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6th Grade TN Language Arts - 2009-2010 Implementation
Resources for Older Standards
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Language
Tennessee English Language Arts Standards
2009-2010 Implementation
Internet Resources
Checks for Understanding (Formative/Summative Assessment)
1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.10 | 1.11 | 1.12 | 1.13 | 1.14 | 1.15 | 1.16 | 1.17
Know and use appropriately the meaning, forms and functions of nouns (e.g., collective nouns, nouns as objects, predicate nouns), pronouns (e.g., proper pronoun case; objects of prepositions; agreement with antecedents in person and number; indefinite, relative, and demonstrative pronouns), verbs (e.g., agree with the subject in person and number, action verbs that take objects, linking verbs, helping verbs, verb phrases, verb tenses, regular and irregular verb forms), adjectives (e.g., predicate adjectives, comparative and superlative forms), adverbs (e.g., negatives, forms of comparative and superlative phrases), conjunctions (e.g., coordinating, subordinating), interjections, and prepositions (place prepositional phrases correctly according to the words they modify within the sentence).
0601.1.1
  1. Nouns
    1. Fish Tanks - [this link opens in a new window] Fill a tank with tropical fish using prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
    2. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
    3. Irregular Plurals - match the related words, singular to plural [concentration style game]
    4. Irregular Plurals - drag and match related words, oes, os
    5. Irregular Noun Plurals - introductory lesson followed by two quizzes
    6. Noun Explorer - select the correct spelling, or correct abbreviation
    7. Parts of Speech - [this link opens in a new window] noun, verb, preposition, etc - Interactive quizzes
    8. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
    9. Plural and Possessive Nouns - By clicking on a bubble, identify whether the highlighted word is a plural or possessive noun and then click on the "Submit Answer" button.
    10. Plural Nouns - add s or es
    11. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; Jamie Rogers: Kid Detective, Memo to the Staff, Cooking with Tess and Les, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
    12. Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word Skills 1 | Word Skills 2 | Word Skills 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
  2. Adjective or Adverb Exercise 1
  3. Adjective or Adverb Exercise 2
  4. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
  5. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
  6. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; Sports Mania Broadcast, Detective Drama, Music Matters, Wanda the Wonder Dog, Quick Thinking, Memo to Creative Team or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
  7. Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word Skills 1 | Word Skills 2 | Word Skills 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
  8. Prepositions
    1. Prepositions at the Crossword I - Type the correct letter in each box. Use the tab key to move from box to box or use your mouse-button to place the letter in each box.
    2. Prepositions at the Crossword II - Type the correct letter in each box. Use the tab key to move from box to box or use your mouse-button to place the letter in each box.
    3. Prepositions at the Crossword III - Type the correct letter in each box. Use the tab key to move from box to box or use your mouse-button to place the letter in each box.
    4. Quiz on Prepositions - For each question, choose the single best answer.
    5. Recognizing the Function of Phrases - When you click on "Start this test," you will be presented with a sentence.
    6. Recognizing Prepositions - The following paragraph is taken from Ernest Hemingway's short story "The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber." Click on the prepositions in the order in which they appear and they will appear in the text-area below the paragraph.
    7. Verb and Preposition Combinations I - a quiz from the English-Zone
    8. Verb and Preposition Combinations II - a quiz from the English-Zone
    9. Verb and Preposition Combinations III - a quiz from the English-Zone
  9. Conjunctions - click on the buttons to find the correct answer
  10. Conjunctions & Interjections - Quia quiz
  11. Conjunctions Quiz I - click the answer buttons to see the answers
  12. Conjunctions Quiz II - combine the sentences using the conjunction given in parentheses
  13. Conjunction-itis Popup - [this link opens in a new window] Find the correct conjunction form to combine two short sentences together into one! (a Quia quiz)
  14. Interjection Activity - worksheet to print This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  15. Interjection - interjection song introduction to interjections.
  16. Interjection Practice - worksheet to print This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  17. Recognizing the Function of Phrases - When you click on "Start this test," you will be presented with a sentence.
  18. Verbs
    1. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
    2. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
    3. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; E-Mail to Ms. Jackson, Chuckles the Clown, The Mouse Power Awards, Just Plain Dirt, Morning Talk Show, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
    4. Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word Skills 1 | Word Skills 2 | Word Skills 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
    5. Practicing past, present & future tenses - Tense Activity 1 | Tense Activity 2 | Tense Activity 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
    6. Verb and Preposition Combinations I - a quiz from the English-Zone
    7. Verb and Preposition Combinations II - a quiz from the English-Zone
    8. Verb and Preposition Combinations III - a quiz from the English-Zone
Recognize and correct usage errors (e.g., double negatives, troublesome word pairs {to/to/two, their/there/they’re, its/it’s, sit/set, lie/lay, affect/effect, sit/set, lie/lay, may/can, leave/let, teach/learn, accept/except, capitol/capital, principle/principal, between/among}).
0601.1.2
  1. Double Negatives - a quiz
Use capitalization correctly (e.g., proper adjectives, within quotations).
0601.1.3
  
Demonstrate the correct use of commas (e.g., after introductory words, to set off appositives and interrupters, before a coordinating conjunction joining independent clauses to form compound sentences), colons (e.g., in business letters, preceding a list of items), semicolons (e.g., to combine sentences), quotation marks (e.g., with explanatory material within the quote, proper use with end marks), and apostrophes (to form singular and plural possessives).
0601.1.4
  1. Avoiding Comma Splices - Click on "The sentence, please!" and a sentence containing a comma splice will appear in the top text-area. Repair the sentence.
  2. Avoiding Comma Splices II - Click on "The sentence, please!" and a sentence containing a comma splice will appear in the top text-area. Repair the sentence.
  3. Colon Exercise - list of items.
  4. Colon Exercise - "Use a colon to improve the sentence's style by making it more forceful."
  5. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; Interesting Jobs, School Forum, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
  6. Quiz on Using Quotation Marks - from the Guide to Grammar and Writing, sponsored by the Capital Community College Foundation, Hartford, CT
  7. Quotation Marks and Colons - quiz
  8. Quotation Marks: Exercise to be printed and completed by students at their desk | answer to the exercise
  9. Quotation Marks - Place commas and periods inside, not outside, quotation marks. Place all other punctuation outside quotation marks unless it was contained in the original source. [Note: the exercises don't work]
  10. The Gallery Of "Misused" Quotation Marks
  11. Quotation Marks - a lesson on the proper use of quotation marks, followed by a list of punctuation quizzes
  12. Single Quotation Marks - Use single quotation marks for a quotation or title using quotation marks inside another quotation or title which uses quotation marks.
  13. Worksheet - fifteen sentences to edit [quotation marks]
  14. Worksheet from Georgia Southern University - three passages to edit [quotation marks]
Spell correctly high–frequency words, commonly misspelled words (appropriate to grade level), and words commonly used in content specific vocabulary.
0601.1.5
  1. Online Spelling Quizzes - numerous quizzes in TCAP format
  2. Spell Check - TCAP format - select word that is spelled incorrectly
  3. Spelling Practice Grade Six - instruction and practice in improving spelling
  4. Stop the Machine - click and drag letters to form a correctly spelled word (for different words and spelling activities, check here)
Correct run on sentences (e.g., use punctuation, conjunctions, or other means to separate the elements of a run-on) and sentence fragments (i.e., supply the missing sentence elements).
0601.1.6
  1. Avoiding Comma Splices - Click on "The sentence, please!" and a sentence containing a comma splice will appear in the top text-area. Repair the sentence.
  2. Avoiding Comma Splices II - Click on "The sentence, please!" and a sentence containing a comma splice will appear in the top text-area. Repair the sentence.
  3. Avoiding Run-on Sentences - Select the group of words that corrects the run-on; Practice Two;
  4. Combining Sentences - Quiz One | Quiz Two | Quiz Three
  5. Conjunctions - click on the buttons to find the correct answer
  6. Conjunctions & Interjections - Quia quiz
  7. Conjunctions Quiz I - click the answer buttons to see the answers
  8. Conjunctions Quiz II - combine the sentences using the conjunction given in parentheses
  9. Conjunction-itis Popup - [this link opens in a new window] Find the correct conjunction form to combine two short sentences together into one! (a Quia quiz)
  10. Fragments - 6 interactive exercises with handouts.
  11. Fragments and Run-On's - After each sentence, select the option which best describes that sentence.
  12. Repairing Run-On Sentences - After each run-on sentence below select the remedy that would best repair that sentence.
  13. Revising Sentence Fragments - rewrite sentence to make a complete sentence
  14. Run on's and Comma Splices - Look at the passage and decide whether the sentence is correct or whether it is a run-on.
  15. Sentence Sort - choose correct sentence structure to move piece along board
  16. Sentence Speedway - identify sentence parts as phrase, dependent clause or independent clause
  17. Sentence Structure Review - This page has several exercises in reviewing: Incomplete sentences, Run-on sentences; Correctly written sentences that should be combined; Correctly written sentences that do not need to be rewritten.
Identify and use adjectival and adverbial phrases and clauses.
0601.1.7
  
Identify and use appositives and appositive phrases.
0601.1.8
  1. Phrasal Verbs Dispenser - select a subject then use the arrows to pick out the correct phrasal verbs
  2. Phrasal Verb Practice - online quiz
  3. Phrases and Clauses - lesson followed by a quiz [this quiz will read itself to your students]
  4. Verb Phrases - A simple exercise on phrasal verbs; quia quiz
  5. Verb Phrases - [this link opens in a new window] identify the complete verb phrase in each sentence (scores are kept)
Identify and use infinitives and infinitive phrases.
0601.1.9
  
Determine the difference between independent and subordinate clauses.
0601.1.10
  
Recognize and differentiate between simple and compound sentences.
0601.1.11
  
Identify the structure in imperative and interrogative sentences.
0601.1.12
  
Use printed and electronic dictionaries, thesauruses, and glossaries to determine the pronunciation, spelling, and part of speech words; to clarify meaning and improve understanding of words (including connotation and denotation); and to distinguish among contextually appropriate synonyms and definitions.
0601.1.13
  1. Acronym Finder
  2. FreeDictionary - Has word of the day, quote of the day, article of the day, word game of the day and more.
  3. Roget’s II: The New Thesaurus - "features succinct word definitions and an innovative hyperlinked category index."
  4. Rhyming Dictionary - You can use it to help write poetry, song lyrics, greeting cards, witticisms, and more.
  5. Specialized On-Line Dictionaries in one of 60 areas, from Advertising to Travel.
  6. Travlang's Translating Dictionaries featuring 18 languages.
  7. Word Central from Merriam Webster - a customizable dictionary and a daily buzz word
  8. WWWebster's Online Dictionary look up a word or a phrase
  9. YourDictionary.com - This site says that it is the web's most authoritative and comprehensive language portal
Define and recognize word synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms.
0601.1.14
  
Identify and define English words derived from Latin and Greek words that form common roots (e.g., audio, auto, malus) and recognize English words that are based on them (e.g., audible, autobiography, malice).
0601.1.15
  
Recognize and appreciate cultural and regional differences signaled by word usage and vocabulary.
0601.1.16
  
Explore common phrases and terms from other languages commonly used in English (e.g., RSVP, déjà vu, faux pas, du jour, bon voyage).
0601.1.17
 

State Performance Indicators
1.1 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.10 | 1.11 | 1.12 | 1.13 | 1.14 | 1.15 | 1.16 | 1.17 | 1.18 | 1.19 | 1.20

Identify the correct use of nouns (i.e., common/proper, singular/plural, possessives) and pronouns (i.e., agreement, subject, object) within context.
SPI 0601.1.1
  1. Nouns
    1. Fish Tanks - [this link opens in a new window] Fill a tank with tropical fish using prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
    2. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
    3. Irregular Plurals - match the related words, singular to plural [concentration style game]
    4. Irregular Plurals - drag and match related words, oes, os
    5. Irregular Noun Plurals - introductory lesson followed by two quizzes
    6. Noun Explorer - select the correct spelling, or correct abbreviation
    7. Parts of Speech - [this link opens in a new window] noun, verb, preposition, etc - Interactive quizzes
    8. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
    9. Plural and Possessive Nouns - By clicking on a bubble, identify whether the highlighted word is a plural or possessive noun and then click on the "Submit Answer" button.
    10. Plural Nouns - add s or es
    11. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; Jamie Rogers: Kid Detective, Memo to the Staff, Cooking with Tess and Les, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
  2. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
  3. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
  4. Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word Skills 1 | Word Skills 2 | Word Skills 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
  5. Pronoun Case - 6 exercises in the practice of this skill, interactive with handouts.
  6. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
  7. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
  8. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; E-Mail to Ms. Jackson, Chuckles the Clown, The Mouse Power Awards, Just Plain Dirt, Morning Talk Show, Cooking with Tess and Les, Wanda the Wonder Dog, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
Identify the correct use of verbs (i.e., action, linking, regular/irregular, agreement) within context.
SPI 0601.1.2
  1. Agreement
    1. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 1 - In the quiz questions , choose the correct verb so that subject and verb agree.
    2. ESL Subject Verb Agreement Quiz 2 - Do this quiz after mastering the quiz questions and their rules in the first
    3. Let's see whether you understand subject-verb agreement. - Read each sentence, enter your response in the space provided, and then press "Submit" to check your answer.
    4. Making Subjects and Verbs Agree: Exercises - a worksheet to print, not interactive
    5. Quiz on Subject-Verb Agreement - Select one answer from the choices provided after each sentence. The word you choose should fit the blank in the sentence.
    6. Quiz on Subject-Verb Agreement (2) - After each sentence select the verb form that will best fit in the blank. The explanation will describe the process of arriving at the correct choice for that sentence.
    7. Quiz on Subject-Verb Agreement (3) - Select the appropriate verbs from the drop-down menus to complete each sentence correctly. There are thirty-three "opportunities for error" in these paragraphs.
    8. Subject-verb Agreement - 6 exercises in the practice of this skill, interactive with handouts.
    9. Subject-Verb Agreement Quiz - Select the correct verb form to agree with the subject.
    10. This is a PowerPoint showSubject-Verb Agreement: The Sore Thumb of Grammar
    11. Subject/Verb Agreement - click the answer button to see the answer
  2. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
  3. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
  4. Irregular verbs - 6 exercises in the practice of this skill, interactive with handouts.
  5. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; Cooking with Tess and Les, Wanda the Wonder Dog, or any one of the mixed possessive and plural practice exercises.
  6. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
  7. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
  8. Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word Skills 1 | Word Skills 2 | Word Skills 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
  9. Practicing past, present & future tenses - Tense Activity 1 | Tense Activity 2 | Tense Activity 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
Identify the correct use of adjectives (i.e., common/proper, comparative forms) and adverbs (i.e., comparative forms) within context.
SPI 0601.1.3
  1. Adjective or Adverb Exercise 1
  2. Adjective or Adverb Exercise 2
  3. Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word Skills 1 | Word Skills 2 | Word Skills 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
Identify the correct use of prepositional phrases (place prepositional phrases correctly according to the words they modify within the sentence) within context.
SPI 0601.1.4
  
Identify the correct use of conjunctions (i.e., coordinating and subordinating) and interjections within context.
SPI 0601.1.5
  
Choose the correct use of quotation marks, commas (i.e., in direct quotations, with explanatory material within the quote, proper use with end marks) and colons (i.e., in business letters, preceding a list of items).
SPI 0601.1.6
  
Identify within context a variety of appropriate sentence-combining techniques (i.e., comma + coordinating conjunctions, introductory words, appositives, interrupters).
SPI 0601.1.7
  
Select the most appropriate method to correct a run-on sentence (i.e., conjunctions, semicolons, and periods to join or separate elements).
SPI 0601.1.8
  
Recognize usage errors occurring within context (i.e., double negatives, troublesome words {to/to/two, their/there/they’re, its/it’s, sit/set, lie/lay, affect/effect, sit/set, lie/lay, may/can, leave/let, teach/learn, accept/except, capitol/capital, principle/principal, between/among}).
SPI 0601.1.9
  1. Confusing Verbs - Lay / Lie - read the sentence, choose the answer, and get your score instantly
  2. Its/It's and There/Their/They're - Select one answer from the choices provided after each sentence. The word you choose should fit the blank in the sentence.
  3. The Notorious Confusables - Quiz 1 | Quiz 2 | Quiz 3 | Quiz 4 | Quiz 5
  4. Past Tenses of Sit/Set and Lay/Lie - What is the correct verb form in each sentence?
  5. Problem verbs review - sit/set/lie/lay/rise/raise - Practice with these games to get a clear meaning of each of these troublesome verbs. [a matching game]
  6. Sit or Set Quiz - Complete the sentences using the proper form of "sit" or "set."
  7. To / Two / Too -[this link opens in a new window] the difference between the homophones to, two, and too - five questions per screen
  8. To / Two / Too - [this link opens in a new window] the difference between the homophones to, two, and too - one question per screen
  9. To, too and two - this link opens in a new window] After clicking "Score and Show Answer(s)", click the "Try another set" button at the bottom to get a new set of questions. [Note: the review feature is only available to registered members]
  10. Too, two, and too - a story to help students work on too, two, and too (print this and make corrections)
  11. To Lie / To Lay and To Sit / To Set - Select one answer from the choices provided after each sentence. The word you choose should fit the blank in the sentence.
Identify the correct spelling of plurals and possessives.
SPI 0601.1.10
  
Identify sentences with correct subject-verb agreement (person/number) within context.
SPI 0601.1.11
  
Identify the correct use of commas (i.e., compound sentences, coordinating conjunctions, introductory words, appositives, interrupters) within context.
SPI 0601.1.12
  1. Comma Practice - select sentence with correctly used commas
  2. Conjunctions - click on the buttons to find the correct answer
  3. Conjunctions & Interjections - Quia quiz
  4. Conjunctions Quiz I - click the answer buttons to see the answers
  5. Conjunctions Quiz II - combine the sentences using the conjunction given in parentheses
  6. Conjunction-itis Popup - [this link opens in a new window] Find the correct conjunction form to combine two short sentences together into one! (a Quia quiz)
  7. Interactive exercises on using commas - Exercise 1 - Exercise 2 - Exercise 3 - Exercise 4 - Exercise 5
  8. Quiz on Comma Usage - Click on "The paragraph, please!" and a paragraph will appear in the top text-area.
  9. Using Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions - Click on "The sentence, please!" and a sentence will appear in the top text-area. Insert the necessary comma or commas (being careful not to insert commas where they aren't necessary).
  10. Using Commas with Introductory Phrases - Click on "The sentence, please!" and a sentence will appear in the top text-area. Insert any necessary comma or commas (being careful not to insert commas where they aren't necessary).
  11. Welcome to Commas: Fill in the Blanks! - in each blank space in the paragraphs below, provide a comma where it is appropriate or write a small-case "x" (without the quotation marks) where a comma is not necessary.
  12. Worksheet -Joining Sentences - rewrite the sentences using various sentence structure. This is an Adobe Acrobat document
Choose the appropriate interjection to complete a sentence.
SPI 0601.1.13
  1. Interjection Activity - worksheet to print This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Interjection - interjection song introduction to interjections.
  3. Interjection Practice - worksheet to print This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  4. Conjunctions & Interjections - Quia quiz
Select appropriate synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms within context.
SPI 0601.1.14
  1. A Feast of Homonyms - a Quia quiz
  2. Homographs - a two person Quia quiz
  3. Homonym Practice - a Quia quiz
  4. Homophone Quiz - three levels are available in this BBC quiz
  5. Self-Study Homonym Quizzes - 52 quizzes listed
  6. Word Confusion - choose the Hard level in this FunBrain quiz
  7. Antonyms - When you see the word that is a antonym of the given word, click on the button at the bottom right of the screen. Be quick! The choices for each antonym will only cycle through twice.
  8. Say it Another Way - Fill in the blank with a synonym for the missing word.
  9. Synonymical: The Synonym Game - [this link opens in a new window] click to select the letters (one at a time) that spell the proper synonym. (Author - David Fisco)
  10. Synonym.com - type a word in the box and find a synonym, or antonym, of the word
  11. Synonym & Antonym Word Encounters - Level 1 words | Level 2 words | Level 3 words
  12. The Thesaurus - a reference book that lists words and their synonyms - drag the words to the right thesaurus entry
Use context clues and prior knowledge of roots and affixes to determine the meaning of multi-meaning words.
SPI 0601.1.15

Use context clues and prior knowledge of roots and affixes to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
SPI 0601.1.16
  1. Fish Tanks - [this link opens in a new window] Fill a tank with tropical fish using prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
  2. Context is the Key - use context clues to determine the meaning of a word
  3. Using Multiple Meanings - decide which sentences use a word correctly
  4. Words with multiple meanings - fill in the blanks from a word list
  5. Prefix Mix - working with "Pre" and "Post," prefixes with opposite meanings
  6. Prefixes Make New Words - drag prefixes to complete sentences correctly
  7. Prefixes Say Plenty - choose the word that best completes the sentence
  8. Putting Down Roots - drag roots into blanks to complete sentences
  9. Putting Down Roots (2) - drag roots into blanks to complete sentences
  10. Putting Your Roots into Action - look for roots in unfamiliar words
  11. Putting Your Roots into Action (2) - look for roots in unfamiliar words
  12. This is a PowerPoint showRoot Words - underline root words - circle the prefix or suffix [Author - Connie Campbell]
  13. Rooting Out Words - [this link opens in a new window] Help Remainder the Dog gather enough mushrooms to sell at the market by uncovering the roots of words. (three categories, several difficulty levels - from FunBrain)
  14. Space Station - [this link opens in a new window] Divide words in blue into syllables and type the words into the box with a '-' between the syllables. [example: fi-nal]
  15. Suffixes Say a Lot - pick the best definition of the capitalized word
  16. Success with Suffixes - fill in the blanks with words ending in "er."
  17. Suffixes Make New Words - drag suffix to the correct root word
  18. What's a Root? - work with five roots
  19. What's a Root? (2) - work with five more roots
Use dictionaries, thesauruses, electronic sources, and glossaries as aids in determining the meaning of unfamiliar words.
SPI 0601.1.17
  
Identify correctly and incorrectly spelled words in context.
SPI 0601.1.18
  
Recognize and use grade-appropriate and content-specific vocabulary within context.
SPI 0601.1.19
  
Use knowledge of root words, affixes, syllabication, and/or spelling patterns as aids in determining meaning within context.
SPI 0601.1.20
 

 
Use dictionaries, thesauruses, electronic sources, and glossaries as aids in
determining the meaning of unfamiliar words.
SPI 0601.1.13
  1. Match the Definition Exercises: - Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 (These activities are not interactive, but the answers are at the bottom of this page)
  2. Word Meaning Jigsaw Game One - match words with their meanings Game Two | Game Three | Game Four | Game Five | Game Six
return to the top of the page
Communication
Checks for Understanding (Formative/Summative Assessment)
2.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 2.9 | 2.10 | 2.11 | 2.12 | 2.13 | 2.14 | 2.15 | 2.16 | 2.17
Listening
Follow multi-step spoken instructions to perform single tasks, to answer questions, and to solve problems.
0601.2.1
  1. Listening to instructions - Listen carefully to the messages to find the information you need
Identify the thesis of a speech in which the main idea may be explicitly or implicitly stated, concepts may be more abstract, and extended metaphors may be used, and determine the essential elements that elaborate it.
0601.2.2
  1. Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements - from the OWL at Purdue
  2. Thesis Statement - [from LEO] "a thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject"
  3. Thesis Statements - How to write a thesis statement
  4. Thesis Builder - helps build a thesis from a topic
  5. Write a Thesis Statement - [from Cliffs Notes] includes a "magic working thesis equation"
Differentiate between summarizing and paraphrasing.
0601.2.3
 
Summarize information presented orally by others in which the main ideas may be explicitly or implicitly stated, including the purposes, major ideas, and supporting details or evidence.
0601.2.4
 
Begin to paraphrase accurately ideas and information presented orally by others
0601.2.5
 
Construct a summary of a speech.
0601.2.6
 
Construct a critique of a speech.
0601.2.7
  1. Examples of Good Critiques - article with questions to ask yourself while doing a critique.
  2. Informative Speech Critique Form - template for evaluating a speech
  3. Persuasive Speech Critique Sheet - template of things to think about when doing a critique
  4. Sample Speaker Critique - read how this person does a critique
  5. Speech Analysis #1: How to Study and Critique a Speech - series of articles examining different aspects of presentation analysis
  6. Speech Critiques Examples - great site with video of people speaking to critique, plus their critique on the speech.
  7. Speech Self Critique Guide - he following guidelines should be used in practice sessions to evaluate the speaker and speech and note possible areas of improvement.
Identify the organizational structure of a speech (e.g., sequential, chronological, problem-solution, comparison-contrast, cause-effect).
0601.2.8
 
Listen actively in group discussions by asking clarifying and elaborating questions and by managing internal (e.g., emotional state, prejudices) and external (e.g., physical setting, difficulty hearing, recovering from distractions) barriers to aid comprehension.
0601.2.9
  1. Asking Questions - the types of questions depend on the answer to that first important question: Why am I reading this? Once you establish a purpose for yourself, you can then ask which questions will help you achieve that goal. This page asks students to rank a set of questions on a scale of one to five.
  2. Questioning Toolkit - seventeen types of questions from the educational journal, FNO
Speaking
Include relevant facts, reasons, details, and examples to support a relatively complicated thesis.
0601.2.10
  1. Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements - from the OWL at Purdue
  2. Thesis Statement - [from LEO] "a thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject"
  3. Thesis Statements - How to write a thesis statement
  4. Thesis Builder - helps build a thesis from a topic
  5. Write a Thesis Statement - [from Cliffs Notes] includes a "magic working thesis equation"
Organize oral presentations marinating a relatively simple three-part structure, previewing the content of presentation in introduction, offering ideas with supporting details, and providing a brief summary or conclusion.
0601.2.11
 
Use an organizational structure appropriate for the topic and purpose (e.g., sequential, chronological, problem-solution, comparison-contrast, cause-effect).
0601.2.12
  1. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  3. Comparative Exercise - find all the features unique to the text format.
  4. Strategies for Helping Readers - reading strategies with video and lessons
Logically arrange ideas and group related ideas in ways that enhance the topic.
0601.2.13
 
Connect ideas using a variety of transition strategies that signal addition of information and relationships between ideas (e.g., use listing words such as first, in addition, but, and however).
0601.2.14
 
Provide an effective conclusion that reinforces the focus of the presentation.
0601.2.15
 
Employ presentation skills such as good eye contact, clear enunciation, effective speaking rate and volume, and natural gestures.
0601.2.16
 
Participate productively in self-directed work teams for a particular purpose (e.g., to interpret literature, solve a problem, make a decision).
0601.2.17
 

State Performance Indicators
2.1 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2.7 | 2.8

Identify the purpose of a speech (i.e., to inform, to describe, to persuade).
SPI 0601.2.1
  1. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  3. Comparative Exercise - find all the features unique to the text format.
  4. Strategies for Helping Readers - reading strategies with video and lessons
Identify the targeted audience of a speech.
SPI 0601.2.2
 
Identify the thesis and main points of a speech.
SPI 0601.2.3
  1. Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements - from the OWL at Purdue
  2. Thesis Statement - [from LEO] "a thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject"
  3. Thesis Statements - How to write a thesis statement
  4. Thesis Builder - helps build a thesis from a topic
  5. Write a Thesis Statement - [from Cliffs Notes] includes a "magic working thesis equation"
Select the most appropriate behaviors for participating productively in a team (e.g., contribute appropriate and useful information and ideas, understand the purpose for working as a team, understand the responsibilities of various roles within the team).
SPI 0601.2.4
 
Determine the most effective methods for engaging an audience during an
oral presentation (e.g., making eye contact, adjusting speaking rate).
SPI 0601.2.6
 
Organize ideas in the most effective order for an oral presentation
SPI 0601.2.7
 
Select the best summary of a speech.
SPI 0601.2.8
 
return to the top of the page

Writing
Checks for Understanding (Formative/Summative Assessment)
3.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.10 | 3.11 | 3.12 | 3.13 | 3.14 | 3.15 | 3.16 | 3.17 | 3.18 | 3.19 | 3.20 | 3.21 | 3.22
Write in a variety of modes and genres, including description, narration, exposition, persuasion, literary response, personal expression, and imaginative.
0601.3.1
 
Practice writing to a prompt within a specified time.
0601.3.2
 
0601.3.3Create somewhat complicated work-related texts, such as instructions, directions, letters, memos, and reports that employ the following techniques:
• Select a medium or format appropriate to purpose for writing, and maintain
focus on the purpose.
  1. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  3. Comparative Exercise - find all the features unique to the text format.
  4. Strategies for Helping Readers - reading strategies with video and lessons
• Use varied strategies to achieve different purposes (e.g., providing facts and
details or including examples to illustrate).
  
• Demonstrate awareness of audience through selection of medium or format,
choice of supporting ideas, background information, and word choice and tone.
 
• Respond to opposing viewpoints and/or anticipate and answer potential
questions from audience.
 
• Use accurate and accessible vocabulary to convey meaning.
 
• Provide accurate and relevant support for the main points in the text.
  1. Supporting Sentences - lesson plan
• Follow customary formats (e.g., Use salutation, closing, and signature for
business letters, and format for memos).
 
• Include formatting or visual elements to guide readers by highlighting specific
categories of information and/or to signal transitions between steps (e.g.,
headings, bulleted lists).
 
• Use graphics and illustrative material effectively to support ideas in the text as
appropriate to content and medium.
 
Develop focused, appropriate, and interesting topics for writing.
0601.3.4
 
Create a thesis statement and include relevant facts, details, reasons, and examples that support the thesis.
0601.3.5
  1. Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements - from the OWL at Purdue
  2. Thesis Statement - [from LEO] "a thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject"
  3. Thesis Statements - How to write a thesis statement
  4. Thesis Builder - helps build a thesis from a topic
  5. Write a Thesis Statement - [from Cliffs Notes] includes a "magic working thesis equation"
Develop relevant details or reasons in a manner that meets the needs of the audience and purpose.
0601.3.6
 
Organize writing using structures appropriate for the topic and that meet the needs of the audience (e.g., if using an anecdote to provide an example, use chronological order with sufficient time signals for the reader to follow easily).
0601.3.7
 
Use appropriate and effective words and phrases to indicate the organizational pattern (e.g., problem-solution, with order of steps necessary indicated
in the solution).
0601.3.8
 
Use text features (e.g., headings, subheadings, formatting) as appropriate to
signal simple relationships between ideas.
0601.3.9
  1. Captions Help Tell the Story – students look at three pictures and try to determine which caption fits best
  2. News Stories with Comprehension Quizzes [from the BBC] - (1) White loafers and passport control, (2) Hungry ferrett causes rail scare, (3) Dyslexic boy's site wins top award, (4) Otters head for towns and cities, (5) Demolition fears after city blaze.
    1. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC - Choose carefully, not all of these would be appropriate for 6th grade students. Also, take a look at a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
  3. Read All About It! - use newspaper sections to predict where types of stories would be found
  4. Reading Headlines - read eight headlines and try to determine what the article is about
  5. Take Notes - evaluate what items should be included in the opening paragraph of a news story
Use accurate and precise language to convey meaning.
0601.3.10
  1. Exercises for Eliminating Wordiness - Revise these sentences to state their meaning in fewer words.
  2. Strategies for Improving Sentence Clarity - suggestions in an article
  3. Sentence Fragment Exercises—#1 - The sentences below appeared in papers written by students. Act as their editor, marking a C if the sentences in the group are all complete and an F if any of the sentences in the group is a fragment.
Use strong verbs and figurative language (e.g., metaphors, similes) for emphasis or creative effect as appropriate to the purpose.
0601.3.11
  1. Metaphors and Similes - lesson and practice
  2. Grammar Blast - several quizzes practicing 6th Grade skills [7th and 8th also available]
  3. Parts of Speech Quiz - select correct part of speech
  4. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; E-Mail to Ms. Jackson, Chuckles the Clown, The Mouse Power Awards, Just Plain Dirt, Morning Talk Show, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
  5. Practicing adverbs, adjectives, nouns, pronouns, verbs - Word Skills 1 | Word Skills 2 | Word Skills 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
  6. Practicing past, present & future tenses - Tense Activity 1 | Tense Activity 2 | Tense Activity 3 [this site only works with Internet Explorer]
  7. A Fun Way to Teach Similes - a lesson idea from Bruce Lansky
  8. Bud, Not Buddy - [these links open on new pages] quizzes on similes & metaphors Matching | Flashcards | Concentration
  9. Chasing Metaphors - students explore the figurative language of metaphors by turning a series of objects, concepts, events, or characters into metaphors, first in written form and then by creating a video with images, text, and sound [Quick Time required]
  10. Do you know your metaphors? - drag words to make a metaphor
  11. Do you know your similes? - drag the nouns to complete a Simile (Refresh the page to get a new set.)
  12. Figurative Language Baseball - Batter Up! pick the correct figurative term.
  13. Figurative Language - terms, definitions, and an example
  14. Figurative Language Quiz - [this link opens on a new page] alliteration, similes and metaphors, personification, connotation and imagery
  15. Literary Devices Quizzes - [these links open on new pages] similes, metaphors, personification, slang/dialect and allusions - Matching | Concentration | Flashcards
  16. Metaphor Lists - a selection of metaphors by category, complete with sample usage and interpretation7
  17. Metaphor Battleship Quiz - [this link opens on a new page] Quia quiz using the Battleship game format
  18. Metaphor Quiz - [this link opens on a new page] a five-question quiz at Quia
  19. Mataphor Quiz - [this link opens on a new page] a ten-question quiz at Quia
  20. Metaphor Quiz to print
  21. Simile lesson with a printable quiz
  22. Simile Quiz to print
  23. Similes and Metaphors - Identify the comparison in each sentence as a simile or a metaphor [ignore the email address blank].
Use appropriate vocabulary, sentence structure, and usage to distinguish between formal and informal language.
0601.3.12
 
Incorporate some variety of syntactic structures for effect when appropriate (e.g., modifying phrases, parenthetical expressions).
0601.3.13
 
Edit to craft a tone that is appropriate for the topic and audience, and supports the purpose.
0601.3.14
  1. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  3. Comparative Exercise - find all the features unique to the text format.
  4. Strategies for Helping Readers - reading strategies with video and lessons
Use language that conveys the writer’s point of view.
0601.3.15
  1. Point of View Quiz - Read each group of sentences. Decide if it is written in first person or third person point of view.
0601.3.16 When other sources are used or referenced (such as in research, informational essays, or literary essays) adhere to the following:
• Acknowledge source material (e.g., list sources).
 
• Understand the differences between/among quoting, paraphrasing, and
summarizing.
 
• Quote, paraphrase, or summarize text, ideas, or other information taken from
print or other electronic sources.
 
• Embed quotations and graphics from other sources, when appropriate.
 
Generate notes on text, and identify main and supporting ideas.
0601.3.17
 
Edit writing for mechanics (punctuation, capitalization), spelling, grammar (e.g., consistent verb tense, noun and pronoun agreement).
0601.3.18
 
Drawing on reader’s comments, revise papers to focus on topic or thesis, develop ideas, employ transitions, and identify a clear beginning and ending.
0601.3.19
  1. Tips and Examples for Writing Thesis Statements - from the OWL at Purdue
  2. Thesis Statement - [from LEO] "a thesis takes a stand rather than announcing a subject"
  3. Thesis Statements - How to write a thesis statement
  4. Thesis Builder - helps build a thesis from a topic
  5. Write a Thesis Statement - [from Cliffs Notes] includes a "magic working thesis equation"
Demonstrate confidence in using the Tennessee Writing Assessment Rubric while evaluating one’s own writing and the writing of others.
0601.3.20
 
Use relatively basic software programs (e.g., Word PowerPoint) to write more challenging texts and create graphics to present ideas visually and in writing.
0601.3.21
 
Identify and explore opportunities for publication (e.g., local/national contests, Internet websites, newspapers, periodicals, school displays).
0601.3.22
 

State Performance Indicators
3.1 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.9 | 3.10 | 3.11 | 3.12

Identify the purpose for writing (i.e., to inform, to describe, to persuade).
SPI 0601.3.1
  1. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passages This is an Adobe Acrobat document
Identify the audience for which a text is written.
SPI 0601.3.2
 
Select an appropriate thesis statement for a writing sample.
SPI 0601.3.3
  
Rearrange multi-paragraphed work in a logical and coherent order.
SPI 0601.3.4
 
Select illustrations, descriptions, and/or facts to support key ideas.
SPI 0601.3.5
 
Choose the supporting sentence that best fits the context flow of ideas in a paragraph.
SPI 0601.3.6
 
Identify sentences irrelevant to a paragraph’s theme or flow.
SPI 0601.3.7
 
Select appropriate time-order or transitional words/phrases to enhance the flow of a writing sample.
SPI 0601.3.8
  1. Making an Argument: Effective use of Transition Words - Lesson plan; "explore and understand the use of transition words in context and write their own persuasive essay using transition words"
  2. A chart of the transitional devices - also called conjunctive adverbs or adverbial conjunctions
  3. Transitional Devices (Connecting Words) - Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
  4. Transitional Devices - transitio