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Saint Odilo Catholic School Language Arts The Standards for the English Language Arts center around three core beliefs: Grade 4 In this course students explore the world of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students engage in activities which require them to apply their knowledge of language structure by editing for language mechanics, usage, and cohesiveness. Course work includes working independently and in groups to complete projects, learning study and organizational skills, incorporating an increasing vocabulary to speaking and writing, applying word structure and context analysis to define words, demonstrating the writing process, and identifying and extending patterns found in written and spoken language. The course emphasizes the need for students to construct meaning from, and respond to, oral communication and reading selections, and to express ideas and thoughts to others through speaking, writing, and drawings. |
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Author: Comparing/Contrasting
The learner will be able to compare and contrast the themes, points of view, and styles of two authors.
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Short Story: Analyzing
The learner will be able to analyze a short story for details, emotions, and events, and predict the outcomes of the story.
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Genre/Cultures: Selecting Literature
The learner will be able to independently select books from a variety of genres (biographies, nonfiction, fiction, diaries, and journals) and from multiple cultures.
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Author Technique: Evaluate
The learner will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of author technique.
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Informational: Synthesize
The learner will be able to synthesize information from three entries from one or more reference books.
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Author Intention
The learner will be able to identify the author's purpose in a given passage.
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Author Intention: Evaluate
The learner will be able to evaluate the author's purpose in a given work.
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Short Story: Character/Analyze
The learner will be able to analyze a character depicted in a short story.
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Short Story: Construct Meaning
The learner will be able to construct meaning from a short story by interpreting details, the title, character motives and feelings, and by predicting outcomes.
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Narrative Patterns: Recognize
The learner will be able to recognize narrative patterns.
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Genre: Identify
The learner will be able to identify the genre of a given passage.
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Point of View: Evaluate
The learner will be able to evaluate how author point of view influences reading materials.
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| Language Expressions |
| This unit includes comprehending and applying the rules which govern language expressions and usage. Students studying this unit develop an intuitive sense of language structure, and the ability to make judgments regarding how language expressions relate to the cohesiveness of sentences and passages. |
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Noun: Forms/Edit
The learner will be able to edit writing for noun forms.
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Subject-Verb: Agreement
The learner will be able to use correct subject-verb agreement.
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Pronoun: Case/Edit
The learner will be able to edit written works for correct use of pronouns.
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Sentence Structure: Identify Complete
The learner will be able to identify complete sentences.
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Sentence Structure: Grammar/Effective
The learner will be able to write grammatically correct, effective sentences.
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Sentence Structure: Use
The learner will be able to use correct sentence structure.
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Fragment: Identify
The learner will be able to identify incomplete sentences.
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Run-On: Identify
The learner will be able to identify run-on sentences.
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Sentence Combining
The learner will be able to combine multiple complete sentences into one complete sentence.
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Sentence Combining: Concise/Clarity
The learner will be able to combine two sentences concisely and with clarity of meaning.
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Idiom: Define/Interpret
The learner will be able to define and interpret idioms.
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Simile: Recognize
The learner will be able to show an understanding of similes by reading sentences and choosing the best similes for the underlined words or phrases.
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Metaphor: Interpret
The learner will be able to interpret metaphors and show an understanding of how they are used in comparisons.
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Edit: Context
The learner will be able to edit a series of sentences for double negatives, verb forms, subject-verb agreement, redundancies, and clarity.
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| Language Mechanics |
| This unit includes comprehending and applying the rules which govern punctuation and capitalization. Students studying this unit incorporate knowledge of language mechanics into original writing, and successfully edit passages for language mechanics errors. |
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Punctuation: Apply
The learner will be able to apply fundamental punctuation rules to written works.
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Mechanics: Conventions
The learner will be able to understand and apply English language conventions in the following areas: punctuation (commas, periods, quotation marks) and usage (pronouns, singular and plural nouns, subject/verb agreement, verb tenses, singular possessives).
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Capitalization: City/State
The learner will be able to capitalize cities and states.
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Comma: Understand
The learner will be able to edit sentences for the correct use of commas and show an understanding of how commas alter meaning.
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Capitalization: Use Correctly
The learner will be able to use capitalization correctly.
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Title: Capitalize
The learner will be able to capitalize a title.
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| Listening |
| This unit includes identifying and distinguishing between sounds and patterns in sounds, and constructing meaning from information delivered verbally. |
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Response: Story/Analyze/Discuss
The learner will be able to analyze a story and discuss story elements after hearing it read aloud. This includes identifying the main idea, events, sequence, and details of the story.
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Discussion: Group/Respond
The learner will be able to respond to others (in a group discussion) by paraphrasing the comments of others, asking poignant questions, and demonstrating patience while listening.
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Evaluating: Student/Teacher Criteria
The learner will be able to evaluate the oral presentations given by others on the basis of a set of student/teacher developed criteria (cohesive main idea, consistent organization of supporting ideas, and effective speaking style).
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| Media |
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Advertisement: Describe
The learner will be able to find and describe information displayed in an advertisement.
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| Reading Operations |
| This unit includes constructing meaning from fiction and non-fiction selections at comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and judgment levels of understanding. Students are able to identify, discuss, and compare both concrete and abstract elements of selections (setting, plot, characterization, genre, historical period, theme, tone, moral message, and psychological and political implications). |
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Predict Outcome
The learner will be able to analyze how elements of a story are connected, and utilize this analysis to make predictions about how a story might end.
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Comprehension: Display Skills
The learner will be able to display comprehension skills.
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Reading Behaviors: Apply
The learner will be able to apply meaning while reading.
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Response Logs
The learner will be able to keep a reading response log which includes sections for detailing events, and for providing an emotional and/or intellectual reaction to story elements. Such a log should be referred to by the student as a measure of the student's growth as a reader, for topics for group discussions, and as a way to become an engaged reader.
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Response: Activities
The learner will be able to engage in self-initiated reading response activities such as prewriting on topics (lists, webbing, illustrations, graphs, clusters), maintaining reading response logs, discussing reading materials with peers, and forming questions about reading materials during which the student is able to recall key elements of reading materials, summarize, paraphrase main ideas, generalize about characters, explain how elements of reading materials may be connected, and remain open to the ideas and interpretations of others.
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Prior Knowledge: Understand Text
The learner will be able to use prior knowledge to understand texts.
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Analyze: Main Characters
The learner will be able to analyze main characters by creating story maps which highlight the adventures, personalities, and growth of main characters. Such maps should include quotes from main characters, other characters, and narrators, which substantiate commentary on the main characters.
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Written: Connection
The learner will be able to create a written response to reading materials that connects similar themes and ideas found in texts.
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Monitor: Strategies/Develop
The learner will be able to develop strategies for monitoring his/her reading process.
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Analyze: Characters/Point of View
The learner will be able to analyze story elements such as characters, point of view, setting, and story line, and discuss how these elements are connected.
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Cause/Effect: Understanding
The learner will be able to understand the relationship between cause and effect.
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Main Idea: Stated
The learner will be able to determine the main idea stated in a passage.
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Draw Conclusion: Reading Material
The learner will be able to draw conclusions about reading materials.
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Draw Conclusion: Passage
The learner will be able to draw logical and supported conclusions from passages.
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Predict Outcome: Information
The learner will be able to make predictions from information in written material.
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Fact/Opinion
The learner will be able to distinguish between fact and opinion.
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Summary: Strategies
The learner will be able to summarize material while he/she reads.
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Theme: Identify
The learner will be able to identify the theme of a given reading passage.
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Inference: Information
The learner will be able to make inferences from information in written material.
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Detail: Identify
The learner will be able to identify details from reading passages.
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Story Elements: Character/Identify
The learner will be able to identify story elements, such as characters.
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Story Elements: Identify
The learner will be able to identify story elements.
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Story: Elements/Identify
The learner will be able to identify story elements, such as setting, plot, and characters.
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Figurative Language: Infer Meaning
The learner will be able to infer meaning from figurative language.
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Compare: Reading Material
The learner will be able to make comparisons about reading material.
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Compare/Contrast: Reading Materials
The learner will be able to compare and contrast reading materials.
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Strategies: Knowing
The learner will be able to know of a variety of strategies which aid comprehension.
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Strategies: Extend Information
The learner will be able to extend information beyond passage ideas while reading.
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Strategies: Critical Thinking
The learner will be able to apply critical thinking when reading materials.
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Plot: Climax
The learner will be able to recognize plot climax in reading selections.
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Critical Thinking: Reading Materials
The learner will be able to critically examine reading materials.
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Support: Examine
The learner will be able to examine the adequacy of support in reading materials.
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Reality/Fantasy
The learner will be able to distinguish between reality and fantasy.
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Sequence: Identify Order
The learner will be able to identify the order of events which occur within a reading selection.
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Sequence: Time/Identify
The learner will be able to identify the time structure of a reading passage.
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Generalization: Passage
The learner will be able to make a generalization based on passage elements.
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Questions: Aid Understanding
The learner will be able to generate questions to aid understanding while reading.
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Structure: Style/Identify
The learner will be able to identify the style structure of a passage.
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Structure: Increase Understanding
The learner will be able to use text structure to increase understanding of reading materials.
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Reading Behaviors: Initial Understanding
The learner will be able to demonstrate an initial understanding of a text.
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Response: Evaluate/Author
The learner will be able to evaluate the effectiveness and purpose of an author in a written response to reading.
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Synthesizing: Information/Multiple Texts
The learner will be able to demonstrate skills for constructing meaning by synthesizing information from multiple written texts.
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Written: Literal Questions
The learner will be able to write in response to literal questions from reading materials.
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Written: Understanding
The learner will be able to write in response to reading materials in order to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the text.
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Written: Strategies
The learner will be able to create a written response that demonstrates understanding and use of reading strategies.
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Written: Extend
The learner will be able to create a written response that extends the use of information from documents and/or forms.
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Written: Extend Meaning
The learner will be able to create a written response that extends the meaning of reading materials to other contexts.
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Written: Interpret
The learner will be able to create a written response that interprets information found in documents and/or forms.
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Graphic Feature: Use
The learner will be able to use common graphical features to increase understanding of reading materials.
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| Speaking |
| This unit includes practicing techniques and strategies (voice modulation, body language, ordering of ideas, visual aids, etc.) to convey meaning and to present information and opinions to groups. Students learn to choose appropriate topics, and methods of presenting topics, for specific audiences. |
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Persuasion: Devices/Utilize
The learner will be able to communicate a point of view utilizing persuasive devices (powerful examples, language, tone of voice, and sequencing events), and body language.
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General: Guidelines/Follow
The learner will be able to orally present a report, speech, poem, or story which follows the guidelines set by the class/teacher for an appropriate presentation.
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Group: Member/Participate
The learner will be able to participate as an active member of a group preparing a presentation. The presentation should be appropriate for its purpose, the audience, and topic, and should incorporate audio/visual aids.
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Story: Retell/Summarize
The learner will be able to orally retell or summarize a story.
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| Spelling |
| This unit includes studying language and word structure knowledge to discern the correct spelling of words. Students edit passages for correct spelling by making connections between spelling, meaning, and structure. |
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Edit: Contextual
The learner will be able to edit for correct spelling by transferring a knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and their definitions to the spelling of words.
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Strategies
The learner will be able to develop a study method for learning how to spell new words (such as keeping a log of words misspelled frequently).
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Root Words: Building
The learner will be able to correctly spell words where an affix may or may not change the spelling of the root word.
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Homophones
The learner will be able to review sentences for the appropriate use and correct spelling of homophones.
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Spelling
The learner will be able to choose a word that best completes a sentence and is spelled correctly.
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Irregular Words
The learner will be able to correctly write words with irregular spelling.
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Suffix: Spell
The learner will be able to correctly spell words which have a suffix.
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| Study and Research Skills |
| This unit includes developing organization and research skills needed to find appropriate resources, to judge resources as relevant or not relevant to a given topic, to categorize and synthesize information, to take notes in class, and to study for exams. |
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Research Project: Management
The learner will be able to work in a group and/or alone to decide on a research topic, develop a plan of action for completing the research, create a timeline for the project which includes each step of the research and presentation process, utilize resources such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, film, tape, experts, and technology, formulate a thesis statement, outline details, and prepare a presentation.
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Research Skills: Evaluating Resources
The learner will be able to evaluate the usefulness of a resource book (to a given research project) by quickly skimming, reading a chapter title, index, title page, table of contents, glossary, paragraph headings, and visual aids.
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Dictionary: Identify/Locate Information
The learner will be able to identify the kinds of information a dictionary contains and locate information in a dictionary.
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Outline: Titles
The learner will be able to use organizational skills to complete an outline and choose the most appropriate title for a given outline.
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Encyclopedia: Locate Information
The learner will be able to locate information in an encyclopedia.
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Diagrams: Keys
The learner will be able to use a diagram and its accompanying keys.
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| Vocabulary |
| This unit includes studying and applying knowledge of word structure (bases and affixes) to define unfamiliar words and understand technical or informational content. |
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Analogy
The learner will be able to generate analogies which encompass the multiple levels of meaning and connotations of words.
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Context: Analysis
The learner will be able to draw logical conclusions about the meaning of words when they are presented within the context of a passage and utilize structural clues (affixes, base words, comparatives, superlatives, irregular verbs, pronouns and their referents, synonyms, and antonyms) to define unknown words.
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Word Choice: Poems
The learner will be able to demonstrate a large vocabulary and the ability to use multiple-meaning words precisely by writing cinquains, haikus, diamantes, and acrostics.
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Sentence Completion
The learner will be able to identify the vocabulary word that best completes a given sentence as read aloud by the teacher.
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Context: Technical
The learner will be able to determine the meaning of unfamiliar technical terms by analyzing the context (a paragraph or more) in which the words are used.
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Relationship
The learner will be able to determine the meaning of a word through its relationship to another word.
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Vocabulary: Read/Identify/Understand
The learner will be able to read, identify, and understand grade specific vocabulary words.
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Strategies: Variety
The learner will be able to apply a variety of vocabulary strategies.
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| Writing |
| This unit includes utilizing each stage of the writing process to create original pieces. Students explore a variety of organizational formats and purposes for writing (communicating ideas, opinions, and feelings, clarifying thoughts, and solving problems). |
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Essay: Thematic
The learner will be able to write a response to a literary topic which includes a clear thesis statement, an effective introduction, paragraphs which provide supporting details, elaboration, and examples, and a strong conclusion which ties the ideas and concepts presented in the essay together. The essay should follow a logical and consistent organizational pattern, utilize punctuation, grammar, literary devices, rich word choices, and a variety of sentence constructions to add emphasis and strength to key points, and reflect a style and voice appropriate for a given audience, purpose, and subject matter.
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Writing as a Process: Expository
The learner will be able to demonstrate the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, rewriting, editing, publishing) to create an expository piece.
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Edit: Language Conventions
The learner will be able to proofread sentences for punctuation errors and complete sentences using correct punctuation and capitalization.
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Edit: Adjectives/Adverbs
The learner will be able to edit for correct use of adverbs and adjectives.
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Edit: Language Conventions
The learner will be able to edit written works for language conventions.
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Edit: Usage/Mechanics
The learner will be able to edit final drafts of writing for correct use of the following conventions: pronouns, singular or plural nouns, subject-verb agreement, singular possessives, punctuation, and spelling.
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Revise: Content
The learner will be able to revise writing in terms of content, style, voice, selection and sequence of ideas, and sentence structure (declarative, interrogatory, imperative, exclamatory). The student should show a willingness to be flexible, open to changes in drafts, and should view writing as a continuous process.
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Style: Selecting
The learner will be able to choose an appropriate writing style (expository, persuasive, narrative, or expressive) for a given purpose.
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Topic Sentence: Create/Edit
The learner will be able to create and edit a topic sentence which develops the topic of a given paragraph.
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Collection: Compile
The learner will be able to compile a portfolio of writing samples which includes writing from different content areas, short stories, reports, and poems with drafts from each stage of the writing process. The portfolio should also include an explanation of why the pieces were selected, a self-evaluation of progress made in writing, and a judgment statement on whether goals set by teacher and/or student were met.
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Conclusion: Use
The learner will be able to use a conclusion in a written work.
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Edit: Proofread
The learner will be able to proofread written works.
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Expository: Essay
The learner will be able to write an expository essay.
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Narrative: Events/Sequence
The learner will be able to write a narrative which describes events in sequential order.
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Sequence: Ideas
The learner will be able to order ideas sequentially when writing.
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Research Paper: Development
The learner will be able to understand the development of a research paper.
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Descriptive: Object/Idea
The learner will be able to write to describe the qualities of an object or an idea.
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Main Idea/Supporting Details
The learner will be able to write a composition which includes a main idea and supporting details.
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Clarity/Focus: Relevant Information
The learner will be able to include relevant information in his/her writing.
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Edit: Verb Form
The learner will be able to edit written works for correct verb forms.
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Edit: Sentence Structure
The learner will be able to edit for correct sentence structure.
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Edit: Capitalization
The learner will be able to edit sentences for capitalization errors.
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Edit: Punctuation
The learner will be able to edit for correct use of punctuation.
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Edit: Paragraph Coherence
The learner will be able to edit a paragraph for cohesiveness, theme, and sequence of ideas.
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Cursive: Letters
The learner will be able to form cursive letters.
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Support: Write Text
The learner will be able to write a supported text.
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Conventions: Spacing Between Words
The learner will be able to include a space between written words.
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Transition: Conjunction/Use
The learner will be able to use transitional conjunctions in his/her writing.
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Transition: Phrase/Use
The learner will be able to use transitional phrases in his/her writing.
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Transitions: Use Effective
The learner will be able to use effective transitions (and, but, or) in his/her writing.
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Usage: Edit
The learner will be able to edit written works for usage.
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Topic Sentence: Identify/Best
The learner will be able to select the best topic sentence for a given paragraph.
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Strategies: Understand/Use Sources
The learner will be able to understand how to use information sources as a prewriting strategy.
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Strategies: Outline/Understand
The learner will be able to understand how to use an outline as a prewriting strategy.
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Strategies: Apply/Variety
The learner will be able to apply a variety of prewriting strategies.
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