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Writing Framework LibGuide Grade 6: Informational Unit

Grade Level Expectations

  • Write multi-paragraph informational pieces (e.g. letters, descriptions, reports, instructions, essays, articles, interviews).  Use relevant graphics (e.g. maps, charts, graphs, tables, illustrations, photographs).  Use sources, as appropriate, to task. 
  • Write with a clear focus, identifying topic, task, and audience and establishing a single point of view.
  • Develop content appropriate for the topic.  Gather, organize, and determine validity and reliability of information.  Write paragraphs that have details and information specific to the topic and relevant to the focus.
  • Write with controlled organization.  Use appropriate transitions within sentences and between paragraphs.  Establish purpose in the introduction.  Include an introduction, body, and conclusion.
  • Write with an understanding of style, using a variety of sentence structures and descriptive word choices (e.g., adjectives, nouns, adverbs, verbs) that create voice.  Include features that convey tone and voice (e.g. vivid verbs, specific nouns, and modifiers).
  • Revise writing to improve organization and refine central idea, content, paragraph development, level of detail, style, tone, and word choice.
  • Use grade appropriate conventions of language when writing and editing.  Spell common, frequently used words correctly.  Punctuate correctly.  Use correct grammar and sentence formation.

Features

  • Domains: Focus, Content, Organization, Style
  • Hierarchy – most to least
  • Creating simple and/or complex sentences for clarity
  • Outlines – taking notes, creating an outline, writing from an outline
  • Transitional phrases

Conventions

  • Punctuation – comma usage
  • Pronouns/Antecedents
  • Subject Verb agreement

Instructional Resources

Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide (Fletcher and Portalupi)

Mentor Texts (L. Dorfman and R. Cappelli)

Study Driven (Katie Wood Ray)

The No Nonsense Guide to Teaching Writing (Davis and Hill)

Possible Mentor Texts

Picture Books

Apples by Gail Gibbons

How to Make Sock Puppets by Scholastic

How to Hold a Crocodile by The Diagram Group

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mariann Hoberman