Virginia Standards of Learning (adopted in 2024): Grade 6
Skills available for Virginia sixth-grade language arts standards
Strand
Print skill plan
Developing Skilled Readers and Building Reading Stamina
6.DSR The student will build knowledge and comprehension skills from reading a range of challenging, content-rich texts. This includes fluently reading and gathering evidence from grade-level complex texts, reading widely on topics to gain purposeful knowledge and vocabulary, and using reading strategies when comprehension breaks down.
6.DSR.A Read a variety of grade-level complex text with accuracy, automaticity, appropriate rate, and meaningful expression in successive readings to support comprehension. Monitor while reading to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding when necessary.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
6.DSR.A Read a variety of grade-level complex text with accuracy, automaticity, appropriate rate, and meaningful expression in successive readings to support comprehension. Monitor while reading to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding when necessary.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
6.DSR.B Proficiently read and comprehend a variety of literary and informational texts that exhibit complexity at the lower range of the grade 6-8 band.
Short stories
Literary passages
Informational passages
Arguments
Nonfiction passages
6.DSR.B Proficiently read and comprehend a variety of literary and informational texts that exhibit complexity at the lower range of the grade 6-8 band.
Short stories
Literary passages
Informational passages
Arguments
Nonfiction passages
6.DSR.C When responding to text through discussion and/or writing, draw several pieces of evidence from grade-level complex texts to support claims, conclusions, and inferences, including quoting or paraphrasing from texts accurately and tracing where relevant evidence is located.
Text evidence
Paraphrase
Citations
6.DSR.C When responding to text through discussion and/or writing, draw several pieces of evidence from grade-level complex texts to support claims, conclusions, and inferences, including quoting or paraphrasing from texts accurately and tracing where relevant evidence is located.
Text evidence
Paraphrase
Citations
6.DSR.D Regularly engage in reading a series of conceptually related texts organized around topics of study to build knowledge and vocabulary (These texts should be at a range of complexity level so students can read the texts independently, with peers, or with modest support.). Use this background knowledge as context for new learning.
6.DSR.D Regularly engage in reading a series of conceptually related texts organized around topics of study to build knowledge and vocabulary (These texts should be at a range of complexity level so students can read the texts independently, with peers, or with modest support.). Use this background knowledge as context for new learning.
6.DSR.E Use reading strategies as needed to aid and monitor comprehension when encountering challenging sections of text. These sense-making strategies attend to text structure, common organizational structures, summarizing, asking questions of the text, and others.
Text structure
Point of view
Author's purpose
Main idea
Theme
Tone
Inference
6.DSR.E Use reading strategies as needed to aid and monitor comprehension when encountering challenging sections of text. These sense-making strategies attend to text structure, common organizational structures, summarizing, asking questions of the text, and others.
Text structure
Point of view
Author's purpose
Main idea
Theme
Tone
Inference
Reading and Vocabulary
6.RV.1 Vocabulary Development and Word Analysis
6.RV.1.A Develop and accurately use general academic language and content-specific vocabulary by listening to, reading, and discussing a variety of grade-six texts and topics.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
6.RV.1.A Develop and accurately use general academic language and content-specific vocabulary by listening to, reading, and discussing a variety of grade-six texts and topics.
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Word choice and usage
6.RV.1.B Use context and sentence structure to determine multiple meanings of words and clarify the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases.
Synonyms and antonyms
Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Figurative language
Idioms
6.RV.1.B Use context and sentence structure to determine multiple meanings of words and clarify the meanings of unfamiliar words and phrases.
Synonyms and antonyms
Multiple-meaning words
Vocabulary in context
Domain-specific vocabulary
Figurative language
Idioms
6.RV.1.C Apply knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and affixes to predict the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Greek and Latin roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
Spelling
6.RV.1.C Apply knowledge of Greek and Latin roots and affixes to predict the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Greek and Latin roots
Prefixes
Suffixes
Spelling
6.RV.1.D Use the relationship between particular words, including synonyms and antonyms to better understand each word.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shades of meaning
Analogies
Related words
6.RV.1.D Use the relationship between particular words, including synonyms and antonyms to better understand each word.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Shades of meaning
Analogies
Related words
6.RV.1.E Explain the construction and meaning of figurative language, including simile, hyperbole, metaphor, and personification.
6.RV.1.E Explain the construction and meaning of figurative language, including simile, hyperbole, metaphor, and personification.
6.RV.1.F Clarify the meaning of an unknown word or select the applicable definition of a word from a text by using word reference materials.
Reference skills
Dictionary skills
Thesaurus skills
6.RV.1.F Clarify the meaning of an unknown word or select the applicable definition of a word from a text by using word reference materials.
Reference skills
Dictionary skills
Thesaurus skills
6.RV.1.G Use general and specialized word-reference materials, print and digital, to identify word origins and derivations and pronunciation.
6.RV.1.G Use general and specialized word-reference materials, print and digital, to identify word origins and derivations and pronunciation.
6.RV.1.H Use newly learned words and phrases in multiple contexts, including in students' discussions and speaking and writing activities.
6.RV.1.H Use newly learned words and phrases in multiple contexts, including in students' discussions and speaking and writing activities.
Reading Literary Text
6.RL.1 Key Ideas and Plot Details
6.RL.1.A Summarize texts, including determining the central theme of stories, plays, or poems, and how they are conveyed through specific details.
6.RL.1.A Summarize texts, including determining the central theme of stories, plays, or poems, and how they are conveyed through specific details.
6.RL.1.B Describe plot developments in stories and dramas by examining the exposition, initiating event, central conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
6.RL.1.B Describe plot developments in stories and dramas by examining the exposition, initiating event, central conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
6.RL.1.C Differentiate between internal and external conflicts (e.g., individual vs. Individual, individual vs. Nature, individual vs. Society, individual vs. Technology, and individual vs. Self) and explain how they impact character development and plot.
6.RL.1.C Differentiate between internal and external conflicts (e.g., individual vs. Individual, individual vs. Nature, individual vs. Society, individual vs. Technology, and individual vs. Self) and explain how they impact character development and plot.
6.RL.1.D Explain how static and dynamic characters impact the plot.
6.RL.1.D Explain how static and dynamic characters impact the plot.
6.RL.1.E Explain the role of the protagonist and antagonist on plot events.
6.RL.1.E Explain the role of the protagonist and antagonist on plot events.
6.RL.2 Craft and Style
6.RL.2.A Describe the poetic elements in prose and poetry (e.g., rhyme, rhythm, repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia) and their intended impact on the reader.
6.RL.2.A Describe the poetic elements in prose and poetry (e.g., rhyme, rhythm, repetition, alliteration, and onomatopoeia) and their intended impact on the reader.
6.RL.2.B Explain elements of author's style as purposeful choices (e.g., imagery, figurative language, and word choice) to develop tone.
Figurative language
Sensory details
Tone
Word choice and usage
6.RL.2.B Explain elements of author's style as purposeful choices (e.g., imagery, figurative language, and word choice) to develop tone.
Figurative language
Sensory details
Tone
Word choice and usage
6.RL.2.C Explain how an author develops the point of view (e.g.,first-person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient) of the narrator or speaker in a text and influences how events are described in stories, plays, or poems.
6.RL.2.C Explain how an author develops the point of view (e.g.,first-person, third-person limited, third-person omniscient) of the narrator or speaker in a text and influences how events are described in stories, plays, or poems.
6.RL.3 Integration of Concepts
6.RL.3.A Describe how the interactions between individuals, settings, events, and ideas within a text influence one another.
Short stories
Literary passages
6.RL.3.A Describe how the interactions between individuals, settings, events, and ideas within a text influence one another.
Short stories
Literary passages
6.RL.3.B Compare and contrast details in two or more paired literary fiction and nonfiction texts on the same topic or with similar themes, including how chapters, scenes, or stanzas work together to provide the overall structure of each text.
6.RL.3.B Compare and contrast details in two or more paired literary fiction and nonfiction texts on the same topic or with similar themes, including how chapters, scenes, or stanzas work together to provide the overall structure of each text.
Reading Informational Text
6.RI.1 Key Ideas and Confirming Details
6.RI.1.A Summarize texts, including their main idea(s) and how they are developed with specific details.
Main idea
Supporting details
Main ideas in informational passages
Main ideas in nonfiction passages
6.RI.1.A Summarize texts, including their main idea(s) and how they are developed with specific details.
Main idea
Supporting details
Main ideas in informational passages
Main ideas in nonfiction passages
6.RI.1.B Describe how a key individual, event or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in historical, scientific or technical texts (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
Text relationships
Supporting details
Nonfiction passages
6.RI.1.B Describe how a key individual, event or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in historical, scientific or technical texts (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
Text relationships
Supporting details
Nonfiction passages
6.RI.1.C Trace the argument and specific claims in texts, distinguishing claims that are supported by evidence and reasons, from claims that are not.
6.RI.1.C Trace the argument and specific claims in texts, distinguishing claims that are supported by evidence and reasons, from claims that are not.
6.RI.2 Craft and Style
6.RI.2.A Determine the purpose of text features (e.g., boldface and italics type; type set in color; underlining; graphics and photographs; and headings and subheadings).
6.RI.2.A Determine the purpose of text features (e.g., boldface and italics type; type set in color; underlining; graphics and photographs; and headings and subheadings).
6.RI.2.B Explain how an author's word choice, organizational pattern, and language structure convey the author's purpose.
Figurative language
Word choice and usage
Text structure
Author's purpose
6.RI.2.B Explain how an author's word choice, organizational pattern, and language structure convey the author's purpose.
Figurative language
Word choice and usage
Text structure
Author's purpose
6.RI.2.C Explain how an author establishes and conveys a perspective or purpose in an informational text.
6.RI.2.C Explain how an author establishes and conveys a perspective or purpose in an informational text.
6.RI.3 Integration of Concepts
6.RI.3.A Describe ideas within and between selections including how specific sentences, paragraphs, or sections contribute to the development of ideas.
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
Compare texts
6.RI.3.A Describe ideas within and between selections including how specific sentences, paragraphs, or sections contribute to the development of ideas.
Development of ideas
Development of ideas in nonfiction passages
Compare texts
6.RI.3.B Compare and contrast one author's presentation of ideas or events with another's identifying where the texts agree or disagree.
6.RI.3.B Compare and contrast one author's presentation of ideas or events with another's identifying where the texts agree or disagree.
Writing
6.W.1 Modes and Purposes for Writing
6.W.1.A Write narratives to entertain, to share a personal experience, or to alter an existing story that uses narrative techniques to develop the characters, event(s), and experience(s).
6.W.1.A Write narratives to entertain, to share a personal experience, or to alter an existing story that uses narrative techniques to develop the characters, event(s), and experience(s).
6.W.1.B Write expository texts to examine a topic or concept, logically conveying ideas and information using text structures such as description, comparison, or cause-effect to create cohesion.
Text structure
Organization
Development and support
6.W.1.B Write expository texts to examine a topic or concept, logically conveying ideas and information using text structures such as description, comparison, or cause-effect to create cohesion.
Text structure
Organization
Development and support
6.W.1.C Write persuasively about topics or texts, including media messages, supporting well-defined claims with clear reasons and evidence that are logically grouped.
Organization
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
6.W.1.C Write persuasively about topics or texts, including media messages, supporting well-defined claims with clear reasons and evidence that are logically grouped.
Organization
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
6.W.1.D Write reflectively in response to text(s) read to demonstrate thinking with details, examples, and other evidence from the text(s).
6.W.1.D Write reflectively in response to text(s) read to demonstrate thinking with details, examples, and other evidence from the text(s).
6.W.2 Organization and Composition
6.W.2.A Generate and organize ideas using the writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing) to develop multi-paragraph texts. This includes:
6.W.2.A Generate and organize ideas using the writing process (planning, drafting, revising, editing) to develop multi-paragraph texts. This includes:
6.W.2.A.i: Composing a thesis statement that focuses the topic and introduces the piece clearly.
6.W.2.A.i: Composing a thesis statement that focuses the topic and introduces the piece clearly.
6.W.2.A.ii: Establishing a central idea incorporating evidence and maintaining an organized structure to fit the form and topic.
Organization
Supporting evidence
Text structure
6.W.2.A.ii: Establishing a central idea incorporating evidence and maintaining an organized structure to fit the form and topic.
Organization
Supporting evidence
Text structure
6.W.2.A.iii: Elaborating and supporting ideas, using relevant facts, definitions, details, quotations, and/or examples.
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
6.W.2.A.iii: Elaborating and supporting ideas, using relevant facts, definitions, details, quotations, and/or examples.
Supporting evidence
Logical fallacies
6.W.2.A.iv: Using transitions to show relationships between ideas, signal a shift or change in the writer's thoughts, and make sentences clearer.
6.W.2.A.iv: Using transitions to show relationships between ideas, signal a shift or change in the writer's thoughts, and make sentences clearer.
6.W.2.A.v: Selecting vocabulary and information to enhance the central idea, tone, and voice.
Tone
Word choice and usage
Descriptive details
Domain-specific vocabulary
6.W.2.A.v: Selecting vocabulary and information to enhance the central idea, tone, and voice.
Tone
Word choice and usage
Descriptive details
Domain-specific vocabulary
6.W.2.A.vi: Expanding and embedding ideas to create sentence variety.
Sentence variety
Conjunctions
Transitions
6.W.2.A.vi: Expanding and embedding ideas to create sentence variety.
Sentence variety
Conjunctions
Transitions
6.W.2.A.vii: Providing a concluding statement or section.
6.W.2.A.vii: Providing a concluding statement or section.
6.W.3 Usage and Mechanics
6.W.3.A Revise writing for clarity of content, word choice, sentence variety, and transition among paragraphs.
6.W.3.A Revise writing for clarity of content, word choice, sentence variety, and transition among paragraphs.
6.W.3.B Self-and peer-edit for capitalization, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraphing, and Standard English.
Complete sentences
Sentence structure
Editing
Nouns
Commas
Dashes
Formatting
Capitalization
Pronouns
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Comparatives and superlatives
Adjectives and adverbs
Reference skills
6.W.3.B Self-and peer-edit for capitalization, spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, paragraphing, and Standard English.
Complete sentences
Sentence structure
Editing
Nouns
Commas
Dashes
Formatting
Capitalization
Pronouns
Subject-verb agreement
Verb tense
Comparatives and superlatives
Adjectives and adverbs
Reference skills
Language Usage
6.LU.1 Grammar
6.LU.1.A Construct simple, compound, and complex sentences to communicate ideas clearly and add variety to writing.
6.LU.1.A Construct simple, compound, and complex sentences to communicate ideas clearly and add variety to writing.
6.LU.1.B Use pronoun-antecedent agreement, including indefinite and reflexive pronouns when speaking and writing.
Pronouns and antecedents
Reflexive pronouns
6.LU.1.B Use pronoun-antecedent agreement, including indefinite and reflexive pronouns when speaking and writing.
Pronouns and antecedents
Reflexive pronouns
6.LU.1.C Use adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs to express manner, place, time, frequency, degree, and level of certainty precisely when speaking and writing.
6.LU.1.C Use adverbs to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs to express manner, place, time, frequency, degree, and level of certainty precisely when speaking and writing.
6.LU.1.D Use phrases and clauses within a sentence and apply appropriate subject-verb agreement when speaking and writing.
Phrases and clauses
Subject-verb agreement
6.LU.1.D Use phrases and clauses within a sentence and apply appropriate subject-verb agreement when speaking and writing.
Phrases and clauses
Subject-verb agreement
6.LU.1.E Form and use often confusing verbs (e.g., lie/lay, sit/set, rise/raise) correctly in sentences.
6.LU.1.E Form and use often confusing verbs (e.g., lie/lay, sit/set, rise/raise) correctly in sentences.
6.LU.2 Mechanics
6.LU.2.A Construct complete sentences with appropriate punctuation, avoiding comma splices and run-ons in writing.
Complete sentences
Commas
Restrictive and nonrestrictive elements
Dashes
6.LU.2.A Construct complete sentences with appropriate punctuation, avoiding comma splices and run-ons in writing.
Complete sentences
Commas
Restrictive and nonrestrictive elements
Dashes
6.LU.2.B Use and punctuate dialogue and direct quotations appropriately in writing.
6.LU.2.B Use and punctuate dialogue and direct quotations appropriately in writing.
6.LU.2.C Recognize and consistently spell frequently used words accurately.
Spelling
Frequently confused words
Homophones
Plurals
Possessive nouns
Irregular past tense
Contractions
Comparatives and superlatives
6.LU.2.C Recognize and consistently spell frequently used words accurately.
Spelling
Frequently confused words
Homophones
Plurals
Possessive nouns
Irregular past tense
Contractions
Comparatives and superlatives
6.LU.2.D Consult reference materials to check and correct spelling.
6.LU.2.D Consult reference materials to check and correct spelling.
Research
6.R.1 Evaluation and Synthesis of Information
6.R.1.A Formulate appropriately narrow questions about a research topic and refocus the inquiry when appropriate.
6.R.1.A Formulate appropriately narrow questions about a research topic and refocus the inquiry when appropriate.
6.R.1.B Collect information from multiple sources, using search terms effectively.
6.R.1.B Collect information from multiple sources, using search terms effectively.
6.R.1.C Organize and synthesize information from multiple sources (primary, secondary, digital, and print) evaluating the relevance, usefulness, validity, and credibility of each source.
Organization
Analyze sources
Supporting evidence
6.R.1.C Organize and synthesize information from multiple sources (primary, secondary, digital, and print) evaluating the relevance, usefulness, validity, and credibility of each source.
Organization
Analyze sources
Supporting evidence
6.R.1.D Develop notes that include important concepts and summaries, including quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing research findings, avoiding plagiarism by using own words and following ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information.
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
6.R.1.D Develop notes that include important concepts and summaries, including quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing research findings, avoiding plagiarism by using own words and following ethical and legal guidelines for gathering and using information.
Text evidence
Plagiarism
Citations
6.R.1.E Organize and share findings in formal and informal oral or written formats.
6.R.1.E Organize and share findings in formal and informal oral or written formats.
6.R.1.F Give credit for information quoted or paraphrased using standard citations (e.g., author, article, title, webpage, and publication date).
6.R.1.F Give credit for information quoted or paraphrased using standard citations (e.g., author, article, title, webpage, and publication date).
6.R.1.G Demonstrate ethical and responsible use of all sources, including the Internet, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and new technologies, as they develop.
6.R.1.G Demonstrate ethical and responsible use of all sources, including the Internet, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and new technologies, as they develop.