English Language Arts — Grade 6

Resources on the web

Using word webs to teach synonyms for commonly used words

This lesson uses word webs as a tool to expose students to synonyms for common words, to help students choose synonyms that are appropriate for a given context, and to encourage students to use more descriptive words in written and oral language. Suggestions... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Using THIEVES to preview nonfiction texts

This ReadWriteThink lesson supports middle-school students' exploration of the process of previewing textbook chapters and other nonfiction texts before reading them. Online resources are included for the teacher and provide background information on previewing... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Using the check and line method to enhance reading comprehension

This lesson is intended to uncover the underlying principle that careful monitoring of textual reading assignments can significantly increase comprehension and retention of the information. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Travel brochures: Highlighting the setting of a story

Students create travel brochures in this lesson that introduces the author's creation of setting in a literary work. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Teaching Voice with Anthony Browne's "Voices in the Park"

By reading and discussing the characters in Anthony Browne's picture book, Voices in the Park, students gain a clear understanding of how to use voice in their own writing. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

A suitable job for a woman

In this ARTSEDGE lesson, students identify the model for the character, Amelia Martin, by discovering information about four women: Abbie Burgess, Louisa May Alcott, Ida Lewis, and Clara Barton. Students will: act as reporters and interview... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ArtsEdge

Student contracting

This lesson from ReadWriteThink provides teachers with a basic contract format, sustained silent reading (SSR) extension activities, and literature response activities. Students develop contracts that focus on language arts education. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Story character homepage

This lesson from ReadWriteThink presents a project for literature circles or class novels to develop understanding of a character. In groups students will look at examples of homepages on the Internet, note what elements most contain, and use them as models... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Computer/Technology Skills and English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Scaling back to essentials: Scaffolding summarization with fishbone mapping

In this lesson, students work in pairs and cooperative groups as they complete fishbone maps that highlight the main ideas and relevant details from a cause-effect text. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Products across borders

In this lesson, students identify foreign products available in the United States and learn about U.S. companies that sell products abroad. The students discuss globalization and illustrate two maps to show where products come from and where they're sold. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: National Geographic

Play ball! Encouraging critical thinking through baseball questions

Students create a baseball-themed Jeopardy game after a read–aloud of Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man by David A. Adler. After the teacher explains the purpose of asking good questions, students... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Picture books as framing texts: Research paper strategies for struggling writers

Using picture books as models, students think more about what to say and less about how to say it, which leads to better learning experiences and better writing. (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6 English Language Arts)

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

No more bullying: Understanding the problem, building bully-free environments

In this lesson, students explore bullying and the concepts of social justice and empathetic responding. In order to plan a “No More Bullying” campaign at school, students examine research findings that describe the characteristics and frequencies... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

My life/your life: A look at your parents' past

The goal of this lesson is to help students make connections between their experiences and those of their parents through reflection and writing. After students become familiar with the format of interviews by evaluating sample questions and answers of... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Live from ancient Olympia!

This page contains an EDSITEment lesson in which students have an opportunity to develop “live interviews” with ancient athletes that reflect an understanding of the beliefs that underlay the ancient Olympic Games. In addition, students will... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Inventing and presenting unit 3: Persuasive speaking and invention promotion

Students read about inventors, propose inventions to solve problems they have identified, and build and test their inventions. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Inventing and presenting unit 2: Effective speeches and building the invention

Students read about inventors, propose inventions to solve problems they have identified, and build and test their inventions. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Inventing and presenting unit 1: Analyzing nonfiction and inventing solutions

Students read about inventors, propose inventions to solve problems they have identified, and build and test their inventions. (Learn more)

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

Provided by: IRA/NCTE

Introducing each other: Interviews, memoirs, photos, and internet research

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students read, write, speak, listen, and research as they interview a partner and write an article, write a personal memoir, take partner photographs, and use the Internet to find pictures and information illustrating... (Learn more)

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

Provided by: ReadWriteThink

Inquiry on the internet: Evaluating Web pages for a class collection

In this lesson from ReadWriteThink, students conduct a class inquiry project, individually or in groups, collecting Web-based resources that can be used for further study during the course of the class or for more in-depth projects. Students use Internet... (Learn more)

Format: lesson plan (grade 6–8 Computer/Technology Skills and English Language Arts)

Provided by: ReadWriteThink