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New York Standards

New York 6th Grade ELA Standards

All 26 New York English language arts standards for 6th grade, each explained in plain English. The official wording is one click away under each one.

26 standards

Reading Standards (Literary and Informational Text)

9 standards
Key Ideas and Details
6R1
Point to quotes and details that support your reading of a text, both what it states directly and what you can reasonably infer from it.
Official wording
Cite textual evidence to support an analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences. (RI&RL)
6R2
Find a story's theme or an article's central idea, show how key details build it from beginning to end, and sum up the text briefly.
Official wording
Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is developed by key supporting details over the course of a text; summarize a text (RI&RL)
6R3
Describe how a plot unfolds and how characters react or change before the ending, and in nonfiction, analyze how people, events and ideas are introduced and linked.
Official wording
In literary texts, describe how events unfold, as well as how characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. (RL) In informational texts, analyze how individuals, events, and ideas are introduced, relate to each other, and are developed. (RI)
Craft and Structure
6R4
Work out what words mean in context, including figures of speech, shades of meaning and words with several meanings, and how word choice shapes tone and mood.
Official wording
Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings. Analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning, tone, and mood, including words with multiple meanings. (RI&RL)
6R5
Explain what one part of a text, like a single stanza, scene or chapter, adds to the whole and how it helps develop the theme, central idea, setting or plot.
Official wording
In literary texts, analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, stanza, chapter, scene, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme, central idea, setting, or plot. (RL) In informational texts, analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and how it contributes to the development of theme or central ideas. (RI)
6R6
Identify a story's point of view and how it shapes meaning, and explain how a nonfiction author's home region or culture colors their perspective.
Official wording
In literary texts, identify the point of view and explain how it is developed and conveys meaning. (RL) In informational texts, explain how an author’s geographic location or culture affects his or her perspective. (RI)
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
6R7
Compare how one subject comes across in different formats, like a printed article, a video or a website, and what each adds to your understanding.
Official wording
Compare and contrast how different formats, including print and digital media, contribute to the understanding of a subject. (RI&RL)
6R8
Follow an author's argument claim by claim and judge it, sorting claims backed by reasons and relevant evidence from claims left unsupported.
Official wording
Trace and evaluate the development of an argument and specific claims in texts, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and relevant evidence from claims that are not. (RI&RL)
6R9
Judge the quality of texts using set criteria, and link them to other texts, ideas, cultures, time periods and your own life.
Official wording
Use established criteria in order to evaluate the quality of texts. Make connections to other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, and personal experiences. (RI&RL)

Writing Standards

7 standards
Text Types and Purposes
6W1
Write an argument with a clear claim, reasons and evidence from credible sources, linking words, a formal style and a conclusion that follows from it.
Official wording
Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.aIntroduce a precise claim, acknowledge and distinguish the claim from a counterclaim, and organize the reasons and evidence logically.bSupport claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources while demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.cUse precise language and content-specific vocabulary to argue a claim.dUse appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.eProvide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented.fMaintain a style and tone appropriate to the writing task.
Common Core W.6.1
6W2
Write an informative piece that introduces a topic, organizes facts, definitions and examples under headings or charts where they help, and ends with a conclusion.
Official wording
Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.aIntroduce a topic clearly; organize ideas, concepts, and information using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect.bDevelop a topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples; include formatting, graphics, and multimedia when useful to aid comprehension.cUse precise language and content-specific vocabulary to explain a topic.dUse appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts.eProvide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the information presented.fEstablish and maintain a style appropriate to the writing task.
Common Core W.6.2
6W3
Write real or invented stories with a clear narrator, dialogue, description, sensory details, transitions that show time shifts and an ending that reflects on events.
Official wording
Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective techniques, descriptive details and sequencingaEngage the reader by introducing a narrator and/or characters.bUse narrative techniques, such as dialogue and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters.cUse a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another.dUse precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events.eProvide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative.
6W4
Make a creative response, like a poem, short play or drawing, to something you read, an author, a theme or an experience of your own.
Official wording
Create a poem, story, play, artwork, or other response to a text, author, theme, or personal experience.
6W5
Use evidence from stories and nonfiction to support your analysis, reflections and research, applying grade 6 reading skills to both kinds of text.
Official wording
Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. Apply the grade 6 Reading Standards to both literary and informational text, where applicable.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
6W6
Research to answer questions, including ones you come up with yourself, using several sources and shifting the focus of your inquiry when needed.
Official wording
Conduct research to answer questions, including self-generated questions, drawing on multiple sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate.
6W7
Collect useful information from several sources, check that each is trustworthy, quote or paraphrase without plagiarizing, and list basic details like author and title.
Official wording
Gather relevant information from multiple sources; assess the credibility of each source; quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others; avoid plagiarism and provide basic bibliographic information for sources.

Speaking and Listening Standards

6 standards
Comprehension and Collaboration
6SL1
Join class discussions prepared with evidence, follow group rules and roles, ask and answer detailed questions, and build on and paraphrase others' views.
Official wording
Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners; express ideas clearly and persuasively, and build on those of other.aCome to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion.bFollow norms for collegial discussions, set specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed.cPose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion.dConsider the ideas expressed and demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing.
6SL2
Interpret information shown in different formats, like charts, numbers or spoken reports, and explain how it connects to the topic being studied.
Official wording
Interpret information presented in diverse formats (e.g., including visual, quantitative, and oral) and explain how it relates to a topic, text, or issue under study.
6SL3
Lay out a speaker's argument claim by claim and tell which claims are backed by reasons and evidence and which are not.
Official wording
Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not.
Common Core SL.6.3
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
6SL4
Share claims and findings in a logical order with relevant facts and details, making eye contact, speaking loudly enough and pronouncing words clearly.
Official wording
Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using relevant descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate central ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear enunciation.
6SL5
Add digital media or visuals, like slides or a short clip, to presentations to make information clearer and highlight the main ideas or themes.
Official wording
Include digital media and/or visual displays in presentations to clarify information and emphasize and enhance central ideas or themes.
6SL6
Adjust how you speak for different situations and tasks, using formal English when the setting calls for it, like during a class presentation.
Official wording
Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

Language Standards

4 standards
Knowledge of Language
6L3
Notice the difference between formal and casual English, like Good morning, Mrs. Lee versus Hey, and choose which fits the moment.
Official wording
Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.aVary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.bMaintain consistency in style and tone.
Common Core L.2.3
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
6L4
Figure out unfamiliar and multiple-meaning words using context, Greek and Latin roots like aud in audible, dictionaries or thesauruses, then double-check the meaning.
Official wording
Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.aUse context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.bUse common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible).cConsult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses) to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech.dVerify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary).
6L5
Explain a nonliteral phrase like take steps, name someone who is friendly to link a word to real life, and rank knew, believed and suspected by how sure they are.
Official wording
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.aInterpret figurative language, including personification, in context.bUse the relationship between particular words (e.g., cause/effect, part/whole, item/category) to better understand each of the words.cDistinguish among the connotations of words with similar denotations (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty).
Common Core L.3.5
6L6
Learn and correctly use academic and subject-specific words, like analyze or ecosystem, and apply word knowledge when a term is key to understanding or expressing ideas.
Official wording
Acquire and accurately use general academic and content-specific words and phrases; apply vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

The official New York documents

New York State Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards, Copyright 2017, New York State Education Department, used with permission.

Common Core State Standards © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.

The plain-English lines are EMStudio's own explanations, shown beside the official wording. They are not part of the standards.