using written material about labor activist Cesar Chavez. Students take notes about experiences that helped shape the life... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Writing alternative plots for Robert C. O'Brien's “Z for Zachariah”

In this lesson that concludes a class reading of Robert C. O'Brien's Z for Zachariah, students pick a part of the story where Ann makes a critical decision, and they rewrite the remaining portion of the plot. After reading... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Writing a flashback and flash-forward story using movies and texts as models

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students are introduced to examples of flashbacks and flash-forwards through the film The Sandlot and/or illustrated books. Students learn to incorporate details, description, characterization,... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

A world of myths

In this lesson from ARTSEDGE, students explore how myths help to explain nature and science. Students read, discuss, and respond in writing to a variety of myths. They then create a graphic representation of one of those myths. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Visual Arts Education and English Language Arts)

Provided by: ArtsEdge

The world of Haiku

In this lesson, students explore the traditions and conventions of haiku, comparing this classic form of Japanese poetry to a related genre of Japanese visual art and composing haiku of their own. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Visual Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment

Why do we remember Revere? Paul Revere's ride in history and literature

This EDSITEment lesson contains four activities for students to examine how the historical Paul Revere's ride differs from the account in Longfellow's poem, then reflect on why this event is so significant in American cultural history. The activities involve... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts and Social Studies)

Provided by: EDSITEment

What am I? Teaching poetry through riddles

Riddles are an excellent vehicle for introducing students to poetry and poetry writing. In this ReadWriteThink lesson, students explore, analyze, and discuss how metaphor, simile, and metonymy are used in riddle poems. They will use metaphor, simile, and... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Weaving the threads: Integrating poetry annotation and web technology

This lesson from ReadWriteThink engages students in meaningful research using poetry as a focal point. Students identify words and phrases in a poem by a Native American and in the process, learn about Native American culture and history. Students create... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink