Response Skills: Responding Orally Or In Writing With Appropriate Register Vocabulary Tone And Voice (TEKS.ELA.6.6.H)
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Texas 6th Grade ELA › Response Skills: Responding Orally Or In Writing With Appropriate Register Vocabulary Tone And Voice (TEKS.ELA.6.6.H)
Prompt: Write a formal recommendation to the principal about extending recess. Student draft (110 words): To support student well-being and learning, our school should extend recess by ten minutes. Research shows that regular physical activity improves attention, reduces stress, and builds social skills. After lunch, many students return to class feeling restless; a longer break would allow them to reset and come back ready to focus on instruction. Teachers might also observe fewer disruptions, creating a calmer classroom environment. The additional time could be used for walking, open play, or structured games supervised by staff. This change would promote equity by giving all students, not just athletes, a daily opportunity to move. With careful scheduling, academics would not be compromised and overall performance could improve.
Which revision best improves tone for a formal school assignment? Replace the informal idea "This change would be super awesome for kids."
This change would greatly benefit students by supporting physical health and focus.
This change would be super awesome for kids.
This change would be lit and make everyone hype.
This change would be considered an amelioration vis-à-vis pupil outcomes.
Explanation
Choice A uses precise, academic vocabulary and a professional tone. B and C are slang/overly casual, and D is stiff and awkward.
Prompt: Write a formal reflection on your class field trip. Student draft (104 words): On Friday's field trip to the city water treatment plant, I observed each phase of purification, from screening to disinfection. The visit connected directly to our unit on human impact and public health. I noticed how gauges and sensors monitor flow rates and chemical levels to keep water safe. The guide explained how community demand changes by season, which affects storage and energy use. Seeing the process in person clarified how infrastructure protects people every day. I also realized why conservation matters: every gallon we save reduces strain on the system. The experience made me more curious about engineering careers that solve practical problems.
Which revision best improves tone for a formal school assignment? Replace the informal idea about the guide and odor.
The smell was super gross, but the tour guide was chill and knew his stuff.
Although the odor was unpleasant, the guide was personable and demonstrated deep knowledge of the process.
The olfactory sensation was egregious; nevertheless, the docent exhibited pedagogical prowess of a superior caliber.
It stunk, but the guy was cool and had it down.
Explanation
Choice B is formal, precise, and clear. A and D rely on slang/casual phrasing, while C is overly stiff and unnatural.
Prompt: Write a formal literary analysis paragraph about a short story's theme. Student draft (101 words): Perseverance drives the plot of the short story I read this week. The protagonist fails the first two times she attempts the climbing route, yet she studies the wall, adjusts her plan, and keeps trying. Dialogue shows her frustration but also her growth as she listens to her coach's feedback. Sensory details—chalk dust, trembling arms, and the rough texture of holds—make the challenge vivid. The turning point occurs when she chooses a slower, more strategic path instead of rushing. By the end, success feels earned, not lucky, because persistence and reflection lead to improvement. The story's theme encourages patience and resilience.
Which revision best improves tone for a formal school assignment? Replace the informal sentence about the character succeeding.
The main character messes up a bunch but then totally crushes it at the end.
The protagonist commits mistakes yet, in the denouement, executes success in a maximally efficacious manner.
The protagonist experiences several setbacks but ultimately succeeds through determination.
The character goofs a lot and then nails it.
Explanation
Choice C uses clear academic language and an appropriate register. A and D are casual/slang, and B is overly stiff and cumbersome.
Prompt: Write a formal request to the school librarian about diversifying the collection. Student draft (103 words): Dear Librarian, I am writing to recommend updates to our school library collection that would support inclusive reading choices. In class and at home, my peers and I look for stories that reflect a range of cultures, languages, and lived experiences. Adding contemporary novels, graphic narratives, poetry, and nonfiction by authors from different backgrounds would help more students see themselves as readers. These titles could also expand our understanding of communities beyond our own. I would be happy to help compile suggestions from classmates and organize a student survey. Thank you for considering this recommendation and for all you do for our library.
Which revision best improves tone for a formal school assignment? Replace the informal request about adding books.
Can you guys get more books by different kinds of people?
Could y'all snag more books by all sorts of folks?
It is herein requested that additional volumes authored by demographically distinct individuals be procured.
I recommend expanding the collection to include additional titles by authors from varied backgrounds.
Explanation
Choice D is concise, respectful, and academically appropriate. A and B are casual/slang, and C is overly stiff and awkward.
Recycling at our school could make a measurable difference for the environment and for our campus culture. Right now, many bottles and papers end up in the trash, which wastes resources and creates clutter in hallways and common areas. A coordinated program with clearly labeled bins, student volunteers, and announcements during homeroom would help everyone understand what belongs where. If we track results each week, we can celebrate improvements and adjust our plan. Also, trash is gross and it totally ruins the vibe, especially after lunch. By working together, we would reduce waste, keep spaces cleaner, and show younger students that responsible habits are part of who we are.
Original sentence: "Also, trash is gross and it totally ruins the vibe, especially after lunch." Which revision best improves tone for a formal school assignment?
Plus, trash is nasty and kills the vibe, especially after lunch.
Additionally, litter diminishes the cleanliness and atmosphere of shared spaces, particularly after lunch.
Also, trash is pretty gross and messes things up after lunch.
Furthermore, refuse constitutes an odious impediment to ambiance subsequent to the midday repast.
Explanation
B uses precise, neutral vocabulary (litter, cleanliness, atmosphere) and a formal transition (Additionally). A and C rely on slang or casual wording (nasty, vibe, pretty gross), and D is overly stiff and unnatural. Extension: Revise these two sentences into a formal style: 1) "We'd totally make the halls look way better." 2) "People would be like, wow, it's so clean." Scaffold examples: kids → students; a lot → many; vibe → atmosphere; gross → unsanitary; gonna → will. Enrichment: Compare the tone and register of a local news article about recycling with a student blog post about a cleanup. Identify formal features (objective language, evidence, varied syntax) vs. informal features (personal voice, anecdotes).
Homework should support learning without overwhelming students. When assignments pile up from multiple classes, it becomes difficult to manage time and complete quality work. The current homework plan is kinda confusing, and it stresses people out, which is not cool. A clearer schedule—such as consistent due dates and estimated completion times—would help students plan ahead and ask questions before work is due. Teachers could post weekly overviews so we can balance long-term projects with nightly practice. With more coordination, students would arrive prepared, participate thoughtfully, and still have time to rest, read, or help at home. This approach respects learning and student well-being.
Original sentence: "The current homework plan is kinda confusing, and it stresses people out, which is not cool." Which revision best improves tone for a formal school assignment?
The homework plan is mad confusing and totally not cool.
The homework plan is sort of confusing and makes people feel stressed.
The extant homework schema engenders disquietude in the populace.
The current homework plan lacks clarity and contributes to student stress.
Explanation
D is concise and formal, using precise terms (lacks clarity, contributes to student stress). A uses slang, B is too casual, and C is overly stiff and awkward. Extension: Revise these sentences into a formal style: 1) "This plan is kinda all over the place." 2) "Teachers should ease up sometimes so it's not so crazy." Scaffold examples: kinda → somewhat; not cool → unhelpful/inappropriate; a bunch of work → numerous assignments; ease up → reduce; stuff → materials. Enrichment: Compare a district news release about homework guidelines with a student opinion blog. Discuss differences in audience, word choice, and sentence structure.
Our library is a hub for curiosity, collaboration, and quiet study. Students use it to research, choose independent reading, and meet with partners on projects. The library is awesome, but sometimes it's super loud and people can't focus. Simple changes could improve the space without losing its welcoming feel. For example, signs could mark silent areas, and soft dividers could separate group tables from study carrels. Student volunteers might greet classes and remind visitors about expectations. With a few updates, the library would support different needs at the same time, so readers can concentrate while groups discuss ideas and share their work.
Original sentence: "The library is awesome, but sometimes it's super loud and people can't focus." Which revision best improves tone for a formal school assignment?
The library provides valuable resources; however, excessive noise at times hinders students' ability to focus.
The library is awesome but gets crazy loud, so nobody can focus.
The library is great, but sometimes it's really loud and hard to focus.
The bibliothecal environment, albeit laudable, is periodically inundated with cacophony, precluding concentration.
Explanation
A maintains a respectful, academic tone and replaces slang with precise wording (excessive noise, hinders ability to focus). B uses slang, C is overly casual, and D is excessively stiff. Extension: Revise these sentences into a formal style: 1) "People are talking a bunch, and it gets annoying." 2) "We should totally split up the space." Scaffold examples: super → excessively; awesome → valuable/beneficial; a bunch → a great deal; can't → cannot; totally → clearly/definitely. Enrichment: Compare a library policy article to a student blog review of the library. Identify formal register, objective details, and the use of evidence versus personal voice and anecdotes.
A field trip to the science museum would connect our lessons to real-world discoveries. Exhibits show how concepts like energy transfer and ecosystems function beyond our textbook. If we go, it would be super cool and we'd learn a ton of stuff. Hands-on stations let students test variables, observe results, and ask questions. With a guided lab, we could collect data, compare observations, and reflect on how scientists design experiments. The cost could be reduced through fundraisers, and we would follow safety guidelines and chaperone ratios. This experience would build curiosity, strengthen understanding, and inspire students to explore STEM careers.
Original sentence: "If we go, it would be super cool and we'd learn a ton of stuff." Which revision best improves tone for a formal school assignment?
If we go, it'll be super cool and we'll learn a bunch of stuff.
Attendance would constitute a commendable excursion yielding copious intellectual acquisition.
A visit would offer engaging, hands-on learning opportunities and meaningful extension of our science curriculum.
Going would be really fun and help us learn a lot.
Explanation
C is formal and specific about learning benefits (engaging, hands-on learning; extension of curriculum). A and D are casual, and B is overly stiff and unnatural. Extension: Revise these sentences into a formal style: 1) "We'd learn a ton of stuff in the labs." 2) "The trip would be crazy fun for everyone." Scaffold examples: super/crazy → highly; a ton of → a significant amount of; cool → valuable; learn stuff → deepen understanding. Enrichment: Compare a museum press release to a student travel blog post about the same exhibit. Discuss how audience shapes tone, vocabulary, and evidence.