English Language Arts — Grade 6

Resources on the web

Fast food around the world

Students research other countries with the intent of establishing a fast-food restaurant, tailoring the restaurant to the cultural tastes of people in those countries. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: National Geographic

Expository escapade-Detective's handbook

In this lesson, students combine reading the detective fiction genre with expository writing. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

An exploration of text sets: Supporting all readers

Introduces text sets to support readers of a range of abilities and experience. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Doodle splash: Using graphics to discuss literature

Students keep a doodle journal while reading short stories by a common author. In small groups, students combine their doodles into a graphic representation of the text that they present to the class while discussing their story. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Developing a definition of reading through analysis in middle school

Students interact with a variety of different texts to uncover a broader meaning of reading. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Culture shock

In this Xpeditions lesson, students explore how cultural customs differ throughout the world. Activities in this lesson engage students in whole class discussion, online learning, creation of a project, and writing assignments. Students will:... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: National Geographic

Critical media literacy: TV programs

Helps student critically analyze popular television programs. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Critical literacy: Point of view

Students learn to look at texts from different viewpoints. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Creative writing through wordless picture books

Exposes students to wordless picture books and begin developing story lines orally and in writing. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Creating character: Justice and Fairness

In this lesson, students examine the differences between justice and fairness and are encouraged to confront discrimination in the classroom and reflect upon their own prejudices. Students contrast the accounts of Alex Stern, a witness in a war crimes trial;... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Courage

In this lesson, students explore the concept of "courage", in one of six online activities presented by the Shoah Foundation Institute of the University of Southern California. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Responsibility

In this lesson, students explore the concept of "responsibility," by watching video archives from the Shoah Foundation Institute, which focuses on Holocaust survivors. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Respect

In this lesson, students explore the concept of "respect" by listening and viewing testimonials from Holocaust survivors. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Perseverance

In this lesson, students listen to the perspectives of three women who discuss the character trait of perseverance. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Concluding lesson

In this concluding lesson, students evaluate and synthesize concepts of character education they learned in previous lessons. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Creating character: Citizenship

In this lesson from the Shoah Foundation Institute, students explore the concept of citizenship while listening to the perspectives of Holocaust survivors. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: USC Shoah Foundation Institute

Cosmic oranges: Observation and inquiry through descriptive writing and art

This lesson employs scientific observation, descriptive writing, sketching, reading, investigation, and poetry writing to train students to use their senses and focus their attention. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Book report alternative: Creating a childhood for a character

In this lesson, students examine the character traits of an adult character in a book they have read, create a childhood for the character, and describe that childhood in the form of a short story, journal entry, or time capsule letter. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Book report alternative: A character's letter to the editor

In this lesson, students choose a character from a novel they have read and consider the significant beliefs and feelings of that character to identify an issue or situation that would encourage that character to try to persuade the audience of other characters... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Alliteration in Headline Poems

Introduces students to the term alliteration. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE