MSAD #55

English/Language Arts

Benchmarks/Performance Indicators

English/Language Art Skills

Grade 5

 

A.             Students will use the skills and strategies of the reading process to comprehend interpret, evaluate, and appreciate what they have read.  Students will be able to:

 

1.              Formulate questions to be answered while reading.

 

q                   a.             Formulate questions using Bloom’s taxonomy in a written response.

q                   b.             Formulate questions using Bloom’s taxonomy in small discussion groups.

q                   c.             Formulate questions using Bloom’s taxonomy in whole group discussions.

 

2.         Reflect on what has been discovered and learned while reading, and formulate additional questions.

 

q                    a.  Reflect on what has been learned in written form.

q                    b.  During a classroom discussion, share personal connections to passages they             have read.

q                    c.  Share additional questions in a discussion format.

 

3.         Use specific strategies (e.g. rereading, consultation) to clarify confusing parts of a text.

 

q                    a.            Demonstrate how to reread and then read on to clarify confusing parts when they meet with the teacher.

q                    b.             Consult with another person to clarify confusing text.

q                    c.             Discuss strategies they use to clarify confusing parts with the whole class.

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4.         Understand stories and expository texts from the perspective of the social and cultural context in which they were created.

 

q                    a.  Read a variety of materials that introduce different cultures.

q                    b.  Discuss cultural differences.

q                    c.  Discuss social differences.

 

5.         Identify accurately the author’s purpose, the author’s point of view, and specific devices an author uses.

 

q                    a.             Determine whether an author is writing to entertain, inform, or convince.

q                    b.  Give examples from the text supporting the author’s point of view.

q                    c.  Cite examples by quoting from the text to show evidence of the author’s point of view.

 

6.         Summarize whole text by referring to important and representative passages.

 

q                   a.  Choose specific paragraphs that represents the main idea.

q                   b.              In the content area, record the main idea of a section in their own words.

q                   c.              At the end of a novel, describe important passages to summarize plot development and explain how the conflict was resolved.

 

 

 

7.         Read for a wide variety of purposes (e.g. to gain knowledge, to aid in making decisions, to receive instruction, to enjoy.

 

q                   a.  Match text to purpose.

q                   b.  Become aware of a variety of genre.

q                   c.  Make selections for pleasure.

q                   d.  Adjust reading rate for purpose.

 

8.             Explain orally and defend opinions formed while reading and viewing.

 

q                   a.  Verbalize an opinion formed while reading and viewing.

q                   b.  Cite passages from the text that defend their opinion.

q                   c.  Develop a respect for other’s opinions.

 

9.         Adjust viewing and listening strategies in order to comprehend materials viewed and heard.

 

q                   a.              Identify various strategies for listening and viewing.

q                   b.              Choose and adapt strategies to individual needs and strengths.

q                   c.              Practice listening and viewing strategies.

 

10.       Generate and evaluate the notes they have taken from course related reading, listening, and viewing.

 

q                   a.              Explore various types of note taking (semantic mapping, outlining, etc.)

q                   b.              Understand the purpose of notes.

 

B.              Students will use reading, listening, and viewing strategies to experience, understand, and appreciate literature and culture.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Appreciate that people respond to literature in different and individual ways.

 

q                   a.              Make personal connections when reflecting from literature read.

q                   b.              Compare and contrast how different cultures of backgrounds will affect how one responds to literature.

q                   c.              Respond to a piece of literature from a different culture’s point of view.

 

2.         Use pertinent literature and media to address specific interests and questions.

 

q                   a.              Identify the specific interests and questions they want to answer.

q                   b.              Research what media/literature is available to them to answer the questions (i.e. classroom material, school library, town library internet).

q                   c.              Investigate the material to answer questions.

 

3.              Identify the main and subordinate characters in literacy works.

 

q                   a.              Identify main characters and give evidence to prove it is a main character, through discussion.           

q                   b.              Identify subordinate characters and give evidence to prove it is a subordinate character, through discussion.

q                   c.              Identify both main characters and subordinate characters independently.

 

 

 

4.         Explain how the motives of characters or the causes of complex events in texts are similar to and distinct from those in their own experience.

 

q                   a.              List the complex events in the text and what caused them.

q                   b.              Determine how the character’s motives caused the events.

q                   c.              Write about how their own experiences are similar to and/or distinct from these characters and events.

 

5.         Demonstrate an understanding of lengthy, complex dialogues and how they relate to a story.

 

q                   a.              Understand dialogue by reading a variety of literary forms where dialogue is used.

q                   b.              Select a passage of dialogue from the text and explain how it contributes to the story.

q                   c.              Experiment with writing dialogue in their own stories and discuss how it helps to develop the plot.

 

6.         Recognize and analyze the use of specific literacy devices (e.g. foreshadowing, flashback, different time frames such as the future or the past).

 

q                   a.              Identify foreshadowing, flashback, and different time frames such as the future or past, through group discussion.

q                   b.              Select an example of foreshadowing and flashback and explain its significance to the story.

 

7.         Recognize and analyze complex elements of plot (e.g. setting, major events, problems, conflicts, resolution).

 

q                   a.              Identify the elements of the plot.

q                   b.              Select examples of the above from text.

 

8.         Apply effective strategies to the reading and interpretation of fiction, using texts that are appropriately complex, and sophisticated in style, point of view, and use of literary devices.

 

q                   a.              Identify various genre of fiction.

q                   b.              Discuss strategies they use to identify the above.

 

9.         Apply effective strategies to the reading and use of moderately long notification texts which are appropriately complex and sophisticated in style.

 

q                   a.              Identify the characteristics of a nonfiction text.

q                   b.              Through reading, identify ways that show how the text structure (heading, captions, etc.) aid in the understanding of the content.

q                   c.              Summarize in their own words the reading from the nonfiction text.

 

10.       Demonstrate an understanding of the defining features and structure of literary texts encountered at this level (i.e., plays, poems, short stories, novels).

 

q                   a.              Read a variety of genre.

q                   b.              Describe the characteristics of genre.

 

 

 

 

 

11.       Read literature and view films which illustrate distinct cultures and formulate and defend opinions gathered from the experience.

 

q                   a.              Explore various aspects of a culture through the reading and viewing of films.

q                   b.              Formulate an opinion.

q                   c.              Defend the opinion.

 

12.       Identify the universality of themes and examine the connections among various expressive forms (e.g., films, fictions, drama) by drawing on their broad base of prior knowledge.

 

q                   a.              Identify the theme.

q                   b.              Relate the theme to previous experiences (films, fiction, drama).

 

13.       Demonstrate understanding of enduring themes of literature by differentiating between main ideas and themes.

 

q                   a.              Identify main ideas and themes.

 

C.              Students will demonstrate an understanding of how words and images communicate.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Use their own experience to decide which form of language to use when communicating (formal, informal, slang, etc.)

 

q                   a.              Differentiate between formal, informal, and slang language.

q                   b.              Demonstrate the appropriate setting for the use of each form of language.

 

2.              Understand factors that commonly affect language change and use.

 

q                   a.              Examine contributions of various cultural and ethic groups.

q                   b.              Make connections between literature and real life, past and present.

q                   c.              Demonstrate an understanding that audience affects language usage.

 

3.         Consult pertinent information sources on language use (e.g., a dictionary, a thesaurus, a handbook on style.)

 

q                   a.  Know how to use reference sources.

q                   b.  Understand the depth of information provided by each reference source.

q                   c.              Understand which reference book is appropriate.

 

4.         Use knowledge of the fundamental parts of speech when writing and speaking.

 

q                   a.              Identify and use nouns correctly.

q                   b.              Identify and use verbs correctly.

q                   c.              Emphasize the use of adjectives.

 

5.              Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of propaganda.

 

q                   a.              Identify propaganda.

q                   b.              Discuss how propaganda is used to influence people.

q                   c.              Find examples of propaganda.

 

 

D.              Students will apply reading, listening, and viewing strategies to informational texts across all areas of curriculum.  Students will be able to:

 

1.              Identify useful information - organizing strategies.

 

q                   a.              Discuss different organizational strategies.

q                   b.              Practice different organizational strategies.

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