English Language Arts, Grade 6

Unit 1: Speaking and Listening

GCOs 1-3 (woven): speaking and listening to explore and clarify ideas; communicating information effectively and responding personally and critically; and interacting with sensitivity and respect.

• Contributing and comparing ideas with others
• Asking questions to seek clarification or explanation
• Defending and supporting opinions with evidence
• Listening critically to ideas and points of view

• Responding constructively in discussion
• Using word choice and emphasis for a desired effect
• Giving and following varied instructions
• Engaging, responding to, and evaluating a variety of presentations

• Listening attentively and being aware of others
• Detecting prejudice and using bias-free language
• Consciously considering audience needs

Unit 2: Reading and Viewing

GCOs 4-7 (woven): selecting, reading, and viewing a range of texts; interpreting and combining information; responding personally; and responding critically to texts.

• Selecting texts for a range of interests
• Reading widely with emphasis on genre and authors
• Using a wider range of text features to reinforce understanding
• Integrating cueing systems with increasing independence
• Reflecting on and discussing your reading process

• Answering questions with increasing independence
• Explaining why texts matter and connecting among them
• Reflecting on and giving reasons for interpretations
• Recognizing purpose in facts and alternative perspectives
• Identifying conventions and structure of texts and genres
• Responding critically by analysing and evaluating

Unit 3: Writing and Other Ways of Representing

GCOs 8-10 (woven): using writing and representation to explore and reflect; creating texts for a range of audiences and purposes; and using a range of strategies and conventions to develop effective writing and media products.

• Using strategies to frame questions and design investigations
• Selecting note-making strategies from a repertoire
• Making language choices for interesting effects

• Creating texts in an increasing variety of forms
• Making informed choices for varied purposes and audiences
• Inviting responses and reflecting on final drafts

• Selecting from a range of writing process strategies
• Using conventions of written language in final products
• Using technology to create, revise, edit, and publish
• Committing to shaping pieces of writing
• Combining information from three to five sources