6th Grade English Curriculum

Overview:

The 6th Grade English curriculum focuses on enhancing students’ skills in reading comprehension,
writing, grammar, vocabulary, and oral communication. The curriculum integrates a variety of texts
and genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. Students will also be introduced to
critical thinking and analytical skills, which will be essential in their future academic work. In
accordance with our previous diagnoses, tremendous focus will be invested on the Grammar Module.

Section 1: Building Foundations

1. Reading Comprehension:

 Focus: Fiction & Non-Fiction

 Key Texts: Short stories, articles, and excerpts from novels (e.g., "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen)

 Skills:

o Identifying main ideas and supporting details

o Summarizing texts

o Making inferences and predictions

o Understanding character development

2. Writing:

 Focus: Personal Narratives

 Skills:

o Writing clear, structured paragraphs

o Using descriptive language

o Developing ideas through personal experiences

 Writing Assignment: Compose a personal narrative (500-700 words)

3. Grammar:

 Topics: Parts of Speech (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs), Sentence Structure

 Activities: Grammar drills, sentence building, and editing exercises

4. Vocabulary:

 Focus: Contextual Vocabulary Building

 Activities: Weekly vocabulary lists, quizzes, and vocabulary in context from readings

5. Oral Communication:

 Focus: Presenting Personal Narratives

  Activities: Students will present their personal narratives to the class

Section 2: Exploring Genres

1. Reading Comprehension:

 Focus: Poetry & Drama

 Key Texts: Selections from classic and contemporary poetry, short plays

 Skills:

o Analyzing poetic devices (e.g., rhyme, rhythm, simile, metaphor)

o Understanding dialogue and stage directions in drama

o Comparing and contrasting themes across genres

2. Writing:

 Focus: Poetry Writing & Creative Writing

 Skills:

o Crafting original poems

o Writing short plays or scenes

o Experimenting with figurative language

 Writing Assignment: Write an original poem and a short dramatic scene

3. Grammar:

 Topics: Subject-Verb Agreement, Punctuation (commas, quotation marks, colons)

 Activities: Sentence correction, grammar games, punctuation practice

4. Vocabulary:

 Focus: Literary Terms and Figurative Language

 Activities: Identifying and using literary terms such as metaphor, simile, personification

5. Oral Communication:

 Focus: Poetry Recitation & Drama Performance

 Activities: Students recite poems and perform short scenes in class

 Reenactments, Theatrical Production and Performances: Produce plays including all types
(Classical and Modern)

 Integrate Islamic events, stories relevant to the Islamic Belief System

Section 3: Analyzing Texts

1. Reading Comprehension:

 Focus: Novel Study

 Key Texts: "The Giver" by Lois Lowry or another novel appropriate for the grade level

 Skills:

o Deepening understanding of themes, setting, plot, and conflict

o Analyzing the author's purpose and use of language

o Discussing the novel's impact on readers

2. Writing:

 Focus: Analytical Writing

 Skills:

o Writing thesis statements

o Supporting claims with evidence from the text

o Organizing essays with clear introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions

 Writing Assignment: Write a literary analysis essay (800-1,000 words)

3. Grammar:

 Topics: Clauses and Phrases, Complex and Compound Sentences

 Activities: Sentence combining, writing practice

4. Vocabulary:

 Focus: Vocabulary from the novel, Academic Vocabulary

 Activities: Vocabulary journals, weekly quizzes, using vocabulary in writing

5. Oral Communication:

 Focus: Group Discussions on Novel Themes

 Activities: Structured group discussions and debates on themes from the novel

Section 4: Developing Research & Argumentative Skills

1. Reading Comprehension:

 Focus: Informational Texts & Articles

 Key Texts: Magazine articles, essays, and short biographies

 Skills:

o Identifying bias and perspective

o Evaluating evidence and arguments

 o Summarizing information

2. Writing:

 Focus: Research & Argumentative Essays

 Skills:

o Conducting research using reliable sources

o Crafting arguments with supporting evidence

o Writing a bibliography and citing sources

 Writing Assignment: Write a research-based argumentative essay (1,000 words)

3. Grammar:

 Topics: Verb Tenses, Active and Passive Voice, Using Transitions

 Activities: Verb tense exercises, improving clarity in writing

4. Vocabulary:

 Focus: Research Terminology & Transition Words

 Activities: Vocabulary lessons focused on words used in argumentation and research

5. Oral Communication:

 Focus: Presenting Research Findings

 Activities: Students present their research to the class in a formal presentation format

 Organize debates, forums, conferences (i.e.: Islamic Debates on Sharia or Jurisprudence,

Current affairs) that students will handle

Ongoing Assessments & Projects:

 Weekly Quizzes: Vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension checks

 Monthly Writing Projects: Personal narrative, poetry, analytical essay, research paper

 Oral Presentations: Presenting writing, reciting poetry, and delivering research findings

 Final Project: A combined writing and oral presentation project where students synthesize all
skills learned throughout the year

 Literary Production: Write articles, journals, co-edited essays, etc.

This curriculum provides a comprehensive approach to 6th Grade English, ensuring students build
foundational literacy and analytical skills while exploring diverse forms of communication and
expression.