Heading: (Upper School) 6th grade Language Arts (American Literature)
How to Reach Instructor: Instructor: Carole Crary
May be reached at: crarycm@midlandcharter.org
Course Description: (admin.) This language arts class consists of many components: required
reading for class discussion and literature-based assignments, independent reading pursuant
to individual interests, vocabulary development, spelling, grammar and mechanics
instruction, and writing assignments, both formal and informal. The required literature
exposes students to a variety of literary genres with an emphasis on historical fiction that
reinforces and enriches the 6th grade history curriculum.
6th graders will be given a vocabulary assessment and assigned an independent vocabulary
study level based on the results. This process leads to an individualized vocabulary and
spelling program for the students. Each student is studying words on a level commensurate
with his/her ability and experience. Students learn 10 works per week by applying context
clues, matching words with definitions, etc. The words have been selected because of their
high frequency in our language and their usefulness in achieving the high level of reading
comprehension necessary for the completion of high school and college level courses.
6th graders will have direct instruction in grammar and punctuation in the form of language
exercises and unit tests which they will then have the opportunity to apply in their individual
writing assignments.
Formal writing assignments will include creative writing opportunities and practice in
effective essay development. Specific purposes for essays will range from narrative works to
persuasive papers. The most frequent type of writing assignment will be the literatureresponse essays that combine reading comprehension, higher level thinking skills, and literary
analysis. Students will be expected to support their answers with specific references to the
texts. This is a skill required in all higher level English courses. They will also write a formal
research paper for their history class, but instruction on how to do it will be part of English.
All novels for this class are either Newbery Award winning books, written by Newbery
winning authors, or identified as literary classics. The selections are examples of the finest
works written for young adults and their themes (even if they are fantasy-oriented) reflect
and support the character education program of our school.
Student Learning Outcomes: (admin.)
Required Texts / Materials: English and the novels listed in the Course Outline/Calendar.
Instructional Methodology: (admin.)
Differentiation: (admin.)
Course Policies: (admin.)
Course Outline/Calendar
First Marking Period
The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
1) What elements are necessary for good historical fiction?
2) What are the following literary devices: simile, metaphor, epithet, foreshadowing?
3) What are the methods of characterization authors employ?
The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper
1)
2)
3)
4)
Why is suspension of disbelief necessary in reading fantasy?
What are cliffhangers? How does repetition of key words build suspense?
What is personification?
What themes and motifs characterize fantasy?
Grammar Unit 5 Punctuation and Capitalization
1) What are the rules for comma usage?
2) How do we punctuate titles, quotations, abbreviations, etc.?
Grammar Unit 1 The Sentence
1) What are the four different types of sentences and how do we punctuate them?
2) How do we identify the subject and predicate halves of a sentence?
3) What are simple, compound, and complex sentences?
Personal Experience Essay
1)
2)
3)
4)
What are the elements of a good personal narrative?
What is voice?
Why is chronological organization preferred?
What is the importance of description, dialogue?
Second Marking Period
Selections from The Odyssey
1)
2)
3)
4)
What were the purposes for creating myths and legends?
What do they reveal about the culture in which they originated?
What literary elements do they have in common?
How does ancient literature continue to influence us today?
The Arkadians by Lloyd Alexander
1) What is satire?
2) What are puns?
Grammar Unit 2 Nouns
1) What are common and proper nouns?
2) What are appositives and how do we use them to combine sentences?
Grammar Unit 3 Verbs
1) How do we differentiate between main and helping verbs? Linking verbs?
2) What are direct and indirect objects?
3) How do we conjugate irregular verbs?
Creative Writing Assignment based on Mythology
1) How do we compose original stories? What elements must be present?
Third Marking Period
The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
1) Why was Judea such as a difficult province for Rome to govern? What
philosophical/religious difference separated Jews and Romans?
2) Why is hatred and a desire for vengeance harmful to people? What character virtues
are stressed in literature and how do they compare to our school’s character
education program?
White Fang by Jack London
1) What is point of view and what role does it play in this story?
2) What is “Survival of the Fittest” and how does London apply this Darwinian idea in his
novel?
3) What senses does the author employ in his descriptions? Why is word choice
important in writing?
Grammar Unit 4 Modifiers
1) What are adjectives and adverbs and how do we tell the difference between them?
2) How do we use them to enrich and enliven our writing?
Grammar Unit 7 Prepositions
1) What are adjective and adverb phrases?
2) How do we use them to combine and elaborate our sentences?
Descriptive Essay
1) How do we use sensory description and figurative language to paint word pictures?
2) What is the difference between a theme and dominant impression?
Grammar Writing a Research Report
1) How do we limit topics, evaluate sources, conduct internet searches, and write a
Bibliography based on APA standards.
2) How do we write effective introductions and conclusions.
3) What is a “formal English” style?
Fourth Marking Period
An abridged but authentic version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
1) How was Shakespeare influenced by Greek mythology?
2) How is his comedy both a combination of mirth and tragedy?
3) What comment does he make about human nature?
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
1) What were the superstitions and prejudices of people in the Middle Ages?
2) What was the purpose of marriage in that society?
3) What were typical living conditions like and what dangers awaited people in everyday
life?
Crispin by Avi (Sometimes I read this or another Cushman novel aloud to encourage listening
skills.)
1) What was the role of the Church in people’s lives?
2) How did feudalism impact people?
Grammar Unit 6 Pronouns
1) How do we use pronouns after linking verbs?
2) What is the difference between who, whom, and whose?
3) How do we ensure that pronouns we agree with their antecedents?
Grammar Unit 8 Personal Opinion
1) How do we support, elaborate, and organize the supporting reasons for our opinions?
Grades will be based on the following:
Spelling/Vocabulary/Grammar Tests
30%
Homework/Independent Reading
Assignments
20%
Reading Comprehension & Literary AnalysisBased Assignments including Formal Writing
Assignments
50%