Grades 6-8

FIRST QUARTER LEARNING PRIORITIES

Track E
Based on the Common Core Standards and Illinois Learning Standards.

Grades 6-8 are combined because it is the complexity of the

texts, content and depth of thinking that increase at each level,
the essential core is common. See the four-quarter framework to
identify elements to emphasize at each grade. Then preview this
framework and adjust to your grade’s priorities.

DEVELOP CLEAR THINKING

Each week has a thinking “focus” that applies across the curriculum.
WEEK FOCUS
1 Character Traits
2 Motives/Reasons
3 Cause-Effect
4 Classify
5 Predict
6 Compare and Contrast
7 Main Ideas
8 Summarize
9 Purpose
10 Structure

MAKE CHOICES TO STRENGTHEN THE CURRICULUM

Each week includes recommended activities for reading, social emotional development, word
knowledge, content, and writing.
Reading recommendations complement the reading program you use—incorporate in your
ongoing instruction.
The math “row” is open for you to input the math priority for each week.
The content “row” is open for you to input the science or social studies topic for each week.
Departmentalized writing teachers should preview the writing focus and collaborate with
content and literature teachers to connect writing with the topics in those classes. The grid
intentionally includes all subjects to support collaboration.

Developed by the Polk Bros. Foundation Center for Urban Education

http://teacher.depaul.edu
PLAN HOME LEARNING CONNECTIONS

Examples OUR PLAN

Expand Vocabulary Example: weekly word lists
• Make vocabulary “flashcards”.
• Make your own pictionary.
• Play word games.

Read and Discuss Stories Example: Send parents list of questions to

1. Talk about what happens and ask about any story
why in a story you read—or
watch on TV.
2. Predict what could happen next.

Learn More Social Studies and Science Example: Send parents list of TV shows to
• Watch TV programs about watch this month.
science or history.
• Talk about what you child is
learning.
• Go to a museum to learn more.
• Use the library or Internet to learn
even more.

Make More Math Progress Example: weekly list of math skills to

• Practice math with your child. practice.
For example, use flashcards you
make to review math facts.
• Play math fact matching games.
• Solve real-life math problems
with your child. For example,
make a shopping list and
estimate what the cost will be.

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6 – 8 Grades First Quarter Track E Polk Bros. Center for Urban Education ©2010 http://teacher.depaul.edu 2
 Grades 6-8: Track E First Quarter, Weeks 1-2 Learning Priorities
Week 1 Week 2
Think Clearly CHARACTER TRAITS MOTIVES/REASONS
Reading Genre and Reading: Genre and Reading:
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Read with 6 grade: 6 grade:
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Purpose 7 grade: 7 grade:
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Answer 8 grade: 8 grade:
questions with
evidence, Analyze and infer character traits and Describe and analyze character, setting,
including motives and analyze about how the plot, motive and draw conclusions about
extended author communicates them. motives and reasons for actions and the
response. resolution of a problem.
Take reading interest inventory. Summarize the story.

Social Choose the character traits you want to Analyze motives and reasons for positive
emotional strengthen. actions.
development Set goals for your quarter.

Word Parts of speech—review/assess Adjectives

Knowledge Adverbs
1A
Writing Descriptive words Descriptive words
Goals 3, 4 Paragraph about important person in Write narrative about a problem and
Students your life. solution.
should write
journals daily

Science or Topics: Topics:

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Social 6 grade: 6 grade:
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Studies 7 grade: 7 grade:
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Read/Do/Draw 8 grade: 8 grade:
Write to learn
Goal 5 Insert Take Notes Take notes
science or Locate information Locate information using text features
social studies Use glossary. Cite specific evidence from text to support
topic Make own glossary, to be completed response to a question
each week and used in writing about
the content learning. Social studies: identify/infer motives and
Social studies: Identify/infer traits of reasons for actions in history or current
persons in history or current events. event.

MATH Focus: Focus:

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List the topic 6 grade: 6 grade:
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and terms 7 grade: 7 grade:
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from your 8 grade: 8 grade:
CMSI
program. Math Journal Math Journal
Short Response Short Response

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 Grades 6-8: Track E First Quarter, Weeks 3-4 Learning Priorities
Week 3 Week 4
Think Clearly CAUSE AND EFFECT CLASSIFY
Reading Genre and Reading: Genre and Reading:
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Read with 6 grade: 6 grade:
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Purpose 7 grade: 7 grade:
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Answer 8 grade: 8 grade:
questions with
evidence, Summarize a story, including main Classify parts of a story—characters, setting,
including characters and their traits and actions. Infer the main idea and identify
extended actions, problem and solution, supporting examples.
response. causes of effects.
Infer the theme. Analyze how the Classify information in a non-fiction passage.
author develops it.
Analyze how author’s choices have
effects—on mood, tone.
Social Analyze effects of cooperation. Use inspiring readings to support social emotional
emotional development
development (also develops fluency)
Word Figurative and expressive language Root word, prefix, suffix
Knowledge
1A

Writing Write about causes and effects in a Write a summary of a topic. List categories
Goals 3, 4 situation—in fiction or relate to that are important to understanding it. Then
Students social studies or science. write one paragraph about each category.
should write This may be an expository essay.
journals daily.

Science or Topics: Topics:

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Social 6 grade: 6 grade:
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Studies 7 grade: 7 grade:
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Read/Do/Draw 8 grade: 8 grade:
Write to learn
Goal 5 Insert Take notes
science or Locate information using text
social studies features Take notes
topic Cite specific evidence from text to Use specific information to respond to
respond to questions questions
Identify/infer causes and effects in Interpret graphics
social studies and science. Summarize

MATH Focus: Focus:

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List the topic 6 grade: 6 grade:
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and terms 7 grade: 7 grade:
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from your 8 grade: 8 grade:
CMSI
program. Math Journal
Extended Response Math Journal
Short Response

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6 – 8 Grades First Quarter Track E Polk Bros. Center for Urban Education ©2010 http://teacher.depaul.edu 4
 Grades 6-8: Track E First Quarter, Weeks 5-6 Learning Priorities
Week 5 Week 6
Think Clearly PREDICT COMPARE/CONTRAST
Reading Genre and Reading: Genre and Reading:
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Read with 6 grade: 6 grade:
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Purpose 7 grade: 7 grade:
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Answer 8 grade: 8 grade:
questions with
evidence, Analyze how an author develops a Compare/contrast stories.
including theme with actions. Infer reasons Compare and contrast the tone and mood
extended for the author’s choice of characters, generally and at different parts of each text.
response. events, and the techniques used Analyze how the authors develop that tone or
such as dialogue. mood.
Predict what a change in the story
would lead to.

Social Use inspiring readings to support social Use inspiring readings to support social emotional
emotional emotional development development
development (also develops fluency) (also develops fluency)
Word Word structure—including Figurative language
Knowledge compound words
1A

Writing Write to support a prediction. Outline and write a comparison/contrast essay.

Goals 3, 4 Explain your logic.
Students
should write
journals daily.

Science or Topics: Topics:

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Social 6 grade: 6 grade:
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Studies 7 grade: 7 grade:
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Read/Do/Draw 8 grade: 8 grade:
Write to learn
Goal 5 Insert
science or
social studies Take notes Take notes
topic Classify information Classify information
Summarize Summarize

MATH Focus: Focus:

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List the topic 6 grade: 6 grade:
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and terms 7 grade: 7 grade:
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from your 8 grade: 8 grade:
CMSI
program.
Math Journal Math Journal
Extended Response Short Response

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 Grades 6-8: Track E Weeks 7 and 8 Learning Priorities
Week 7 Inter- Week 8
Session
Think Clearly MAIN IDEA Take It SUMMARIZE
Home

Reading Genre and Reading: Send Genre and Reading:

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Read with 6 grade: suggested 6 grade:
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Purpose 7 grade: reading 7 grade:
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Answer 8 grade: activities 8 grade:
questions with for the
evidence, Identify and support the main inter- Summarize a reading.
including idea. session.
extended Analyze author’s techniques
response. to make the idea clear to
readers.

Social Use inspiring readings to Use inspiring readings to support social

emotional support social emotional emotional development
development development (also develops fluency)
(also develops fluency)

Word Use dictionary and glossary Send word Make a glossary of terms relating to fiction
Knowledge (ongoing) lists. and to nonfiction.
1A Multi-meaning words—and
context of use

Writing Write an extended response Outline an essay about a nonfiction topic

Goals 3, 4 relating to the main idea or (connect to science or social studies they
Students theme of a topic or reading. are learning). Write introductory
should write paragraph.
journals daily.

Science or Topics: Send Topics:

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Social 6 grade: research 6 grade:
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Studies 7 grade: question 7 grade:
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Read/Do/ 8 grade: home for 8 grade:
Draw students to
Write to answer
learn with books,
Goal 5 Insert Take notes Internet, orTake Notes
science or Summarize TV Identify main ideas and key details of a
social Infer the main idea programs text
studies topic Summarize
MATH Focus: Send Focus:
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List the topic 6 grade: number 6 grade:
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and terms 7 grade: games and 7 grade:
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from your 8 grade: other ideas 8 grade:
CMSI for math
program. activities.
Math Journal Math Journal
Extended Response Short Response

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6 – 8 Grades First Quarter Track E Polk Bros. Center for Urban Education ©2010 http://teacher.depaul.edu 6
 Grades 6-8: Track E 9-10 Learning Priorities
Week 9 Week 10
Think Clearly PURPOSE STRUCTURE

Reading Genre and Reading: Genre and Reading:

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Read with 6 grade: 6 grade:
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Purpose 7 grade: 7 grade:
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Answer 8 grade: 8 grade:
questions with
evidence,
including Analyze a fiction or nonfiction Analyze a non-fiction passage. Identify ways
extended passage that addresses an issue the writer uses structure to make the content
response. or teaches a lesson. Identify ways clear and the kinds of information included to
the writer supports a position. clarify the topic.

Social Use inspiring readings to support Review progress this quarter.

emotional social emotional development Set goals for second quarter.
development (also develops fluency)
Word Plural nouns and verbs—relates to Plural nouns and verbs—relates to subject-
Knowledge subject-verb agreement verb agreement
1A My own word guide: what I learned about
vocabulary this quarter.
Writing Write essay (based on outline Edit/improve essay
Goals 3, 4 from week 8). Emphasize focus, Improve transitions, introduction, conclusion,
Students support. and supporting information.
should write Make your own “how to” guide—how to write
journals daily. an essay.

Science or Topics: Topics:

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Social 6 grade: 6 grade:
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Studies 7 grade: 7 grade:
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Read/Do/Draw 8 grade: 8 grade:
Write to learn
Goal 5 Insert
science or
social studies Take notes Take notes
topic Summarize Use structure of the text to organize a report
on this week’s topic.

MATH Focus: Focus:

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List the topic 6 grade: 6 grade:
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and terms 7 grade: 7 grade:
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from your 8 grade: 8 grade:
CMSI
program.

Math Journal Math Journal

Extended Response Short Response
Math Digest: My own guide to the math I’ve
learned this quarter

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6 – 8 Grades First Quarter Track E Polk Bros. Center for Urban Education ©2010 http://teacher.depaul.edu 7