Unit Plan 8 (Grade 6 ELA): Informative Writing Foundations
Grade 6 informative writing unit: students write clear, organized essays with strong theses, facts, definitions, and examples. They use transitions, domain vocabulary, and formal style to explain topics, concluding with insight while applying grammar and conventions for polished writing.
Focus: Clear thesis; facts/definitions/examples; logical organization; domain vocabulary
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Informative/Explanatory; Language)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Writers inform to teach clearly. This week, students learn to craft an informative/explanatory piece with a clear thesis, organized sections, and well-chosen facts, definitions, and examples. They’ll use transitions to create cohesion, adopt a formal style, and finish with a concluding section that wraps the big idea—all while applying Grade 6 grammar and conventions.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Write a clear thesis and organize ideas into logical sections (W.6.2a).
- Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and examples, citing sources when appropriate (W.6.2b).
- Use transitions to clarify relationships among ideas (W.6.2c).
- Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary (W.6.2d).
- Maintain a formal style appropriate to audience and purpose (W.6.2e).
- Provide a concluding statement/section that follows from the information (W.6.2f).
- Demonstrate command of grammar/usage (L.6.1) and capitalization, punctuation, spelling (L.6.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 6
- Writing 6.2a–f (W.6.2a–f):
- a. Introduce a topic; organize ideas, concepts, and information using definitions, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (headings), graphics, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension.
- b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other examples.
- c. Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.
- d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
- e. Establish and maintain a formal style.
- f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information or explanation presented.
- Language 6.1 (L.6.1): Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
- Language 6.2 (L.6.2): Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can state a thesis that focuses my piece.
- My body sections include facts/definitions/examples that truly teach.
- My transitions make the order and relationships clear.
- I use precise, domain vocabulary and keep a formal style.
- My conclusion connects back to the thesis and wraps up the big idea.
- My grammar, punctuation, and spelling support clarity.