kids practicing English near Dali, Yunnan
Province, China, 2003
ENGLISH -- GRADE 6
Lance
King
The 6th grade English
program builds upon the reading and writing skills practiced in the
5th grade program. Many forms of writing are taught,
including poetry, personal narratives, myths, scripts, stories and
short essays. Grammar and vocabulary receive attention
both in formal instruction and in evaluation of written
pieces.
Throughout the year students read a wide
selection of world mythology, poetry, short stories, and
novels. Many selections are tied to topics and themes in
social studies. Literature circles are used as a way to
provide students with greater choice in reading selections and to
give students the opportunity for greater participation in
discussions. Texts used in the past, either as literature
circle choices or books that the whole class has read, have
included Watership Down; The Lightning Thief; Holes; Beka
Cooper; Shadow Thieves; The Kite Rider; and The Greek
Gods. Reading instruction aims to enhance critical
thinking as students delve into and interpret more complex
literature. A year-long independent reading program
encourages students to select and read excellent works of fiction
and non-fiction as well. In the spring, 6th graders will
study The Ramayana and write dramatic scenes based on this
ancient Hindu Epic.
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