Hitch Elementary School - 6th Grade Language Arts Text Overview

Listed below are potential texts used throughout the school year. Students will read some texts whole class, and others in small Literature Circle groups. Texts change often as we respond to the levels and interests of our students. This is not a definitive list.

Essential Questions / Potential Texts
The Plot Thickens . . .
How do authors effectively develop characters in a literary text?
What motivates characters to solve conflicts (either internal or external)?
How do the plot elements of a literary text work together to form an effective story? / WHOLE CLASS
Eleven by Sandra Cisneros
Scout’s Honor by Avi
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
SMALL GROUP
Students self select from a selection of novels.
Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements
Who Done It?
How is evidence used as a tool to solve a crime?
How can different points of view contribute to detectives work? / WHOLE GROUP
Two-Minute Mysteries by Donald J. Sobol
Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliet
SMALL GROUP
Students self select from a selection of mystery novels.
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Shakespeare’s Secret by Elise Broach
Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage
The Wright Three by Blue Balliett
Survival in the Wild
What similarities and differences exist among characters whom survive in the wild?
What character traits are necessary to survive in the wild?
How does the setting of a story shape the characters in the story? / WHOLE CLASS
Ghost of the Lagoon by Armstrong Sperry
Matthew Henson at the Top of the World by Jim Haskins
Older Run by Gary Paulsen
From For the Fun of It! By Amelia Earhart
SMALL GROUP
Students self select from a selection of survival novels.
Woodsong by Gary Paulsen
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
The River by Gary Paulsen
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell
Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craig
Voyage of the Frog by Gary Paulsen
Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors
What can I learn about the lives of others by reading fictional characters and through elements of literature that convey multiculturalism?
What new perspectives can I gain by reading multicultural literature? / SMALL GROUP
Students self select from a selection of multicultural novels.
I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka & Martin Ganda
The Garden of my Imaan by Farhana Zia
Somewhere Among by Annie Donwerth-Chikamatsu
Boys Without Names by Kashmira Sheth
Embracing Heritage
How does heritage define us individually and as a nation?
How do authors convey meaning through words and/or images? / WHOLE CLASS
Aaron’s Gift by Myron Levoy
Oh Broom Get to Work by Yoshiko Uchida
The All-American Slurp by Lensey Namioka
SMALL GROUP
Shooting Kabul by N.H. Senzai
Weedflower by Cynthia Kadohata
Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos
Maggie’s Door by Patricia Reilly Giff