6th Grade Lessons
Here is the writing work I have done with the 6th Graders.
Character Perspective Analysis
Go back and look for characters.
Circle ALL the characters.
Make a list of characters.
You will be making a T-Chart out of this.
What does each character think the problem is?
Annotate (I'm a fan) or make a list. Here's a hint: they all see different problems... :)
Research Paper Differentiation
This slideshow contains another way to look at the typical research paper--modified for struggling students.
​
This research paper was the final for a unit on Ancient Greece. The goal was to research and learn about one Greek God or Goddess.
​
Here is a breakdown of the slides:
​
Slide 1: Title Page (MLA Heading can be added.)
​
Slides 2/4/6: Paragraph or Requirement #1 with sentence starters organized into a typical paragraph: topic sentence and details.
Sentence starters follow Claim, Data, Warrant format from Stephen Toulmin.
Slide 3/5: Visual additions to the research paper.
Slide 7: A space for students to include where they got their information to avoid plagiarism and practice citations in the necessary capacity.
Graphic Essay
Instead of the traditional format of a research paper, this is a way for students to include all necessary information from an assignment in a new way.
It organizes the information and allows the student to use visuals as an assessment tool.
This can also be used as a planning page. Of course, this essay had specific requirements, but those can be adjusted for each purpose.
Obviously, this is a rough draft version. ;)
​
(Since it's cut off, the top left says: "Symbols around the page".
​
The bottom left leaves room for citations.)
Character Purpose Analysis
Again, read it for fun first.
If you want to give a task at first, ask students to circle every character they come across
Go back and find all the characters.
Think broadly.
What can be a character? Society, Laws, People, Institutions, Objects.
Characters = something that acts within a story.
Where does each character fall in this chart? How do you know?
Use Text Evidence.
Discuss.
Write.
​
I have adapted this chart to fit many, many scenarios, and it is always a good conversational piece.
Ally
A character who helps the target in some way.
Bystander
A character who sees the injustice/harm happening but does not act.
Perpetrator
A character who takes part in the injustice or acts against the target; a character actively harming another.
Target
A character receiving the injustice; a character being harmed.
"Targeted" Reading - Focusing on Connection
My Approach to Reading
Reading is is a 50/50 interaction between the reader and the writer.
Writers create meaning with their words.
Readers create meaning with how they react to those words.
It is only when the come together, that reading can provide any meaning.
Here's how I make sense of this to students:
​
The writing isn't about your grandma; the writer probably didn't know your grandma. The writing only reminds you of your grandma; that's what it means to you.
Claim, Data, Warrant - "The Case of the Missing Gradebook"
What follows is ONE example of how to use mysteries to teach students about t argumentative writing. You can do this with LITERALLY any crime story or opinion article. I have lots, email me. :)
​
Claim: Who committed the crime?
Data: What in the story proves that?
Warrant: Why does that quotation make this character guilty?
