English Curriculum Resources

The kindergarten student will be immersed in a print-rich environment to develop oral language skills, phonological awareness, print awareness, vocabulary, comprehension, and an appreciation for literature.  The reading of fiction and nonfiction texts will enable students to develop an awareness of print materials as sources of information and enjoyment. The kindergarten student will have the opportunity to use words
that describe people, places, and events. The student will recognize and print letters of the alphabet, use the basic phonetic principles of identifying and writing beginning sounds, identify story elements, and communicate ideas through pictures and writing.

Reading continues to be a priority in second grade. The student will be immersed in an environment filled with fiction and nonfiction texts, which relate to all areas of the curriculum and interest. The student will expand vocabulary by speaking and listening effectively in classroom discussions, use a combination of
strategies when reading, and read familiar selections with fluency and expression. The student will learn comprehension strategies for fiction and nonfiction texts. The student will be asked to identify main ideas, to make and confirm predictions, and to formulate questions about learning in all subjects, with emphasis on materials that reflect the Standards of Learning in mathematics, science, and history and social science. The student will write stories, letters, and simple explanations; apply simple grammatical principles to
writing; and locate information in reference materials.

In fourth grade, reading and writing skills support an increased emphasis on content-area learning and utilization of a variety of resources to locate and read primary sources of information. A significant percentage of reading material will relate to the study of mathematics, science, and history and social science. The student will use text organizers, summarize information, formulate questions, and draw conclusions to demonstrate reading comprehension. The student will also read classic and contemporary literature selections by a variety of authors. The student will continue to increase communication skills in large- and small-group settings. The introduction of media messages will begin in fourth grade and continue in fifth grade. Additionally, the student will plan, draft, revise, and edit narratives and explanations. The student will routinely use word references while writing. The student will demonstrate comprehension of information resources to research a topic and understand the difference between plagiarism and using his/her own words.

The sixth-grade student will be an active participant in classroom discussions. The student will present personal opinions, understand differing viewpoints, distinguish between fact and opinion, and analyze the effectiveness of group communication. The student will continue in the study of the elements of media literacy as introduced in earlier grades. The student will begin the study of word origins and continue vocabulary development. The student will read independently a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts, including a significant number of classic works, for appreciation and comprehension. The student will also plan, draft, revise, and edit narratives, descriptions, and explanations, with attention to composition and style as well as sentence formation, usage, and mechanics. The student will also demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. In addition, technology will be used as a tool to research, organize, and communicate information. As in earlier grades, the meaning and consequences of plagiarism will be stressed.

The eighth-grade student will learn and apply interviewing techniques developing and delivering oral presentations in groups and individually. The student will demonstrate correct use of language, spelling, and mechanics by applying grammatical conventions in writing and speaking. Students will evaluate, analyze, develop, and produce media messages. The student will plan, draft, revise, and edit writing, with emphasis on exposition and persuasion. The student will apply reading and writing skills in all subjects, as well as respond critically to literature. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations and figurative language. The student will continue to develop an appreciation for literary genres through a study of a wide variety of selections. The student will describe themes, make inferences, interpret cause and effect relationships, differentiate between fact and opinion, and draw conclusions from a variety of texts.

The tenth-grade student will become a skilled communicator in small-group learning activities. The student will examine, analyze, and produce media messages. The student will continue development of vocabulary, with attention to connotations, idioms, allusions, and evolution of language. The student will read and analyze literary texts from a variety of eras and cultures. Attention will be given to the analysis of nonfiction texts. The student will critique the writing of peers and professionals, using analysis to improve writing skills. The student will continue to build research skills by crediting sources and presenting information in a format appropriate for content. Grammar knowledge will be expanded as the student presents, writes, and edits materials, applying the conventions of language. *The bodies of literature for grades 10, 11, and 12 are interchangeable and may be taught in any of these
grades.*

The twelfth-grade student will use organizational skills and both verbal and nonverbal presentation skills to plan and deliver an effective oral presentation, choosing language and tone appropriate to the audience and purpose. Students will use technology and understanding of media to create, organize, and display
knowledge in ways others can access, view, and use. The student will expand general and specialized vocabulary through speaking, listening, reading, and viewing. The student will analyze British literature and literature of other cultures, recognizing major literary forms and their elements. Using nonfiction texts, students will analyze and synthesize information to solve problems. Writing will include the production of informational, expository, and persuasive/argumentative papers, logically organized demonstrating knowledgeable judgments, and effective conclusions. The student will also produce a well-documented major research product, by locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and documenting information following ethical and legal guidelines. The student will demonstrate advanced knowledge of grammatical conventions through writing, editing, and speaking. *The bodies of literature for grades 10, 11, and 12 are interchangeable and may be taught in any of these grades.*