6th Grade Language Arts

6th Grade Language Arts
 

I.  Phonemic Awareness, Word Recognition and Fluency
 Acquisition of Vocabulary
(Based on the State of Ohio Standards)
1. Define the meaning of unknown words by using context clues and the author's use of definition, restatement and example.
  1. Spelling City  Spelling City is a fun new educational site that can help children improve their spelling skills:
    -  contains over 25,000 words, including plurals, contractions, future and past tenses. -  uses a REAL human voice that says both the word and the word in a sentence -  a 'Teach Me' function that spells out the word using both visual and auditory input to improve retention -  teachers and parents can enter and save their own spelling lists for their students/children
    -  students can play games with their words or any saved lists
    -  teachers and parents can save and share their lists.
    -  the forum allows teachers and parents to share lists and ideas       4 Star
  2. Context is the Key - students use context clues to determine the meaning of a word
  3. Using Multiple Meanings - students decide which sentences use a word correctly
  4. Words with multiple meanings - students fill in the blanks from a word list
  5. Smart Board Lesson  Created by:   Elizabeth Bowers  SB
  6. Smart Board Lesson  Created by:   Elizabeth Bowers  SB
2. Apply knowledge of connotation and denotation to determine the meaning of words.
  1. Power Point - connotation and denotation
  2. Connotation and Denotation -definition of words and activity that has kids choose which word has a positive connotation
3. Identify analogies and other word relationships, including synonyms and antonyms, to determine the meaning of words.
  1. 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.
Each link below has many examples listed for each area of study
Analogies Synonyms
Antonyms Homophones
Vocabulary Reading Comp
Language Arts Spelling
  1. This is a PowerPoint showPowerPoint Jeopardy using the following as categories: Antonyms, Parts of Speech, Analogy, Synonyms, and Root Words
  2. Say it Another Way - Fill in the blank with a synonym for the missing word.

  3.         Synonyms

    		  
         
    A... Synonym Toast Synonyms - Game 1
    B... Super Synonyms Synonyms - Game 2
    C... Synonym Challenge Synonyms - Game 3
    D... Field Trip Synonyms - Game 4
    E... Thesaurus Tangle Synonyms - Game 5
    F... Squanky's Synonyms Synonyms - Game 6
    G... Rocket to the Moon Synonyms - Game 7
    H... Synonym Jig Words Synonyms - Game 8
    I... Synonym Match Synonyms - Game 9
    J... Synonym Match 2 Synonyms - Game 10
    K... Synonym Practice 1 Synonym Columns 1
    L... Synonym Practice 2 Synonym Columns 2
    M... Word Trap 1 Synonym Columns 3
    N... Word Trap 2 Synonym Columns 4
    O... Synonym Quiz Synonym Columns 5
    P... Synonym Fill-ins Synonym Hangman
    Q... Synonyms Double Rhyme  
    R... Beginner Quizzes:
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10     		  
    S... Intermediate Quizzes:
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10     		  
    T... Advanced Quizzes:
    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10     		  
  4. Synonymical: The Synonym Game - click to select the letters (one at a time) that spell the proper synonym. (Author - David Fisco)
  5. Synonym.com - type as word in the box and find a synonym, or antonym, of the word.
  6. Synonym Match Game one - Concentration style Game Two - Game Three
  7. Synonym & Antonym Word Encounters - Level 1 words | Level 2 words | Level 3 words
  8. The Thesaurus - a reference book that lists words and their synonyms - Drag and drop the words to the right thesaurus entry.
  9. Analogy Challenge - Try to complete the analogies in a race against time.
  10. Analogy Lesson from Diana Dell
  11. Analogy Quiz which requires students to type the word to complete the analogy
  12. Analogy quiz 1 at Quia posted by Diana Dell
  13. Analogy quiz 2 at Quia posted by Diana Dell
  14. Analogy Quiz from Paul Shoebottom
  15. Awesome Analogies for one or two players - posted at Quia
  16. Discovery School Analogy Quizzes
    1. AnalogyQuiz8
    2. AnalogyQuiz9
    3. AnalogyQuiz10
  17. Puzz.com has a quiz with 152 analogies - pick one or two a day and practice this valuable skill
4. Interpret metaphors and similes to understand new uses of words and phrases in text.
  1. Alliteration game   An Alliteration game inspired by Thomas Jefferson
  2. Alliteration or Simile? - Choose whether each statement is an alliterative phrase, simile or neither.
  3. What is a Simile  This website will help you understand this idea.
  4. Simile Game    Play this game and better learn about simile.
  5. What is a metaphor  This website will explain.
  6. Simile lesson with a printable quiz
  7. Simile Poem - Read a simile poem, then write one of your own.
  8. Simile Riddle - Read a simile riddle, then write one of your own.
  9. What is a Simile - explanation and a short quiz
  10. Smart Board Lesson created by:  Sunny Day  SB
 
5. Recognize and use words from other languages that have been adopted into the English language.
  1. Etymology Dictionary - find the definitions of unknown words from different languages

 
6. Apply the knowledge of prefixes, suffixes and roots and their various inflections to analyze the meanings of words.
  1.  Prefix Millionaire   This website will allow the student to go from 0 dollars to 1,000,000 if they get the correct answer.  4 Star

  2. PREFIX
    You will find listed below many outstanding sites to help in learning prefixes   4 Star
     A... Race to the Ramses
     B... Crystal Castle - im, in
     C... Prefix Millionaire
     D... Prefixes 1: un, de, dis, re, pre
     E... Prefixes 2: un, de, dis, re, pre
     F... Prefixes Meaning
     G... Prefixes: auto, bi, trans, tele, circum
     H... Prefix Crossword
     I... Building Prefixes
     J... Prefix Quiz 1
     K... Prefix Quiz 2
     L... Prefix Quiz 3
     M... Prefix Towers
     N... Jigwords
  3. Aton-Ra: The Lost Statue game at Funschool This is a cute online game where students hunt for a missing statue while learning about ancient Egypt and language skills such as spelling, homonyms, prefixes, and suffixes.
  4. Using Prefixes  This web site teaches about the prefixes re-, un-, and dis- and includes an interactive quiz to test what was learned.

  5. SUFFIX
     A... Suffix and Baseword Match
     B... Suffixes- less, ness, ly, ful
     C... Flamingo -y, ly
     D... Suffix Quiz 1
     E... Suffix Quiz 2
     F... Suffix Quiz 3
  6. Suffixes from TV411  In these online lessons, students choose definitions of words based on their suffixes and on context clues, make new words by adding a suffix to a root word, and use suffixes to complete words. Suffixes include -able, -ful, -less, -ly, -or, -er, -ment, and more.
  7. Prefixes Say Plenty  This web site has interactive exercises that help students understand the role of 10 prefixes, including pre-, post-, uni-, bi-, tri-, quad-, pro-, anti-, and more.
  8. The Suffix - Prefix Machine  This web site allows the student to pick from a large list of suffixes, prefixes, and root words to make up as many real words as they can. It also includes an explanation of prefixes and suffixes
7. Identify symbols and acronyms and connect them to whole words.
  1. An Introduction to Acronyms -  listing of most common acronyms you will find
8. Determine the meanings and pronunciations of unknown words by using dictionaries, thesauruses, glossaries, technology and textual features, such as definitional footnotes or sidebars.
  1. This is a PowerPoint showWhat Do You Mean By That? - a show on multiple meaning words
  2.  Multiple Meaning Words - a ten question quiz written by a 4th grade teacher
  3. Multiple Meaning Words 2- This is a PowerPoint show viewed in a web browser. Click on the yellow button labeled Multiple Meaning Words to start the quiz
  4. Multiple Meaning Practice Sheet #1
  5.   Multiple Meaning Practice Sheet #2
  6. Multiple meaning Online Practice #1
  7. Multiple meaning Online Practice #2
  8. Using a dictionary -  lesson and practice with using a dictionary
  9. Guide Words - lesson and practice with guide words
  10. Entry Words -  lesson and practice with entry words
  11. More Guide Word Practice -  Which word would or would not belong on the same page as the given words
  12. Word Meaning Games and Activities  
    A Pick -A-Word
    B Word Carnival Level 1
    C Word Carnival Level 2
    D Word Carnival Level 3
    E Word Carnival Level 4
    F Word Carnival Level 5
    G Word Carnival Level 6
    H Word Carnival Level 7
    I Word Carnival Level 8
    J Fake Out
    K Topic Specific Jumbles
    L Vocabulary Crosswords
    M Topic Specific Hangman
    N Topic Specific Vocabulary Quizzes

    O

    		 Multiple Meaning Words
    P Multiple Meaning Jeopardy
    Q Word Relationships

    R

    		 Topic Specific Match Games (with sound)

     

II.  Reading Process: Concepts of Print, Comprehension Strategies and Self-Monitoring Strategies
1. Establish and adjust purposes for reading, including to find out, to understand, to interpret, to enjoy and to solve problems.
  1. Book Pals  Don't just read a story; hear it read to you by actress and actors from the screen actors guild.  On line streaming video with many special affects.   This is a fantastic website for kids of all ages.   4 Star  
  2. Types of Text - a quiz based game that help kids recognize different text types and why they are written
  3. Different Types of Text - Do you understand the purpose of different text types and the main differences between them? Online quizzes.
  4. Evaluate Author's Purpose - Read story and print out answer sheet for completion.
  5. Game - Author's Purpose - Matching game
  6. Online quizzes on Author's Purpose- Quiz One ; Quiz Two
  7. Identifying the Author's Purpose - Online lesson
  8. Reading for a Purpose - 9 activities to check understanding about the purposes of different sorts of text.
  9. Worksheets for Author's Intent - (scroll past the membership information) Four activities you might want to do as a class to practice Author's Purpose.
2. Predict or hypothesize as appropriate from information in the text, substantiating with specific references to textual examples that may be in widely separated sections of text.
  1. Prediction Form - use information they had from previous reading and from their own experiences to write a short prediction
3. Make critical comparisons across texts, noting author's style as well as literal and implied content of text.  
4. Summarize the information in texts, recognizing important ideas and supporting details, and noting gaps or contradictions.
  1. Summary -  online lesson about the important parts to include in a summary
  2. Summary Practice -  read a passage and fill in the summary chart
5. Select, create and use graphic organizers to interpret textual information.
  1. Kinds of Concept Maps - examples of four major categories of concept maps
  2. Graphic Organizers - from Enchanted Learning
  3. Graphic Organizers from Education Place These are Adobe Acrobat documents
  4. Index of Graphic Organizers - from Inspiration
  5. Instructions on how to use Excel to create a graphic organizer
  6. Tips on Making Your Own Concept Maps
6. Answer literal, inferential, evaluative and synthesizing questions to demonstrate comprehension of grade-appropriate print texts and electronic and visual media.
  1. Stated Information - Online story about elephants and quiz
  2. Stated Information - Online story about dolphins and quiz
  3. Fifth Grade Reading - Read the introduction and the passage that follows. Then read each question and mark the circle next to the correct answer.
  4. News Quiz Archive - over 50 news stories from the BBC. Each story has a ten question quiz associated with it. They also have a section of stories which include math in the news and the quiz
7. Monitor own comprehension by adjusting speed to fit the purpose, or by skimming, scanning, reading on, looking back, note taking or summarizing what has been read so far in text.
  1.  Skimming and Scanning Resources
8. List questions and search for answers within the text to construct meaning.
  1. Reading Text -  explanation of how to come up with questions before reading and practice passages from Time for Kids.
  2. Reading Text 2 - more practice with articles from Time for Kids.
9. Use criteria to choose independent reading materials (e.g., personal interest, knowledge of authors and genres, or recommendations from others).
  1.  Kids Read - lists of books, reviews of newest titles, and interview with the coolest authors . 
10. Independently read books for various purposes (e.g., for enjoyment, for literary experience, to gain information or to perform a task).
  1. Stories Online - online reading resource links - uses Guided Reading levels as an indicator 
  2. TopsyTurvy Tales - from the Elementary Library
  3. Books Online - read books online to partners or by yourself
  4. Between the Lions - stories from PBS Kids

III.  Reading Applications: Informational, Technical and Persuasive Text
1. Use text features, such as chapter titles, headings and subheading; parts of books, including index, appendix, table of contents and online tools (search engines) to locate information.
  1. Subtitles- student must choose which detail would be placed under a given subheading
  2. Chapter Headings-   students choose which chapter heading will be appropriate for given details
  3.  Explore the parts of a book - click on each of the pictures on this page to learn more about that part of the book. Then go to Who Am I to see how much you know!
  4. Using the Parts of a Book - a worksheet from Teach-nology.
  5.   Using an Index for Information - a worksheet from Teach-nology
  6.   Using a Table of Contents - a worksheet from Teach-nology
  7.   Ask Jeeves for Kids  
  8.  Berit's Best Sites for Kids 
  9.  Yahooligans!  
  10.  Encyclopedia.com  
  11. National Geographic for Kids     
  12. Education Place  Pre-K–8 resources for teachers, students, and parents. Includes Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Intervention, Professional Development, activities, games, and textbook support
2. Analyze examples of cause and effect and fact and opinion.

  1. Cause and Effect Graphic Organizers  This web site has a collection of Adobe PDF files of Graphic Organizers that teachers can use for helping to teach Cause and Effect
3. Compare and contrast important details about a topic, using different sources of information, including books, magazines, newspapers and online resources
  1. Reference Sources - read each question and choose where you would find the information given
  2. Reference Sources 2-  description of what kind of information can be found in different types of sources
  3. Reference Source Game - 10 multiple choice questions
4. Compare original text to a summary to determine the extent to which the summary adequately reflects the main ideas and critical details of the original text.
  1. Summary -  online lesson about the important parts to include in a summary
  2. Summary Practice -  read a passage and fill in the summary chart
 
5. Analyze information found in maps, charts, tables, graphs, diagrams and cutaways.  
6. Identify an author's argument or viewpoint and assess the adequacy and accuracy of details used.  
7. Identify and understand an author's purpose for writing, including to explain, entertain, persuade or inform.
  1. Author's Purpose - read an online story and click to another page to answer questions on paper
  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. Author's Purpose - read an online story and answer questions on paper - a detailed explanation follows passage, teaching how to find the answers in passagesThis is an Adobe Acrobat document
8. Summarize information from informational text, identifying the treatment, scope and organization of ideas.
  1. Summary -  online lesson about the important parts to include in a summary
  2. Summary Practice -  read a passage and fill in the summary chart

IV.  Reading Applications: Literary Text
1. Analyze the techniques authors use to describe characters, including narrator or other characters' point of view; character's own thoughts, words or actions.
  1. Inferences: Characters Actions-short passage and follow up question
  2.  Inferences: Characters Actions (2)-short passage and follow up questions
2. Identify the features of setting and explain their importance in literary text.
  1. Movie transcripts   You will find the transcripts from many if not all movies made on this website.  You will notice how they identify and explain various types of characters.  4 Star
  2. Understanding Setting - read each description and choose the correct setting
  3. Understanding setting, plot and theme - Read the short story below. Then read each sentence and decide if it is part of the setting, plot or theme
  4. Video on the importance of settings.  Please down load first prior to running.  Very good video.
3. Identify the main and minor events of the plot, and explain how each incident gives rise to the next.
  1. Characters, plot and setting - create your own story using story elements.
  2. Describe and identify literary elements - online lessons and activities
  3. Story Stew - Lesson plan to introduce story elements.
  4. Understanding setting, plot and theme - Read the short story below. Then read each sentence and decide if it is part of the setting, plot or theme
4. Explain first, third and omniscient points of view, and explain how voice affects the text.
  1. Point of View Quiz - Read each group of sentences. Decide if it is written in first person or third person point of view.
5. Identify recurring themes, patterns and symbols found in literature from different eras and cultures.  
6. Explain the defining characteristics of literary forms and genres, including poetry, drama, myths, biographies, autobiographies, fiction and non-fiction.
  1. Genre Characteristics -
  2. Poetry General Knowledge Quiz - ten multiple-choice questions
  3. Select List of Literary Genres - A guide for students.
  4. Genres - lesson describing the different types of genres
  5. Genre Practice - What do you know about genres?
7. Distinguish how an author establishes mood and meaning through word choice, figurative language and syntax.
  1. A concept map to use when you work with your students on these topics. This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  2. Alliteration Worksheet with Flash card This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  3. Onomatopoeia Worksheet with Flash card This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  4. Poetic Devices - a classroom sign about the forms of poetic devices This is an Adobe Acrobat document
  5. Practicing onomatopoeia, alliteration, rhyme, simile and metaphor
    1. Word Play 1 | Word Play 2 | Word Play 3 | Word Play 4 | Word Play 5 | Word Play 6
  6. Shakespearean alliteration insults - have fun while reinforcing the concept of alliteration
 

I.  Writing Processes
1. Generate writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material, and keep a list of writing ideas.
  1. Communicating    You have the opportunity to create a Poster, Newspaper and or a Cartoon.  This website is very good and will allow students to learn how to transform their ideas to a hard copy that they may printout.   This is great for an LCD projector or a computer lab.  4 Star 
  2. Communicating through Garfield  Your students may create a cartoon and depending on your experience with technology they may create a complete story.  You will only be limited by your technology background and your imagination.  4 Star  
  3. Writing is fun   This website will give you and your students many different examples to work with.
2. Conduct background reading, interviews or surveys when appropriate.
  1. How to do Research - steps in the research process and a self - check quiz
3. Establish a thesis statement for informational writing or a plan for narrative writing.

  1. Thesis-  This web site has extensive information on writing a thesis as well as interactive exercises the students can take online to check their understanding
4. Determine a purpose and audience.
  1. Author's Purpose - read an online story and click to another page to answer questions on paper
  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. 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
5. Use organizational strategies (e.g., rough outlines, diagrams, maps, webs and Venn diagrams) to plan writing.
  1. Graphic Organizers - As your students read a selected novel, they may organize their information on one of these forms.
  2. Write Design - many graphic organizers to select.
6. Organize writing, beginning with an introduction, body and a resolution of plot, followed by closing statement or a summary of important ideas and details.
  1. Topic, Body, Concluding Sentence - lesson on the three parts of a paragraph
7. Vary simple, compound and complex sentence structures.
  1.  Guide to Grammar   You will find that this is an outstanding site to assist you and your students in learning proper grammar  4 Star
  2. Simple and Compound Sentences -  lesson and practice quiz
8. Group related ideas into paragraphs, including topic sentences following paragraph form, and maintain a consistent focus across paragraphs.
  1. Writing Topic Sentences - This online study guide from Encyclopedia Britannica is on paragraph organization. It includes a discussion of the creation of logical and cohesive paragraphs, including topic sentences, paragraph unity, coherence, and transitions
  2. Paragraph Organization - This web site has extensive information on writing a topic sentence as well as interactive exercises the students can take online to check their understanding.
9. Vary language and style as appropriate to audience and purpose.
  1. Smart Board assignment for writing works with settings.  Good idea  SB
10. Use available technology to compose text.
  1. Magnetic Poetry - On this web site you click on a poetry kit and it brings up a Refrigerator and over 100 different magnet words that the students will use to create a magnetic poem, sentence, or story! The student can also submit their work or look at some of the already submitted examples.
  2. Letter Generator -  learn about the different parts of a letter and then create one of your own.
11. Reread and analyze clarity of writing.
  1. Trailblazing Conclusions (6 - 8) Students develop a sense of ending by using closure and thought-provoking statements. (Author - Laurie Ayers)
12. Add and delete information and details to better elaborate on a stated central idea and to more effectively accomplish purpose.
  1. Supporting Details - Online lesson and practice
  2. Supporting sentences - Online lesson
  3. Graphic Organizer Template - Download this for class use in practicing supporting details
  4. Extra Information - lesson
  5. Extra Information 2 - read each paragraph and choose the sentence that is extra information
13. Rearrange words, sentences and paragraphs, and add transitional words and phrases to clarify meaning.
  1. Guide to Grammar   You will find that this is an outstanding site to assist you and your students in learning proper grammar  4 Star
  2. Fragments and Run-On's - After each sentence, select the option which best describes that sentence.
  3. Repairing Run-On Sentences - After each run-on sentence below select the remedy that would best repair that sentence.
  4. Run-on/Comma Splice/Fragment Quiz
  5. Run on's and Comma Splices - Look at the passage and decide whether the sentence is correct or whether it is a run-on.
14. Use resources and reference materials (e.g., dictionaries and thesauruses) to select more effective vocabulary.
  1. Meriram Webster's Kid's Dictionary
  2. Yahooligan's Reference
  3. Nouns    Smart Board presentation with video on this part of English Language.  SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
  4. Adjectives  Smart Board presentation with video on this part of English Language  SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
  5. Verbs  Smart Board presentation with video on this part of the English language. SB  Created by:  Shannon Weston
15. Proofread writing, edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.
  1. Combining Sentences - online quiz; Quiz Two; Quiz Three
  2. Phrases and Clauses - online quiz
  3. Revising Sentence Fragments - Rewrite sentence to make a complete sentence
  4. Sentence Sort - Game board; - choose correct sentence structure to move piece along board
  5. Sentence Speedway - Students identify sentence parts as phrase, dependent clause or independent clause.
  6. 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.
16. Apply tools (e.g., rubric, checklist and feedback) to judge the quality of writing.
  1. Writing Rubrics - rubrics from DLER
17. Prepare for publication (e.g., for display or for sharing with others) writing that follows a format appropriate to the purpose, using such techniques as electronic resources, principles of design (e.g., margins, tabs, spacing and columns) and graphics (e.g., drawings, charts and graphs) to enhance the final product.
  1. Stationary for Older Writers - printable stationary with borders for all seasons
  2. Create your own Cartoons   This site will allow the student to design and create their own cartoons and printout a story.  You will discover that there is much detail to this page.  Students may use their imagination and be totally engaged when learning. 4 Star

II.  Writing Applications
1. Write narratives that maintain a clear focus and point of view and use sensory details and dialogue to develop plot, characters, and a specific setting.
  1. Narrative Writing Prompts - 21 prompts to choose from
  2. Personal Narrative -  sample stories, sample prompts, and much more
2. Write responses to novels, stories, poems and plays that provide an interpretation, critique or reflection and that support judgments with specific references to the text.
  1. Poem writing   Create your own "I Am" poem by filling in each blank. Be sure to select all the words (and parentheses) that are already in each blank before entering your own words.  4 Star
3. Write letters that state the purpose, make requests or give compliments and use business letter format.
  1. Letter Generator -  learn about the different parts of a letter and then create one of your own.
4. Write informational essays or reports, including research, that present a literal understanding of the topic, include specific facts, details and examples from multiple sources and create an organizing structure appropriate to the purpose, audience and context.
  1. Information Elimination (6 - 8) Students model, instruct, and practice narrowing a topic for expository writing. (Author - Julie Thompson)
5. Write persuasive essays that establish a clear position and include organized and relevant information to support ideas.
  1. Persuasive Essays - lesson and prewriting assignment
  2. Persuasion Map - use this tool to map out your persuasive argument
6. Produce informal writings (e.g., journals, notes and poems) for various purposes.
  1. Journaling - ideas for different types of journaling
  2. How to Take Notes -  explanation and self-check
  3. What is an Acrostic Poem? - interactive tool that helps kids brainstorm and create an acrostic poem

III.  Writing Conventions
1. Spell frequently misspelled and high-frequency words correctly.
  1. Online Spelling Quizzes - numerous quizzes in TCAP format
  2. Spell Check - TCAP format - select word that is spelled incorrectly
  3. Spelling Check - Click on the misspelled word and then correct it. (for different words and spelling activities, check here)
  4. Spelling Practice Grade Six - Instruction and practice in improving spelling
2. Use commas, end marks, apostrophes and quotation marks correctly.
  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. Comma Practice - Select sentence with correctly used commas
  4. Interactive exercises on using commas - Exercise 1 - Exercise 2 - Exercise 3 - Exercise 4 - Exercise 5
  5. Quiz on Comma Usage - Click on "The paragraph, please!" and a paragraph will appear in the top text-area.
  6. 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).
  7. 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).
  8. 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.
3. Use semicolons, colons, hyphens, dashes and brackets.
  1. Semicolon Practice - select the response that uses the semicolon correctly
  2. Comma vs. Semicolon -  description of when to use a comma or a semicolon
  3. Comma vs. Semicolon Practice - in each compound sentence choose whether a comma or semicolon would be appropriate
  4. Comma vs. Semicolon Practice 2
4. Use correct capitalization.
  1. Power Proofreading - Choose your level of skill and your areas of concepts to practice with an interactive activity (choose grade 5) There are over two dozen different passages to choose from.
  2. Proofreading Makes Perfect - correct these sentences by entering correct grammar
5. Use all eight parts of speech (e.g., noun, pronoun, verb, adverb, adjective, conjunction, preposition, interjection).
  1. Conjunctions - Click on the buttons to find the correct answer
  2. Conjunctions Quiz I - Click the answer buttons to see the answers.
  3. Conjunctions Quiz II - Combine the sentences using the conjunction given in parentheses.
  4. Conjunction-itis Popup - Find the correct conjunction form to combine two short sentences together into one! (a Quia quiz)
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Quiz on Prepositions - For each question, choose the single best answer.
  9. Recognizing the Function of Phrases - When you click on "Start this test," you will be presented with a sentence
  10. 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.
  11. Verb and Preposition Combinations I - a quiz from the English-Zone
  12. Verb and Preposition Combinations II - a quiz from the English-Zone
  13. Verb and Preposition Combinations III - a quiz from the English-Zone
6. Use verbs, including perfect tenses, transitive and intransitive verbs and linking verbs.
  1. Power Proofreading - Choose 6th grade then select; Interesting Jobs, School Forum, or any one of the mixed practice exercises.
7. Use nominative, objective, possessive, indefinite and relative pronouns.  
8. Use subject-verb agreement with collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, compound subjects and prepositional phrases.
  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 Quiz - Select the correct verb form to agree with the subject.
  9. Subject-Verb Agreement: The Sore Thumb of Grammar
  10. Subject/Verb Agreement - Click the answer button to see the answer.

IV.  Research
1. Generate a topic, assigned or personal interest, and open-ended questions for research and develop a plan for gathering information.  
2. Identify appropriate sources, and gather relevant information from multiple sources (e.g., school library catalogs, online databases, electronic resources and Internet-based resources).
  1. Ask Jeeves for Kids  
  2.  Berit's Best Sites for Kids 
  3. Yahooligans!  
  4. Encyclopedia.com  
  5. National Geographic for Kids        
  6. Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library
3. Identify elements of validity in sources, including publication date, coverage, language, points of view, and discuss primary and secondary sources.
  1. The ABC's of Web Site Evaluation (presented by Kathy Schrock) - Evaluation of Web sites is an important skill to learn in this age of digital and information literacy. Students and teachers need practice in critically examining sites to determine authority, authenticity, and applicability to purpose. This site provides that practice.
  2. Critical Evaluation of Resources - In the research process you will encounter many types of resources including books, articles and web sites. But not everything you find on your topic will be suitable. How do you make sense of what is out there and evaluate its authority and appropriateness for your research?
  3. Critically Analyzing Information Sources - the emphasis here is on print sources
  4. Evaluating Information Found on the Internet - a thoughtful guide to evaluating web and other Internet resources
  5. Evaluation of information sources - This page contains pointers to criteria for evaluating information resources, particularly those on the Internet.
  6. Evaluating Web Pages - Techniques to Apply & Questions to Ask
  7. Evaluating Web Pages - Duke University
  8. Evaluating Web Pages - Southern Illinois University
  9. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly - or, Why It's a Good Idea to Evaluate Web Sources
  10. Quality Information Check List -a resource to help young people evaluate the information they find on the Internet.
  11. Teaching Zack to think (from Alan November) - it is essential that students learn  how to validate information
4. Identify important information found in sources and paraphrase the findings in a systematic way (e.g., notes, outlines, charts, tables, graphic organizers).
  1. Rules of Note-Taking -  5 rules to remember when taking notes
  2. Intermediate Example of an Outline
  3. How to Take Notes -  short self-check quiz on taking notes
5. Compare and contrast important findings and select sources to support central ideas, concepts and themes.  
6. Use quotations to support ideas.  
7. Use an appropriate form of documentation, with teacher assistance, to acknowledge sources (e.g., bibliography, works cited).
  1. How to Cite Resources- definition of a works cited page (MLA format).  Includes example words cited pages.

 
8. Use a variety of communication techniques, including oral, visual, written or multimedia reports, to present information that supports a clear position with organized and relevant evidence about the topic or research question.  

V.  Communications: Oral and Visual
1. Demonstrate active listening strategies (e.g., asking focused questions, responding to cues, making visual contact).
  1. Listening Exercises - Stories are audio and students must listen then answer a set of questions about the story (Real Player needed for this activity)
2. Summarize the main idea and draw conclusions from presentations and visual media.
  1. Listening for Specific Information - print out the question sheets before beginning and then choose between answering questions or filling in the gaps
  2. Summarizing Game -  choose a destination on the globe, listen to the audio about the trip and then record the most important things from the trip
3. Interpret the speaker's purpose in presentations and visual media (e.g., to inform, to entertain, to persuade).
  1. Types of Text - a quiz based game that help kids recognize different text types and why they are written
4. Identify the persuasive techniques (e.g., bandwagon, testimonial, glittering generalities, emotional word repetition and bait and switch) used in presentations and media messages.  
5. Demonstrate an understanding of the rules of the English language and select language appropriate to purpose and audience.  
6. Use clear diction and tone, and adjust volume, phrasing and tempo to stress important ideas.  
7. Adjust speaking content and style according to the needs of the situation, setting and audience.  
8. Deliver informational presentations (e.g., expository, research) that:
a. demonstrate an understanding of the topic and present events or ideas in a logical sequence;
b. support the controlling idea or thesis with relevant facts, details, examples, quotations, statistics, stories and anecdotes;
c. include an effective introduction and conclusion and use a consistent organizational structure (e.g., cause-effect, compare-contrast);
d. use appropriate visual materials (e.g., diagrams, charts, illustrations) and available technology; and
e. draw from multiple sources and identify sources used.		  
9. Deliver formal and informal descriptive presentations that convey relevant information and descriptive details.  
10. Deliver persuasive presentations that:
a. establish a clear position;
b. include relevant evidence to support position and to address potential concerns of listeners; and
c. follow common organizational structures when appropriate (e.g., cause-effect, compare-contrast, problem-solution).
  1. Persuasive Essays - lesson and prewriting assignment
  2. Persuasion Map - use this tool to map out your persuasive argument