Kingsport City Schools 

6th Grade English Language Arts Syllabus 

Course Description: The ELA curriculum in Kingsport City Schools focuses on the following strands and objectives: 

Reading 

1. Key Ideas and Details 
2. Read closely to determine what a text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing and speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. b. Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas. 
3. Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text. 
4. Craft and Structure 
5. Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone. b. Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of a text relate to each other and the whole. 
6. Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text. 
7. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas 
8. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words. 
9. Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence. 
10. Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches an author takes. 
11. Range of Reading and Text Complexity. 
12. Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently. Language 
13. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. 
14. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. 
15. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. 4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate. 
16. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. 6. Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the postsecondary and workforce level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. 

Writing 

1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. 
3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. 
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 
5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. 
6. Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others. 
7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating new understanding of the subject under investigation. 
8. Integrate relevant and credible information from multiple print and digital sources while avoiding plagiarism. 
9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. 10. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. 

Speaking and Listening 

1. Adapt speech to a variety of contents and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. 
2. Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations. 
3. Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning; the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. 4. Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric. 5. Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media formats, such as visual, quantitative, and oral formats. 
4. Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with varied partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing one’s own ideas clearly and persuasively. 

Curriculum: 

The 6th Grade ELA standards for the state of Tennessee can be found at the following web address: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/stateboardofeducation/documents/massivemeetingsfolder/meetingfiles4/10- 20-17_III_J_Non-Substantive_Changes_to_Math_ELA__Science_Standards_Attachment_2_-_ELA.pdf 

Strands: 

Reading Literature and Informational Text, Language, Writing, and Speaking and Listening 

Instruction Pacing: 

Please see your teacher’s ELA Canvas page for specific assignments, assessments, and dates.

*Note: All students may not read all texts listed. 

Assessments: 

• Easy CBM 
• Benchmarks 
• Culminating essays based on units (narrative, explanatory, argument, informative) See above unit schedule for approximate times 
• Quarterly writing assessments 
• TCAP Achievement Tests 

Various assessments will be taken throughout each nine week grading period. Please refer to Canvas and Aspen for assignments, due dates, and grades. 

Make-Up Work Policy/Late Work Policy 

Make-Up Work: Students are responsible for getting and turning in make-up work when they are absent. 

Late Work: Late work is discouraged. In English Language Arts, each day builds on the previous day’s work. It is important to complete work in a timely manner. Turn in all completed work as soon as possible.

General Expectations: 

Classroom Policy/Procedures: 

Achievement: Students will complete all work to the best of their ability. 

Respect: Students will treat others the way they want to be treated, act appropriately at all times, be kind to others, and take care of their school. 

Responsibility: Students will do their homework, bring materials to class, study for quizzes/tests, attend class regularly. Students will acknowledge personal successes and failures. Honesty: Students will ask for help when needed, do their own work, and always tell the truth. 

Communications: 

Contact: 

Kingsport City Schools Literacy Coordinator, Mrs. Emily Helphinstine at 

[email protected] 

Email: The best way to communicate with your teacher is via email. 

Parent Portal: Check your child’s progress/grades via Aspen. 

Canvas learning platform: www.k12k.com Students tab- Canvas-username and password is the same as computer login

Intervention Strategies: 

Sevier has academic class, online resources, tutoring, and intervention classes available throughout the year to support students who may need a little extra help.