Unit Plan 32 (Grade 6 ELA): Writing Informational Reports with Visuals
Grade 6 informative writing unit: students craft multi-section reports with clear headings, precise vocabulary, and formal style while designing original graphics and captions to enhance reader understanding.
Focus: Multi-section report; graphics & captions; formal style
Grade Level: 6
Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing—Informative/Explanatory; Speaking & Listening—visual media; Language—Vocabulary)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Informational reports should teach with clarity. This week, students plan and draft a multi-section report with purposeful headings, embed at least one self-created graphic (chart, diagram, or map) with a caption, and revise for a consistent formal style and precise, domain vocabulary. By Friday, they’ll publish a clean, sectioned report that integrates text and visuals so readers learn efficiently.
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…
- Introduce and organize a topic with headings/formatting and a concluding section that follows from the information (W.6.2a, W.6.2f).
- Develop ideas with facts, definitions, examples, and quotations/paraphrases appropriate to the audience (W.6.2b).
- Use transitions (time, comparison, cause/effect, addition) to create cohesion among ideas and sections (W.6.2c).
- Choose precise language and domain-specific vocabulary; maintain a consistent formal style (W.6.2d; L.6.6).
- Integrate original or selected visuals (charts/diagrams/maps) and captions that clarify and support the text (SL.6.5; supports W.6.2a, W.6.2f).
Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 6
- Writing 6.2a–f (W.6.2a–f): Introduce and organize topic; develop with facts/examples; use transitions; precise language/formal style; provide a concluding statement; apply formatting/graphics when useful.
- Speaking & Listening 6.5 (SL.6.5): Strategic use of digital media and visual displays to clarify information and add interest.
- Language 6.6 (L.6.6): Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.
Success Criteria — student language
- I can structure my report with clear headings and a conclusion that fits the information.
- I can develop each section with specific, accurate facts and examples.
- I can use transitions that guide readers through ideas and sections.
- I can write in a formal style and use precise vocabulary correctly.
- I can design a graphic + caption that truly clarifies my topic.