Lesson Plan
ELA Skill Sprint Lesson Plan
Students will refresh foundational grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension skills through a fast-paced warm-up, collaborative activities, and an exit ticket to boost confidence and set a positive tone for the year.
This spiral review jumpstarts learning by revisiting key ELA skills, ensuring all students start the year with solid practice, increased engagement, and readiness for new challenges.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive spiral review with timed activities.
Materials
- Grammar Warm-Up Worksheet, - Vocabulary Flashcards Set, - Reading Passage and Question Set, - ELA Skills Exit Ticket Template, - Timer, and - Writing Utensils
Prep
Material Preparation
10 minutes
- Print copies of the Grammar Warm-Up Worksheet, Reading Passage and Question Set, and ELA Skills Exit Ticket Template for each student.
- Assemble sets of Vocabulary Flashcards Set (one per small group).
- Confirm availability of a timer and writing utensils for all students.
Step 1
Grammar Warm-Up
10 minutes
- Distribute the Grammar Warm-Up Worksheet to each student.
- Set timer for 8 minutes; students work individually to correct sentences and identify parts of speech.
- In the final 2 minutes, review answers aloud; highlight common errors and reinforce rules.
Step 2
Vocabulary Relay
15 minutes
- Divide class into small teams of 3–4 students.
- Give each team a set of Vocabulary Flashcards Set.
- On "Go!" each team defines the word and writes a sentence using it.
- After 2 minutes, teams rotate cards; continue until all cards are used.
- Award points for accurate definitions and creative sentences; discuss any challenging words.
Step 3
Reading Comprehension Activity
25 minutes
- Distribute the Reading Passage and Question Set.
- Allow 10 minutes for silent reading; students annotate unfamiliar vocabulary and note main ideas.
- Next 10 minutes: students pair-share answers to comprehension questions, citing textual evidence.
- Final 5 minutes: class discussion to clarify misunderstandings and reinforce strategies for finding evidence.
Step 4
Exit Ticket: ELA Skills Check
10 minutes
- Hand out the ELA Skills Exit Ticket Template.
- Students complete a short prompt covering one grammar correction, one vocabulary definition, and one comprehension question.
- Collect exit tickets as students leave; use responses to inform next day's instruction.
Slide Deck
ELA Skill Sprint
6th Grade | 60-minute ELA Spiral Review
Objectives:
- Refresh grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension skills
- Boost confidence and engagement
- Set a positive tone for the year
Welcome students to the ELA Skill Sprint. Introduce yourself and set a positive tone. Read today’s objectives aloud and encourage enthusiasm. Emphasize that this is a fast-paced review to build confidence.
Agenda
• Grammar Warm-Up (10 min)
• Vocabulary Relay (15 min)
• Reading Comprehension (25 min)
• Exit Ticket (10 min)
Walk students through the flow of the session. Point out the time allotted for each activity and stress the importance of staying on pace. Answer any quick questions before moving on.
Grammar Warm-Up (10 min)
- Distribute the Grammar Warm-Up Worksheet.
- Timer: 8 minutes—correct sentences & identify parts of speech.
- Last 2 minutes: Review answers aloud; reinforce key grammar rules.
Distribute the Grammar Warm-Up Worksheet. Set an 8-minute timer. Circulate to support students who need extra guidance on parts of speech. When time’s up, display answers and discuss common errors.
Vocabulary Relay (15 min)
- Form teams of 3–4.
- Give each team the Vocabulary Flashcards Set.
- On “Go!” define the word & write a sentence (2 min per card).
- Rotate cards until all are done.
- Award points for accuracy & creativity; discuss tricky words.
Organize students into teams of 3–4. Provide each group with a set of flashcards. Explain scoring: 1 point for correct definition, 1 point for a creative sentence. Use a 2-minute timer per round and signal rotations.
Reading Comprehension (25 min)
- Distribute the Reading Passage and Question Set.
- Silent reading & annotation (10 min).
- Pair-share answers with textual evidence (10 min).
- Whole-class discussion (5 min) to clarify and reinforce strategies.
Hand out the reading passage and question set. Encourage annotation of unfamiliar vocabulary and main ideas. After silent reading, prompt students to share answers in pairs, citing evidence. Facilitate a brief whole-class discussion.
Exit Ticket: ELA Skills Check (10 min)
- Hand out the ELA Skills Exit Ticket Template.
- Complete: one grammar correction, one vocabulary definition, one comprehension answer.
- Submit as you leave.
Explain that the exit ticket will help you plan tomorrow’s lesson. Remind students to write their name and date. Collect tickets as they exit.
Great Work Today!
• Reflect on what you practiced today.
• Bring your worksheets and flashcards tomorrow.
• See you in the next class!
Congratulate students on their hard work. Preview what you’ll cover next class. Dismiss students with a positive message.
Worksheet
Grammar Warm-Up Worksheet
Instructions: Rewrite each sentence correctly, fixing capitalization, spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Then identify the part of speech for the underlined word.
- the dog barked loud at the stranger.
Rewrite the sentence correctly:
Part of speech of the underlined word: ________ - maria and me went to the park.
Rewrite the sentence correctly:
Part of speech of the underlined word: ________ - the book was on the taible and it was old.
Rewrite the sentence correctly:
Part of speech of the underlined word: ________ - he dont know how to solve the math problem.
Rewrite the sentence correctly:
Part of speech of the underlined word: ________ - My brother and sister wants to bake cookies.
Rewrite the sentence correctly:
Part of speech of the underlined word: ________ - I saw a beautifl rainbow in the sky.
Rewrite the sentence correctly:
Part of speech of the underlined word: ________ - the cat chased the mouse all around the house
Rewrite the sentence correctly:
Part of speech of the underlined word: ________ - after school we will went to the museum.
Rewrite the sentence correctly:
Part of speech of the underlined word: ________
Activity
Vocabulary Flashcards Set
Instructions: In your teams, take a flashcard, define the word, and write a sentence using it. After 2 minutes, rotate cards and repeat until all cards are used.
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| analyze | to examine something in detail to understand it better | I will analyze my test results to see where I need to improve. |
| contrast | to compare two or more things to show differences | When you contrast apples and oranges, you notice their textures and flavors differ. |
| predict | to say what will happen before it occurs | Based on the dark clouds, I predict it will rain this afternoon. |
| persuade | to convince someone to do or believe something | She tried to persuade her parents to let her stay up late. |
| summarize | to give a brief statement of the main points | After reading the story, I can summarize the plot in one paragraph. |
| vivid | producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images | The author’s vivid description made me feel like I was in the forest. |
| context | the circumstances or background that help explain meaning | You need to look at the context of the sentence to understand unfamiliar words. |
| conflict | a struggle or clash between opposing forces | The main conflict in the story is between the two rival families. |
| perspective | a particular attitude toward or way of viewing something | From her perspective, the solution seemed simple and fair. |
| conclude | to decide something after thinking carefully | I conclude that practicing every day helps improve my skills. |
Reading
Reading Passage and Question Set
Instructions: Read the passage. Annotate unfamiliar vocabulary and underline the main idea. Then answer the comprehension questions below, citing textual evidence where required.
Passage: Finding Courage at the Town Fair
Every summer, the Miller family turned their backyard into a carnival-like town fair. Colorful banners waved in the warm breeze, and the smell of popcorn drifted through the air. Children dashed between game booths, daring one another to toss rings or knock down stacked cans. At the edge of the field, a small stage had been set up for the talent show, a highlight of the evening that crowned the bravest performer. Liam, a quiet twelve-year-old, clutched his guitar case and took a deep breath. His hands trembled as he remembered last year’s failed juggling act that ended with eggs crashing on the grass. He had avoided the stage ever since, choosing instead to help his parents at the lemonade stand.
This year was different. When Liam learned that his best friend, Marisol, had signed up for a magic trick involving colorful scarves, he felt a twinge of envy and a spark of ambition. Encouraged by Marisol’s reassuring smile, he decided to sign up too. For weeks before the fair, Liam practiced in the attic, strumming his guitar late into the evening. Lewis, the announcer, called his name just as the sky turned deep purple, and the stage lights cast a warm glow on the wooden planks. Liam stepped forward, heart pounding like a drum. As he strummed the first chord, his voice wavered like a delicate note in the breeze, but then he saw faces in the audience nodding in time to the melody. He noticed Mrs. Carter, his language arts teacher, tapping her foot. Each familiar face gave him a boost of confidence. With every chord, his nerves soothed, and his voice grew steadier.
By the time his final note rang out, the crowd erupted in enthusiastic applause and whistles. Liam’s cheeks burned with pride and relief as he closed his eyes and soaked in the moment. He realized that courage wasn’t about being fearless; it was about doing something that mattered, despite fear. After the applause, he took a modest bow, glancing at Marisol, who was giving him a thumbs-up from backstage. Later that night, Liam walked home with his head held high, replaying the performance in his mind. The fair lights had not only shown him on stage but also illuminated his own growing bravery.
After that night, Liam carried new confidence to school. He volunteered to read aloud in class and helped a younger student practice for a recital. The fair taught him that fear could fuel success.
Comprehension Questions
- What is the main idea of the passage?
- How does the author develop the theme of courage? Provide two examples from the text.
- What can you infer about Liam’s feelings before he stepped onto the stage?
- Identify two pieces of textual evidence that show how Liam’s perspective changes during the story. You may write the sentences or summarize the phrases.
- Define the word “encouragement” as it is used in the passage and explain how it influences Liam’s actions.
Worksheet
ELA Skills Exit Ticket Template
Name: _________________________ Date: ____________
- Grammar Correction
Original: "the cat run fastly."
Corrected Sentence: - Vocabulary Definition
Word: vivid
Definition: ________________________
Use the word in a sentence: - Reading Comprehension
In 1–2 sentences, explain how Liam demonstrates courage in “Finding Courage at the Town Fair.”