Sixth Grade English Overview
	“I am returning this otherwise good typing paper to you because someone has printed gibberish all over it and put your name at the top." ~An English Professor, Ohio University   English permeates all other subject areas. The writing, reading, and speaking involved in history, science, math and all other subjects will be linked to the goals of the English curriculum; all skills learned in English are expected to be applied to all subject areas.

	Writing
	Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.  ~Gene Fowler   Using the Six Traits of Writing and a variety of writing modes, students will hone their writing skills in the following areas: Organization Content Voice Word Choice Sentence Variety Mechanics, Usage, Spelling, & Grammar

	Grammar/Usage/Mechanics
	You need to know the rules before you choose to break them effectively.  ~Mrs. Hansen Grammar is taught as a separate discipline. Grammar, usage, spelling and mechanics are taught through writing projects. All skills expected to be applied to all writing in all subject areas. The textbook is Grammar for Writing published by Sadlier-Oxford.

	Literature
	The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them.   ~Mark Twain Sixth grade literature includes: The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson The Contender by Robert Lipsyte The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain Four book reports assigned with various writing and public speaking activities, emphasizing literary plot structure

	Literary Structure
	Literary Plot Peak Students learn to identify key Literary Elements Characters: protagonist vs. antagonist and dynamic vs. static Conflict: Man vs. Self Man vs. Society Man vs. Nature Man vs. Man Plot Structure Exposition Rising Action Inciting Incident Climax Falling Action Resolution Setting: Time period and place significance to plot development; Mood Point-of-View: First Person vs. Third Person Techniques: suspense, foreshadowing, symbolism Students learn to identify and write using figurative language: Hyperbole Simile Metaphor Personification

	Vocabulary Workshop
	One forgets words as one forgets names. One’s vocabulary needs constant fertilizing or it will die.  ~Evelyn Waugh Spelling Tests: Parts of Speech Definitions Antonyms & Synonyms Reading Comprehension/Usage Auditory: www.vocabularyworkshop.com Students will hear the words pronounced several times, used in several different contexts; games

	Public Speaking
	The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.  ~Mark Twain   In Sixth Grade English we discuss basic skills for public speaking:  Composure, Effective/Appropriate Audience interaction, Body Language/Eye Contact, Efficient use of notecards   We discuss how to create and deliver an effective speech and study famous speeches and monologues.  Practice includes Readers' Theatre, Poetry Recitation, Speech and Debate activities.

	Homework/Tests
	Homework is assigned every day: studying, practice, review, long term (e.g. book report reading) Vocabulary and Grammar are usually interchanged every other week. The assignment is posted a week before due date on SchooLoop 70% of earned credit if 1 day late No credit if more than one day late Average of 1 test per week