Unit Plan 29 (Grade 6 ELA): Procedural / How-To Explanatory Writing
Grade 6 writing unit: students create clear step-by-step how-to texts using precise language, strong transitions, and proper formatting while applying correct pronoun use and conventions for clarity and professionalism.
Focus: Clear steps, transitions, precise language; formatting for clarity
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Informative/Explanatory; Language—Conventions)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Procedural writing teaches readers how to do something—safely, efficiently, and predictably. This week, students will plan and draft clear step-by-step how-to texts, using purposeful formatting (titles, headings, numbered steps, notes), transitions that guide sequence and conditions, and precise, domain-specific language. They’ll also check pronoun use for clarity and conventions for polish.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Introduce a how-to task with clear purpose/audience, and provide appropriate formatting (titles, headings, numbered steps, notes) (W.6.2a, W.6.2f).
- Develop steps with facts, definitions, examples, and needed materials/tools (W.6.2b).
- Use transitions (time/sequence, condition/cause-effect) to create cohesion across steps (W.6.2c).
- Choose precise words and domain vocabulary; maintain a consistent, appropriate style (W.6.2d, W.6.2e).
- Apply standard English for grammar/usage—especially pronoun case, intensive pronouns, and consistency of person/number (L.6.1a–c)—and correct capitalization, punctuation, and spelling (L.6.2).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 6
- Writing 6.2 a–f (W.6.2a–f): Introduce/format; develop with facts/examples; use transitions; precise language; maintain style; conclude.
- Language 6.1a–c (L.6.1a–c): Proper pronoun case; use intensive pronouns; fix shifts in pronoun number/person.
- Language 6.2 (L.6.2): Conventions of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can introduce the task and format my how-to so it’s easy to follow.
- I can give materials, clear steps, and reasons/conditions when needed.
- I can use transitions (First/Next/Meanwhile/If…then/Because/Therefore).
- I can keep pronouns correct and consistent and my spelling/punctuation clean.
- I can finish with a conclusion that confirms the result or gives tips/troubleshooting.