Next Generation Learning Standards: Grade 6
Skills available for New York sixth-grade language arts standards
Strand
Print skill plan
6R
Literary and Informational Text
Key Ideas and Details
6R1 Cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences.
Theme
Inferences
Text structure
Supporting details
Short stories
Text evidence in literary passages
Text evidence in informational passages
Text evidence in nonfiction books
6R1 Cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences.
Theme
Inferences
Text structure
Supporting details
Short stories
Text evidence in literary passages
Text evidence in informational passages
Text evidence in nonfiction books
6R2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is developed by key supporting details over the course of a text; summarize a text.
Central idea
Theme
Summary
Supporting details
Central ideas in informational passages
Central ideas in nonfiction books
6R2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is developed by key supporting details over the course of a text; summarize a text.
Central idea
Theme
Summary
Supporting details
Central ideas in informational passages
Central ideas in nonfiction books
6R3 In literary texts, describe how events unfold, as well as how characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. In informational texts, analyze how individuals, events, and ideas are introduced, relate to each other, and are developed.
Nonfiction text relationships
Supporting details
Arguments
Analyze nonfiction passages
Analyze literary passages
6R3 In literary texts, describe how events unfold, as well as how characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. In informational texts, analyze how individuals, events, and ideas are introduced, relate to each other, and are developed.
Nonfiction text relationships
Supporting details
Arguments
Analyze nonfiction passages
Analyze literary passages
Craft and Structure
6R4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings.
Vocabulary in context
Academic vocabulary
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Tone
Figurative language
Idioms
Word choice in literary passages
Vocabulary in context in nonfiction books
6R4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings.
Vocabulary in context
Academic vocabulary
Multiple-meaning words
Word choice and usage
Tone
Figurative language
Idioms
Word choice in literary passages
Vocabulary in context in nonfiction books
6R5 In literary texts, analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, stanza, chapter, scene, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme/central idea, setting, or plot. In informational texts, analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme/central ideas.
Nonfiction text structure
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
Theme
Development of ideas in literary passages
6R5 In literary texts, analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, stanza, chapter, scene, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme/central idea, setting, or plot. In informational texts, analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme/central ideas.
Nonfiction text structure
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
Theme
Development of ideas in literary passages
6R6 Identify the point of view and explain how it is developed and conveys meaning. Explain how an author's geographic location or culture affects his or her perspective.
Point of view
Author's purpose
Rhetorical strategies
6R6 Identify the point of view and explain how it is developed and conveys meaning. Explain how an author's geographic location or culture affects his or her perspective.
Point of view
Author's purpose
Rhetorical strategies
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
6R7 Compare and contrast how different formats, including print and digital media, contribute to the understanding of a subject.
6R7 Compare and contrast how different formats, including print and digital media, contribute to the understanding of a subject.
6R8 Trace and evaluate the development of an argument and specific claims in texts, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and relevant evidence from claims that are not.
6R8 Trace and evaluate the development of an argument and specific claims in texts, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and relevant evidence from claims that are not.
6R9 Use established criteria in order to evaluate the quality of texts. Make connections to other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, and personal experiences.
6R9 Use established criteria in order to evaluate the quality of texts. Make connections to other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, and personal experiences.
6W
Writing
Text Types and Purposes
6W1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
6W1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.
6W1a: Introduce a precise claim, acknowledge and distinguish the claim from a counterclaim, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
Organization
Development and support
6W1a: Introduce a precise claim, acknowledge and distinguish the claim from a counterclaim, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.
Organization
Development and support
6W1b: Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources while demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
6W1b: Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources while demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
6W1c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to argue a claim.
Content-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
6W1c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to argue a claim.
Content-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
6W1d: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
Conjunctive adverbs
Conjunctions
6W1d: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
Conjunctive adverbs
Conjunctions
6W1e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented.
6W1e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented.
6W1f: Maintain a style and tone appropriate to the writing task.
Tone and purpose
Word choice and usage
6W1f: Maintain a style and tone appropriate to the writing task.
Tone and purpose
Word choice and usage
6W2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
6W2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.
6W2a: Introduce a topic clearly; organize ideas, concepts, and information using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect.
Text structure
Organization
6W2a: Introduce a topic clearly; organize ideas, concepts, and information using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect.
Text structure
Organization
6W2b: Develop a topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.
Development and support
Plagiarism
Formatting
6W2b: Develop a topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.
Development and support
Plagiarism
Formatting
6W2c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to explain a topic.
Word choice and usage
Domain-specific vocabulary
6W2c: Use precise language and content-specific vocabulary to explain a topic.
Word choice and usage
Domain-specific vocabulary
6W2d: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
6W2d: Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
6W2e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the information presented.
6W2e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the information presented.
6W2f: Establish and maintain a style appropriate to the writing task.
Tone and purpose
Word choice and usage
6W2f: Establish and maintain a style appropriate to the writing task.
Tone and purpose
Word choice and usage
6W3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details and sequencing.
6W3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details and sequencing.
6W3a: Engage the reader by introducing a narrator and/or characters.
6W3a: Engage the reader by introducing a narrator and/or characters.
6W3b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
6W3b: Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.
6W3c: Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
6W3c: Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.
6W3d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
Descriptive details
Word choice and usage
6W3d: Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.
Descriptive details
Word choice and usage
6W3e: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.
6W3e: Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.
6W4 Create a poem, story, play, art work, or other response to a text, author, theme, or personal experience.
6W4 Create a poem, story, play, art work, or other response to a text, author, theme, or personal experience.
6W5 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Apply grade 6 Reading standards to both literary and informational text, where applicable.
Informational texts
Literary texts
Compare texts
6W5 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Apply grade 6 Reading standards to both literary and informational text, where applicable.
Informational texts
Literary texts
Compare texts
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
6W6 Conduct research to answer questions, including self-generated questions, drawing on multiple sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
6W6 Conduct research to answer questions, including self-generated questions, drawing on multiple sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
6W7 Gather relevant information from multiple sources; assess the credibility of each source; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others; avoid plagiarism and provide basic bibliographic information for sources.
Analyze sources
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
6W7 Gather relevant information from multiple sources; assess the credibility of each source; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others; avoid plagiarism and provide basic bibliographic information for sources.
Analyze sources
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
6L
Language
Conventions of Academic English/Language for Learning
6L1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
6L1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
6L1a: Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, and possessive).
Pronouns and antecedents
Subject and object pronouns
Possessive pronouns
Personal and reflexive pronouns
Relative pronouns
6L1a: Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, and possessive).
Pronouns and antecedents
Subject and object pronouns
Possessive pronouns
Personal and reflexive pronouns
Relative pronouns
6L1b: Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.
6L1b: Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.
6L1c: Recognize and correct pronouns that have unclear or ambiguous antecedents.
6L1c: Recognize and correct pronouns that have unclear or ambiguous antecedents.
6L1d: Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general, as well as in specific sentences.
Complete sentences
Clauses
Prepositional phrases
6L1d: Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general, as well as in specific sentences.
Complete sentences
Clauses
Prepositional phrases
6L1e: Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.
Clauses
Complete sentences
Misplaced modifiers
6L1e: Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.
Clauses
Complete sentences
Misplaced modifiers
6L1f: Use simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas.
6L1f: Use simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas.
6L1g: Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives).
6L1g: Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives).
6L1h: Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.
6L1h: Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice.
6L1i: Recognize and correct inappropriate verb shifts.
6L1i: Recognize and correct inappropriate verb shifts.
6L2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
6L2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of academic English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
6L2a: Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes, hyphens) to clarify and enhance writing.
Punctuation
Commas
Dashes
Hyphens
6L2a: Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes, hyphens) to clarify and enhance writing.
Punctuation
Commas
Dashes
Hyphens
6L2b: Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
Punctuation
Commas
Ellipses
Dashes
6L2b: Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break.
Punctuation
Commas
Ellipses
Dashes
6L2c: Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission.
6L2c: Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission.
Knowledge of Language
6L3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
6L3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
6L3a: Vary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.
Sentence variety
Conjunctions
Transitions
6L3a: Vary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.
Sentence variety
Conjunctions
Transitions
6L3b: Maintain consistency in style and tone.
6L3b: Maintain consistency in style and tone.
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
6L4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
6L4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
6L4a: 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
6L4a: 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
6L4b: 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
6L4b: 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
6L4c: Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) 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
6L4c: Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) 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
6L4d: 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).
6L4d: 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).
6L5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
6L5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
6L5a: Interpret figurative language, including personification, in context.
6L5a: Interpret figurative language, including personification, in context.
6L5b: 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
6L5b: 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
6L5c: Distinguish among the connotations of words with similar denotations (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty).
Connotation and denotation
Word choice and usage
6L5c: Distinguish among the connotations of words with similar denotations (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty).
Connotation and denotation
Word choice and usage
6L6 Acquire and accurately use general academic and content-specific words and phrases; apply 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
6L6 Acquire and accurately use general academic and content-specific words and phrases; apply 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