A targeted test-preparation lesson designed to equip 6th graders for ILEARN Checkpoint 3 in English/Language Arts conventions. Students master pronoun case, intensive pronouns, nonrestrictive punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes), and agreement conventions through direct instruction, authentic checkpoint-style practice, and rapid formative assessment.
Distractor Alert: B breaks the noun phrase randomly. C incorrectly places a trailing dash after the verb phrase. D separates one and astronaut.
ILEARN Checkpoint 3 Key • Grade 6 ELA Page 1 of 2 • Continue to Part 3 & Part 4 Key →
Answer Key: Page 2
Agreement, Editing Passage & Reteaching Protocol
Standards 6.W.6.1 • 6.W.6.2
Detailed Rationales: Part 3 & Part 4 (Questions 6–10)
6. Correct Answer: B 6.W.6.1 • Subject-Verb Agreement
Rule & Rationale: The true simple subject is singular crate, not the plural object of the preposition lenses. Singular subject requires singular verb: was delivered.
Distractor Alert: A is tricked by proximity to lenses. C uses plural know for singular indefinite pronoun Each. D uses plural grow for singular collective noun cluster.
7. Correct Answer: C 6.W.6.1c • Verb Tense Consistency
Rule & Rationale: Sentence C consistently uses past tense verbs throughout (approached, gathered, rumbled) describing events occurring in the same time frame.
Distractor Alert: A abruptly shifts from past (rang) to present (packs) then back to past (hurried). B shifts from present to past. D shifts from present (brushes) to past (discovered).
8. Correct Answer: A 6.W.6.2a • Passage Editing (Commas)
Rule & Rationale: The nonrestrictive appositive "a towering sand dune along Lake Michigan" already had an opening comma after Mount Baldy, but missed the closing comma after Michigan.
Distractor Alert: B removes an essential boundary comma. C and D introduce ungrammatical punctuation.
9. Correct Answer: A 6.W.6.1 • Compound Subject Agreement
Rule & Rationale: The subject joined by and ("shifting wind and blowing sand") is compound plural and requires plural present verb reshape, not singular reshapes.
Distractor Alert: B creates an incomplete participle. C confuses general scientific truths (standard present tense). D changes the correct verb in an unrelated sentence.
10. Correct Answer: A 6.W.6.1a • Objective Case in Context
Rule & Rationale: The pronoun is receiving the action of reminded. Removing Marcus reveals: "Mrs. Gable reminded me," proving me is required.
Distractor Alert: B uses reflexive myself without a matching subject I. C violates standard polite order and grammar. D overlooks the objective case error.
High-Yield Checkpoint Reteaching Protocols
1. The "Drop-the-Partner" Test (Q1, Q10) Cover the other person and the word "and". Say the sentence with just the pronoun. If "She invited I" sounds wrong, "She invited Maya and I" is also wrong!
2. The "Finger Lift" Test (Q4, Q5, Q8) Place two fingers over the words between the commas/dashes. Read the rest of the sentence. If it forms a complete, logical sentence, it is nonrestrictive and needs paired punctuation!
ILEARN Checkpoint 3 Key • Grade 6 ELA Page 2 of 2 • Teacher Instructional Reference ✓
Compound Subject Rule: Joined by AND = Plural verb • Joined by OR / NOR = Match closest subject!
Strategy
The 4-Step Checkpoint Protocol
Test-Day Success
1
Read Sentence Completely
Never look at the answer choices first. Read the full sentence to identify context and time frame.
2
Isolate Subject & Verb
Eliminate prepositional phrases between the subject and verb to ensure flawless singular/plural agreement.
3
Drop the Partner
For compound pronouns, speak the sentence with only the pronoun to test whether subjective or objective case is needed.
4
Check Both Punctuation Ends
Nonrestrictive elements in the middle of a sentence require paired commas, dashes, or parentheses!
Ready for Checkpoint 3! Take your time • Trust your rules • Double check both sides
Checkpoint Homophone Watch Standard 6.W.6.2b
its vs. it's its = possessive (its shell) it's = it is (it's raining)
their / there / they're their = owns / there = place they're = they are
whose vs. who's whose = possessive pronoun who's = contraction for who is
affect vs. effect affect = Action verb (to alter) effect = End result (a noun)
Vague Pronoun Alert (6.W.6.1d)
If a sentence contains two nouns (e.g. vase and table), never use it without clarifying which object cracked! Replace the pronoun with the exact specific noun.
Test Day Check:
✓ 1. Read full sentence ✓ 2. Cross out prep phrases ✓ 3. Drop compound partner ✓ 4. Check both punctuation ends
Indiana ELA ILEARN Checkpoint 3 Reference Tool Keep in Study Folder • Review Before Test Day ✓
Part 2 & Part 3
Punctuation & Subject-Verb Agreement
Student:
The "Finger Lift" Rule (6.W.6.2a)
Extra details need commas on both sides: "Lake Michigan**, a Great Lake,** is huge."
The "Crossout" Rule (6.W.6.1)
Cross out the phrase in the middle: "The box [of books] is heavy."
5 Which sentence correctly places commas around the extra description?
A. Mount Baldy the tall sand dune stands along Lake Michigan.
B. Mount Baldy, the tall sand dune stands along Lake Michigan.
C. Mount Baldy, the tall sand dune, stands along Lake Michigan.
6 The crate [of delicate glass lenses] ______ delivered to the science lab.
Step: The true subject is singular crate (one crate). Ignore lenses!
A. was (singular verb)
B. were (plural verb)
Checkpoint Mini-Passage Editing 3 Short Sentences
[1] Our guide led Marcus and I across the wooden path.
[2] The group of eager students was ready to see the living dunes.
[3] Strong winds and shifting sand continually shapes the giant hills.
7 Look at Sentence 1: "Our guide led Marcus and I..." Which edit fixes the pronoun error?
A. Change to: led Marcus and me
B. Change to: led Marcus and myself
8 Look at Sentence 3: "Strong winds and shifting sand continually shapes..." Which edit fixes the subject-verb agreement error?
A. Change shapes to plural shape
B. Change winds to singular wind
My Checkpoint Confidence:
□ I used Drop the Partner □ I checked commas on both sides □ I crossed out prep phrases
Indiana ELA Checkpoint 3 • Tier 2 Guided Practice Key: 1-B • 2-A • 3-B • 4-B • 5-C • 6-A • 7-A • 8-A ✓
Teacher / Advisor:
Parent / Guardian:
Middle School Academic Executive Functioning Dashboard Review Weekly During Advisory / Homeroom ✓
