6th Grade English Language Arts Checklist

Download the Sixth Grade English Language Arts Checklist

Module 1: Reading – Literature

  • RL.6.1 I can refer to the text to support my thoughts and draw inferences about a story.
    6.2 I can use details from the text to determine the theme or message of a story.
  • RL.6.2 I can give a summary of the story without adding my opinions or judgments.
  • RL.6.3 I can describe how the plot of a story or drama unfolds in a sequence of events.
  • RL.6.3 I can describe how the characters in a story or drama change as a story moves towards its conclusion.
  • RL.6.4 I can figure out the deeper meanings of words and phrases as they are used in a story.
  • RL.6.4 I can think and talk about the effects that specific words have on the meaning or tone of a story.
  • RL.6.5 I can think and talk about how specific parts of a story, play or poem fit into the overall text and contribute to the development of the theme, setting or plot.
  • RL.6.6 I can explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
  • RL.6.7 I can compare and contrast the difference between reading a story, drama or poem to listening or watching the story in an audio or video version.
  • RL.6.7 I can tell the difference between what I “see” and “hear” when reading a story or drama to what I notice when I listen or watch the same story.
  • RL.6.9 I can compare and contrast similar themes or topics in various fiction genres.
  • RL.6.10 I can read and understand stories, dramas and poems at my grade level and above (with help where needed).

Module 2: Reading – Informational Text

  • RI.6.1 I can refer to the text to support my thoughts and draw inferences about a piece of informational text.
  • RI.6.2 I can use details from the text to determine the central idea of a piece of informational text.
  • RI.6.2 I can give a summary of a piece of informational text without adding my opinions or judgments.
  • RI.6.3 I can think and talk in detail about how people, events or ideas are introduced, illustrated and developed in a piece of informational text.
  • RI.6.4 I can figure out the meanings of words and phrases in a piece of informational text by thinking about how they are used.
  • RI.6.4 I can think and talk about how specific parts (sentence, paragraph, chapter or section) fit into a piece of informational text and add to the meaning and ideas in the text.
  • RI.6.5 I can think about how various sections (sentences, chapters, scenes or stanzas piece of informational text fit into the overall structure of a text and how that affects the development of the ideas in the text.
  • RI.6.6 I can figure out an author’s point of view in a piece of informational text and explain how it is expressed in the text.
  • RI.6.7 I can better understand a topic or issue by thinking about how it has been presented in different media or formats.
  • RI.6.8 I can locate and judge arguments or claims in a text and separate those that are supported by reasons and evidence from those that are not.
  • RI.6.9 I can compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another author’s presentation of the same events.
  • RI.6.10 I can read and understand literary nonfiction at my grade level and above (with help where needed.)

Module 3: Writing

  • W.6.1 I can write arguments and use clear reasons and relevant evidence to support my claims.
  • W.6.1.A I can introduce my argument and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
  • W.6.1.B I can support my claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
  • W.6.1.B I can support my claims using appropriate sources and show that I understand the topic.
  • W.6.1.C I can use wording that clearly explains the relationships between my claims and reasons.
  • W.6.1.D I can establish and maintain a formal style in presenting my written arguments.
  • W.6.1.E I can write a conclusion that follows from the arguments I presented.
  • W.6.2 I can write organized and informative pieces, with relevant content, to explore a topic and express ideas, concepts and information.
  • W.6.2.A I can use definitions, classifications, comparing & contrasting or cause & effect to help introduce a topic and organize ideas, concepts and information in my writing.
  • W.6.2.A I can present information more clearly in my writing by using formatting such as headings, visuals and multimedia.
  • W.6.2.B I can develop a topic using appropriate facts, definitions, details, quotations or other information and examples.
  • W.6.2.C I can use appropriate transitions to present clear connections between my ideas and concepts.
  • W.6.2.D I can use precise wording and specific vocabulary to teach others about a topic.
  • W.6.2.E I can establish and maintain a formal style in presenting written information.
  • W.6.2.F I can write a conclusion that follows from the information and explanations I presented.
  • W.6.3 I can write narrative stories with good technique, appropriate detailed descriptions and logical sequences.
  • W.6.3.A I can provide an introduction in my stories that creates a background and presents a narrator and characters.
  • W.6.3.A I can organize my writing so that the sequence of events occurs naturally and logically.
  • W.6.3.B I can use different techniques such as dialogue, pacing and descriptive words to help develop the characters and plot of my stories.
  • W.6.3.C I can use different types of transition words to show the sequence of events or shifts in the time or setting in my stories.
  • W.6.3.D I can use very specific words and phrases, descriptive details and sensory language to express experiences and events in my stories.
  • W.6.3.E I can write conclusions that make sense with the experiences and events I share in my stories.
  • W.6.4 I can produce clear writing with appropriate development, organization and style to suit my task, purpose and audience.
  • W.6.5 I can plan, revise, edit, rewrite or try a new approach in my writing with some help of peers and adults.
  • W.6.6 I can use different forms of technology to create and publish my writing.
  • W.6.6 I can use technology to interact and collaborate with others.
  • W.6.6 I can show appropriate keyboarding skills to type at least three pages of my writing in a single sitting.
  • W.6.7 I can complete short research projects to answer a specific question by using several sources and by refocusing my research when needed.
  • W.6.8 I can determine if a source is credible when I gather new information from books or technology.
  • W.6.8 I can quote or paraphrase from print and digital sources without plagiarizing.
  • W.6.8 I can provide basic bibliography information to recognize the sources I use in my research.
  • W.6.9 I can gather evidence from fiction or informational text to support my investigation, thinking and research.
  • W.6.9.A I can apply all that I have learned in 6th grade reading to writing literature.
  • W.6.9.B I can apply all that I have learned in 6th grade reading to writing informational texts.
  • W.6.10 I can write with stamina for short time frames or over a longer period of time depending on my purpose, audience and topic.

Module 4: Speaking and Listening

  • SL.6.1 I can effectively participate in different types of discussions and with different people about 6th grade topics, texts and issues.
  • SL.6.1 I can build on others’ ideas and express my own ideas clearly.
  • SL.6.1.A I can come to discussions prepared to share my ideas because I have read or studied the required material.
  • SL.6.1.A I can participate in discussions more effectively by using examples and evidence from the text to help me reflect on the ideas in the discussion.
  • SL.6.1.B I can follow rules, set goals, meet deadlines and carry out my assigned role in shared discussions with peers.
  • SL.6.1.C I can ask and answer questions using appropriate explanations or details that add to the discussion of a topic, text or issue.
  • SL.6.1.D I can think through the ideas in a discussion and show that I understand different perspectives by sharing my thoughts and restating what others have said.
  • SL.6.2 I can think about information presented in different media or formats and explain how it contributes to a topic, text or issue.
  • SL.6.3 I can explain a speaker’s arguments or claims and separate those that are supported by reasons and evidence from those that are not.
  • SL.6.4 I can present claims and findings in a logical order using relevant descriptions, facts and details to support the main idea.
  • SL.6.4 I can use appropriate eye contact and volume, as well as speak clearly, when I present ideas to others.
  • SL.6.5 I can include multimedia (e.g., graphics, images, music or sound) and other displays to help me clarify information in my presentations.
  • SL.6.6 I can change my way of speaking for a variety of situations and tasks and show that I can use formal English when necessary and appropriate.

Module 5: Language

  • L.6.1 I can show that I understand standard English in my speech and in my writing.
  • L.6.1.A I can make sure that pronouns are used correctly in sentences (as subjects, as objects or as possessive.)
  • L.6.1.B I can use intensive pronouns correctly (myself, yourself, himself, herself, itself, ourselves, yourselves and themselves.)
  • L.6.1.C I can recognize and correct when pronouns shift inappropriately in number and person.
  • L.6.1.D I can recognize and correct vague pronouns (those with unclear antecedents – the words they are referring to.)
  • L.6.1.E I can recognize writing or speaking (mine or others) that differs from standard English.
  • L.6.1.E I can identify and use strategies to improve what is trying to be expressed in conventional language.
  • L.6.2 I can show that I know how to write sentences accurately.
  • L.6.2.A I can use commas, parentheses and dashes to set off specific elements in my writing.
  • L.6.2.B I can spell correctly.
  • L.6.3 I can write, speak, read and listen by using my knowledge of the English language.
  • L.6.3.A I can differ my sentences to help me clarify my meaning, to promote better interest from my readers/listeners and to show my own writing style.
  • L.6.3.B I can show consistency in the style and tone of my writing.
  • L.6.4 I can determine the meanings of words by using the strategies I have learned and by thinking about what I have read.
  • L.6.4.A I can use context clues to figure out what words or phrases mean.
  • L.6.4.B I can determine the meanings of unknown words by using what I know about common Greek and Latin prefixes, suffixes and roots.
  • L.6.4.C I can use print and digital reference sources to help me find the pronunciations and clarify meanings and parts of speech for new words or phrases.
  • L.6.4.D I can make a guess about a word or phrase’s meaning and then check my understanding using reference materials.
  • L.6.5 I can show that I understand the deeper meanings of words and phrases.
  • L.6.5.A I can use context clues to discover the meaning of figurative language (similes, metaphors, personification, idioms, hyperboles, onomatopoeia, puns or oxymorons.)
  • L.6.5.B I can use the relationships between words to help me better understand each of the individual words (ex: cause/effect, part/whole, item/category.)
  • L.6.5.C I can understand the slight differences between words with very similar definitions.
  • L.6.6 I can learn and use new vocabulary appropriate for 6th grade.
  • L.6.6 I can show new knowledge of vocabulary when I think about how words or phrases that are important to meaning or expression.