South Dakota ELA 6.SL.4.b

ELA6th GradeSpeaking & Listening

The Standard

6.SL.4: Present claims and findings appropriate to the purpose and audience.

Use appropriate vocabulary, eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

South Dakota English Language Arts Standards (2025)

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students speak so listeners can hear and understand them. They choose words that fit the audience and look up at listeners as they speak.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student gives a short explanation without mumbling or rushing. They use words the audience knows and look up regularly instead of reading every line.
Common Misconceptions: Some students think speaking louder means shouting. Others stare at one person, use words their audience may not know, or speak too quickly for listeners to follow.
How to Assess It: Ask each student to explain how to check out a library book in 30 seconds. Listen for fitting word choice, audible volume, clear pronunciation, and looking up at the listener.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a classroom map; one student gives directions while looking up and speaking clearly, and the other traces the route.
Ask, 'How would you explain our class rules to a new student versus the principal?' Have students write two spoken versions.
Play an announcement challenge: students draw a school event card and speak for 30 seconds while partners check volume, pronunciation, and eye contact.
Have students role-play asking a librarian where to find a book, then repeat after feedback on volume, word choice, and clarity.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6.SL.4.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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