Language Arts / English - Middle School
1. Read well with understanding.
Student Language: I can read well with understanding.
1 A. Apply word analysis and vocabulary skills to comprehend selections.
Student Language: I can apply what I know about letters, sounds, prefixes, suffixes, root words and syllables to understand the words and phrases in context.
1.A.3a Apply knowledge of word origins and derivations to comprehend words used in specific content areas (e.g., scientific, political, literary, mathematical).
SIXTH GRADE: The students will decode word meanings within specific content areas by employing the use of word origins and content clues.
SEVENTH GRADE: The students will differentiate a word's origin and clarify the word's meaning.
EIGHTH GRADE: Given a literary work, students will identify word origins to comprehend new words.
1.A.3b Analyze the meaning of words and phrases in their context.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will use context clues to find word meaning.
SEVENTH GRADE: The students will infer the meaning of words and phrases by context clues used in the sentence.
EIGHTH GRADE: Given a literary work, students will use context clues to arrive at the meaning of new words.
1 B. Apply reading strategies to improve understanding and fluency.
Student Language: I can preview reading materials, make predictions and create a visual picture such as a graphic organizer or drawing about what I have read.
1.B.3a Preview reading materials, make predictions and relate reading to information from other sources.
SIXTH and SEVENTH GRADE: The students will preview and predict an outcome for a series of short selections.
EIGHTH GRADE: When given a new reading, students will use prereading strategies to establish a connection between the new reading and established information.
1.B.3b Identify text structure and create a visual representation (e.g., graphic organizer, outline, drawing) to use while reading.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will use graphic organizers to demonstrate comprehension.
SEVENTH GRADE: The students will prepare a graphic organizer of a novel.
EIGHTH GRADE: When given a piece of literature, students will analyze it using graphic organizers.
1.B.3c Continuously check and clarify for understanding (e.g., in addition to previous skills, draw comparisons to other readings).
SIXTH GRADE: The students will compare and contrast the events in the reading passage to their own life experience and past readings.
SEVENTH GRADE: The students will critique and compare stories from literature to various written works.
EIGHTH GRADE: When given a selection, students will answer comprehension questions while making comparisons to other readings.
1.B.3d Read age-appropriate material with fluency and accuracy.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will read age appropriate material with fluency and accuracy.
1 C. Comprehend a broad range of reading materials.
Student Language: I can use information from the text and my own ideas to explain and support my understanding of various kinds of fiction and nonfiction texts.
1.C.3a Use information to form, explain and support questions and predictions.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will identify information within a selection that supports questions and predictions.
SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE: The students will use information to explain and support questions and /or predictions.
1.C.3b Interpret and analyze entire narrative text using story elements, point of view and theme.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will retell a narrative selection in their own words.
SEVENTH GRADE: The students will interpret and analyze an entire selection using story mapping strategies.
EIGHTH GRADE: Given a selection passage, students will identify the main components, point of view and theme.
1.C.3c Compare, contrast and evaluate ideas and information from various sources and genres.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: Given two or more sources, the students will compare, contrast and evaluate ideas of each.
1.C.3d Summarize and make generalizations from content and relate them to the purpose of the material.
SIXTH and SEVENTH GRADE: The students will compose summaries of various selections read in class and/or at home.
EIGHTH GRADE: The students will compose summaries of various selections read in class and/or at home and relate it to the author's purpose.
1.C.3e Compare how authors and illustrators use text and art across materials to express their ideas (e.g., foreshadowing, flashbacks, color, strong verbs, language that inspires).
SIXTH GRADE: Students will translate the authors and illustrators use of text and art into everyday language and compare the two styles.
SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE: The students will explain how illustrations and text express and/or add to the author's ideas in a selection.
1.C.3f Interpret tables that display textual information and data in visual formats.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will interpret information displayed in visual formats, such as tables, graphs, and charts.
SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE: The students will interpret tables and graphs presented in various selections.
2. Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas.
Student Language: I can read and understand literature that comes from different times, places and perspectives.
2 A. Understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning.
Student Language: I can identify the different parts of a story and writer's tools such as figurative language and flashback, and explain how an author used these tools to make a story interesting.
2.A.3a Identify and analyze a variety of literary techniques (e.g., figurative language, allusion, dialogue, description, word choice, dialect) within classical and contemporary works representing a variety of genres.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will identify and analyze various literary techniques.
SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE: The students will recognize and analyze classical and contemporary works plus other sources such as magazines.
2.A.3b Describe how the development of theme, character, plot and setting contribute to the overall impact of a piece of literature.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will describe how the development of theme, character, plot and setting contribute to the overall impact of a piece of literature.
2.A.3c Identify characteristics and authors of various literary forms (e.g., short stories, novels, drama, fables, biographies, documentaries, poetry, science fiction).
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will recognize different literary forms (fiction and non-fiction) and authors in all genres.
2.A.3d Identify ways that an author uses language structure, word choice and style to convey the author’s viewpoint.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will identify the author's point of view and identify the techniques the author uses to convey that viewpoint.
SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE: The students will analyze the author's viewpoint and report information to the class.
2 B. Read and interpret a variety of literary works.
Student Language: I can read and respond to stories from several points of view, compare and contrast common themes found in literature of various times and societies, and discuss how characters deal with conflict, solve problems and relate to real-life situations.
2.B.3a Respond to literary material from personal, creative and critical points of view.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will respond to literary material from personal, creative and critical point of view.
SEVENTH GRADE: The students will judge a selection based upon personal, creative, and critical points of view.
EIGHTH GRADE: In short essays, students will respond to literary works from personal points of view.
2.B.3b Compare and contrast common literary themes across various societies and eras.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will compare and contrast common literary themes across various societies and eras.
SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE: The students will recognize and understand the presence of cultural and ethnic differences in a selection and compare/contrast.
2.B.3c Analyze how characters in literature deal with conflict, solve problems and relate to real-life situations.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will relate real life situations to the selections read.
SEVENTH and EIGHTH GRADE: Given scenarios, students will identify how characters would handle a situation/conflict.
3. Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.
Student Language: I can write for several different purposes.
3 A. Use correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization and structure.
Student Language: I can write compositions that contain complete sentences, effective paragraphs, correct grammar, capitalization, spelling and punctuation.
3.A.3 Write compositions that contain complete sentences and effective paragraphs using English conventions.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will produce compositions that have effective paragraphs and are grammatically correct.
3 B. Compose well-organized and coherent writing for specific purposes and audiences.
Student Language: I can write in ways that shows my understanding of ideas and information in a focused, organized, detailed and clear way. I can edit and revise my writing to make it ready to be published.
3.B.3a Produce documents that convey a clear understanding and interpretation of ideas and information and display focus, organization, elaboration and coherence.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: Given a topic, students will organize ideas for a presentation exhibiting a clear understanding of the subject matter.
3.B.3b Edit and revise for word choice, organization, consistent point of view and transitions among paragraphs using contemporary technology and formats suitable for submission and/or publication.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: Using available technology, students will edit rough draft for final copy.
3 C. Communicate ideas in writing to accomplish a variety of purposes.
Student Language: I can write narrative, informative and persuasive pieces for a specified audience and present my information in various forms including compositions, posters and multimedia projects.
3.C.3a Compose narrative, informative, and persuasive writings (e.g., in addition to previous writings, literature reviews, instructions, news articles, correspondence) for a specified audience.
3.C.3b Using available technology, produce compositions and multimedia works for specified audiences.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will produce composition and multimedia works using available technology.
4. Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.
Student Language: I can listen and speak well for different purposes.
4 A. Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.
Student Language: I show that I am paying attention to what I have heard by asking questions, summarizing and paraphrasing the spoken message. I show that I can listen carefully even when there are distractions. I can restate and carry out multi-step spoken instructions.
4.A.3a Demonstrate ways (e.g., ask probing questions, provide feedback to a speaker, summarize and paraphrase complex spoken messages) that listening attentively can improve comprehension.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will be able to demonstrate that they have listened attentively during a class discussion by asking questions, providing feedback on the subject and reiterate the ideas presented in the discussion.
4.A.3b Compare a speaker’s verbal and nonverbal messages.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will compare a speaker's verbal message to the speaker's nonverbal message.
4.A.3c Restate and carry out multistep oral instructions.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will restate and follow multistep oral directions
4.A.3d Demonstrate the ability to identify and manage barriers to listening (e.g., noise, speaker credibility, environmental distractions).
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will demonstrate the ability to identify and manage barriers to listening in a classroom setting.
4 B. Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.
Student Language: I can give planned oral presentations either by myself or in a group, using appropriate speaking skills and visual or technological support.
4.B.3a Deliver planned oral presentations, using language and vocabulary appropriate to the purpose, message and audience; provide details and supporting information that clarify main ideas; and use visual aids and contemporary technology as support.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will give an oral presentation on an assigned topic using visual aides or available technology.
4.B.3b Design and produce reports and multi-media compositions that represent group projects.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will be able to work in a group to produce a group assignment.
SEVENTH GRADE: The students will, as a group, design a report reflecting the attitudes and information requested of the assignment.
EIGHTH GRADE: The students will create a group presentation on a given subject.
4.B.3c Develop strategies to manage or overcome communication anxiety and apprehension (e.g., sentence outlining, note cards).
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will use appropriate strategies to aid in the delivery of an oral report.
4.B.3d Use verbal and nonverbal communication strategies to maintain communications and to resolve conflict.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will learn to resolve conflicts through communication.
5. Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.
Student Language: I can use reading, writing, listening and speaking to find and evaluate information and to communicate that information to others.
5 A. Locate, organize, and use information from various sources to answer questions, solve problems and communicate ideas.
Student Language: I can research and choose resources to solve problems and answer questions. I can design a project about a current issue or event using several different sources.
5.A.3a Identify appropriate resources to solve problems or answer questions through research.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: Given a list of information sources, students will categorize them into individual, academic, or functional purposes.
5.A.3b Design a project related to contemporary issues (e.g., real-world math, career development, community service) using multiple sources.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will design a project, relating to contemporary issues, integrating multiple sources.
5 B. Analyze and evaluate information from various sources.
Student Language: I can identify, evaluate and cite information from original sources that is appropriate for different purposes.
5.B.3a Choose and analyze information sources for individual, academic and functional purposes.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: Given a list of information sources, students will categorize them into individual, academic, or functional purposes.
5.B.3b Identify, evaluate and cite primary sources.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will cite primary resources used for a research paper
5 C. Apply acquired information, concepts and ideas to communicate in a variety of formats.
Student Language: I can plan, write, edit and revise documents that combine information from several sources. I can plan and deliver an oral presentation based on my own research. I can take notes, conduct interviews, organize and present information in oral ,visual and electronic formats.
5.C.3a Plan, compose, edit and revise documents that synthesize new meaning gleaned from multiple sources.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: Students will synthesize multiple sources to plan and compose an original work.
5.C.3b Prepare and orally present original work (e.g., poems, monologues, reports, plays, stories) supported by research.
SIXTH GRADE: The students will prepare and present an original piece of work.
5.C.3c Take notes, conduct interviews, organize and report information in oral, visual and electronic formats.
SIXTH through EIGHTH GRADE: The students will take notes, conduct interviews, organize and report information in oral, visual, and electronic formats.