Unit Plan 2 (Grade 6 ELA): Reading with Evidence & Theme
Grade 6 ELA evidence and theme unit: students learn to ask and answer text-dependent questions, cite strong evidence, and infer theme or central ideas. Through close reading, discussion, and writing, they build analytical reading, inference, and academic discussion skills.
Focus: Asking/answering text-dependent questions; citing evidence; inferring theme/central ideas
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Reading Literature; Speaking & Listening)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This week builds the core habit of reading with evidence. Students will ask and answer text-dependent questions, cite strong evidence (quote or paraphrase) to support inferences, and infer a text’s theme/central ideas with concise summaries. By Friday, they’ll discuss claims using line references and write short responses that connect evidence → inference → theme.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Ask and answer text-dependent questions, citing explicit evidence and reasonable inferences (RL.6.1).
- Determine a theme/central idea, explain its development via key details, and provide an objective summary (RL.6.2).
- Engage in collaborative discussions using norms, building on peers’ ideas and citing the text (SL.6.1).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 6
- Reading Literature 6.1 (RL.6.1): Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.
- Reading Literature 6.2 (RL.6.2): Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
- Speaking & Listening 6.1 (SL.6.1): Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can answer a question with a claim and two pieces of textual evidence.
- I can tell the theme/central idea and point to the key details that build it.
- I can summarize without opinions.
- I can join a discussion using a line reference and build on a peer’s idea.