Course Overview:

In this Language Arts 6 online course, students focus on developing reading skills and strategies, including recognizing and describing literary elements, as well as comparing and contrasting different forms of narrative. They explore recurring themes in literature and learn methods of collaboration. Additionally, they develop word study skills, master modes of essay writing, and understand the stages of the writing process.

Students delve into the uses of figurative language and explore connotation, denotation, and nuance in literary analysis. They enhance their ability to interpret and analyze literature and practice reading and summarizing informational texts. Coherence and cohesion in writing are emphasized, along with interpreting multimedia messages. Students also learn how to use technology effectively to share and publish their work.

Semester 1:

Through a study of myths, fables, and folk tales from different cultures—as well as novels and other modern forms of narrative, students learn the elements common to all forms of literature and also the elements that are unique to each form. In lessons focused on writing and language study, students craft essays in several different modes and learn how to create the more formal style expected for school writing assignments. Lessons in this semester guide students to recognize and reproduce text structures and organizational patterns that work for different types of essays. The writing lessons also demonstrate the kinds of changes that students should make during the revising and editing stages of the writing process. Opportunities for teacher feedback are frequent, detailed, and varied.

Semester 2: 

The second semester of grade 6 English Language Arts online course builds on the skills and concepts introduced in the first semester. Students tackle more difficult texts in Semester B and apply more advanced analysis skills to reading and writing tasks. They also study some of the more subtle aspects of language, such as the role of connotation and nuance in an author’s word choices and how those choices affect readers. Reading assignments are selected, in part, to provide models for students’ own writing in specific modes, forms, or genres. Several lessons demonstrate methods of sharing and publishing writing using 21st century technology.