Illinois Priority Learning Standards: Grade 6
Skills available for Illinois sixth-grade language arts standards
Section
Print skill plan
RI.6
Reading: Informational Text
Key Ideas and Details
RI.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Text evidence
Text evidence in nonfiction passages
RI.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Text evidence
Text evidence in nonfiction passages
RST.6.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
RST.6.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of science and technical texts.
RH.6.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Primary and secondary sources
Secondary sources
RH.6.1: Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources.
Primary and secondary sources
Secondary sources
RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
Central idea
Supporting details
Facts and opinions
Central ideas in informational passages
Central ideas in nonfiction passages
RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
Central idea
Supporting details
Facts and opinions
Central ideas in informational passages
Central ideas in nonfiction passages
RST.6.2: Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
Engineering practices
Chemistry
Waves
Cells
Human body systems
Genetics
Evolution
Plants
The rock cycle
Ecological interactions
Conservation
RST.6.2: Determine the central ideas or conclusions of a text; provide an accurate summary of the text distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
Engineering practices
Chemistry
Waves
Cells
Human body systems
Genetics
Evolution
Plants
The rock cycle
Ecological interactions
Conservation
RH.6.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
RH.6.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.
RI.6.3 Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
Text relationships
Arguments
Supporting details
RI.6.3 Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
Text relationships
Arguments
Supporting details
RST.6.3: Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
RST.6.3: Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
RH.6.3: Identify key steps in a text's description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).
RH.6.3: Identify key steps in a text's description of a process related to history/social studies (e.g., how a bill becomes law, how interest rates are raised or lowered).
Craft and Structure
RI.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
Text structure
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
RI.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas.
Text structure
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
RST.6.5: Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.
RST.6.5: Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to an understanding of the topic.
RH.6.5: Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).
RH.6.5: Describe how a text presents information (e.g., sequentially, comparatively, causally).
RI.6.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
RI.6.6 Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text.
RST.6.6: Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.
RST.6.6: Analyze the author's purpose in providing an explanation, describing a procedure, or discussing an experiment in a text.
RH.6.6: Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
RH.6.6: Identify aspects of a text that reveal an author's point of view or purpose (e.g., loaded language, inclusion or avoidance of particular facts).
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.
RST.6.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
Engineering practices
Chemistry
Waves
Genetics
Evolution
Earth processes
Conservation
RST.6.7: Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words in a text with a version of that information expressed visually (e.g., in a flowchart, diagram, model, graph, or table).
Engineering practices
Chemistry
Waves
Genetics
Evolution
Earth processes
Conservation
RH.6.7: Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
Region profiles
Country profiles
RH.6.7: Integrate visual information (e.g., in charts, graphs, photographs, videos, or maps) with other information in print and digital texts.
Region profiles
Country profiles
RI.6.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
RI.6.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
RST.6.8: Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
RST.6.8: Distinguish among facts, reasoned judgment based on research findings, and speculation in a text.
RH.6.8: Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.
RH.6.8: Distinguish among fact, opinion, and reasoned judgment in a text.
RI.6.9 Compare and contrast one author's presentation of events with that of another (e.g., a memoir written by and a biography on the same person).
RI.6.9 Compare and contrast one author's presentation of events with that of another (e.g., a memoir written by and a biography on the same person).
RST.6.9: Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
RST.6.9: Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
RH.6.9: Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.
Identify sources
RH.6.9: Analyze the relationship between a primary and secondary source on the same topic.
Identify sources
RL.6
Reading: Literature
Key Ideas and Details
RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Inference
Theme
Short stories
Text evidence in literary passages
RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
Inference
Theme
Short stories
Text evidence in literary passages
RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story's or drama's plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
Craft and Structure
RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
Theme
Analyze literary passages
RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
Theme
Analyze literary passages
RL.6.6 Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
RL.6.6 Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text.
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
RL.6.7 Compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text, including contrasting what they "see" and "hear" when reading the text to what they perceive when they listen or watch.
RL.6.7 Compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text, including contrasting what they "see" and "hear" when reading the text to what they perceive when they listen or watch.
RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.
RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics.
V.6
Vocabulary Interpretation and Use
RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
Vocabulary in context
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
Idioms
RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone.
Vocabulary in context
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
Idioms
RI.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
Idioms
RI.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Figurative language
Idioms
RST.6.4: Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.
The scientific method
Engineering practices
Chemistry
Human body systems
Waves
Cells
Genetics
Evolution
Plants
Earth science
Conservation
RST.6.4: Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.
The scientific method
Engineering practices
Chemistry
Human body systems
Waves
Cells
Genetics
Evolution
Plants
Earth science
Conservation
RH.6.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.
RH.6.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary specific to domains related to history/social studies.
L.6.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.6.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.6.4.a: Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
Synonyms and antonyms
Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Figurative language
Idioms
L.6.4.a: Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word's position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
Synonyms and antonyms
Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Figurative language
Idioms
L.6.4.b: Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible).
Greek and Latin roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
Spelling
L.6.4.b: Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible).
Greek and Latin roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
Spelling
L.6.4.c: Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
Reference skills
Dictionary skills
Thesaurus skills
L.6.4.c: Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.
Reference skills
Dictionary skills
Thesaurus skills
L.6.4.d: Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
L.6.4.d: Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.5.a: Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
L.6.5.a: Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context.
L.6.5.b: Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., cause/effect, part/whole, item/category) to better understand each of the words.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shades of meaning
Analogies
Related words
L.6.5.b: Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., cause/effect, part/whole, item/category) to better understand each of the words.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shades of meaning
Analogies
Related words
L.6.5.c: Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty).
Connotation and denotation
Word choice and usage
L.6.5.c: Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty).
Connotation and denotation
Word choice and usage
L.6.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Prefixes
Suffixes
Greek and Latin roots
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
L.6.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Prefixes
Suffixes
Greek and Latin roots
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
W.6
Written Expression and Conventions and Knowledge of Language
Text Types and Purposes
W.6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
W.6.1.a: Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
W.6.1.a: Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly.
W.6.1.b: Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
W.6.1.b: Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
W.6.1.c: Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
W.6.1.c: Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons.
W.6.1.d: Establish and maintain a formal style.
W.6.1.d: Establish and maintain a formal style.
W.6.1.e: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.
W.6.1.e: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.
W.6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
W.6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
W.6.2.a: Introduce a topic; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
Organization
Text structure
W.6.2.a: Introduce a topic; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
Organization
Text structure
W.6.2.b: Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Development and support
Plagiarism
Formatting
W.6.2.b: Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples.
Development and support
Plagiarism
Formatting
W.6.2.c: Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
W.6.2.c: Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
W.6.2.d: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
Word choice and usage
Domain-specific vocabulary
W.6.2.d: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
Word choice and usage
Domain-specific vocabulary
W.6.2.e: Establish and maintain a formal style.
W.6.2.e: Establish and maintain a formal style.
W.6.2.f: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information or explanation presented.
W.6.2.f: Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information or explanation presented.
W.6.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
W.6.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences.
W.6.3.a: Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
W.6.3.a: Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically.
W.6.3.b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
W.6.3.b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
W.6.3.c: Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
W.6.3.c: Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
W.6.3.d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
Descriptive details
Word choice and usage
W.6.3.d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
Descriptive details
Word choice and usage
W.6.3.e: Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.
W.6.3.e: Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events.
Production and Distribution of Writing
W.6.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Author's purpose
Text structure
Organization
Development and support
W.6.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Author's purpose
Text structure
Organization
Development and support
W.6.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
Organization
Revision
Editing
Complete sentences
Sentence variety
Pronouns
Modal verbs
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Adjectives and adverbs
Comparatives and superlatives
Commas
Dashes
Capitalization
Formatting
Plagiarism
W.6.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.
Organization
Revision
Editing
Complete sentences
Sentence variety
Pronouns
Modal verbs
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Adjectives and adverbs
Comparatives and superlatives
Commas
Dashes
Capitalization
Formatting
Plagiarism
W.6.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
W.6.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
W.6.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
Analyze sources
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
W.6.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources.
Analyze sources
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
W.6.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.6.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
W.6.9.a: Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories] in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics").
W.6.9.a: Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literature (e.g., "Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories] in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics").
W.6.9.b: Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not").
W.6.9.b: Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., "Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not").
Range of Writing
W.6.10 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 discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.
W.6.10 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 discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences.