Our Curriculum › Writing & Grammar › 6th Grade
Writing 6
A year of 6th-grade writing that moves from opinion to argument, then tours narrative, informative, speech, script and journal writing. Pronoun grammar is taught along the way, and the last quarter is mostly review and portfolio work.
180 lessons
One a day for a school year
7 units
Each opens to its lessons
3-entry expedition journal
Plus a historical essay and a portfolio
Standards
Common Core Grade 6 writing & language
What's taught, unit by unit
Writing argumentsDays 1–26
Building an argument from a clear claim, relevant evidence, credible sources, opposing claims, transitions and a formal style, then writing a second argument on a new topic. Grammar: pronoun case, intensive pronouns, pronoun agreement, vague pronouns.
- 1 · Welcome to Writing 6: From Opinion to Argument
- 2 · Writing a Clear Claim
- 3 · Supporting Your Claim with Relevant Evidence
- 4 · Acknowledging Opposing Claims
- 6 · Using Credible Sources
- 7 · Pronoun Case: Subjective, Objective, Possessive
- 8 · Intensive Pronouns
- 9 · Pronoun-Antecedent Agreement
- 11 · Organizing an Argument Logically
- 12 · Using Transitions to Clarify Relationships
- 13 · Writing a Formal Style
- 14 · Writing a Strong Concluding Statement
- 16 · Writing a Full Argument Draft
- 17 · Vague Pronoun Correction
- 18 · Sentence-Pattern Variety
- 19 · Peer Editing Your Argument
- 21 · A New Argument Topic: Choosing a Claim
- 22 · Researching Credible Evidence
- 23 · Using Rhetorical Techniques in Your Writing
- 24 · Acknowledging a Stronger Opposing Claim
- 26 · Finishing Your Second Argument Piece
Plus 5 review days, not listed.
Telling a storyDays 27–35
Narrative writing: developing a character, precise words and sensory details, putting events in a logical order, writing dialogue that shows character, using transitions, and ending with a satisfying resolution.
- 27 · Writing a Narrative: Character Development
- 28 · Using Precise Words and Sensory Details
- 29 · Using a Logical Sequence of Events
- 31 · Writing an Immigration-Themed Narrative
- 32 · Writing Dialogue That Reveals Character
- 33 · Using a Range of Transition Words in Narrative
- 34 · Writing a Satisfying Resolution
Plus 2 review days, not listed.
A tour of genresDays 36–65
Short projects in many forms: a how-it-works explanation, narratives about persistence and finding your voice, a persuasive speech and a debate speech, a compare-and-contrast essay with citations, an invention report and a podcast script.
- 36 · Writing an Informative Piece: How Something Works
- 37 · Using Domain-Specific Vocabulary
- 38 · Using Formatting: Headings and Graphics
- 39 · Peer Editing Your Informative Piece
- 41 · Writing About Persistence
- 42 · Showing Character Motivation Through Action
- 43 · Writing a Persuasive Speech
- 44 · Adding Rhetorical Techniques to Your Speech
- 46 · Delivering Your Persuasive Speech
- 47 · Writing a Compare-and-Contrast Essay
- 48 · Citing Sources in Your Essay
- 49 · Peer Editing Your Essay
- 51 · Writing About Respectful Disagreement
- 52 · Preparing a Debate Speech
- 53 · Acknowledging the Opposing View in Your Speech
- 54 · Practicing Your Debate Speech
- 56 · Writing About an Invention or Discovery
- 57 · Organizing Information with Subtopics
- 58 · Writing a Strong Introduction
- 59 · Peer Editing Your Informative Piece: Organization and Subtopics
- 61 · Writing About Finding Your Voice
- 62 · Writing a Podcast Script
- 63 · Writing an Engaging Opening for Your Script
- 64 · Recording Your Podcast Script
Plus 6 review days, not listed.
Cross-subject projects & first checkpointsDays 66–90
Writing linked to history and other subjects: a museum label, a historical fiction sketch and scene, board game rules and an essay on an idea that changed society. Includes two best-piece checkpoints and cumulative reviews of argument, narrative and grammar.
- 66 · Choosing Your Best Piece of the Term
- 67 · Final Revision of Your Best Piece
- 68 · Reflecting on Your Writing Growth
- 69 · Setting Writing Goals
- 71 · Writing About an Idea That Changed Society
- 72 · Writing a Museum Exhibit Label
- 73 · Writing a Historical Fiction Character Sketch
- 74 · Writing a Scene for Your Historical Fiction Character
- 76 · Writing About a Piece of Historical Media
- 77 · Writing Rules for Your Board Game
- 78 · Editing Your Board Game Rules
- 79 · Reflecting on Genre Variety This Term
- 81 · Writing About a Big Project
- 82 · Cumulative Review: Argument Writing
- 83 · Cumulative Review: Narrative Writing
- 84 · Cumulative Review: Grammar and Conventions
- 86 · Choosing Your Best Piece — Second Checkpoint
- 87 · Final Revision — Second Checkpoint
- 88 · Reflecting on Your Writing Journey
- 89 · Setting Writing Goals for the Rest of the Year
Plus 5 review days, not listed.
Expedition journal & historical essayDays 91–110
A three-entry expedition journal written in first person with real facts, sensory details, a route description, a title page and a short presentation, followed by a historical essay taken from claim to peer edit, revision, editing and publishing.
- 91 · Writing Your Expedition Journal: First Entry
- 92 · Writing Your Expedition Journal: Second Entry
- 93 · Writing Your Expedition Journal: Third Entry
- 94 · Adding Sensory Details to Your Journal
- 96 · Adding a Map Description
- 97 · Editing Your Expedition Journal
- 98 · Adding a Title and Cover Page
- 99 · Preparing to Present Your Expedition Journal
- 101 · Writing Your Historical Essay: Claim
- 102 · Writing Your Historical Essay: Evidence
- 103 · Writing Your Historical Essay: Acknowledging Other Views
- 104 · Writing Your Historical Essay: Conclusion
- 106 · Peer Editing Your Historical Essay
- 107 · Revising Your Historical Essay
- 108 · Editing Your Historical Essay
- 109 · Publishing Your Historical Essay
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Interviews, time capsule & writing portfolioDays 111–134
Interview questions and an interview write-up, a narrative about listening, a time capsule narrative with item descriptions, a friendly letter, and building a portfolio with an introduction. Also genre and pronoun reviews and a two-part cumulative review.
- 111 · Writing About Listening to Others
- 112 · Writing Interview Questions
- 113 · Writing Up Your Interview
- 114 · Cumulative Review: Writing Genres
- 116 · Cumulative Review: Grammar and Conventions — Four Pronoun Skills
- 117 · Choosing Your Best Piece — Third Checkpoint
- 118 · Final Revision — Third Checkpoint
- 119 · Reflecting on Your Writing Journey — Third Checkpoint
- 121 · Writing About a Time Capsule Decision
- 122 · Writing Descriptions for Your Time Capsule Items
- 123 · Writing a Letter to Future Students
- 124 · Cumulative Review: A Full Year of Writing
- 126 · Choosing Your Portfolio Pieces
- 127 · Writing a Portfolio Introduction
- 128 · Finalizing Your Writing Portfolio
- 129 · Presenting Your Writing Portfolio
- 131 · Writing About Creative Teamwork
- 132 · Final Cumulative Review: Part 1
- 133 · Final Cumulative Review: Part 2
- 134 · Preparing for Grade 7 Writing
Plus 4 review days, not listed.
Review, certificate & year-end celebrationDays 135–180
Mostly review and reflection: practice assessments, cumulative quizzes, a free-choice final piece, a writing certificate, portfolio presentation, letters to future selves and celebration days. About 45 days with little new instruction.
- 136 · Writing Skills Certificate Project
- 137 · Writing Year in Review: My Favorite Pieces
- 138 · Final Writing Challenge: A Piece of Your Choice
- 139 · Sharing Your Final Piece
- 141 · Writing Year in Review: Genre Reflection
- 142 · Writing Trivia Marathon
- 143 · Reviewing Your Writing Certificate
- 144 · Final Editing Pass on Your Portfolio
- 146 · Writing 6 Final Assessment Practice: Part 1
- 147 · Writing 6 Final Assessment Practice: Part 2
- 148 · Reflecting on a Full Year of Writing 6: Part 1
- 149 · Reflecting on a Full Year of Writing 6: Part 2
- 151 · Year-End Cumulative Review: Part 1 — Argument and Informative Writing
- 152 · Year-End Cumulative Review: Part 2 — Narrative Writing and Grammar
- 153 · Writing 6 Final Challenge: Your Writer's Portfolio Essay
- 154 · Writing 6 Final Assessment Practice: Comprehensive
- 156 · Writing Year in Review: A Complete Look Back
- 157 · Finalizing Your Writing Certificate
- 158 · Finalizing Your Year-End Writing Portfolio
- 159 · Reflecting on a Full Year of Writing 6: Final Thoughts
- 161 · Practicing Your Portfolio Presentation
- 162 · Reviewing Skills for Grade 7
- 163 · Writing Fun Day: Free Choice Writing
- 164 · Helping a Younger Student with Writing
- 166 · Writing Memory Book: My Favorite Moments
- 167 · A Letter to Yourself Next Year
- 168 · Final Writing Skills Check-In
- 169 · Preparing to Celebrate Completing Writing 6
- 171 · Final Writing Portfolio Presentation
- 172 · Final Cumulative Quiz: Argument Writing
- 173 · Final Cumulative Quiz: Narrative and Informative Writing
- 174 · Final Cumulative Quiz: Grammar and Conventions
- 176 · Sharing Your Letter to Future You
- 177 · Writing 6 Completion Celebration: Part 1
- 178 · Writing 6 Completion Celebration: Part 2
- 179 · Looking Ahead to Grade 7 Writing
- 180 · Congratulations! You Completed Writing 6!
Plus 9 review days, not listed.
By the end of the year, your child can
- Write an argument with a clear claim, relevant evidence and an answer to the other side
- Write a story with a developed character, sensory details, dialogue and an ending
- Explain a topic in an organized informative piece and cite their sources
- Choose the right pronoun form and fix vague or mismatched pronouns
- Revise and edit their own writing and give a peer specific feedback
- Present a portfolio of their best writing
Other 6th Grade subjects: Math 6 · Reading 6 · Science 6 · History 6