1. Students apply knowledge of word origins to determine the meaning of new words encountered in reading and use those words accurately.

2. Students read and understand grade-level-appropriate materials.  They analyze the organizational patterns and evaluate the author’s arguments and positions.

3. Students discuss ideas for writing with other writers.  They write coherent and focused essays that show a well-defined point-of-view and tightly-reasoned argument.  Students progress through the stages of the writing process (prewriting, writing, editing, and revising).

4. Students read and respond to grade-level-appropriate historically or culturally significant works of literature that reflect and enhance their study of history and social science.

5. Students combine the rhetorical strategies of narration, exposition, persuasion, and descriptions to produce texts.  Students’ writing demonstrates an awareness of the audience and purpose for writing.

6. Students write using Standard English conventions.

7. Students formulate thoughtful judgments about oral communication.  They deliver focused and coherent presentations of their own that convey clear and distinct perspectives and solid reasoning.  Students deliver polished formal and extemporaneous presentations that combine the traditional speech strategies of narration, expositions, persuasion, and description.  They use gestures, tone, and vocabulary appropriate to the audience and purpose.  Students use the same Standard English conventions for oral speech that they use in their writing.