6th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 9 of 12
Patterns, scripts and visuals
Recognizing problem-and-solution reports, scripts, and web features like menus, and explaining how pictures and graphics add to a text.
Maine Learning Results learning standard: Reading 8; Reading 11 · text patterns, scripts and visual features
Children can open this short lesson before they practice.
Example: A report explains that a creek is full of litter, then tells how a class cleaned it up. What text pattern is this? First a problem is named: litter. Then a fix is described: the cleanup. Answer: problem and solution
In the Maine Learning Results, this is unit 9 of 12 in 6th grade English Language Arts, after Punctuation Power and before Check the Source.
Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.
Source: Maine Department of Education
A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.
Question 1
Which text form is mostly written to convince the reader?
an editorial
Hint: An editorial gives an opinion and tries to persuade.
Question 2
A photo of a flooded street is placed beside an article on storms. How does it help?
It shows the effects the writer describes.
Hint: The image connects to the words and makes them real.
Question 3
A diagram with labels is included in a science article. What is its job?
to show parts or steps clearly
Hint: Labels point out the parts the text talks about.
Question 4
A text lists events in the order they happened, using first, then and finally. What pattern is it?
chronological order
Hint: Time words like first, then and finally show chronological order.
Question 5
Which phrase signals a solution?
The problem is clear: our lunch room produces a huge amount of plastic waste. Every day, hundreds of wrappers go into the garbage.
One solution is to bring reusable containers. Another is to set up a recycling station. As a result, the school could cut its garbage in half.
One solution is
Hint: Look for the words that introduce a fix.
Question 6
What is the likely result if the school uses reusable containers?
The problem is clear: our lunch room produces a huge amount of plastic waste. Every day, hundreds of wrappers go into the garbage.
One solution is to bring reusable containers. Another is to set up a recycling station. As a result, the school could cut its garbage in half.
less garbage
Hint: The last sentence says the garbage could be cut in half.