Strand
Reading
Word Analysis,
Fluency, and
Vocabulary
Development
Comprehension and
Analysis
Writing
Strategies
Applications
Conventions
Listening and
Speaking
Strategies and
Applications
ACCESS
“Power Standards”
Language Arts-Grade 3
ESLR-Attain basic literacy skills by communicating
effectively in reading, writing and speaking
Narrative Texts
(Literature/Recreational)
Expository Texts
(Informational/Textual/Functional)
Decoding and Word Recognition
Know and use complex word structures when decoding
Read with fluency (sounds like natural speech)
Vocabulary Development
Use knowledge of antonyms, synonyms, homophones, and homographs
Begin to understand word analogies as classifications of words
Use knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word roots
Identify multiple meaning words; use context for meaning of unknown word
Draw conclusions, make predictions and
Use structural devices to find information hypotheses about text
Identify sequence of events
Distinguish common forms of literature
Identify the speaker or narrator
Understand myths, folktales, and legends in grade level textbooks
Identify main idea and supporting details
Follow multiple-step written instructions
Read ads, tables and other functional materials
Organizational/Penmanship and Research
Create a single paragraph with topic sentence and supporting detail
Write legibly in cursive
Identify extraneous sentences, topic sentence and supporting detail
Understand use of reference materials: dictionary, newspaper, encyclopedia
Write narratives with a context for the
Write descriptions that use concrete detail action and a detailed plot. to support a unified idea
Write letters, thank-you notes, invitations
Sentence Structure and Grammar
Use complete and correct sentences when writing
Edit for awkward construction, fragments, and run-ons
Identify correct usage: verb tense, pronoun case, subject-verb agreement
Identify the past, present and future verb tenses of words
Punctuation and Capitalization
Identify correct punctuation of sentences and quotations
Commas in dates, locations, items in a series, apostrophe with contraction
Identify correct capitalization: letter parts, first word in a quotation, works of art, titles of people, proper nouns
Geographical names, holidays, historical periods, and special events
Spelling
Alphabetical order to the third letter of a word
Spell frequently used words correctly
Ask questions for clarification
Paraphrase information shared orally by others
Organize ideas chronologically, and provide a beginning, middle and end
Enhance oral presentations through the use of props, graphs, etc.
Read poetry aloud with appropriate intonation and vocal patterns
ACCESS
“Power Standards”
Language Arts-Grade 4
ESLR-Attain basic literacy skills by communicating
effectively in reading, writing and speaking
Strand
Reading
Comprehension
Fluency
Vocabulary
Development
Writing
Strategies and
Applications
Narrative Texts
(Literature/Recreational)
Compare and contrast tales from different cultures, and develop theories to account for similar tales
Use knowledge of plot to determine cause for a character’s actions
Draw conclusions, make and confirm predictions using text clues
Identify the “moral of the story” in myths and fables
Recognizes similes, metaphors, and personification
Identify author’s purpose/attitude
Expository Texts
(Informational/Textual/Functional)
Identifies structural characteristics of textbook materials
Compare/contrast
Theme
Cause and effect
Identify correct use of various reference materials
Identify fact vs. opinion
Understand format and content of materials found in everyday life
Compare information on the same topic from several different articles
Independent “Wide” Reading, with new vocabulary
Narrative and expository prose: every day!
Use knowledge of synonyms, antonyms and homophones
Identify affixes and root words
Use context to determine meaning of a known word with multiple meanings
Use context to determine meaning of an unknown word
Identify meaning through understanding of Greek and Latin word roots
Organization and focus
Identify/write paragraphs with topic sentence, supporting detail
Genre
Biography: relate ideas and observations with setting and detail
Response to Literature: show understanding of
Organization and focus
Write reports and summaries using
Chronological order
Cause and effect
Genre
Analytical Essay/Research Report: frame a the work
Persuasive Composition: state a clear position and give simple evidence central question and include facts and details, properly cited references
Letters: write personal letters using a conventional style
Conventions Sentence Structure and Grammar
Know simple, compound, complex sentence structures, and how to combine short sentences
Edit for awkward construction, fragments, and run-ons
Identify subject-verb agreement, part tense, pronoun case, comparative adjectives
Punctuation and Capitalization
Use of apostrophe, comma with conjunction, items in a series, abbreviations, dialogue
First word in a quote, letter parts, proper nouns, title of people, works of art
Spelling: Identify misspellings of words in the context of sentences:
Consonant and vowel sounds with various spellings
Inflectional endings and affixes
No mistakes
Listening/Speaking
Summarize and paraphrase information
Give precise directions
Recite poems
Strand
Reading
Comprehension
Fluency
Vocabulary
Development
Writing
Strategies and
Applications
Conventions
Listening/Speaking
ACCESS
“Power Standards”
Language Arts-Grade 5
ESLR-Attain basic literacy skills by communicating
effectively in reading, writing and speaking
Narrative Texts Expository Texts
(Literature/Recreational)
Understand elements of plot, conflict, resolution, and theme
Contrast characters in a work and the role of contrast in plot/theme
Describe function of literary devices: imagery, metaphor
Draw conclusions; make predictions and hypotheses based on implicit information
Compare literature from different eras and
(Informational/Textual/Functional)
Identify structural characteristics of informational texts:
Discern main idea and evidence that
supports it, including graphic materials
Analyze text organized in sequential or chronological order
Distinguish facts, support inferences and
opinions in texts
Alphabetize to 3 rd letter, dictionary skills cultures
Independent, “Wide” Reading, with new vocabulary:
Narrative and expository prose: every day!
Identify synonyms, antonyms, and homophones, connotation and denotation
Use context to determine meaning of a known word with multiple meanings
Use context to determine meaning of an unknown word
Affixes derived from Greek and Latin
Organization and focus
Multi-paragraph compositions with point of view
Genre
Biography: plot and sensory detail
Response to Literature: central idea with references to the text
Persuasive: state a clear position and provide relevant evidence
Organization and focus
Identify topic sentences, supporting sentences, extraneous material
Genre
Analytical Essays/Research Reports: develop a topic with simple facts, use
Chronological order
Cause and effect
Fact vs. Opinion
Business Letters: introduce conventional form
Sentence Structure and Grammar
Know compound, complex sentence structures, as well as sentence combining
Edit for awkward construction, fragments, run-ons, and redundancy
Identify correct subject-verb agreement, verb tense, pronoun case, and comparison of adjectives
Punctuation and Capitalization
Use of apostrophe, comma with conjunction, items in a series, abbreviations, dialogue, colon with list
First word in a quote, letter parts, proper nouns, title of people, works of art
Spelling
Identify misspellings of words in the context of sentences:
Consonant and vowel sounds with carious spellings
Inflectional endings and affixes
No mistakes
Frame a question to direct an investigation
Establish a situation or plot, emphasizing sequence
Present a topic with supporting detail
ACCESS
“Power Standards”
Language Arts-Grade 6
ESLR-Attain basic literacy skills by communicating
effectively in reading, writing and speaking
Reading
Comprehension
Fluency
Strand
Vocabulary
Development
Writing
Strategies and
Applications
Conventions
Listening/Speaking
Narrative Texts Expository Texts
(Literature/Recreational)
Critique credibility of characters
Determine tone from word choice
Recognize difference between first and third person speaker
Identify themes conveyed through plot and characterization
Define how tone is conveyed through
(Informational/Textual/Functional)
Identify characteristics of popular media
(newspaper, magazines)
Determine the adequacy of evidence for a conclusion
Create outlines, notes, summaries
Connect main ideas from different sources
Identify details and sequence in
figurative language
Draw conclusions; make predictions and informational texts
Know parts of a book, atlas, and telephone directory hypotheses based on implicit information
Independent , “Wide” Reading, with new vocabulary
Narrative and expository prose: every day!
Focus on interpreting figurative language:
Shades of meaning in word choice
Identify synonyms, antonyms, and homophones
Use context to determine meaning of a known word with multiple meanings
Use context to determine meaning of an unknown word
Organization and focus
Multi-paragraph, focus on plot
Identify topic sentence, supporting sentences, extraneous material
Genre
Biography: establish plot and sensory detail
Response to Literature: develop interpretation from careful reading
Organization and focus
Multi-paragraph, focus on topic
Genre
Write research and persuasive papers
Stated thesis or purpose
Appropriate structure
Persuasive evidence
Use of technology for research
Business Letter: use conventional form
Sentence Structure and Grammar
Know simple, compound, complex sentence structures
Edit for awkward construction, fragments, and run-ons, and redundancy
Identify correct subject-verb agreement (with intervening pronoun), past and future tense, pronoun case, comparison of adjectives
Punctuation and Capitalization
Use of apostrophe, comma with conjunction, items in a series, quotation marks in dialogue
First word in quote, letter parts, proper adjectives, title of people, works of art
Spelling
Identify misspellings of words in the context of sentences:
Consonant and vowel sounds with various spellings
Inflectional endings and affixes
No mistakes
Select a focus and organizational structure
Establish a point of view
Support opinions with detailed evidence
Reading
Comprehension
Vocabulary
Writing
Strategies
Genre
Strand
Conventions
Listening/Speaking
ACCESS
“Power Standards”
Language Arts-Grade 7
ESLR-Attain basic literacy skills by communicating
effectively in reading, writing and speaking
Narrative Texts Expository Texts
(Literature/Recreational)
Explain qualities of different genre
Identify examples of irony and incongruity
(Informational/Textual/Functional)
Understand differences in structure and in a text
Analyze character traits, motivation
Identify recurring themes, especially across cultures
Trace development of point of view, and explain effect on theme
Identify passages that set tone or mood with metaphor, dialect, symbolism
Draw conclusions; make predictions and
purpose of various informational media
Identify details and sequence in informational and functional materials
Locate information from encyclopedia, bibliography, card catalogue, Reader’s
Guide, atlas, index, and table of contents
Show how ideas in a text would change under different circumstances
Identify and trace the development of an author’s argument in persuasive writing hypotheses from implicit information
Identify idioms, analogies, metaphors, and similes in prose and poetry
Use knowledge of Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon roots and affixes to figure out the meaning of a new content words
Identify synonyms and words with multiple meanings
Organization and Focus
Use a specific structure to achieve balance with effective transitions
Complete use of supporting detail
Use note taking, outlines and summarizing to develop structure
Research and Technology
Identify questions leading to research, and use sanctioned format for bibliography
Evaluation and Revision
Identify topic sentences and supporting sentences as well as extraneous material
Distinguish between clearly written sentences and sentences that contain errors.
Biography: mimic various styles of plot and characterization
Responses to Literature: focus on interpretation from close reading
Research Reports including evidence and documentation
Persuasive Compositions with clarity and support
Business Letters: letter of introduction
Sentence Structure and Grammar
Edit for awkward construction, fragments, run-ons, misplaced modifiers, and redundancy
Identify correct subject-verb agreement (advanced), past perfect tense, pronoun antecedents, pronoun case, adjective/adverb usage
Identify all parts of speech and types and structure of sentences
Punctuation and Capitalization
Use of apostrophe with possessives, colon with list, comma with appositive, comma in introduction, quotation marks, and semicolon.
Spelling
Identify misspellings in the context of sentences:
Homophones
No mistakes
Deliver narrative presentations
Deliver research presentation
Analyze techniques of electronic media in persuasion
Deliver persuasive presentation
ACCESS
“Power Standards”
Language Arts-Grade 8
ESLR-Attain basic literacy skills by communicating
effectively in reading, writing and speaking
Reading
Comprehension
Vocabulary and
Concept
Development
Writing
Strategies
Genre
Strand
Conventions
Narrative Texts Expository Texts
(Literature/Recreational) (Informational/Textual/Functional)
Examine dialogues, monologues, and
Compare and contrast features of consumer
Identify tone or mood in a passage
soliloquies for character traits
Identify events that advance a plot
Understand “internal conflict”
Identify universal themes
Analyze a work of literature, showing how it
materials (warranties, contracts, product information, etc.)
Find differences and similarities between texts and summarize both
Locate information for thesaurus, Readers reflects the heritage, traditions, attitudes, and
Guide, index, atlas, dictionary
Elaborate on and extend a main idea with beliefs of its author
Draw conclusions; make predictions from
new information or a different perspective
Analyze texts with proposition-support implicit information model
Evaluate the consistency and logic of a text
Identify idioms, analogies, metaphors, and similes in prose and poetry
Use knowledge of Greek, Latin, and Anglo-Saxon roots and affixes to figure out the meaning of a new content words
Identify synonyms and words with multiple meanings
Organization and Focus
Write with a controlling impression and a well-supported conclusion
Use effective transitions and parallel structures
Support a thesis with analogies, quotations, comparisons, etc .
Research and Technology
Plan multiple step information searches
Evaluation and Revision
Identify topic sentences and supporting sentences as well as extraneous material
Distinguish between clearly written sentences and sentences that contain errors.
Show how to combine sentences to achieve fluency in writing
Biography: employ descriptive strategies in relaying a clear incident
Responses to Literature: support judgements with reference to other texts and authors
Research Reports: define a thesis and use a variety of sources of information
Persuasive Compositions: well-defined thesis and detailed evidence in support
Business Letters: present information clearly; follow conventional formats
Sentence Structure and Grammar
Edit for awkward construction, fragments, run-ons, misplaced modifiers, and redundancy
Identify subject-verb agreement (relative cause, indefinite pronoun), present perfect tense, double negative, pronoun agreement, and adverbs (superlatives)
Identify all parts of speech and types and structure of sentences
Punctuation and Capitalization
Use of apostrophe with possessives, quotation marks with titles, comma with appositive, comma in introduction, comma with conjunction, semicolon
Listening/Speaking
Spelling
Identify misspellings in the context of sentences:
Homophones
No mistakes
Deliver narrative presentations using a range of strategies
Deliver oral responses to literature
Recite poems of 4-6 stanzas
Deliver research presentation
Reading
Comprehension
Writing
Strategies
Genre
Strand
Conventions
Listening/Speaking
Strategies and
Applications
ACCESS
“Power Standards”
Language Arts-Grade 9-10
ESLR-Attain basic literacy skills by communicating
effectively in reading, writing and speaking
Narrative Texts Expository Texts
(Literature/Recreational)
Students read and understand grade-level appropriate material. They analyze the organizational patterns, arguments, and positions advanced. The selections in
Recommended Literature, Grades Nine Through Twelve
(1990) illustrate the quality and complexity of the materials to be read by students. In addition, by grade twelve, students read two million words annually on their own, including a wide variety of classic and contemporary literature, magazines, newspapers, and online information. In grades nine and ten, students make substantial progress toward this goal
(Informational/Textual/Functional)
Evaluate the credibility of an author’s argument or defense of a claim by critiquing the relationship between the generalizations and evidence, the comprehensiveness of evidence, and the way in which the author’s intent affects the structure and tone of the text (e.g., in professional journals, editorials, political speeches, primary source material).
Organization and Focus
Write clear, coherent, and focused essays (The writing exhibits students’ awareness of audience and purpose)
Identify formal introductions, supporting evidence, and conclusions. (Students progress through the stages of the writing process as needed).
Evaluation and Revision
Revise writing to improve the logic and coherence of the organization and controlling perspective, the precision of word choice, and the tone by taking into consideration the audience, purpose, and formality of the context
Students combine the rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, a persuasion, and description to produce texts of at least 1,500 words each. Student writing demonstrates a command of standard American English and the research, organizational, and drafting strategies outlined in Writing Standards.
Write expository compositions, including analytical essays and research reports:
Marshal evidence in support of a thesis and related claims, including information on all relevant perspectives
Convey information and ideas from primary and secondary sources accurately and coherently
Make distinctions between the relative value and significance of specific data, facts, and ideas.
Anticipate and address readers’ potential misunderstandings, biases, and expectations
Use technical terms and notations accurately
Students write and speak with a command of standard English conventions
Demonstrate an understanding of proper English usage and control of grammar, paragraph and sentence structure, diction, and syntax
Students formulate adroit judgements about oral communication. They deliver focused and coherent presentations of their own that convey clear and distinct perspective and solid reasoning. They use gestures, tone, and vocabulary tailored to the audience and purpose.
Choose logical patterns of organizations (e.g., chronological, topical, cause and effect) to inform and to persuade, by soliciting agreement or action, or to unite audiences behind a common belief or cause
Students deliver polished formal and extemporaneous presentations that combine the traditional rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and description. Student speaking demonstrates a command of standard American English and the organizational and delivery strategies.
Apply appropriate interviewing techniques:
Prepare and ask relevant questions
Make notes of responses
Use language that conveys maturity, sensitivity and respect
Respond correctly and effectively to questions
Demonstrate knowledge of the subject or organization
Compile and report responses
Evaluate the effectiveness of the interview