Brief Explanation of the Common Core State Standards

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of high-quality academic guidelines in mathematics and English language arts (ELA). They’re designed to ensure students across the United States are equipped with the essential knowledge and skills required for success in college, career, and beyond. Think of them as the educational roadmap for consistent learning objectives, from kindergarten through 12th grade, regardless of where a student lives. It’s all about leveling the playing field and keeping the education standards uniform across the board.

6th Grade Reading: Informational Text Standards

In 6th grade, the focus on Reading: Informational Text Standards emphasizes critical reading and comprehension skills of non-fiction texts. Students are expected to identify key ideas and details, understand the structure of texts, integrate knowledge and ideas, and analyze point of view and purpose. They’ll dive into texts, exploring how evidence supports particular points in a text and what’s behind the selection of specific words or phrases to impact the reader. Additionally, they’re encouraged to compare and contrast differing points of view within texts. The goal? To mold students into informed thinkers, capable of analyzing information on a deeper level, whether it’s in print or presented graphically. Diving into these standards will equip your 6th graders with the analytical skills needed to navigate the world of informational text, from historical documents to science news articles.

🔍 Imagine a lively classroom discussion about the significance of the Mars Rover missions, and there’s that one 6th grader who’s synthesizing information from an article like a seasoned pro.

In the world of the Common Core State Standards for 6th Grade Reading: Informational Text, this student is cruising at cruising altitude, showcasing their skills remarkably. Let’s break down their expertise.

1. 🌍 Understanding Key Ideas and Details

This student can pinpoint the main idea of an article about space exploration, explaining how Mars Rovers are instrumental in seeking signs of past life on Mars. They don’t just repeat facts; they infer the broader significance of these missions for future space travel.

2. 🕵️‍♂️ Analyzing Text Structure

They’re adept at recognizing how a text about environmental conservation is structured. They can illustrate how the author moves from presenting a problem (e.g., plastic pollution), to exploring its impacts, and finally proposing solutions, understanding how each section contributes to the overall argument.

3. 🔗 Integrating Multiple Sources of Information

Presented with articles, infographics, and videos on renewable energy, this student can integrate information from these varied sources. They’ll compare the efficiency of solar panels versus wind turbines, not just relying on one resource but synthesizing data from all to form a comprehensive view.

4. 💡 Evaluating Arguments and Claims

When reading an opinion piece on school uniforms, they discern the author’s main claims and evaluate the evidence supporting those claims. They’re beginning to question the strength of that evidence and can respectfully counter-argue based on their analysis.

5. ⏳ Analyzing Point of View and Purpose

Our proficient reader understands the author’s purpose in writing an article about the importance of vaccinations. They detect the persuasive language intended to advocate for public health measures, recognizing the author’s intent and how it shapes the information presented.

6. 📊 Interpreting Visual Information

Given a graph charting deforestation rates, this student can correlate the information with an accompanying article, enhancing their understanding of the content. They recognize how visual elements like graphs, charts, and maps provide additional layers to textual information.

In essence, a 6th grader who thrives under the Reading: Informational Text standards is not just absorbing facts. They’re engaging with them, challenging them, and making connections that go beyond the printed page. They look at the text through a critical lens, always eager to dig deeper and understand more.

1. Key Ideas and Details: Determine the Central Idea (RI.6.2)

Objective: Students will be able to identify and summarize the central idea of an informational text, including how it is conveyed through key details.

Example Assessment: After reading an informational article about renewable energy, students are tasked with writing a summary that identifies the central idea of the text. They are also required to highlight three key details from the text that support this central idea.

Assessment Rubric:

Lesson Plan for Teaching RI.6.2:

Objective: Teach students how to identify and summarize the central idea and key details of an informational text.

Materials Needed: Copies of an informational article, highlighters, graphic organizers for note-taking.

Activity Overview:

1. Introduction (10 minutes): Explain what a central idea is and how it differs from a topic. Introduce the concept of supporting details and their importance in understanding and conveying the central idea.

2. Guided Practice (20 minutes): Read the first few paragraphs of the article together. As a group, discuss potential central ideas and supporting details. Use a graphic organizer on the board to map out thoughts.

3. Independent Practice (20 minutes): Students read the remainder of the article independently, using a graphic organizer to note the central idea and key details.

4. Group Discussion (10 minutes): In small groups, students compare their findings and discuss any differences in their identification of the central idea and supporting details.

5. Closure (5 minutes): Summarize key takeaways about identifying a text’s central idea and supporting it with details. Highlight the importance of this skill in understanding informational texts fully.

2. Craft and Structure: Determine the Meaning of Words and Phrases (RI.6.4)

Objective: Students will analyze how an author uses language to impact meaning, including determining the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text.

Example Assessment: Provide students with excerpts from an informational text featuring complex vocabulary. Ask students to use context clues within the text to infer the meaning of selected words and phrases. Then, ask them to rewrite sentences using synonyms to demonstrate understanding of the word’s meaning.

Assessment Rubric:

Lesson Plan for Teaching RI.6.4:

Objective: Enable students to determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text and understand their effect on meaning and tone.

Materials Needed: Informational texts with complex vocabulary, dictionaries (print or digital), thesauruses, worksheets for context clues practice.

Activity Overview:

1. Introduction (10 minutes): Discuss the importance of vocabulary in understanding informational texts. Explain the concept of context clues and how they help determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.

2. Guided Practice (20 minutes): Together, read a paragraph from the text. Identify challenging words and use context clues to infer meanings. Discuss as a class to ensure understanding and correct use of strategies.

3. Independent Practice (20 minutes): Students work on worksheets that contain excerpts with challenging vocabulary. They use context clues to infer meanings and check with dictionaries or thesauruses as needed.

4. Application (10 minutes): Students pick several words they worked on and write new sentences that show the words’ meanings clearly.

5. Closure (5 minutes): Recap the importance of context clues in understanding and enjoying complex texts. Encourage students to use these strategies in all their reading.

3. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas: Analyze Multiple Accounts of the Same Event or Topic (RI.6.9)

Objective: Students will compare and contrast different accounts of the same event or topic, analyzing the differences in the authors’ points of view.

Example Assessment: Provide students with two articles covering the same topic from different perspectives (e.g., the effects of plastic pollution from an environmental vs. industry standpoint). Have them write a comparative essay analyzing the differing viewpoints and how each author supports their standpoint.

Assessment Rubric:

Lesson Plan for Teaching RI.6.9:

Objective: Teach students how to critically evaluate multiple accounts of an event or topic, understanding the role of author’s perspective.

Materials Needed: Two articles on the same event/topic from different viewpoints, comparison and contrast graphic organizers, writing materials.

Activity Overview:

1. Introduction (10 minutes): Explain the concept of author’s perspective and bias. Discuss why different authors might have different viewpoints on the same topic.

2. Guided Reading (20 minutes): Read excerpts from the two articles as a class. Begin filling out a comparison and contrast graphic organizer together, noting differences in perspective and evidence used.

3. Individual Analysis (20 minutes): Students read the rest of the articles independently, completing their graphic organizers by identifying specific examples of how each author supports their viewpoint.

4. Discussion (10 minutes): In small groups, students share their findings and discuss the implications of differing viewpoints on the reader’s understanding of the topic.

5. Closure (5 minutes): Summarize the importance of recognizing and analyzing different perspectives in informational texts. Highlight how this skill can foster clearer, more critical engagement with various media and texts.

By addressing these three key standards through targeted lessons and assessments, teachers can craft a comprehensive and engaging curriculum that enhances students’ informational text comprehension skills, preparing them well for more rigorous reading and analysis in future grades.