Middle School

ELA 6th GRADE 2023-2024 Assessment Calendar 

Assessment 

Projected Assessment Window 

iReady DIAGNOSTIC WINDOW (BOY)  

August 14, 2023 - August 31, 2023 

iReady DIAGNOSTIC WINDOW (MOY) 

November 27, 2023 - December 14, 2023 

iReady DIAGNOSTIC WINDOW (EOY) 

May 20, 2024 - May 29, 2024 

ELS 1st Term DWA         

September 18, 2023 - September 22, 2023 

ELS 2nd Term DWA 

December 11, 2023 - December 15, 2023 

ELS 3rd Term DWA 

March 4, 2024 - March 8, 2024 

MAAP  

April 10, 2024 - May 12, 2024 

6^thGradePacing Guide Notes:  

* “Speaking and Listening Standards: All lessons.  This standard is addressed in each lesson through the rich, structured Talk discussions,” (Mississippi College-and Career-Readiness Standards Coverage by Ready Instruction).

Term 1

Days 1 - 2 Introduction, Rules, Rituals, and Routines 

Week

College and Career Readiness Standard(s)

READY Unit & Lesson (Suggested Resources)

Suggested

Instructional

Time

ELA 6th GRADE 2023-2024 Assessment Calendar 

Assessment 

Projected Assessment Window 

iReady DIAGNOSTIC WINDOW (BOY)  

August 14, 2023 - August 31, 2023 

iReady DIAGNOSTIC WINDOW (MOY) 

November 27, 2023 - December 14, 2023 

iReady DIAGNOSTIC WINDOW (EOY) 

May 20, 2024 - May 29, 2024 

ELS 1st Term DWA         

September 18, 2023 - September 22, 2023 

ELS 2nd Term DWA 

December 11, 2023 - December 15, 2023 

ELS 3rd Term DWA 

March 4, 2024 - March 8, 2024 

MAAP  

April 10, 2024 - May 12, 2024 

6^th GradePacing Guide Notes:  

* “Speaking and Listening Standards: All lessons.  This standard is addressed in each lesson through the rich, structured Talk discussions,” (Mississippi College-and Career-Readiness Standards Coverage by Ready Instruction).

Term 1

Days 1 - 2 Introduction, Rules, Rituals, and Routines 

Week

College and Career Readiness Standard(s)

READY Unit & Lesson (Suggested Resources)

Suggested

Instructional

Time

Unit 1:  Key Ideas and Details in Informational Text

Determining Central Idea and Details

Week 1 

(Instructional Start 

RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. 

Unit 1, Lesson 1 iReady 

Lessons

-Summarizing:  Literary Text 

5 days 

Week August 8, 2022)

Days 1-2 

Expectations, Routines, 

Protocols, & 

Introductions 

Language: L.6.4a

Lesson 11:  Using Context Clues

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus:  W.2

“Against All Odds” 1080L, 579 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical 

paragraph 

Summarizing Informational Texts

Week 2

RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. 

Unit 1, Lesson 2 iReady 

Lessons

-Summarizing Informational Text 

-Determining Central Idea of 

Informational Text 

-Identifying the Central Idea 

-Analyzing the Development of 

Central Ideas in Informational Text* 

5 days 

Language:  L.6.4.b

Lesson 12:  Greek and Latin Word Parts

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 2

Writing Lesson-Unit 1: Informative

Based on the text “Spiders: In Pursuit of Prey” in 

Lesson 2; see the “Integrating Standards” questions for ideas about how to get students started.

You have read “Spiders: In Pursuit of Prey.” Write an essay that analyzes how the author uses compare and contrast in order to develop his central idea. Provide key details and examples from the passage to support your analysis. Your writing will be scored for development of ideas, organization, grammar, and mechanics. 

“Spiders” 900L, 706 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical 

paragraph 

Citing Evidence to Make Inferences

Week 3

RI.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.   

Unit 1, Lesson 3 iReady Lessons

-Making Inferences from 

Informational Text 

-Supporting Inferences: Informational 

Text 

-Summarizing Informational Text 

5 days 

Language:  L.6.4c

Lesson 13: Using a Dictionary orGlossary

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 2

“Looking for Loch Ness” 930L, 737 word count

1 analytical paragraph

Analyzing Key Ideas in a Text

Week 4

RI.6.3 Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes). 

Unit 1, Lesson 4 iReady 

Lessons

-Analyzing Development of Events 

-Analyzing How a Key Individual, 

Event, or Idea Is Developed in 

Informational Text 

-Analyzing Development of 

Individuals

-Analyzing Individuals, Ideas, or 

Events in Informational Texts 

5 days 

Language:  L.6.4.c

Lesson 14:  Using a Thesaurus

20 minutes per lesson 

Week 5

RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. 

Unit 2, Lesson 5 iReady 

Lessons

-Making Inferences from 

Informational Text -Supporting Inferences: 

Informational Text 

-Summarizing

Informational Text -Citing Evidence: 

Informational Text -Determining Central Idea 

of Informational 

Text 

-Analyzing the 

Development of Central 

Ideas in Informational 

Text 

4 days 

Writing Focus: W. 3

“A Sewing Sensation,”

930L, 643 word count

Daily process writing

Week 6

RL.6.3 Describe how the plot of a literary text unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. 

Unit 2, Lesson 6 iReady 

Lessons

-Analyzing Character 

Development

-Analyzing Plot 

Development

-Analyzing Play Structure 

5 days 

Writing Focus: W. 3

Writing Lesson-Unit 2: Narrative

Based on the excerpt from Black Beauty in Lesson 6; see the 

“Integrating Standards” questions for ideas about how to get students started.

You have read a passage that tells a story from a horse’s point of view. Rewrite this story from John’s point of view. Provide key details and examples from the passages to develop your story. Your writing will be scored for development of ideas, organization, grammar, and mechanics. 

“Black Beauty” 950L, 820 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

Analyzing Character Development

Week 7

RL.6.3 Describe how the plot of a literary text unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. 

Unit 2, Lesson 7 iReady 

Lessons

-Analyzing Character 

Development

-Analyzing Plot 

Development

-Analyzing Play Structure 

5 days 

Language:  L.6.3.a

Lesson 9:  Varying Sentence Patterns

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 3

“Departure” 1040L, 693 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph 

Determining Theme or Central Idea

Week 8

RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text based upon this determination. 

Unit 2, Lesson 8 iReady 

Lessons

-Summarizing: Literary 

Text 

-Identifying the Theme 

5 days 

Language:  L.6.3.b

Lesson 10:  Consistency in Style and Tone

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 3

“Vivian’s Move” 980L, 

732 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical 

paragraph 

Summarizing Literary Texts

Week 9

RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text based upon this determination. 

Unit 2, Lesson 9 iReady 

Lessons

-Summarizing: Literary 

Text 

-Identifying the Theme 

5 days 

Writing Focus: W. 3

“The Magician’s Elephant”

920L, 718 word count

1 analytical 

paragraph 

Term 2

Unit 3:  Craft and Structure in Informational Text

Determining Word Meanings:  Figurative, Connotative & Technical

Week 10

RI.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings.  

Unit 3, Lesson 10 iReady Lessons -Determining Word 

Meaning Using Context 

Clues 

-Identifying Word 

Meaning 

5 days 

Language:  L.6.5.a

Lesson 15:  Figures ofSpeech

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: Organization

“The Power of Music,”

1070L, 770 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

Analyzing Text Structures

Week 11

RI.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas. 

Unit 3, Lesson 11 iReady Lessons

-Analyzing How a Key 

Individual, Event, or 

Idea Is Developed in 

Informational Text* 

-Analyzing How 

Components of 

Informational Text Fit 

Together 

-Analyzing Problem and 

Solution Text Structure Analyzing Compare and 

Contrast Text 

Structure 

-Analyzing Cause and 

Effect Text Structure 

-Analyzing

Chronological Text 

Structure 

-Analyzing How 

Science Texts Are 

Organized 

-Analyzing Individuals, 

Ideas, or Events in 

5 days 

Informational Texts* 

Language: L.6.5.b

Lesson 16:

Relationships Between

Words

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: Organization

“The Dead Sea Scrolls”

960L, 531 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

Week 12

Review

5 days 

Determining Point of View

Week 13

RI.6.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text. 

Unit 3, Lesson 12 iReady Lessons -Determining Point of 

View and Purpose in 

Informational Text 

-Determining Author's 

Point of View 

5 days 

Language:  L.6.5.c

Lesson 17:

Denotation and

Connotation

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: Organization

Writing Lesson-Unit 3: Informative

Based on the text “Flying Above the Water” in Lesson 12; see T.Ed. page 114 for ideas about how to get students started.

You have read “Flying Above the Water.” Write an essay that explains how the author uses connotative words to express his point of view. Provide key details and examples from at least two of the passages to support your analysis. Your writing will be scored for development of ideas, organization, grammar, and mechanics. 

“Flying Above the Water” 980L, 720 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

Week 14

Review  Standards RI.6.4, RI.6.6, W 6.3

Unit 3, Lessons 10, 12

5 days 

Unit 5:  Integration of Knowledge and Ideas in Informational Text

Evaluating an Argument

Week 15

RI.6.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not. 

Unit 5, Lesson 18 iReady 

Lesson

-Evaluating Arguments in 

Informational Text 

-Evaluating Arguments 

-Evaluating Arguments in 

Informational Text 

-Analyzing Persuasive 

Techniques*

5 days 

Language:  L.6.1.c

Lesson 5:  Shifts in

Pronoun Numbers and Person

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 1

Writing Lesson-Unit 5: Argument

Based on the pro-con text in Lesson 18; see T.Ed. page 174 for ideas about how to get students started.

You have read a passage entitled “Longer School Day: Expanded Learning Time Pros and Cons.”  Which side of this argument is best supported by evidence? Write an argument essay that answers this question. Provide key details and examples from the passages to support your claim. Your writing will be scored for development of ideas, organization, grammar, and mechanics. 

“Longer School Day”

1080L, 551 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

Comparing and Contrasting Texts

Week 16

RI.6.9 Compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another (e.g., a memoir written by and a biography on the same person). 

Unit 5, Lesson 19 iReady Lessons Comparing and 

Contrasting an 

5 days 

Autobiography to a 

Biography 

-Comparing an 

Autobiography to a 

Biography 

-Analyzing How Different 

Authors Present the Same 

Information 

Language:  L.6.1.d

Lesson 6:  Correcting Vague Pronouns

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 1

*MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS WRITE A WELLDEVELOPED RESPONSE TO THE PROMPT FROM THIS LESSON TO PRACTICE C/C ESSAYS.

“Stan Lee” 1110L, 571 word count

“The Birth of Spider Man”

1110L, 562 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph*

Week 17

Review  Standards RI.6.5, RI.6.6, RI. 6.7, RI.6.8, RI.6.9, W 6.1

Unit 3, Lessons 11-12

Unit 5, Lessons 18-19

Unit 5, Media Feature 1 

5 days 

Comparing and Contrasting Texts (Continued)

Week 18

RI.6.9 Compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another (e.g., a memoir written by and a biography on the same person). 

Unit 5, Lesson 19 iReady Lessons Comparing and 

Contrasting an 

Autobiography to a 

Biography 

-Comparing an 

Autobiography to a 

Biography 

-Analyzing How 

Different Authors 

5 days 

Writing Focus: W. 1

*MAKE SURE THAT STUDENTS WRITE A WELLDEVELOPED RESPONSE TO THE PROMPT FROM THIS LESSON TO PRACTICE C/C ESSAYS.

“Stan Lee” 1110L, 571 word count

“The Birth of SpiderMan” 1110L, 562 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph* 

Term 3

Media Feature 1:  Integrating Information

Week 19

RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue.  

W.6.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills.  

iReady Lessons Using Information from Different Media Sources to Investigate a Topic 

-Comparing and 

Contrasting

Information in Print to 

a Multimedia Presentation* 

Media Feature 1 Timed Writing (50 minutes): After reading, students complete the chart from page 206 in their books/ page 192 T.Ed. 

• days
• days Review

RI.6.8

Daily process writing

W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate. 

W.6.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.   

Students then write a summary that synthesizes sources.

1 analytical paragraph

*Note: The directions ask for a summary. Work with your grade level team to develop instructions that result in a synthesis.

Student choice: Have students work in groups in order to complete one of the Additional Activities on page 191 of the T.Ed. 

Language:  L.6.1.e

Lesson 7:

Recognizing and

Correcting Errors

20 minutes per lesson 

Unit 4:  Craft and Structure in Literature

Determining Word Meanings:  Figurative and Connotative

Week 20

RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. 

Unit    4,         Lesson             13 iReady Lessons -Analyzing Word 

Choice 

-Determining Word 

Meaning Using Context 

Clues 

-Analyzing the Impact of Word Choice on Tone 

and Meaning in 

Literature

4 days 

-Examining Figurative 

Language in Literature 

-Exploring Figurative 

Language 

Language:  L.6.1.a

Lesson 1:  Subject andObject Pronoun

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 2 Literary Analysis

Writing Lesson-Unit 4: Informative/Literary Analysis

REFER TO THE PACING GUIDE FOR YOUR APPROACH: Students

need to see mentor essays, and they need the chance to plan more essays than they write.

This prompt is based on the excerpt from “To Build a Fire” in Lesson 

13;see the “Integrating Standards” questions for ideas about how to get students started.

You have read an excerpt from “To Build a Fire.” Write an essay that analyzes how the author develops the setting in order to advance the plot. Provide key details and examples from the passages to support your analysis. Your writing will be scored for development of ideas, organization, grammar, and mechanics. 

“To Build a Fire” 830L,

602 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

1 lit. analysis essayplan

Analyzing Word Choice

Week 21

RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. 

Unit 4, Lesson 14 iReady Lessons --Analyzing Word 

Choice 

-Determining Word 

Meaning Using Context 

Clues 

5 days 

-Analyzing the Impact of Word Choice on Tone 

and Meaning in 

Literature

-Examining Figurative 

Language in Literature 

-Exploring Figurative 

Language 

Language:  L.6.1.a

Lesson 2:  More About

Subject and ObjectPronouns

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 2 Literary Analysis

“The Eyes Have It”

600L, 668 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

1 lit. analysis essay

Plan 

Analyzing the Structure of a Poem

Week 22

RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot. 

Unit 4, Lesson 15 iReady Lessons

-Analyzing the Structure and Elements of Poetry 

-Analyzing Poetry 

Structure 

-Analyzing Different 

Structures of Poetry Analyzing the Structure of Drama 

5 days 

-Identifying Theme in 

Literature*

-Summarizing

Literature*

-Analyzing Character 

Development in 

Literature*

-Analyzing Play 

Structure 

Language:  L.6.1.a

Lesson 3:  PossessivePronouns

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 2 Literary Analysis

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

1 lit. analysis essay

Plan 

Analyzing the Structure of Stories

Week 23

RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot. 

Unit 4, Lesson 16 iReady Lesson Analyzing How a Key 

Individual, Event, or 

Idea Is Developed in 

Informational Text* 

- Analyzing How 

Components of 

Informational Text Fit 

Together 

-Analyzing Problem and 

Solution Text Structure 

5 days 

-Analyzing Compare and Contrast Text 

Structure 

-Analyzing Cause and 

Effect Text Structure 

-Analyzing

Chronological Text 

Structure 

-Analyzing How 

Science Texts Are 

Organized 

-Analyzing Individuals, 

Ideas, or Events in 

Informational Texts* 

Language:  L.6.1.b

Lesson 4:  Reflexive and Intensive Pronouns

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: W. 2 Literary Analysis

“Hatchet” 920L, 763 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

1 lit. analysis essayplan

Explaining Point of  View

Week 24

RL.6.6 Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text. 

Unit 4, Lesson 17 iReady Lesson

-Exploring Point of 

View in Literature 

4 days 

-Exploring Narrative 

Point of View 

-Analyzing Differing 

Points of View in 

Literature

Writing Focus: W. 2 Literary Analysis

“A Jar of Dreams”

1040L, 816 word count

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

1 lit. analysis essayplan

Week 25

Review  Standards RL.6.4

Unit 4, Lessons 13-14 

5 days 

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas in Literature

Comparing and Contrasting Genres

Week 26

RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics. 

Unit 6, Lesson 20 iReady 

Lesson

-Comparing Stories and 

Poems 

-Comparing and 

Contrasting

Story Genres 

-Comparing and 

Contrasting

Literary Texts 

-Comparing and 

Contrasting an 

Autobiography to a 

Biography 

5 days 

Writing Focus: Narrative and Argument Writing 

Lesson-Unit 6: Narrative and Argument

You have read an excerpt from “Before We Were Free” that tells the story of two sisters who must lie to protect their family. Write a new ending to this story, telling what happens once the girls are at school. Provide key details and examples from the passages to develop your story. Your writing will be scored for development of ideas, organization, grammar, and mechanics. 

You have read two literary passages that develop themes about courage: “Before We Were Free” and “Raven’s Song.” Which text best develops this theme: “Refusing to follow rules that harm people is an act of courage.” Write an argument essay that answers this question. Provide key details and examples from the passages to support your claim. Your writing will be scored for development of ideas, organization, grammar, and mechanics. 

“Before We Were Free”760L, 516 word count “Raven’s Song” 950L, 389 word count

Daily process writing 1 analytical paragraph

Week 27  

RL.6.7 Compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text, including contrasting what they “see” and “hear” 

when reading the text to what they perceive when they listen or watch. 

iReady Lesson - Media 

Feature 2

-Using Information from 

Different Media Sources to 

Investigate a Topic 

-Comparing and 

Contrasting Information in 

Print to a Multimedia Presentation*

Media Feature 2

Adaptation: Until we see audio-visual items on MAAP, choose to compare stories/poems/drama to

• days  
• days Review

art work (paintings, sculptures, etc.)

https://theartsdesk.com/visual-arts/listed-poems-inspired-paintings

Other options include matching familiar books with video clips. 

Use the MAAP Item Stems document to write openended RL 6.7 questions for students. 

Language:  L.6.2.a

Lesson 8:  PunctuatingParenthetical Elements

20 minutes per lesson 

Writing Focus: Narrative and Argument

Develop a prompt that requires students to compare the two versions (art and text) in order to discover how the poet and the artist use different literary and artistic elements in order to create specific meaning. 

Have students plan an essay. 

Daily process writing

1 analytical paragraph

Week 28 

DWA TESTING 

Term 4 (REVIEW OF FOCUS STANDARDS)

Review Focus Standards based on data 

Week 29 

MAAP REVIEW -FOCUS STANDARDS  – Refer to Test Blue Print for Focus Standards 

Week 30 

MAAP REVIEW -FOCUS STANDARDS  – Refer to Test Blue Print for Focus Standards 

Week 31 

MAAP REVIEW -FOCUS STANDARDS  – Refer to Test Blue Print for Focus Standards 

Week 32 

MAAP REVIEW -FOCUS STANDARDS  – Refer to Test Blue Print for Focus Standards 

Week 33 

MAAP REVIEW -FOCUS STANDARDS  – Refer to Test Blue Print for Focus Standards 

Week 34 

MAAP REVIEW -FOCUS STANDARDS  – Refer to Test Blue Print for Focus Standards 

Week 35 

MAAP REVIEW -FOCUS STANDARDS  – Refer to Test Blue Print for Focus Standards 

Week 36 

MAAP REVIEW -FOCUS STANDARDS  – Refer to Test Blue Print for Focus Standards