Reading & Viewing Activities
Grade 6 Critical Literacy Development
Comprehensive activities that develop critical readers and viewers through diverse texts, multimedia experiences, and analytical thinking in Caribbean contexts.
Essential Reading Strategies for Grade 6
Strategic approaches students will practice across all activities
Before Reading
- Preview text features and structure
- Activate prior knowledge
- Set reading purpose and goals
- Make predictions about content
- Identify text type and genre
During Reading
- Monitor comprehension actively
- Make connections (text-to-self, text-to-text, text-to-world)
- Visualize and create mental images
- Question and clarify understanding
- Summarize key points regularly
After Reading
- Synthesize and evaluate information
- Reflect on reading experience
- Make judgments about text quality
- Connect to broader themes and issues
- Plan follow-up actions or research
Digital Detective: Fact vs Fiction
Students analyze online content, identify misinformation, and create guides for digital literacy in their community.
2-3 weeks
Advanced
Groups of 3-4
Learning Objectives
- Develop critical evaluation skills for digital media
- Identify reliable vs unreliable sources
- Recognize bias and propaganda techniques
- Create digital literacy resources for others
- Practice research and verification strategies
Materials Needed
- Computers/tablets with internet access
- Fact-checking websites and tools
- Sample articles (reliable and unreliable)
- Digital creation tools (Canva, Google Sites)
- Evaluation rubrics and checklists
Activity Procedures
- 1Learn about information literacy and source evaluation
- 2Practice identifying reliable vs unreliable sources
- 3Analyze sample articles for bias and misinformation
- 4Research fact-checking techniques and tools
- 5Create digital literacy guides for younger students
- 6Test guides with target audience for feedback
- 7Present findings to school community
Assessment Criteria
- Source evaluation accuracy
- Critical thinking demonstrated in analysis
- Quality of digital literacy guides created
- Collaboration and research skills
- Presentation effectiveness
Extension Activities
- Partner with local media organizations
- Create school-wide digital literacy campaign
- Develop fact-checking protocols for school
- Interview journalists about verification
Caribbean Literature Circle
Students engage in deep discussions about Caribbean literature, exploring themes of identity, culture, and social justice.
4-6 weeks
Intermediate to Advanced
Groups of 5-6
Learning Objectives
- Explore Caribbean literary traditions and themes
- Develop analytical reading and discussion skills
- Make connections between literature and life
- Practice collaborative learning strategies
- Build cultural knowledge and appreciation
Materials Needed
- Caribbean literature selections (novels, short stories, poetry)
- Literature circle role sheets
- Discussion guides and question prompts
- Cultural context resources
- Reading journals and response materials
Activity Procedures
- 1Select diverse Caribbean literature for each circle
- 2Assign rotating roles (Discussion Director, Connector, etc.)
- 3Read assigned sections and prepare role responsibilities
- 4Conduct weekly literature circle discussions
- 5Complete individual reading responses and reflections
- 6Research cultural and historical contexts
- 7Present book recommendations to other circles
Assessment Criteria
- Quality of role preparation and participation
- Depth of literary analysis and discussion
- Cultural connections and understanding
- Reading comprehension and response quality
- Collaboration and leadership skills
Extension Activities
- Author study projects on Caribbean writers
- Creative responses through art or drama
- Connect with Caribbean authors virtually
- Create book recommendation videos
Multimedia Text Exploration Station
Students rotate through stations exploring different text types and media formats to develop comprehensive literacy skills.
2-3 weeks
Intermediate
Small groups rotating
Learning Objectives
- Experience diverse text types and formats
- Develop multimodal literacy skills
- Practice different reading strategies
- Compare how meaning is created across media
- Build flexibility in text approach
Materials Needed
- Various text types (print, digital, visual, audio)
- Tablets/computers for digital texts
- Graphic organizers for each station
- Audio equipment for listening stations
- Response journals and reflection prompts
Activity Procedures
- 1Set up stations with different text types and media
- 2Introduce specific strategies for each station type
- 3Rotate groups through stations with focused tasks
- 4Complete graphic organizers and responses at each station
- 5Compare experiences and strategies across stations
- 6Reflect on how different media affect comprehension
- 7Share insights and preferences with class
Assessment Criteria
- Completion and quality of station tasks
- Strategy application across different media
- Comparative analysis of text types
- Reflection depth and insight
- Adaptation to different formats
Extension Activities
- Create multimedia texts combining formats
- Develop station activities for other classes
- Research how different cultures use media
- Design accessibility features for texts
Caribbean Author Study Investigation
Students conduct in-depth research on Caribbean authors, analyzing their works, themes, and cultural contributions.
3-4 weeks
Intermediate to Advanced
Individual or pairs
Learning Objectives
- Research and analyze author's life and works
- Identify recurring themes and literary techniques
- Understand cultural and historical contexts
- Make connections between author's life and writing
- Present findings through creative formats
Materials Needed
- Caribbean author biographies and works
- Research databases and online resources
- Interview templates for author research
- Presentation tools and materials
- Timeline and graphic organizer templates
Activity Procedures
- 1Select Caribbean author for in-depth study
- 2Research author's biography and cultural background
- 3Read multiple works by the chosen author
- 4Analyze themes, style, and literary techniques
- 5Create timeline of author's life and major works
- 6Develop creative presentation of findings
- 7Share author studies with class and school
Assessment Criteria
- Research depth and accuracy
- Literary analysis quality and insight
- Cultural context understanding
- Creative presentation effectiveness
- Connection-making between life and works
Extension Activities
- Contact living authors for interviews
- Create author appreciation events
- Develop reading guides for other students
- Write in the style of studied authors
Genre Transformation Workshop
Students analyze how the same story or information changes when presented in different genres and formats.
2-3 weeks
Intermediate
Groups of 4-5
Learning Objectives
- Understand how genre affects meaning and purpose
- Analyze author's choices in different formats
- Compare effectiveness of different genres
- Practice adapting content for different audiences
- Develop genre awareness and flexibility
Materials Needed
- Same story/topic in multiple genres
- Genre characteristic charts
- Comparison graphic organizers
- Creation tools for different formats
- Audience analysis templates
Activity Procedures
- 1Examine same content presented in different genres
- 2Analyze how genre affects presentation and meaning
- 3Identify target audience for each genre version
- 4Compare effectiveness for different purposes
- 5Choose content to transform into new genre
- 6Create transformed version with justification
- 7Present transformations and analysis to class
Assessment Criteria
- Genre analysis accuracy and depth
- Understanding of audience and purpose
- Quality of genre transformation
- Justification of creative choices
- Comparative analysis skills
Extension Activities
- Create genre transformation guides
- Analyze how news is presented differently
- Transform historical events into various genres
- Study how social media changes communication
Visual Literacy Gallery Walk
Students analyze visual texts, advertisements, and media to develop critical viewing skills and visual literacy.
1-2 weeks
Beginner to Intermediate
Individual and small groups
Learning Objectives
- Develop visual analysis and interpretation skills
- Recognize persuasive techniques in visual media
- Understand how images convey meaning
- Practice critical viewing of advertisements
- Create visual texts with intentional messages
Materials Needed
- Collection of visual texts and advertisements
- Visual analysis frameworks and guides
- Magnifying tools for detail examination
- Response sheets and reflection prompts
- Creation materials for visual responses
Activity Procedures
- 1Set up gallery with diverse visual texts
- 2Introduce visual analysis techniques and vocabulary
- 3Rotate through gallery analyzing different visuals
- 4Complete analysis sheets for each visual text
- 5Discuss findings and interpretations in groups
- 6Create original visual text with intentional message
- 7Present visual creations with analysis explanation
Assessment Criteria
- Visual analysis depth and accuracy
- Use of appropriate vocabulary
- Critical thinking about visual messages
- Quality of original visual creation
- Explanation of creative choices
Extension Activities
- Analyze visual texts from different cultures
- Create visual literacy guides for others
- Study historical changes in visual communication
- Develop media literacy presentations
Teaching Tips for Reading & Viewing Activities
Building Critical Readers
- • Model thinking aloud during text analysis
- • Encourage questioning at all levels
- • Provide diverse text types and perspectives
- • Connect reading to students' lives and interests
- • Celebrate different interpretations and insights
Supporting Diverse Learners
- • Offer texts at multiple reading levels
- • Use multimedia and visual supports
- • Provide choice in response formats
- • Include culturally relevant texts
- • Allow collaborative reading opportunities