Language Arts 1 Semester 1 and 2
Description: Semester 1
In sixth grade, through the study of authors such as Elizabeth Partridge, Gary Soto, and Langston
Hughes, the student will ponder such questions as “Is conflict always bad?”; "How do we decide
who we are?”; and "How much do our communities shape us?" Short- and long-term research
engages the student’s curiosity and critical-thinking skills. The student is encouraged to support
these ideas with evidence as the student practices narrative, informative, and persuasive writing.
The student will sharpen and strengthen skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The
student is exposed to a wide variety of writing styles to create a sense of curiosity and
excitement. The student will improve comprehension of increasingly complex literature and
informational texts using a multi-draft reading approach as the student discusses, analyzes, and
critiques. The student will learn to make connections between readings, other titles, and the
world. The student will also expand an academic vocabulary and build confidence through
independent reading. The student will write expository and creative compositions and employ
test-taking strategies that are effective for different types of learners.
Units:

MS LA Course Overview
In this unit, you will receive a basic overview of the course. You will learn about the
course structure built around the Literature series textbook, and preview the different
icons and assessments included throughout the course. You will also explore and learn
more about interactive reviews, novel units, and Independent Reading characters based
on the Literature Circle model.

Characters and Conflict
In this unit, you will explore the Big Question: Is conflict always bad? You will read
stories multiple times to deepen your understanding of literature and to better understand
the author’s craft. You will read literary texts to explore characterization, analyze plot
elements, and identify theme and tone. You will read nonfiction texts to understand
author’s purpose and explore conflict. Finally, you will distinguish between nouns and
pronouns and learn ways to use context clues to help you understand unknown words.

Life Stories
In this unit, you will explore the Big Question: What is important to know? You will read
non-fiction selections multiple times to deepen your understanding of features of nonfiction text and better understand the author’s craft. You will read non-fiction texts to
explore main idea, mood, author’s purpose, and point of view. Finally, you will
distinguish among regular and irregular verbs and perfect tenses of verbs and learn new
vocabulary words.

The Cay
The Cay is narrated by Phillip Enright, a young American expatriate who has moved to
the island of Curaçao with his parents. His family relocated to the island following the
outbreak of World War II, when Phillip’s father was recruited to work for an oil company
and support the war effort. However, when the Germans invade Curaçao, Phillip and his
mother try unsuccessfully to return to the United States. Their ship is torpedoed, and
Phillip finds himself on a raft with a stranger with whom he has nothing in common.
When the two arrive on a deserted island, Phillip and his fellow castaway must learn to
work together because their survival depends on it. In this unit, you will identify literary
elements, analyze characters, and use comprehension strategies to make connections and
draw conclusions.
The Cay is the recommended novel for Language Arts 6. Scott O'Dell's novel Island of
the Blue Dolphins may be read instead of The Cay with prior teacher approval. Lessons
and activities for Island of the Blue Dolphins will appear on the lower half of the page.
Do not proceed with Island of the Blue Dolphins unless you have received approval from
your teacher.
In Island of the Blue Dolphins, twelve-year-old Karana and the people of her native tribe
live on a small island in the Pacific Ocean. Their lives are changed forever after strangers
come to the island to hunt sea otter. She and her brother are left behind when the
islanders head east in search of a better life. Now Karana must figure out how to survive
despite loneliness, harsh living conditions, and the vicious wild dogs that are a constant
threat. Karana’s courage, perseverance, and intelligence help her discover new things
about herself and the place she has always called home.
Online Text/eBook

iText Pearson Common Core Literature Grade 6
Textbook

Pearson Common Core Literature Grade 6
Description: Semester 2
In sixth grade, through the study of authors such as Elizabeth Partridge, Gary Soto, and Langston
Hughes, the student will ponder such questions as “Is conflict always bad?”; "How do we decide
who we are?”; and "How much do our communities shape us?" Short- and long-term research
engages the student’s curiosity and critical-thinking skills. The student is encouraged to support
these ideas with evidence as the student practices narrative, informative, and persuasive writing.
The student will sharpen and strengthen skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The
student is exposed to a wide variety of writing styles to create a sense of curiosity and
excitement. The student will improve comprehension of increasingly complex literature and
informational texts using a multi-draft reading approach as the student discusses, analyzes, and
critiques. The student will learn to make connections between readings, other titles, and the
world. The student will also expand an academic vocabulary and build confidence through
independent reading. The student will write expository and creative compositions and employ
test-taking strategies that are effective for different types of learners.
Units:

MS LA Course Overview
In this unit, you will receive a basic overview of the course. You will learn about the
course structure built around the Literature series textbook, and preview the different
icons and assessments included throughout the course. You will also explore and learn
more about interactive reviews, novel units, and Independent Reading characters based
on the Literature Circle model.

Rhythm and Rhyme
In this unit, you will explore the Big Question: Do we need words to communicate well?
You will read poems multiple times to deepen your understanding of literature and to
better understand the author’s craft. You will read poetry to explore the structure of
poems, figurative language, sound devices, and imagery. You will practice paraphrasing
and drawing conclusions. Finally, you will use adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions, and
use coordinating conjunctions.

Adventures and Imagination
In this unit, you will explore the Big Question: How do we decide who we are? You will
read dramas multiple times to deepen your understanding of literature and to better
understand the author’s craft and purpose. You will read to explore the features of
dramas, dialogue and stage directions. You will practice paraphrasing and summarizing.
Finally, you will identify participles and gerunds, use prepositional phrases and
appositives, and practice combining sentences using phrases.

Walk Two Moons
In Walk Two Moons, 13-year-old Salamanca “Sal” Hiddle narrates the story as she and
her grandparents embark on a road trip from Euclid, Ohio, to Lewiston, Idaho. Sal, hurt
and confused, struggles to accept the fact that her mother has left her and her father. The
family heads to Lewiston, Idaho, where Sal hopes to be able to convince her mother to
return home. While on the road, they stop to visit historic landmarks and experience the
beautiful landscape of the Midwest. To pass the time in the car, Sal tells her grandparents
a peculiar story about her best friend, Phoebe Winterbottom. It is this story within a story
that helps Sal better understand her mother’s decision and begin to heal. This road trip
changes their lives and impacts their family forever. In this unit, you will identify literary
elements, analyze characters, and use comprehension strategies to make connections and
draw conclusions.
Walk Two Moons is the recommended novel for Language Arts 8. Esperanza Rising may
be read instead of Walk Two Moons with prior teacher approval. Lessons and activities
for Esperanza Rising will appear on the lower half of the page. Do not proceed with
Esperanza Rising unless you have received approval from your teacher.
In Esperanza Rising, twelve-year-old Esperanza Ortega and her family live on a
sprawling ranch in Mexico. As the only child of a wealthy couple, she is showered with
love and given the best of everything. After a series of tragic events, Esperanza
immigrates to the United States and joins the large population of migrants heading to
California to find work during the Great Depression. After settling in a farm camp in the
San Joaquin Valley, tragedy strikes again, forcing Esperanza to develop the strength and
perseverance needed to hold on to the new life to which she is beginning to adjust.
Online Text/eBook

iText Pearson Common Core Literature Grade 6
Textbook

Pearson Common Core Literature Grade 6