Dynamic Learning Maps

Title 7: Education K-12 Part 112 Dynamic Learning Maps Essential Elements English Language Arts Version 2 Comparison Document COMMON CORE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS FOR KINDERGARTEN Kindergarten English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Original Essential Element Revised Essential Element Key Ideas and Details RL.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. EE.RL.K.1 With guidance and support, identify details in familiar stories. No Change RL.K.2 With prompting and support, retell familiar stories, including key details. EE.RL.K.2 With guidance and support, identify major events in familiar stories. No Change RL.K.3 With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story. EE.RL.K.3 With guidance and support, identify characters and settings in a familiar story. No Change Craft and Structure RL.K.4 Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. EE.RL.K.4 With guidance and support, ask about an unknown word in a text. EE.RL.K.4 With guidance and support, indicate when an unknown word is used in a text. RL.K.5 Recognize common types of texts (e.g., storybooks, poems). EE.RL.K.5 With guidance and support, recognize familiar texts (e.g., storybooks, poems). No Change RL.K.6 With prompting and support, name the author and illustrator of a story and define the role of each in telling the story. EE.RL.K.6 With guidance and support, distinguish between words and illustrations in a story. No Change Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear (e.g., what moment in a story an illustration depicts). EE.RL.K.7 With guidance and support, match illustrations with the story. EE.RL.K.7 With guidance and support, identify illustrations or objects/tactual information that go with a familiar story. RL.K.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.K.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.K.8 (Not applicable to literature) RL.K.9 With prompting and support, compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in familiar stories. EE.RL.K.9 With guidance and support, identify the adventures or experiences of a character in a familiar story. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Original Essential Element Revised Essential Element Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. EE.RL.K.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.K.10 With guidance and support, actively engage in shared reading. Kindergarten English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.K.1 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text. EE.RI.K.1 With guidance and support, identify a detail in a familiar text. No Change RI.K.2 With prompting and support, identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. EE.RI.K.2 With guidance and support, identify the topic of a familiar text. No Change RI.K.3 With prompting and support, describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. EE.RI.K.3 With guidance and support, identify individuals, events, or ideas in a familiar informational text. EE.RI.K.3 With guidance and support, identify individuals, events, or details in a familiar informational text. Craft and Structure RI.K.4 With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. EE.RI.K.4 With guidance and support, ask about an unknown word in a text. EE.RI.K.4 With guidance and support, indicate when an unknown word is used in a text. RI.K.5 Identify the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book. EE.RI.K.5 With guidance and support, identify parts of a book. EE.RI.K.5 With guidance and support, identify the front cover of a book. RI.K.6 Name the author and illustrator of a text and define the role of each in presenting the ideas or information in a text. EE.RI.K.6 With guidance and support, distinguish between print and illustrations in an informational text. EE.RI.K.6 With guidance and support, distinguish between words and illustrations in an informational text. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.K.7 With prompting and support, describe the relationship between illustrations and the text in which they appear (e.g., what person, place, thing, or idea in the text an illustration depicts). EE.RI.K.7 With guidance and supports, match illustrations to an informational text. EE.RI.K.7 With guidance and support, identify illustrations or objects/tactual information that go with a familiar text. RI.K.8 With prompting and support, identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text. EE.RI.K.8 With guidance and support, identify points the author makes in an informational text. No Change RI.K.9 With prompting and support, identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures). EE.RI.K.9 With guidance and support, match similar parts of two texts on the same topic. EE.RI.K.9 With guidance and support, match similar parts of two familiar texts on the same topic. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.K.10 Actively engage in group reading activities with purpose and understanding. EE.RI.K.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.K.10 With guidance and support, actively engage in shared reading of informational text. Kindergarten English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Foundational Skills) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Print Concepts RF.K.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. a. Follow words from left to right, top to bottom, and page by page. b. Recognize that spoken words are represented in written language by specific sequences of letters. c. Understand that words are separated by spaces in print. d. Recognize and name all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet. EE.RF.K.1 With guidance and support, demonstrate an emerging understanding of the organization and basic features of print. a. With guidance and support during shared reading, turn pages one page at a time from beginning to end. b. N/A c. N/A d. With guidance and support, recognize first letter of own name in print. EE.RF.K.1 Demonstrate emerging understanding of the organization of print. a. With guidance and support during shared reading, demonstrate understanding that books are read one page at a time from beginning to end. b. No Change c. No Change d. DELETE Phonological Awareness RF.K.2 Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). a. Recognize and produce rhyming words. b. Count, pronounce, blend, and segment syllables in spoken words. c. Blend and segment onsets and rimes of single-syllable spoken words. d. Isolate and pronounce the initial, medial vowel, and final sounds (phonemes) in three-phoneme (consonant-vowel- consonant, or CVC) words.* (This does not include CVCs ending with /l/, /r/, or /x/.) e. Add or substitute individual sounds (phonemes) in simple, one-syllable words to make new words. EE.RF.K.2 With guidance and support, demonstrate an emerging understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). a. With guidance and support, recognize rhyming words. b. With guidance and support, recognize the number of words in a spoken message. c. With guidance and support, identify single- syllable spoken words with the same onset (beginning sound) as a familiar word. d. N/A e. N/A EE.RF.K.2 Demonstrate emerging understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). a. No Change b. No Change c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Phonics and Word Recognition RF.K.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Demonstrate basic knowledge of one-to-one letter-sound correspondences by producing the primary or many of the most frequent sound for each consonant. b. Associate the long and short sounds with common spellings (graphemes) for the five major vowels. c. Read common high-frequency words by sight (e.g., the, of, to, you, she, my, is, are, do, does). d. Distinguish between similarly spelled words by identifying the sounds of the letters that differ. EE.RF.K.3 With guidance and support, apply letter name and letter-sound knowledge when decoding words during shared activities. a. With guidance and support, recognize sound of first letter in own name. b. N/A c. With guidance and support, recognize common signs and/or symbols in the environment. d. N/A EE.RF.K.3 Demonstrate emerging awareness of print. a. With guidance and support, recognize first letter of own name in print. b. No Change c. With guidance and support, recognize environmental print. d. No Change Fluency RF.K.4 Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding. EE.RF.K.4 Engage in independent exploration of books. EE.RF.K.4 Engage in purposeful shared reading of familiar text. Kindergarten English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Text Types and Purposes W.K.1 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and 1. writing to compose opinion pieces in which they tell a reader the topic or the name of the book they are writing about and state an opinion or preference about the topic or book (e.g., My favorite book is . . .). EE.W.K.1 With guidance and support, select a topic or book and use drawing, dictating, or writing to state an opinion about it. EE.W.K.1 With guidance and support, select a familiar book and use drawing, dictating, or writing to state an opinion about it. W.K.2 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic. EE.W.K.2 With guidance and support, select a topic and use drawing, dictating, or writing to share information about the topic. EE.W.K.2 With guidance and support, select a familiar topic and use drawing, dictating, or writing to share information about the topic. W.K.3 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events, tell about the events in the order in which they occurred, and provide a reaction to what happened. EE.W.K.3 With guidance and support, select an event and use drawing, dictating, or writing to narrate information about it. EE.W.K.3 With guidance and support, select an event and use drawing, dictating, or writing and share information about it. Production and Distribution of Writing W.K.4 (Begins in grade 3) EE.W.K.4 (Begins in grade 3) No Change W.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, respond to questions and suggestions from peers and add details to strengthen writing as needed. EE.W.K.5 (Begins in grade 1) No Change W.K.6 With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers. EE.W.K.6 With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce writing. EE.W.K.6 With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce individual or group writing. Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.K.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of books by a favorite author and express opinions about them). EE.W.K.7 With guidance and support, participate in shared research and writing projects. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.K.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. EE.W.K.8 With guidance and support from adults, identify information, objects, or events that relate to personal experiences. No Change W.K.9 (Begins in grade 4) EE.W.K.9 (Begins in grade 4) No Change Range of Writing W.K.10 (Begins in grade 3) EE.W.K.10 (Begins in grade 3) No Change Kindergarten English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.K.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about kindergarten topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. a. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others and taking turns speaking about the topics and texts under discussion). b. Continue a conversation through multiple exchanges. EE.SL.K.1 Participate in communication exchanges with diverse partners. a. Communicate directly with peers. b. Participate in multiple-turn communication exchanges with adults. EE.SL.K.1 Participate in conversations with adults. a. Communicate directly with supportive adults. b. Continue in multiple-turn communication exchanges with adults. SL.K.2. Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood. EE.SL.K.2 Demonstrate an emerging understanding of a familiar text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by answering questions. DELETE SL.K.3 Ask and answer questions in order to seek help, get information, or clarify something that is not understood. EE.SL.K.3 Ask for help when needed. No Change Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas SL.K.4 Describe familiar people, places, things, and events and, with prompting and support, provide additional detail. EE.SL.K.4 With guidance and support, identify familiar people, places, things, and events. No Change SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail. EE.SL.K.5 With guidance and support, add or select drawings or other visual or tactual displays that relate to familiar people, places, things, and events. No Change SL.K.6 Speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. EE.SL.K.6 With guidance and support, communicate thoughts, feelings, and ideas. No Change Kindergarten English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English. L.K.1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Print many upper- and lowercase letters. b. Use frequently occurring nouns and verbs. c. Form regular plural nouns orally by adding /s/ or /es/ (e.g., dog, dogs; wish, wishes). d. Understand and use question words (interrogatives) (e.g., who, what, where, when, why, how). e. Use the most frequently occurring prepositions (e.g., to, from, in, out, on, off, for, of, by, with). f. Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities. EE.L.K.1 Demonstrate emerging understandings of English grammar and word usage when communicating. a. With guidance and support, distinguish between letters and other symbols or shapes. b. With guidance and support, identify objects or other symbols that represent familiar nouns. c. N/A d. With guidance and support, answer simple questions (e.g., who, what). e. With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of common prepositions: on, off, in, out. f. With guidance and support, link two or more words together in communication. EE.L.K.1 Demonstrate emerging understanding of letter and word use. a. No Change b. With guidance and support, use frequently occurring nouns in communication. c. With guidance and support, use frequently occurring plural nouns. d. With guidance and support, identify answers to simple questions (e.g., who, what) from an array of choices. e. No Change f. No Change L.K.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I. b. Recognize and name end punctuation. c. Write a letter or letters for most consonant and short-vowel sounds (phonemes). d. Spell simple words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of sound-letter relationships. EE.L.K.2 Demonstrate emerging understandings of writing. a-d. Demonstrate emerging understandings of writing. DELETE Knowledge of Language L.K.3 (Begins in grade 2) EE.L.K.3 (Begins in grade 2) No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.K.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on kindergarten reading and content. a. Identify new meanings for familiar words and apply them accurately (e.g., knowing duck is a bird and learning the verb to duck). b. Use the most frequently occurring inflections and affixes (e.g., -ed, -s, re-, un-, pre-, -ful, - less) as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word. EE.L.K.4 Demonstrate an understanding of vocabulary based on reading and other content. a. Demonstrate an understanding of familiar words. b. N/A EE.L.K.4 Demonstrate emerging knowledge of word meanings. a. With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of words used in every day routines. b. No Change L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships and nuances in word meanings. a. Sort common objects into categories (e.g., shapes, foods) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent. b. Demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring verbs and adjectives by relating them to their opposites (antonyms). c. Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at school that are colorful). d. Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs describing the same general action (e.g., walk, march, strut, prance) by acting out the meanings. EE.L.K.5 With guidance and support from adults, explore word relationships. a. With guidance and support, sort common objects into familiar categories. b. With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring opposites. c. With guidance and support, use words to communicate in real-life situations. d. With guidance and support, demonstrate an understanding of common verbs. EE.L.K.5 Demonstrate emerging understanding of word relationships. a. With guidance and support, sort common objects into familiar categories. b. With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of frequently occurring opposites. c. With guidance and support, use words to communicate in real-life situations. d. With guidance and support, demonstrate an understanding of common verbs. L.K.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts. EE.L.K.6 Use words acquired through conversations, being read to, and during shared reading activities. EE.L.K.6 With guidance and support, use words acquired through conversations, being read to, and during shared reading activities. COMMON CORE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS FOR FIRST GRADE First Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.1.1. Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. EE.RL.1.1 Identify details in familiar stories. No Change RL.1.2 Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson. EE.RL.1.2 Retell details from a familiar story. EE.RL.1.2 With guidance and support, recount major events in familiar stories. RL.1.3 Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details. EE.RL.1.3 Identify characters and settings in a familiar story. No Change Craft and Structure RL.1.4 Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses. EE.RL.1.4 Identify sensory or feeling words in a familiar story. EE.RL.1.4 With guidance and support, identify sensory or feeling words in a familiar story. RL.1.5 Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of text types. EE.RL.1.5 Classify reading materials into storybooks and informational books. EE.RL.1.5 With guidance and support, identify a text as telling a story. RL.1.6 Identify who is telling the story at various points in a text. EE.RL.1.6 Identify a speaker in a familiar story. EE.RL.1.6 With guidance and support, identify a speaker within a familiar story. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.1.7 Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events. EE.RL.1.7 Identify details or illustrations that describe the characters or events in a familiar story. EE.RL.1.7 Identify illustrations or objects/tactual information that go with a familiar story. RL.1.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.1.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change RL.1.9 Compare and contrast the adventures and experiences of characters in stories. EE.RL.1.9 Identify the adventures or experiences of characters in a familiar story. EE.RL.1.9 With guidance and support identify adventures or experiences of characters in a story as same or different. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RL.1.10 With prompting and support, read prose and poetry of appropriate complexity for grade 1. EE.RL.1.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.1.10 With guidance and support, actively engage in shared reading for a clearly stated purpose. First Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text. EE.RI.1.1 Identify details in familiar text. No Change RI.1.2 Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text. EE.RI.1.2 Retell details of a familiar text. EE.RI.1.2 With guidance and support, identify details related to the topic of a text. RI.1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas, or pieces of information in a text. EE.RI.1.3 With guidance and support, identify events or ideas in a familiar text. EE.RI.1.3 Identify individuals, events, or details in a familiar informational text. Craft and Structure RI.1.4 Ask and answer questions to help determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases in a text. EE.RI.1.4 Respond to questions about a new word in familiar text. EE.RI.1.4 With guidance and support, ask a reader to clarify the meaning of a word in a text. RI.1.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., headings, tables of contents, glossaries, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text. EE.RI.1.5 With guidance and support, recognize that books have titles. EE.RI.1.5 Locate the front cover, back cover, and title page of a book. RI.1.6 Distinguish between information provided by pictures or other illustrations and information provided by the words in a text. EE.RI.1.6 With guidance and support, distinguish between text and illustrations in a text. EE.RI.1.6 Distinguish between words and illustrations in a text. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.1.7 Use the illustrations and details in a text to describe its key ideas. EE.RI.1.7 Identify illustration that shows what the text is describing. EE.RI.1.7 Identify illustrations or objects/tactual information that go with a familiar text. RI.1.8 Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in a text. EE.RI.1.8 With guidance and support, identify details that match the topic of a text. EE.RI.1.8 Identify points the author makes in a familiar informational text. RI.1.9 Identify basic similarities in and differences between two texts on the same topic (e.g., in illustrations, descriptions, or procedures). EE.RI.1.9 With guidance and support, match similar parts of two texts on the same topic. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.1.10 With prompting and support read informational texts appropriately complex for grade 1. EE.RI.1.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.1.10 Actively engage in shared reading of informational text. First Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Foundational Skills) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Print Concepts RF.1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. a. Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation). EE.RF.1.1 Demonstrate an understanding of the organization and basic features of print. a. Interact with books one page at a time from beginning to end. b. Follow print from left to right. c. Follow print from top to bottom. EE.RF.1.1 Demonstrate emerging understanding of the organization of print. a. Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print (e.g., left-to-right, top-to-bottom orientation of print, one-to-one correspondence between written and spoken word), b. DELETE c. DELETE Phonological Awareness RF.1.2 Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). a. Distinguish long from short vowel sounds in spoken single-syllable words. b. Orally produce single-syllable words by blending sounds (phonemes), including consonant blends. c. Isolate and pronounce initial, medial vowel, and final sounds (phonemes) in spoken single- syllable words. d. Segment spoken single-syllable words into their complete sequence of individual sounds (phonemes). EE.RF.1.2 Demonstrate understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). a. Identify spoken rhyming words. b. With guidance and support, indicate the number of syllables in a spoken word. c. Identify a single syllable spoken word with the same onset (beginning sound) as a familiar word. d. Match orally presented segmented phonemes to pictures that are labeled orally first by an adult. EE.RF.1.2 Demonstrate emerging understanding of spoken words, syllables, and sounds (phonemes). a. Recognize rhyming words. b. With guidance and support, match orally presented segmented phonemes (e.g., C-A- T) to pictures or words illustrating the corresponding word. c. No Change d. With guidance and support, substitute individual sounds (phonemes) in simple, one-syllable words to make new words. Phonics and Word Recognition CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RF.1.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Know the spelling-sound correspondences for common consonant digraphs. b. Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words. c. Know final -e and common vowel team conventions for representing long vowel sounds. d. Use knowledge that every syllable must have a vowel sound to determine the number of syllables in a printed word. e. Decode two-syllable words following basic patterns by breaking the words into syllables. f. Read words with inflectional endings. g. Recognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words. EE.RF.1.3 Apply letter name and letter-sound knowledge when decoding words during shared activities. a. Identify words that begin with a single- consonant phoneme that is spoken by an adult. b. N/A c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A f. N/A g. N/A EE.RF.1.3 Demonstrate emerging letter and word identification skills. a. Identify upper case letters of the alphabet. b. With guidance and support, recognize familiar words that are used in every day routines. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change f. No Change g. No Change Fluency RF.1.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. a. Read on-level text with purpose and understanding. b. Read on-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings. c. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary. EE.RF.1.4 Engage in sustained independent study of books (e.g., studies a book one page at a time). a. Independently engage in exploring a book or navigating pages in a multimedia book. b. Sustain attention to a variety of reading materials reflecting a variety of text genre. c. N/A EE.RF.1.4 Begin to attend to words in print. a. Engage in sustained, independent study of books. b. Participate in shared reading of a variety of reading materials reflecting a variety of text genre. c. No Change First Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Production and Distribution of Writing W.1.1 Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure. EE.W.1.1 Select a book and use drawing, dictating, or writing to state an opinion about it. EE.W.1.1 Select a familiar book and use drawing, dictating, or writing to state an opinion about it. W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure. EE.W.1.2 Select a topic and use drawing, dictating, or writing to share information about it. EE.W.1.2 Select a familiar topic and use drawing, dictating, or writing to share information about it. W.1.3 Write narratives in which they recount two or more appropriately sequenced events, include some details regarding what happened, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide some sense of closure. EE.W.1.3 Select an event and use drawing, dictating, or writing to share information about it. No Change W.1.4 (Begins in grade 3) EE.W.1.4 (Begins in grade 3) No Change W.1.5 With guidance and support from adults, focus on a topic, respond to questions and suggestions from peers, and add details to strengthen writing as needed. EE.W.1.5 With guidance and support from adults, add more information to own drawing, dictating, or writing to strengthen it. EE.W.1.5 With guidance and support from adults, add more information to own drawing, dictation, or writing to strengthen it. W.1.6. With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers. EE.W.1.6 With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce writing, including in collaboration with peers. EEW.1.6 With guidance and support from adults, explore a variety of digital tools to produce individual or group writing. Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.1.7. Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of “how-to” books on a given topic and use them to write a sequence of instructions). EE.W.1.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects. EE.W.1.7 With guidance and support, participate in shared research and writing projects. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.1.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. EE.W.1.8 With guidance and support from adults, identify information related to personal experiences and answer simple questions about those experiences. No Change W.1.9 (Begins in grade 4) EE.W.1.9 (Begins in grade 4) No Change W.1.10 (Begins in grade 3) EE.W.1.10 (Begins in grade 3) No Change First Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration. SL.1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. a. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion). b. Build on others’ talk in conversations by responding to the comments of others through multiple exchanges. c. Ask questions to clear up any confusion about the topics and texts under discussion. EE.SL.1.1 Participate in conversations with peers and adults. a. Engage in multiple- turn exchanges with peers. b. Build on comments or topics initiated by an adult. c. Uses one or two words to ask questions related to personally relevant topics. EE.SL.1.1 Participate in conversations with adults. a. Engage in multiple-turn exchanges with supportive adults. b. No Change c. No Change SL.1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. EE.SL.1.2 During shared reading activities, answer questions about details presented orally or through other media. No Change SL.1.3 Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to gather additional information or clarify something that is not understood. EE.SL.1.3 Ask for help when needed. EE.SL.1.3 Communicate confusion or lack of understanding ("I don't know."). Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas SL.1.4 Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings clearly. EE.SL.1.4 With guidance and support, identify familiar people, places, things, and events. EE.SL.1.4 Identify familiar people, places, things, and events. SL.1.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings. EE.SL.1.5 Communicate own thoughts, feelings, or ideas. EE.SL.1.5 Add or select drawings or other visual or tactual displays that relate to familiar people, places, things, and events. SL.1.6 Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation. EE.SL.1.6 With guidance and support, provide more information to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings. No Change First Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.1.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Print all upper- and lowercase letters. b. Use common, proper, and possessive nouns. c. Use singular and plural nouns with matching verbs in basic sentences (e.g., He hops; We hop). d. Use personal, possessive, and indefinite pronouns (e.g., I, me, my; they, them, their; anyone, everything). e. Use verbs to convey a sense of past, present, and future (e.g., Yesterday I walked home; Today I walk home; Tomorrow I will walk home). f. Use frequently occurring adjectives. g. Use frequently occurring conjunctions (e.g., g. and, but, or, so, because). h. Use determiners (e.g., articles, h. demonstratives). i. Use frequently occurring prepositions (e.g., i. during, beyond, toward). j. Produce and expand complete simple and compound declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences in response to prompts. EE.L.1.1 Demonstrate emerging understandings of standard English usage when communicating. a. Write letters from own name. b. With guidance and support, use familiar nouns (e.g., own name, Mom, dog) in isolation. c. With guidance and support, produce noun + verb or verb + noun combinations. d. With guidance and support, use familiar personal pronouns (e.g., I, me, and you). e. With guidance and support, use familiar present tense verbs. f. With guidance and support, use familiar frequently occurring adjectives. (e.g., big, hot). g. N/A h. N/A i. With guidance and support, use frequently occurring prepositions: in, out, on, off. j. With guidance and support, use simple question words (interrogatives) (e.g., who, what). EE.L.1.1 Demonstrate emerging understanding of letter and word use. a. No Change b. Use frequently occurring nouns in communication. c. Use frequently occurring plural nouns in communication. d. No Change e. Use familiar present tense verbs. f. No Change g. No Change h. No Change i. With guidance and support, use common prepositions: on, off, in, out. j. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.1.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Capitalize dates and names of people. b. Use end punctuation for sentences. c. Use commas in dates and to separate single words in a series. d. Use conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns and for frequently occurring irregular words. e. Spell untaught words phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness and spelling conventions. EE.L.1.2 Demonstrate emerging understandings of the use of conventions of standard English during communication. a. Locate first letter in own name when presented with name. b. N/A c. N/A d. With guidance and support, recognize that letters are used to create words. e. N/A EE.L.1.2 Demonstrate emerging understanding of conventions of standard English. a. DELETE b. With guidance and support during shared writing, put a period at the end of a sentence. c. No Change d. With guidance and support, use letters to create words. e. With guidance and support during shared writing, identify the letters that represent sounds needed to spell words. Knowledge of Language L.1.3 (Begins in grade 2) EE.L.1.3 (Begins in grade 2) No Change Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.1.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies. a. Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Use frequently occurring affixes as a clue to the meaning of a word. c. Identify frequently occurring root words (e.g., look) and their inflectional forms (e.g., looks, looked, looking). EE.L.1.4 a. With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of the meaning of newly acquired vocabulary. b. N/A c. N/A EE.L.1.4 Demonstrate emerging knowledge of word meanings. a. Demonstrate understanding of words used in every day routines. b. No Change c. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.1.5 With guidance and support from adults, demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings. a. Sort words into categories (e.g., colors, clothing) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent. b. Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes). c. Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at home that are cozy). d. Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and adjectives differing in intensity (e.g., large, gigantic) by defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings. EE.L.1.5 With guidance and support from adults, demonstrate emerging understandings of word relationships. a. With guidance and support from adults, sort common objects into familiar categories. b. With guidance and support from adults, identify attributes of familiar words. c. With guidance and support from adults, demonstrate understanding of words by identifying real-life connections between words and their use. d. N/A EE.L.1.5 Demonstrate emerging understanding of word relationships. a. With guidance and support, sort common objects into familiar categories. b. With guidance and support, identify attributes of familiar words. c. With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of words by identifying real- life connections between words and their use. d. No Change L.1.6 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using frequently occurring conjunctions to signal simple relationships (e.g., because). EE.L.1.6 N/A EE.L.1.6 With guidance and support, use words acquired through conversations, being read to, and during shared reading activities. COMMON CORE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS FOR SECOND GRADE Second Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. EE.RL.2.1 Answer who and where questions to demonstrate understanding of details in a familiar text. No Change RL.2.2 Recount stories, including fables and folktales from diverse cultures, and determine their central message, lesson, or moral. EE.RL.2.2 Retell familiar stories from diverse cultures, including two or more elements from different parts of the story. EE.RL.2.2 Using details from the text, recount events from familiar stories from diverse cultures. RL.2.3 Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges. EE.RL.2.3 Identify the actions and feelings of the characters in a familiar story. EE.RL.2.3 Identify the actions of the characters in a story. Craft and Structure RL.2.4 Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song. EE.RL.2.4 Identify rhyming words or repeated phrases in a familiar story, poem, or song. EE.RL.2.4 Use rhyming or repetition to identify words that meaningfully complete a familiar story, poem, or song. RL.2.5 Describe the overall structure of a story, including describing how the beginning introduces the story and the ending concludes the action. EE.RL.2.5 Determine the beginning and ending of a story. EE.RL.2.5 Determine the beginning and ending of a familiar story with a logical order. RL.2.6 Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud. EE.RL.2.6 Identify the speakers in a dialogue. No Change Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.2.7 Use information gained from the illustrations and words in a print or digital text to demonstrate understanding of its characters, setting, or plot. EE.RL.2.7 Use illustrations in print or digital text to identify characters and settings. EE.RL.2.7 Identify illustrations or objects/tactual information in print or digital text that depict characters. RL.2.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.2.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change RL.2.9 Compare and contrast two or more versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories) by different authors or from different cultures. EE.RL.2.9 Identify similarities in two versions of the same story. EE.RL.2.9 Identify two books that are different versions of the same story (e.g., Cinderella stories). CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.2.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 2– 3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RL.2.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.2.10 Actively engage in shared reading of stories and poetry for clearly stated purposes. Second Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.2.1 Ask and answer such questions as who, what, where, when, why, and how to demonstrate understanding of key details in a text. EE.RI.2.1 Answer who and what questions to demonstrate understanding of details in a familiar text. No Change RI.2.2 Identify the main topic of a multi-paragraph text as well as the focus of specific paragraphs within the text. EE.RI.2.2 Identify the topic of the text. No Change RI.2.3 Describe the connection between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text. EE.RI.2.3 Sequence at least two steps in a procedure or ideas/incidents in an event. EE.RI.2.3 Identify individuals, events, or details in an informational text. Craft and Structure RI.2.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 2 topic or subject area. EE.RI.2.4 Identify words related to a topic of a text. No Change RI.2.5 Know and use various text features (e.g., captions, bold print, subheadings, glossaries, indexes, electronic menus, icons) to locate key facts or information in a text efficiently. EE.RI.2.5 Locate facts or information in a familiar text. EE.RI.2.5 Identify details in informational text or its illustrations RI.2.6 Identify the main purpose of a text, including what the author wants to answer, explain, or describe. EE.RI.2.6 Identify purpose of a text. EE.RI.2.6 Identify the role of the author and the illustrator. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.2.7 Explain how specific images (e.g., a diagram showing how a machine works) contribute to and clarify a text. EE.RI.2.7 Demonstrate understanding of how images relate to a familiar informational text. EE.RI.2.7 Identify illustrations or objects/tactual information that go with a text. RI.2.8 Describe how reasons support specific points the author makes in a text. EE.RI.2.8 N/A (See EE.RI.2.1). EE.RI.2.8 Identify points the author makes in an informational text. RI.2.9 Compare and contrast the most important points presented by two texts on the same topic. EE.RI.2.9 Identify a common element between two texts. EE.RI.2.9 Match similar parts of two texts on the same topic. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.2.10 By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 2–3 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RI.2.10 **This Informational Text Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.2.10 Actively engage in shared reading of informational text including history/SS, science, and technical texts. Second Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Foundational Skills) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Phonics and Word Recognition. RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Distinguish long and short vowels when reading regularly spelled one-syllable words. b. Know spelling-sound correspondences for additional common vowel teams. c. Decode regularly spelled two-syllable words with long vowels. d. Decode words with common prefixes and suffixes. e. Identify words with inconsistent but common spelling-sound correspondences. f. Recognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words. EE.RF.2.3 a-c. Apply letter-sound and word analysis skills in decoding words. In context, identify 18 or more letter- sound associations. d-e. Identify the beginning sound of familiar words beginning with a single consonant sound. f. Recognize 10 or more written words. EE.RF.2.3 Demonstrate emerging use of letter- sound knowledge to read words. a. Identify the lower case letters of the alphabet. b. Identify letter sound correspondence for single consonants. c. DELETE d. DELETE e. DELETE f. No Change Fluency RF.2.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. a. Read on-level text with purpose and understanding. b. Read on-level text orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings. c. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary. EE.RF.2.4 Read a shared-reading selection. EE.RF.2.4 Begin to attend to words in print. a. Read familiar text comprised of known words. b. N/A c. N/A Second Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.2.1 Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply reasons that support the opinion, use linking words (e.g., because, and, also) to connect opinion and reasons, and provide a concluding statement or section. EE.W.2.1 Select a book and write, draw, or dictate to state an opinion about it and one reason to support the opinion. EE.W.2.1 Select a book and write, draw, or dictate to state an opinion about it. W.2.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section. EE.W.2.2 Select a topic and use drawing, dictating, or writing to compose a message with one fact about the topic. No Change W.2.3 Write narratives in which they recount a well- elaborated event or short sequence of events, include details to describe actions, thoughts, and feelings, use temporal words to signal event order, and provide a sense of closure. EE.W.2.3 Select an event or personal experience and use drawing, writing, or dictating to compose a message about it. No Change Production and Distribution of Writing W.2.4 (Begins in grade 3) EE.W.2.4 (Begins in grade 3) No Change W.2.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing as needed by revising and editing. EE.W.2.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, add more information to own drawing, dictating, or writing to strengthen the message. EE.W.2.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, add more information to own drawing, dictation, or writing to strengthen the message. W.2.6 With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing, including in collaboration with peers. EE.W.2.6 With guidance and support from adults and peers, use technology (including assistive technologies) to produce and publish writing. No Change W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations). EE.W.2.7 Participate in shared writing projects - communicate a message to add information. EE.W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects. Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.2.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. EE.W.2.8 Identify information related to personal experiences and answer simple questions about those experiences. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.2.9 (Begins in grade 4) EE.W.2.9 (Begins in grade 4) No Change Range of Writing W.2.10 (Begins in grade 3) EE.W.2.10 (Begins in grade 3) No Change Second Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about grade 2 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups. a. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion). b. Build on others’ talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others. c. c. Ask for clarification and further explanation as needed about the topics and texts under discussion. EE.SL.2.1 Participate in conversations with peers and adults in small groups. a. Engage in multiple- turn exchanges with peers and adults in small groups. b. Build on comments or topics initiated by adults and peers. c. Ask questions related to a prescribed topic or text. EE.SL.2.1 Participate in conversations with adults and peers. a. Engage in multiple-turn exchanges with peers with support from an adult. b. No Change c. No Change SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. EE.SL.2.2 Ask and answer questions about key details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. EE.SL.2.2 During shared reading activities, ask and answer questions about details presented orally or through other media. SL.2.3 Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue. EE.SL.2.3 Answer questions about what a speaker says. EE.SL.2.3 Answer questions about the details provided by the speaker. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas. SL.2.4 Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences. EE.SL.2.4 Identify a photograph or object that reflects a personal experience and tell one detail about it. No Change SL.2.5 Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings. EE.SL.2.5 Select a visual, audio, or tactual representation to depict an experience, thoughts, or feelings. EE.SL.2.5 Select visual, audio, or tactual representations to depict a personal experience. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE SL.2.6. Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification. EE.SL.2.6 Communicate to provide clarification. EE.SL.2.6 Combine words when communicating to provide clarification. Second Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.2.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Use collective nouns (e.g., group). b. Form and use frequently occurring irregular plural nouns (e.g., feet, children, teeth, mice, fish). c. Use reflexive pronouns (e.g., myself, ourselves). d. Form and use the past tense of frequently d. occurring irregular verbs (e.g., sat, hid, told). e. Use adjectives and adverbs, and choose e. between them depending on what is to be modified. f. f. Produce, expand, and rearrange complete simple and compound sentences (e.g., The boy watched the movie; The little boy watched the movie; The action movie was watched by the little boy). EE.L.2.1 Communicate to convey information. a-f. Produce all letters. a-b. Use frequently occurring nouns (e.g., mom, dad, boy, girl). c. Use frequently occurring pronouns to refer to self and others (e.g., we, they, him, her, them). d. Use frequently occurring verbs. e. Use frequently occurring adjectives. f. Link two or more words together in communication. EE.L.2.1 Demonstrate understanding of letter and word use. a. Produce all upper case letters. b. Use common nouns (e.g., mom, dad, boy, girl) in communication. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change f. Combine two or more words together in communication. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.2.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Capitalize holidays, product names, and geographic names. b. Use commas in greetings and closings of letters. c. Use an apostrophe to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives. d. Generalize learned spelling patterns when writing words (e.g., cage → badge; boy → boil). e. Consult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries, as needed to check and correct spellings. EE.L.2.2 Use conventions of spelling when communicating. a. Capitalize the first letter of familiar names. b. N/A c. N/A d. Identify printed rhyming words with the same spelling pattern. e. Consult print in the environment to support reading and spelling. EE.L.2.2 Demonstrate emerging understanding of conventions of standard English. a. With guidance and support, capitalize the first letter of familiar names. b. No Change c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change Knowledge of Language L.2.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. a. Compare formal and informal uses of English. EE.L.2.3 Use informal language when communicating. EE.L.2.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. Use symbolic language when communicating. Vocabulary Acquisition and Use CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.2.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 2 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies. a. Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known prefix is added to a known word (e.g., happy/unhappy, tell/retell). c. Use a known root word as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root (e.g., addition, additional). d. Use knowledge of the meaning of individual words to predict the meaning of compound words (e.g., birdhouse, lighthouse, housefly; bookshelf, notebook, bookmark). e. Use glossaries and beginning dictionaries, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the meaning of words and phrases. EE.L.2.4 Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary drawn from reading and content areas. a-b. Use newly acquired vocabulary. c. Sort words into familiar categories. d. NOT APPLICABLE e. Ask about an unknown word. EE.L.2.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary drawn from reading and content areas. b. DELETE c. DELETE d. Identify the words comprising compound words. e. DELETE L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings. a. Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe foods that are spicy or juicy). b. Distinguish shades of meaning among closely related verbs (e.g., toss, throw, hurl) and closely related adjectives (e.g., thin, slender, skinny, scrawny). EE.L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships. a. Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., happy: “I am happy.”). b. Identify the function of common nouns. EE.L.2.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use. a. No Change b. Demonstrate understanding of the meaning of common verbs. L.2.6. Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using adjectives and adverbs to describe (e.g., When other kids are happy that makes me happy). EE.L.2.6 Use adjectives and adverbs from texts that have been read. EE.L.2.6 Use words acquired through conversations, being read to, and during shared reading activities. Common Core Essential Elements and Achievement Descriptors for Third Grade Third Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. EE.RL.3.1 Answer questions to demonstrate understanding of text. EE.RL.3.1 Answer who and what questions to demonstrate understanding of details in a text. RL.3.2 Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text. EE.RL.3.2 Retell stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures including details from the text. EE.RL.3.2 Using details from the text, recount events in stories from diverse cultures. RL.3.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g., their traits, motivations, or feelings) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events. EE.RL.3.3 Identify the traits, motivations, or feelings of characters in a story. EE.RL.3.3 Identify the feelings of characters in a story. Craft and Structure. RL.3.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, distinguishing literal from non-literal language. EE.RL.3.4 Determine whether something described in the text could be true. EE.RL.3.4 Determine words and phrases that complete literal sentences in a text. RL.3.5 Refer to parts of stories, dramas, and poems when writing or speaking about a text, using terms such as chapter, scene, and stanza; describe how each successive part builds on earlier sections. EE.RL.3.5 Determine the beginning, middle, and end of a story. EE.RL.3.5 Determine the beginning, middle, and end of a familiar story with a logical order. RL.3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the narrator or those of the characters. EE.RL.3.6 Identify personal point of view about a character or the narrator. EE.RL.3.6 Identify personal point of view about a text. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.3.7 Explain how specific aspects of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g., create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting). EE.RL.3.7 Identify parts of illustrations that depict a particular mood, setting, or character. EE.RL.3.7 Identify parts of illustrations or tactual information that depict a particular setting, or event. RL.3.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.3.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RL.3.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g., in books from a series). EE.RL.3.9 Identify similarities in the settings of two stories by the same author. EE.RL.3.9 Identify common elements in two stories in a series. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.3.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 2–3 text complexity band independently and proficiently. EE.RL.3.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.3.10 Demonstrate understanding while actively engaged in shared reading of stories, dramas, and poetry. Third Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.3.1 Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers. EE.RI.3.1 Answer questions related to a familiar text. EE.RI.3.1 Answer who and what questions to demonstrate understanding of details in a text. RI.3.2 Determine the main idea of a text; recount the key details and explain how they support the main idea. EE.RI.3.2 Identify a detail of a text. EE.RI.3.2 Identify details in a text. RI.3.3 Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect. EE.RI.3.3 List the progression of a series of events. EE.RI.3.3 Order two events from a text as “first” and “next.” Craft and Structure RI.3.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 3 topics or subject area. EE.RI.3.4 Determine the meaning of vocabulary related to a familiar text. EE.RI.3.4 Determine words and phrases that complete literal sentences in a text. RI.3.5 Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently. EE.RI.3.5 Identify text features and search tools. EE.RI.3.5 With guidance and support, use text features including headings and key words to locate information in a text. RI.3.6 Distinguish their own point of view from that of the author of a text. EE.RI.3.6 Identify a personal point of view about a text. EE.RI.3.6 Identify personal point of view about a text. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.3.7 Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur). EE.RI.3.7 Demonstrate an understanding of text by connecting a visual element. EE.RI.3.7 Use information gained from visual elements and words in the text to answer explicit who and what questions. RI.3.8 Describe the logical connection between particular sentences and paragraphs in a text (e.g., comparison, cause/effect, first/second/third in a sequence). EE.RI.3.8 N/A (See EE.RI.3.3). EE.RI.3.8 Identify two related points the author makes in an informational text. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RI.3.9 Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic. EE.RI.3.9 Identify similarities of two resources on the same topic. EE.RI.3.9 Identify similarities between two texts on the same topic. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.3.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehends informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 2–3 text complexity band independently and proficiently. EE.RI.3.10 **This Informational Text Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.3.10 Demonstrate understanding of text while actively engaged in shared reading of history/social studies, science, and technical texts. Third Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Foundational Skills) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Fluency RF.3.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes. b. Decode words with common Latin suffixes. c. Decode multi-syllable words. d. Read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words. EE.RF.3.3 Apply letter- sound skills in decoding consonant sounds of familiar one-syllable words. a. In context, demonstrate basic knowledge of letter-sound correspondences. b. With models and supports, decode single- syllable words with common spelling patterns (consonant-vowel- consonant [CVC] or high- frequency rhymes). c. N/A d. Recognize 40 or more written words. EE.RF.3.3 Use letter-sound knowledge to read words. a. No Change b. With models and supports, decode single- syllable words with common spelling patterns (consonant-vowel-consonant [CVC] or high-frequency rimes). c. No Change d. No Change RF.3.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. a. Read on-level text with purpose and understanding. b. Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings c. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary. EE.RF.3.4 Read text comprised of familiar words to support comprehension. a. Read familiar text with purpose and understanding. b. N/A c. Use context to determine missing words in familiar texts. EE.RF.3.4 Read words in text. a. Read familiar text comprised of known words. b. No Change c. No Change Third Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing1 CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Text Types and Purposes W.3.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons. a. Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons. b. Provide reasons that support the opinion. c. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons. d. Provide a concluding statement or section. EE.W.3.1 a-b. Select a text and write to state an opinion about it and one reason to support the opinion. c. N/A d. N/A EE.W.3.1 Write opinions about topics or text. a. Select a text and write an opinion about it. b. Write one reason to support an opinion about a text. c. No Change d. No Change W.3.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. a. Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aiding comprehension. b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details. c. Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information. d. Provide a concluding statement or section. EE.W.3.2 a-b. Select a topic and write about it including one fact or detail. c. N/A d. N/A EE.W.3.2 Write to share information supported by details. a. Select a topic and write about it including one fact or detail. b. DELETE c. No Change d. No Change 1 Throughout, writing can include standard writing instruments, computers, or alternate writing tools. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.3.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. a. Establish a situation and introduce a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally. b. Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings to develop experiences and events or show the response of characters to situations. c. Use temporal words and phrases to signal event order. d. Provide a sense of closure. EE.W.3.3 a. Select an event or personal experience and write one thing about it. b. N/A c. N/A d. N/A EE.W.3.3 Write about events or personal experiences. a. Select an event or personal experience and write about it including the names of people involved. b. No Change c. No Change d. No Change Production and Distribution of Writing W.3.4 With guidance and support from adults, produce writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task and purpose. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) EE.W.3.4 With guidance and support, produce writing that expresses more than one idea. No Change W.3.5 With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. (Editing for conventions should demonstrate command of Language standards 1–3 up to and including grade 3 on pages 28 and 29.) EE.W.3.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, revise own writing by adding more information. No Change W.3.6 With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce and publish writing (using keyboarding skills) as well as to interact and collaborate with others. EE.W.3.6 With guidance and support from adults, use technology to produce writing while interacting and collaborating with others. No Change Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.3.7. Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic. EE.W.3.7 Gather information about a topic for a group research project. EE.W.3.7 Identify information about a topic for a research project. W.3.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories. EE.W.3.8 Sort information into two provided categories and write information learned about them. EE.W.3.8 Sort information on a topic or personal experience into two provided categories and write about each one. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.3.9 (Begins in grade 4) EE.W.3.9 (Begins in grade 4) No Change W.3.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. EE.W.3.10 Write routinely for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences. No Change Third Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.3.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion. b. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion). c. Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others. d. Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion. EE.SL.3.1 Participate in collaborative opportunities. a. Engage in collaborative interactions about texts. b. Listen to others’ ideas before responding. c. Ask questions that link to ideas of others. d. Express ideas clearly. EE.SL.3.1 Engage in collaborative discussions. a. No Change b. No Change c. Indicate confusion or lack of understanding about information presented. d. No Change SL.3.2 Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. EE.SL.3.2 Ask and answer questions about details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. EE.SL.3.2 Identify details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. SL.3.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail. EE.SL.3.3 Ask or answer questions about what a speaker says. EE.SL.3.3 Ask or answer questions about the details provided by the speaker. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE SL.3.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace. EE.SL.3.4 Recount a personal experience including details. EE.SL.3.4 Recount a personal experience, story, or topic including details. SL.3.5 Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details. EE.SL.3.5 Create a multimedia presentation of a story or poem. EE.SL.3.5 Create audio recordings and visual/tactile displays to enhance a story or poem. SL.3.6 Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification. EE.SL.3.6 Combine words for effective communication to clarify thoughts, feelings, and ideas. EE.SL.3.6 Combine words for effective communication to clarify thoughts, feelings, and ideas in various contexts. Third Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.3.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Explain the function of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in general and their functions in particular sentences. b. Form and use regular and irregular plural nouns. c. Use abstract nouns (e.g., childhood). d. Form and use regular and irregular verbs. e. Form and use the simple (e.g., I walked; I walk; I will walk) verb tenses. f. Ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement.* g. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs, and choose between them depending on what is to be modified. h. Use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions. i. Produce simple, compound, and complex sentences. EE.L.3.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. Uses noun + verb, noun + adjective, and subject + verb + object combinations in communication. b. Use plural nouns. c. N/A d. Use present and past tense verbs. e. N/A f. N/A g. N/A h. Produce utterances using three or more words. i. Ask simple questions. EE.L.3.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. No Change b. Use regular plural nouns in communication. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change f. No Change g. Use common adjectives. h. DELETE (see EE.L.3.1.a) i. Ask simple questions. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.3.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Capitalize appropriate words in titles. b. Use commas in addresses. c. Use commas and quotation marks in dialogue. d. Form and use possessives. e. Use conventional spelling for high-frequency and other studied words and for adding suffixes to base words (e.g., sitting, smiled, cries, happiness). f. Use spelling patterns and generalizations (e.g., word families, position-based spellings, syllable patterns, ending rules, meaningful word parts) in writing words. g. Consult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries, as needed to check and correct spellings. EE.L.3.2 Apply conventions of standard English including capitalization and spelling. a. Capitalize the first letter of a familiar place. b. NOT APPLICABLE c. N/A d. N/A e. Spell common high-frequency words accurately. f. Use spelling patterns in familiar words with common spelling patterns to spell words with the same spelling pattern. g. Consult print in the environment to support reading and spelling. EE.L.3.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English. a. Capitalize the first letter of familiar names. b. During shared writing, indicate the need to add a period at the end of a sentence. c. No Change d. No Change e. Use resources as needed to spell common high-frequency words accurately. f. Use spelling patterns in familiar words with common spelling patterns to spell words with the same spelling pattern. g. Consult print in the environment to support reading and spelling. Knowledge of Language L.3.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. a. Choose words and phrases for effect.* b. Recognize and observe differences between the conventions of spoken and written standard English. EE.L.3.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. Use language to make simple requests. b. Use language to comment or share information. EE.L.3.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. Use language to make simple requests, comment, or share information. b. DELETE CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.3.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning word and phrases based on grade 3 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. a. Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Determine the meaning of the new word formed when a known affix is added to a known word (e.g., agreeable/disagreeable, comfortable/uncomfortable, care/careless, heat/preheat). c. Use a known root word as a clue to the meaning of an unknown word with the same root (e.g., company, companion). d. Use glossaries or beginning dictionaries, both print and digital, to determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases. EE.L.3.4 Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary drawn from reading and content areas. a. N/A b. Identify the temporal meaning of words when common affixes (-ing, ed) are added to common verbs. c. N/A d. N/A EE.L.3.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. With guidance and support, use sentence level context to determine what word is missing from a sentence read aloud by an adult. b. With guidance and support, identify the temporal meaning of words when common affixes (-ing, -ed) are added to common verbs. c. No Change d. No Change L.3.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings. a. Distinguish the literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g., take steps). b. Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., describe people who are friendly or helpful). c. Distinguish shades of meaning among related words that describe states of mind or degrees of certainty (e.g., knew, believed, suspected, heard, wondered). EE.L.3.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships. a. N/A b. Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., happy: “I am happy.”). c. Identify words that describe personal emotional states. EE.L.3.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use. a. Determine the literal meaning of words and phrases in context. b. No Change c. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.3.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal spatial and temporal relationships (e.g., After dinner that night we went looking for them). EE.L.3.6 Demonstrate understanding of words that signal spatial and temporal relationships (e.g., behind, under, after, soon, next, later). EE.L.3.6 Use spatial and temporal relationship words (e.g., behind, under, after, soon, next, later) acquired through conversations, being read to, and during shared reading activities. COMMON CORE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS FOR FOURTH GRADE Fourth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. EE.RL.4.1 Use details from the text to recount what the text says. No Change RL.4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text. EE.RL.4.2 Determine the main idea of a text. EE.RL.4.2 Identify the theme or central idea of a familiar story, drama or poem. RL.4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific detail in the text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions). EE.RL.4.3 Use details from text to describe a character in a story. EE.RL.4.3 Use details from the text to describe characters in the story. Craft and Structure RL.4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean). EE.RL.4.4 Determine meaning of words in context. EE.RL.4.4 Determine the meaning of words in a text. RL.4.5 Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (e.g., verse, rhythm, meter) and drama (e.g., casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text. EE.RL.4.5 Recognize a text as a story or poem. EE.RL.4.5 Identify elements that are characteristic of stories. RL.4.6 Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations. EE.RL.4.6 Identify the narrator of a story. No Change Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.4.7. Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text. EE.RL.4.7 Make connections between text and visual or oral presentations. EE.RL.4.7 Make connections between the text representation of a story and a visual, tactual, or oral version of a story RL.4.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.4.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RL.4.9 Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes and topics (e.g., opposition of good and evil) and patterns of events (e.g., the quest) in stories, myths, and traditional literature from different cultures. EE.RL.4.9 Compare and contrast two stories, myths, or texts from different cultures. EE.RL.4.9 Compare characters, settings or events in stories, myths or texts from different cultures. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.4.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, in the grades 4–5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RL.4.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.4.10 Demonstrate understanding of text while actively engaging in shared reading of stories, dramas, and poetry. Fourth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. EE.RI.4.1 Use details from the text to recount what the text says. EE.RI.4.1 Identify explicit details in an informational text. RI.4.2 Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text. EE.RI.4.2 Determine a main idea of a text. EE.RI.4.2 Identify the main idea of a text when it is explicitly stated. RI.4.3 Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text. EE.RI.4.3 Use details from text to describe what happened. EE.RI.4.3 Identify an explicit detail that is related to an individual, event, or idea in a historical, scientific, or technical text. Craft and Structure RI.4.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area. EE.RI.4.4 Determine meaning of words in context. EE.RI.4.4 Determine meaning of words in text. RI.4.5 Describe the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text. EE.RI.4.5 Identify the chronological structure of a text (first, then, next). EE.RI.4.5 Identify elements that are characteristic of informational texts. RI.4.6 Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided. EE.RI.4.6 Identify a firsthand account of an event. EE.RI.4.6 Compare own experience with a written account of the experience. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.4.7 Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears. EE.RI.4.7 Interpret information presented visually and orally. EE.RI.4.7 Answer questions about information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively. RI.4.8 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text. EE.RI.4.8 Identify the author’s point. EE.RI.4.8 Identify one or more reasons supporting a specific point in an informational text. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RI.4.9 Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably. EE.RI.4.9 Identify similarities of two resources on the same topic. EE.RI.4.9 Compare details presented in two texts on the same topic. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.4.10 By the end of year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, in the grades 4–5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RI.4.10 **This Informational Text Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.4.10 Demonstrate understanding of text while actively engaged in shared reading of history/social studies, science, and technical texts. Fourth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Foundational Skills) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Fluency RF.4.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Use combined knowledge of all letter- sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology (e.g., roots and affixes) to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words in context and out of context. EE.RF.4.3 Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Apply letter-sound knowledge to use first letter plus context to identify unfamiliar words. b. Decode single- syllable words with common spelling patterns (consonant-vowel- consonant [CVC] or high- frequency rhymes). EE.RF.4.3 Use letter-sound knowledge to read words. a. No Change b. Decode single-syllable words with common spelling patterns (consonant-vowel-consonant [CVC] or high-frequency rimes). RF.4.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. a. Read on-level text with purpose and understanding. b. Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings. c. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary. EE.RF.4.4 Read text comprised of familiar words with accuracy and understanding. EE.RF.4.4 Read words in text. a. Read text comprised of familiar words with accuracy and understanding. b. N/A c. Use letter knowledge and context to support word recognition when reading. Fourth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Text Types and Purposes W.4.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information. a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer’s purpose. b. Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details. c. Link opinion and reasons using words and phrases (e.g., for instance, in order to, in addition). d. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented. EE.W.4.1 Write an opinion about a topic or text and reasons to support the opinion. a. Select a topic or text and write an opinion about it. b-c. List reasons to support the opinion. d. N/A EE.W.4.1 Write opinions about topics or text. a. No Change b. No Change c. N/A d. No Change W.4.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. a. Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic. c. Link ideas within categories of information using words and phrases (e.g., another, for example, also, because). d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. e. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented. EE.W.4.2 Write to convey ideas and information clearly. a. Select a topic and related visual, tactual, or multimedia information. b. List words that describe an event or personal experience to use when writing about it. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.4.2 Write to share information supported by details. a. Select a topic and write about it including related visual, tactual, or multimedia information as appropriate. b. List words, facts, or details related to the topic. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.4.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. a. Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally. b. Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations. c. Use a variety of transitional words and phrases to manage the sequence of events. d. Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely. e. Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events. EE.W.4.3 Select an event or personal experience and write about it. a. Write about two events in sequence related to a personal experience. b. List words that describe an event or personal experience to use when writing about it. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.4.3 Write about events or personal experiences. a. Write about a personal experience including two events in sequence. b. List words that describe an event or personal experience to use when writing about it. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change Production and Distribution of Writing W.4.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) EE.W.4.4 Produce writing that expresses more than one idea with a logical organization. EE.W.4.4 Produce writing that expresses more than one idea. W.4.5. With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing. EE.W.4.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan by brainstorming and revise own writing by adding more information. EE.W.4.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan before writing and revise own writing by adding more information. W.4.6 With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting. EE.W.4.6 With guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce writing while interacting and collaborating with others. No Change Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.4.7. Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic. EE.W.4.7 Gather information about a topic from two or more sources for a group research project. EE.W.4.7 Gather information about a topic from two or more sources for a research project. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.4.8 Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources. EE.W.4.8 Recall information from personal experiences and sort into provided categories. EE.W.4.8 Recall and sort information from personal experiences or a topic into given categories. W.4.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. a. Apply grade 4 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text [e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions].”). b. Apply grade 4 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., “Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text”). EE.W.4.9 Recall information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 4 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Use details from text to describe a character in a story.”). b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 4 Reading Standards to informational text (e.g., “Use details from the text to recount what the text says.”). EE.W.4.9 Recall information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. No Change b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 4 Reading Standards to informational texts (e.g., "Use reasons and evidence supporting point in an informational text."). W.4.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. EE.W.4.10 Write routinely for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences. No Change Fourth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.4.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion. b. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles. c. Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others. d. Review the key ideas expressed and explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion. EE.SL.4.1 Participate in communicative exchanges to communicate directly with peers in multi-turn exchanges. a. Contribute ideas from prior knowledge and experience during discussions about text. b. Take turns in discussions with others. c. Ask and answer questions about information presented by others. d. Identify the key ideas of the discussion. EE.SL.4.1 Engage in collaborative discussions. a. Contribute ideas from prior knowledge of a text during discussions about the same text. b. With guidance and support, carry out assigned role in a discussion. c. Answer specific questions related to information in a discussion. d. Identify the key ideas in a discussion. SL.4.2 Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. EE.SL.4.2 Identify the main idea of a text presented through diverse media. EE.SL.4.2 Ask and answer questions about details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media. SL.4.3 Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points. EE.SL.4.3 Identify a point that the speaker makes. No Change Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas SL.4.4 Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace. EE.SL.4.4 Tell a story about a personal experience with supporting details. EE.SL.4.4 Retell a story or personal experience or recount a topic with supporting details. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE SL.4.5 Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details. EE.SL.4.5 Add audio recordings or visuals to a presentation about a personally relevant topic. No Change SL.4.6 Speak in complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification. EE.SL.4.6 Differentiate between communication partners and contexts that call for formal and informal communication. No Change Fourth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.4.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Use relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that) and relative adverbs (where, when, why). b. Form and use the progressive (e.g., I was walking; I am walking; I will be walking) verb tenses. c. Use modal auxiliaries (e.g., can, may, must) to convey various conditions. d. Order adjectives within sentences according to conventional patterns (e.g., a small red bag rather than a red small bag). e. Form and use prepositional phrases. f. Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.* g. Correctly use frequently confused words (e.g., to, too, two; there, their).* EE.L.4.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. Use possessive pronouns. b. NOT APPLICABLE c. N/A d. Use comparative and superlative adjectives to describe people or objects. e. Use common prepositions (e.g., to, from, in, out, on, off, by, with). f. Communicate using grammatically complete utterances. EE.L.4.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. No Change b. Combine common nouns with verbs, nouns, or pronouns in communication. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change f. Combine three or more words in communication. L.4.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Use correct capitalization. b. Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations from a text. c. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence. d. Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed. EE.L.4.2 Demonstrate capitalization, end punctuation, and spelling when communicating. a. Capitalize the first word in a sentence. b. N/A c. N/A d. Spell words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of letter-sound relationships, and/or common spelling patterns. EE.L.4.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English. a. No Change b. No Change c. No Change d. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.4.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. a. Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely.* b. Choose punctuation for effect.* c. Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group discussion). EE.L.4.3 Use language to convey meaning when writing or communicating. a. Use language to express emotion. b. N/A c. Communicate effectively with peers and adults. EE.L.4.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. No Change b. No Change c. No Change Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.4.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. a. Use context (e.g., definitions, examples, or restatements in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., telegraph, photograph, autograph). c. Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases. EE.L.4.4 Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary drawn from reading and content areas. a. Use context as a clue to guide selection of a word that completes a sentence read aloud by an adult. b. Use frequently occurring root words (e.g., talk) and the words that result when word endings are added (e.g., talked, talking, talks). c. N/A EE.L.4.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. Use sentence level context to determine what word is missing from a sentence read aloud by an adult. b. No Change c. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors (e.g., as pretty as a picture) in context. b. Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. c. Demonstrate understanding of words by relating them to their opposites (antonyms) and to words with similar but not identical meanings (synonyms). EE.L.4.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships. a. N/A b. Use common idioms (e.g., no way, not a chance, you bet). c. Demonstrate understanding of opposites. EE.L.4.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use. a. No Change b. No Change c. No Change L.4.6. Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal precise actions, emotions, or states of being (e.g., quizzed, whined, stammered) and that are basic to a particular topic (e.g., wildlife, conservation, and endangered when discussing animal preservation). EE.L.4.6 Use domain-specific words. EE.L.4.6 Use words acquired through conversations, being read to, and during shared reading activities including domain-specific words. Common Core Essential Elements and Achievement Descriptors for Fifth Grade Fifth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. EE.RL.5.1 Identify words in the text to answer a question about explicit information. No Change RL.5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text. EE.RL.5.2 Identify the central idea or theme of a familiar story, drama or poem. EE.RL.5.2 Identify the central idea or theme of a story, drama or poem. RL.5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact). EE.RL.5.3 Compare and contrast two characters in a familiar story. EE.RL.5.3 Compare two characters in a familiar story. Craft and Structure RL.5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes. EE.RL.5.4 After listening to or reading a familiar text, determine the meanings of words and phrases. EE.RL.5.4 Determine the intended meaning of multi- meaning words in a text. RL.5.5 Explain how a series of chapters, scenes, or stanzas fits together to provide the overall structure of a particular story, drama, or poem. EE.RL.5.5 Identify the beginning, middle, and end of a poem, drama, or story with a clear sequential structure. EE.RL.5.5 Identify story element that undergoes change from beginning to end. RL.5.6 Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are described. EE.RL.5.6 Determine the point of view of the narrator. No Change Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.5.7 Analyze how visual and multimedia elements contribute to the meaning, tone, or beauty of a text (e.g., graphic novel, multimedia presentation of fiction, folktale, myth, poem). EE.RL.5.7 Identify illustrations and multimedia elements that add to understanding of a text. EE.RL.5.7 Identify illustrations, tactual or multimedia elements that add to understanding of a text. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RL.5.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.5.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change RL.5.9 Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics. EE.RL.5.9 Compare two stories with similar topics. EE.RL.5.9 Compare stories, myths, or texts with similar topics or themes. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.5.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poetry, at the high end of the grades 4–5 text complexity band independently and proficiently. EE.RL.5.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.5.10 Demonstrate understanding of text while engaged in individual or group reading of stories, dramas, and poems. Fifth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text. EE.RI.5.1 Select words or phrases from the text to support inferences. EE.RI.5.1 Identify words in the text to answer a question about explicit information. RI.5.2 Determine two or more main ideas of a text and explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text. EE.RI.5.2 When given text, identify the main ideas that are supported by the key details. EE.RI.5.2 Identify the main idea of a text when it is not explicitly stated. RI.5.3 Explain the relationships or interactions between two or more individuals, events, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text based on specific information in the text. EE.RI.5.3 Make connections between two individuals or events/actions in a text. EE.RI.5.3 Compare two individuals, events, or ideas in a text. Craft and Structure RI.5.4 Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases in a text relevant to a grade 5 topic or subject area. EE.RI.5.4 After listening to or reading a text, determine the meanings of domain-specific words and phrases. EE.RI.5.4 Determine the meanings of domain- specific words and phrases. RI.5.5 Compare and contrast the overall structure (e.g., chronology, comparison, cause/effect, problem/solution) of events, ideas, concepts, or information in two or more texts. EE.RI.5.5 Identify the beginning, middle, and end of a text with a clear sequential structure. EE.RI.5.5 Determine if a text tells about events, gives directions, or provides information on a topic. RI.5.6 Analyze multiple accounts of the same event or topic, noting important similarities and differences in the point of view they represent. EE.RI.5.6 Given two pieces of information on the same event or topic, note what is the same. EE.RI.5.6 Compare two books on the same topic. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.5.7 Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently. EE.RI.5.7 Use print or digital sources for information to answer a question. EE.RI.5.7 Locate information in print or digital sources. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RI.5.8 Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point(s). EE.RI.5.8 Identify the evidence or reasons the author uses to support points in text. EE.RI.5.8 Identify the relationship between a specific point and supporting reasons in an informational text. RI.5.9 Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably. EE.RI.5.9 Collect information from two or more texts on the same topic to share information about a subject. EE.RI.5.9 Compare and contrast details gained from two texts on the same topic. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.5.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend informational texts, including history/social studies, science, and technical texts, at the high end of the grades 4–5 text complexity band independently and proficiently. EE.RI.5.10 **This Informational Text Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.5.10 Demonstrate understanding of text while actively engaged in shared reading of history/social studies, science, and technical texts. Fifth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Foundational Skills) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Phonics and Word Recognition RF.5.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Use combined knowledge of all letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology (e.g., roots and affixes) to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words in context and out of context. EE.RF.5.3 Know and apply phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words. a. Decode two-syllable words. b. Read more than 20 common high-frequency words. EE.RF.5.3 Use letter-sound knowledge to read words. a. Read common sight words and decode single syllable words. b. DELETE Fluency RF.5.4 Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. a. Read on-level text with purpose and understanding. b. Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings. c. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary. EE.RF.5.4 Read text comprised of familiar words with accuracy and understanding. EE.RF.5.4 Read words in text. a. Read text comprised of familiar words with accuracy and understanding. b. N/A c. Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition when reading. Fifth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.5.1 Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information. a. Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which ideas are logically grouped to support the writer’s purpose. b. Provide logically ordered reasons that are supported by facts and details. c. Link opinion and reasons using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., consequently, specifically). d. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the opinion presented. EE.W.5.1 Write an opinion about a topic or text and reasons to support the opinion. a. Introduce a topic or text and state an opinion about it. b. Provide reasons to support the opinion. c. N/A d. N/A EE.W.5.1 Write opinions about topics or text. a. No Change b. No Change c. No Change d. No Change W.5.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly. a. Introduce a topic clearly, provide a general observation and focus, and group related information logically; include formatting (e.g., headings), illustrations, and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. b. Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic. c. Link ideas within and across categories of information using words, phrases, and clauses (e.g., in contrast, especially). d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. e. Provide a concluding statement or section related to the information or explanation presented. EE.W.5.2 Write to convey ideas and information clearly. a. Introduce a topic and organize illustrations or other multimedia related to it. b. Provide facts, details, or other information related to the topic. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.5.2 Write to share information supported by details. a. Introduce a topic and write to convey information about it including visual, tactual, or multimedia information as appropriate. b. No Change c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.5.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences. a. Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally. b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, description, and pacing, to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations. c. Use a variety of transitional words, phrases, and clauses to manage the sequence of events. d. Use concrete words and phrases and sensory details to convey experiences and events precisely. e. Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events. EE.W.5.3 Select an event or personal experience and write about it. a-b. Introduce the experience or situation, and follow with three or more events in sequence. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.5.3 Write about events or personal experiences. a. Write about an experience or event including three or more events in sequence. b. DELETE c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change Production and Distribution of Writing W.5.4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) EE.W.5.4 Produce writing that is appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. EE.W.5.4 Produce writing that is appropriate for an explicitly stated task or purpose. W.5.5. With guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. EE.W.5.5 With guidance and support from peers and adults, plan by brainstorming and revise own writing by adding more information. EE.W.5.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan before writing and revise own writing by adding more information. W.5.6 With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of two pages in a single sitting. EE.W.5.6 With guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce writing while interacting and collaborating with others. No Change Research to Build and Present Knowledge CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.5.7 Conduct short research projects that use several sources to build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic. EE.W.5.7 Conduct short research projects using two or more sources. No Change W.5.8. Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; summarize or paraphrase information in notes and finished work, and provide a list of sources. EE.W.5.8 Recall information from personal experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources to include in writing. EE.W.5.8 Gather and sort relevant information on a topic from print or digital sources into given categories. W.5.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. a. Apply grade 5 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or a drama, drawing on specific details in the text [e.g., how characters interact]”). b. Apply grade 5 Reading standards to informational texts (e.g., “Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text, identifying which reasons and evidence support which point[s]”). EE.W.5.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 5 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast two characters in the story.”). b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 5 Reading Standards to informational text (e.g., “Identify evidence the author uses.”). EE.W.5.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. No Change b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 5 Reading Standards to informational texts (e.g., "Use specific reasons and evidence for supporting specific points in an informational text."). Range of Writing W.5.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. EE.W.5.10 Write routinely for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences. No Change Fifth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.5.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion. b. Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles. c. Pose and respond to specific questions by making comments that contribute to the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of others. d. Review the key ideas expressed and draw conclusions in light of information and knowledge gained from the discussions. EE.SL.5.1 Participate in collaborative discussions. a. Prepare for discussions. b. Engage in discussions to share information on the topic. c. Communicate directly with peers in multi-turn exchanges. d. Ask and answer questions of adult or peer communication partners to identify key issues of the discussion. EE.SL.5.1 Engage in collaborative discussions. a. Come to discussion prepared to share information. b. Carry out assigned role in a discussion. c. Ask questions related to information in a discussion. d. d. Make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others. SL.5.2 Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. EE.SL.5.2 Identify the main idea and supporting details of a text presented through diverse media. EE.SL.5.2 Identify the explicitly stated main idea of a text presented orally or through other media. SL.5.3 Summarize the points a speaker makes and explain how each claim is supported by reasons and evidence. EE.SL.5.3 Identify the main point a speaker makes. EE.SL.5.3 Identify the reasons and evidence supporting a specific point. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas SL.5.4. Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace. EE.SL.5.4 Create a simple report or presentation about a curriculum-based topic. EE.SL.5.4 Report on a familiar topic or text or present an opinion including related facts. SL.5.5 Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, sound) and visual displays in presentations when appropriate to enhance the development of main ideas or themes. EE.SL.5.5 Select or create an audio recording, images, photographs, or other visuals/tactual displays to enhance a report or presentation. EE.SL.5.5 Select or create audio recordings and visual/tactile displays to enhance a presentation. SL.5.6. Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, using formal English when appropriate to task and situation. EE.SL.5.6 Use formal and informal language. EE.SL.5.6 Differentiate between contexts that require formal and informal communication. Fifth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.5.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Explain the function of conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections in general and their function in particular sentences. b. Form and use the perfect (e.g., I had walked; I have walked; I will have walked) verb tenses. c. Use verb tense to convey various times, sequences, states, and conditions. d. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense.* e. Use correlative conjunctions (e.g., either/or, neither/nor). EE.L.5.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. Use singular and plural nouns with matching verbs (e.g., Sam eats, dogs eat). b. N/A c. N/A d. (See EEL.5.1.a.) e. Use frequently occurring conjunctions: and, but, or, for, because. EE.L.5.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. DELETE b. Form and use the past tense of frequently occurring irregular verbs (e.g., went, sat, ate, told). c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change L.5.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Use punctuation to separate items in a series.* b. Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence. c. Use a comma to set off the words yes and no (e.g., Yes, thank you), to set off a tag question from the rest of the sentence (e.g., It’s true, isn’t it?), and to indicate direct address (e.g., Is that you, Steve?). d. Use underlining, quotation marks, or italics to indicate titles of works. e. Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed. EE.L.5.2 Use conventions of standard English. a. Capitalize names and the first word in a sentence. b. Use a period to mark the end of a sentence. c. N/A d. N/A e. Spell untaught word phonetically, drawing on letter-sound relationships and common spelling patterns. EE.L.5.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English. a. DELETE b. DELETE c. No Change d. No Change e. e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Knowledge of Language L.5.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. a. Choose words and phrases for effect.* b. Recognize and observe differences between the conventions of spoken and written standard English. EE.L.5.3 Use language to achieve desired meaning when communicating. a. (No EE listed) b. N/A EE.L.5.3 Use language to achieve desired meaning when communicating. a. Communicate using complete sentences when asked. b. No Change Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.5.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. a. Use context (e.g., cause/effect relationships and comparisons in text) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek and Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., photograph, photosynthesis). c. Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases. EE.L.5.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of vocabulary drawn from reading and content areas. a. Use context as a clue to determine the meaning of words. b. Identify the temporal meaning of words when common affixes (-ing, -ed, -s, -es) are added to common nouns and verbs. c. N/A EE.L.5.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. Use sentence level context to determine which word is missing from a content area text. b. Use frequently occurring root words (e.g., talk) and the words that result when word endings are added (e.g., talked, talking, talks). c. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context. b. Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs. c. Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonyms, antonyms, homographs) to better understand each of the words. EE.L.5.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships. a. Use simple, common idioms (e.g., You bet!, It’s a deal., We’re cool.). b. N/A c. N/A EE.L.5.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationship and use. a. No Change b. No Change c. Demonstrate understanding of words that have similar meanings. L.5.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, including those that signal contrast, addition, and other logical relationships (e.g., however, although, nevertheless, similarly, moreover, in addition). EE.L.5.6 Use domain-specific words (e.g., if, then, next). EE.L.5.6 Use words acquired through conversations, being read to, and during shared reading activities including domain-specific words. COMMON CORE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS FOR SIXTH GRADE Sixth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. EE.RL.6.1 Determine what a text says explicitly as well as what simple inferences should be drawn. EE.RL.6.1 Analyze the text to determine what it says explicitly and what inferences must be drawn. RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. EE.RL.6.2 Determine the theme or central idea of a familiar story and identify details that relate to it. EE.RL.6.2 Identify details in a text that are related to the theme or central idea. RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution. EE.RL.6.3 Identify the episodes or significant events in a story or drama. EE.RL.6.3 Can identify how a character responds to a challenge in a story. Craft and Structure RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. EE.RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of simple idioms and figures of speech as they are used in a text. EE.RL.6.4 Determine how word choice changes the meaning in a text. RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot. EE.RL.6.5 Determine how a sentence, paragraph, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of the text. EE.RL.6.5 Determine the structure of a text (e.g., story, poem, or drama) RL.6.6 Explain how an author develops the point of view of the narrator or speaker in a text. EE.RL.6.6 Use an example from a text to describe the point of view of the narrator. EE.RL.6.6 Identify words or phrases in the text that describe or show what the narrator or speaker is thinking or feeling. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.6.7 Compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text, including contrasting what they “see” and “hear” when reading the text to what they perceive when they listen or watch. EE.RL.6.7 Compare a text version of a story, drama, or poem with an audio, video, or live version of the text. EE.RL.6.7 Compare the experience of reading or listening to a written story, drama or poem with the experience of watching video or live performance of the same text. RL.6.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.6.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change RL.6.9 Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres (e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories) in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics. EE.RL.6.9 (See EE.RL.6.7). EE.RL.6.9 Compare and contrast stories, myths, or texts with similar topics or themes. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.6.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RL.6.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.6.10 Demonstrate understanding of text while actively reading or listening to stories, dramas, or poetry. Sixth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. EE.RI.6.1 Analyze a text to determine what it says explicitly as well as what inferences should be drawn. No Change RI.6.2 Determine a central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments. EE.RI.6.2 Determine the central idea of a short passage and details or facts related to it. EE.RI.6.2 Determine the main idea of a passage and details or facts related to it. RI.6.3 Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes). EE.RI.6.3 Identify the progression of a key individual, event, or idea throughout an informational text. EE.RI.6.3 Identify a detail that elaborates upon individuals, events, or ideas introduced in a text. Craft and Structure RI.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings. EE.RI.6.4 Determine the meaning of simple idioms and figures of speech as they are used in a text. EE.RI.6.4 Determine how word choice changes the meaning of a text. RI.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, paragraph, chapter, or section fits into the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the ideas. EE.RI.6.5 Describe how an element of the text fits into the overall structure of the text. EE.RI.6.5 Determine how the title fits the structure of the text. RI.6.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and explain how it is conveyed in the text. EE.RI.6.6 Use an example from text to describe the author’s purpose or point of view. EE.RI.6.6 Identify words or phrases in the text that describe or show the author’s point of view. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.6.7 Integrate information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words to develop a coherent understanding of a topic or issue. EE.RI.6.7 Integrate information from different media and formats of texts. EE.RI.6.7 Find similarities in information presented in different media or formats as well as in text. RI.6.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not. EE.RI.6.8 Distinguish claims in a text supported by reason. EE.RI.6.8 Distinguish claims in a text supported by reason. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RI.6.9 Compare and contrast one author’s presentation of events with that of another (e.g., a memoir written by and a biography on the same person). EE.RI.6.9 (See EE.RI.6.7). EE.RI.6.9 Compare and contrast how two texts describe the same event. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.6.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RI.6.10 **This Informational Text Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.6.10 Demonstrate understanding while actively reading or listening to literary nonfiction. Sixth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Text Types and Purposes W.6.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. a. Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly. b. Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons. d. Establish and maintain a formal style. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented. EE.W.6.1 a-b. With guidance and support, write a claim and support it with reasons. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.6.1 Write claims about topics or text. a. Write a claim about a topic or text. b. Write one or more reasons to support a claim about a topic or text. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.6.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. a. Introduce a topic; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. c. Use appropriate transitions to clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. e. Establish and maintain a formal style. f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the information or explanation presented. EE.W.6.2 a-b. Write to convey ideas and information including facts, details, and other information. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A f. N/A EE.W.6.2 Write to share information supported by details. a. Introduce a topic and write to convey ideas and information about it including visual, tactual, or multimedia information as appropriate. b. Provide facts, details, or other information related to the topic. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change f. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.6.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another. d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to convey experiences and events. e. Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events. EE.W.6.3 Select an event or personal experience and write about it. a-b. Introduce the experience or situation, at least one character, and two or more events in sequence. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.6.3 Write about events or personal experiences. a. Write a narrative about a real or imagined experience introducing the experience and including two or more events. b. ??? c. Use words that establish the time frame. d. Use words that convey specific details about the experience or event. e. No Change Production and Distribution of Writing W.6.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) EE.W.6.4 Produce writing that is appropriate for the task, purpose, or audience. No Change W.6.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach. EE.W.6.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan by brainstorming and revise own writing by adding more information. EE.W.6.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan before writing and revise own writing by adding more information. W.6.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of three pages in a single sitting. EE.W.6.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce writing while interacting and collaborating with others. No Change Research to Build and Present Knowledge CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiry when appropriate. EE.W.6.7 Conduct research to answer a question based on two or more sources of information. EE W.6.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question. W.6.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources. EE.W.6.8 Identify quotes from print or digital sources that provide information about a topic. EE.W.6.8 Gather information from multiple print and digital sources that relates to a given topic. W.6.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. a. Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast texts in different forms or genres [e.g., stories and poems; historical novels and fantasy stories] in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics”). b. Apply grade 6 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., “Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not”). EE.W.6.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 6 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Compare a text version of a story, drama, or poem with an audio, video, or live version of the text.”). b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 6 Reading Standards to informational text (e.g., “Distinguish claims in a text supported by reason.”). EE.W.6.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. No Change b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 6 Reading Standards to informational texts (e.g., "Can produce an argument by logically organizing the claims and the supporting reasons and evidence."). W.6.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. Not Provided EE.W.6.10 Write routinely for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences. Sixth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.6.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion. b. Follow rules for collegial discussions, set specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed. c. Pose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion. d. Review the key ideas expressed and demonstrate understanding of multiple perspectives through reflection and paraphrasing. EE.SL.6.1 Participate in collaborative discussions. a. Prepare for discussion through prior study. b. With guidance and support from adults and peers, follow simple, agreed-upon rules for discussions and contribute information. c. Ask and answer questions specific to the topic, text, or issue under discussion. d. Restate key ideas expressed in the discussion. EE.SL.6.1 Engage in collaborative discussions. a. Come to discussions prepared to share information. b. No Change c. No Change d. No Change SL.6.2 Interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study. EE.SL.6.2 Identify information presented in graphical, oral, visual, or multimodal formats that relates to a topic or text. EE.SL.6.2 Identify information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) that relates to a topic, text, or issue under study. SL.6.3 Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not. EE.SL.6.3 Identify points the speaker makes to support an argument or claim. EE.SL.6.3 Identify the reasons and evidence supporting the claims made by the speaker. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas SL.6.4 Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. EE.SL.6.4 Present findings including descriptions, facts, or details related to a topic. EE.SL.6.4 Present findings on a topic including descriptions, facts, or details. SL.6.5 Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information. EE.SL.6.5. Select an auditory, visual, or tactual display to clarify the information in presentations. No Change SL.6.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. EE.SL.6.6 Use formal and informal language as appropriate to the communication partner and situation. EE.SL.6.6 Use formal and informal language as appropriate to the communication partner. Sixth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.6.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Ensure that pronouns are in the proper case (subjective, objective, possessive). b. Use intensive pronouns (e.g., myself, ourselves). c. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person.* d. Recognize and correct vague pronouns (i.e., ones with unclear or ambiguous antecedents).* e. Recognize variations from standard English in their own and others’ writing and speaking, and identify and use strategies to improve expression in conventional language.* EE.L.6.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. Use personal pronouns (e.g., he, she, they) correctly. b. N/A c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.L.6.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. No Change b. Use indefinite pronouns. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change L.6.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.* b. Spell correctly. EE.L.6.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English when writing. a. Use question marks at the end of written questions. b. Spell untaught words phonetically, drawing on letter-sound relationships and common spelling patterns. EE.L.6.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English. a. No Change b. No Change Knowledge of Language L.6.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. a. Vary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/ listener interest, and style.* b. Maintain consistency in style and tone.* EE.L.6.3 Use language to achieve desired meaning in communication. a. Vary use of language when the listener or reader does not understand the initial attempt. b. N/A EE.L.6.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. No Change b. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.6.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., audience, auditory, audible). c. Consult reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech. d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary). EE.L.6.4 Demonstrate knowledge of vocabulary drawn from reading and content areas. a. Use context to identify which word in an array of content-related words is missing from a sentence. b. N/A c. Seek clarification and meaning support when unfamiliar words are encountered while reading or communicating d. N/A EE.L.6.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. Use context to determine which word is missing from a content area text. b. Use frequently occurring root words (e.g., like) and the words that result when affixes are added (e.g., liked, disliked, liking). c. No Change d. No Change L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., personification) in context. b. Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., cause/effect, part/whole, item/category) to better understand each of the words. c. Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., stingy, scrimping, economical, unwasteful, thrifty). EE.L.6.5 Demonstrate word relationships. a. Interpret similes (e.g., The man was as big as a tree.). b. NOT APPLICABLE c. N/A EE.L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use. a. Identify the meaning of simple similes (e.g., The man was as big as a tree.). b. Demonstrate understanding of words by identifying other words with similar and different meanings. c. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.6.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. EE.L.6.6 Use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases. EE.L.6.6 Use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases across contexts. COMMON CORE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS FOR SEVENTH GRADE Seventh Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. EE.RL.7.1 Cite text to draw inferences from stories and poems. EE.RL.7.1 Analyze text to identify where information is explicitly stated and where inferences must be drawn. RL.7.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. EE.RL.7.2 Determine the theme or central idea of a text and identify the details that relate to it. EE.RL.7.2 Identify events in a text that are related to the theme or central idea. RL.7.3 Analyze how particular elements of a story or drama interact (e.g., how setting shapes the characters or plot). EE.RL.7.3 Recognize the relationship of two story elements. EE.RL.7.3 Determine how two or more story elements are related. Craft and Structure RL.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama. EE.RL.7.4 Use rhyme and other repetitions of words or sounds (e.g., alliteration) to support understanding of a poem or a section of a story or drama. EE.RL.7.4 Determine the meaning of simple idioms and figures of speech as they are used in a text. RL.7.5 Analyze how a drama’s or poem’s form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning. EE.RL.7.5 Determine how poetry form and structure contributes to its meaning. EE.RL.7.5 Compare the structure of two or more texts (e.g., stories, poems, or dramas). RL.7.6 Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text. EE.RL.7.6 Identify how a character’s point of view is the same or different from another character. EE.RL.7.6 Compare the points of view of two or more characters or narrators in a text. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.7.7 Compare and contrast a written story, drama, or poem to its audio, filmed, staged, or multimedia version, analyzing the effects of techniques unique to each medium (e.g., lighting, sound, color, or camera focus and angles in a film). EE.RL.7.7 Compare a video version of a story, poem, or drama to a text-based version of the same story, poem, or drama. EE.RL.7.7 Compare a text version of a story, drama, or poem with an audio, video, or live version of the same text. RL.7.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.7.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change RL.7.9 Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history. EE.RL.7.9 Recognize the difference between fictional characters and nonfictional characters. EE.RL.7.9 Compare a fictional time, place, or character in one text with the same time, place, or character portrayed in a historical account. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.7.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RL.7.10 **This Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.7.10 Demonstrate understanding of text while actively engaged in reading or listening to stories, dramas, and poetry. Seventh Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.7.1 Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. EE.RI.7.1 Cite text to draw inferences from informational text. EE.RI.7.1 Analyze text to identify where information is explicitly stated and where inferences must be drawn. RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text and analyze their development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text. EE.RI.7.2 Determine two central ideas that progress throughout the text. EE.RI.7.2 Determine two or more central ideas in a text. RI.7.3 Analyze the interactions between individuals, events, and ideas in a text (e.g., how ideas influence individuals or events, or how individuals influence ideas or events). EE.RI.7.3 Identify interactions between individuals, events, or ideas in text. EE.RI.7.3 Determine how two individuals, events or ideas in a text are related. Craft and Structure RI.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone. EE.RI.7.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in an informational text. EE.RI.7.4 Determine how words or phrases are used to persuade or inform a text. RI.7.5 Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas. EE.RI.7.5 Determine how headings, key words, and key phrases relate to the topic of a text. EE.RI.7.5 Determine how a fact, step, or event fits into the overall structure of the text. RI.7.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author distinguishes his or her position from that of others. EE.RI.7.6 Determine author’s point of view and compare to own point of view. EE.RI.7.6 Determine an author’s purpose or point of view. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.7.7 Compare and contrast a text to an audio, video, or multimedia version of the text, analyzing each medium’s portrayal of the subject (e.g., how the delivery of a speech affects the impact of the words). EE.RI.7.7 Compare the experience of reading a text to listening or watching a video of the same text. EE.RI.7.7 Compare a text to an audio, video or multimedia version of the same text. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RI.7.8 Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims. EE.RI.7.8 Delineate the specific claims for text. EE.RI.7.8 Determine how a claim or reason fits into the overall structure of an informational text. RI.7.9 Analyze how two or more authors writing about the same topic shape their presentations of key information by emphasizing different evidence or advancing different interpretations of facts. EE.RI.7.9 Compare information provided by authors of two different texts on the same topic. EE.RI.7.9 Compare and contrast how different texts on the same topic present the details. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.7.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 6–8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RI.7.10 **This Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.7.10 Demonstrate understanding while actively reading or listening to literary nonfiction. Seventh Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Text Types and Purposes W.7.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence. d. Establish and maintain a formal style. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. EE.W.7.1 a-b. Write a claim and support it with reasons or other relevant evidence. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.7.1 Write claims about topics or texts. a. Introduce a topic or text and write one claim about it. b. Write one or more reasons to support a claim about a topic or text. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.7.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information, using strategies such as definition, classification, comparison/contrast, and cause/ effect; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. c. Use appropriate transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. e. Establish and maintain a formal style. f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented. EE.W.7.2 a-b. Write to convey ideas and information including facts, details, and other information as well as graphics and multimedia as needed. c. N/A d. Use domain-specific vocabulary when writing about a topic. e. N/A f. N/A EE.W.7.2 Write to share information supported by details. a. Introduce a topic and write to convey ideas and information about it including visual, tactual, or multimedia information as appropriate. b. Provide facts, details, or other information related to the topic. c. No Change d. Select domain-specific vocabulary to use in writing about the topic. e. No Change f. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.7.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, and description, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence and signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another. d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. EE.W.7.3 Select an event or personal experience and write about it. a-b. Introduce the experience or situation, at least one character, and two or more events in sequence. c. NOT APPLICABLE d. NOT APPLICABLE e. N/A EE.W.7.3 Write about events or personal experiences. a. Write a narrative about a real or imagined experience introducing the experience, at least one character, and two or more events. b. DELETE c. Use temporal words (e.g., first, then, next) to signal order. d. Use words that describe feelings of people or characters in the narrative. e. No Change Production and Distribution of Writing W.7.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) EE.W.7.4 Produce writing that is appropriate for the task, purpose, or audience. No Change W.7.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. EE.W.7.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan by brainstorming and revise own writing by adding more information. EE.W.7.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan before writing and revise own writing by adding more information. W.7.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and link to and cite sources as well as to interact and collaborate with others, including linking to and citing sources. EE.W.7.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce writing to interact and collaborate with others. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.7.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question, drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions for further research and investigation. EE.W.7.7 Conduct research to answer a question based on multiple sources of information. No Change W.7.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation. EE.W.7.8 Select quotes from multiple print or digital sources that provides important information about a topic. EE.W.7.8 Identify quotes providing relevant information about a topic from multiple print or digital sources. W.7.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. a. Apply grade 7 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast a fictional portrayal of a time, place, or character and a historical account of the same period as a means of understanding how authors of fiction use or alter history”). b. Apply grade 7 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g. “Trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient to support the claims”). EE.W.7.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 7 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Recognize the difference between fictional characters and nonfictional characters.”). b. b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 7 Reading Standards to informational text (e.g., “Delineate the specific claims in a text.”). EE.W.7.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 7 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Recognize the difference between fictional characters and nonfictional characters.”). b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 7 Reading Standards to informational texts (e.g., "Use relevant and sufficient evidence for supporting the claims and argument."). Range of Writing W.7.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. EE.W.7.10 Write routinely for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences. No Change Seventh Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.7.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion. b. Follow rules for collegial discussions, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed. c. Pose questions that elicit elaboration and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant observations and ideas that bring the discussion back on topic as needed. d. Acknowledge new information expressed by others and, when warranted, modify their own views. EE.SL.7.1 Engage in a range of collaborative discussions. a. Come to discussions prepared to share information. b. With guidance and support from adults and peers, follow simple, agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles. c. Remain on the topic of the discussion when asking or answering questions or making other contributions. d. Accept when others involved in the discussion agree or disagree with own perspective. EE.SL.7.1 Engage in collaborative discussions. a. No Change b. No Change c. Remain on the topic of the discussion when answering questions or making other contributions to a discussion. d. Acknowledge new information expressed by others in a discussion. SL.7.2. Analyze the main ideas and supporting details presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how the ideas clarify a topic, text, or issue under study. EE.SL.7.2 Identify the main idea of information presented in graphical, oral, visual, or multimodal formats that relate to a topic, text, or issue under study. EE.SL.7.2 Identify details related to the main idea of a text presented orally or through other media. SL.7.3 Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence. EE.SL.7.3 Determine whether the claims made by a speaker are fact or opinion. No Change Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE SL.7.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with pertinent descriptions, facts, details, and examples; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. EE.SL.7.4 Present findings including descriptions, facts, or details related to a main idea or theme. EE.SL.7.4 Present findings on a topic including relevant descriptions, facts, or details. SL.7.5 Include multimedia components and visual displays in presentations to clarify claims and findings and emphasize salient points. EE.SL.7.5 Select or create an audio recording, images, photographs, or other visual/tactual displays to emphasize points in presentations. EE.SL.7.5 Select or create audio recordings and visual/tactile displays to emphasize specific points in a presentation. SL.7.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. EE.SL.7.6 Communicate precisely (i.e., provide complete information) or efficiently (i.e., telegraphic communication) as required by the context, task, and communication partner. No Change Seventh Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.7.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Explain the function of phrases and clauses in general and their function in specific sentences. b. Choose among simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas. c. Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers.* EE.L.7.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when writing or communicating. a. Produce simple complete sentences when writing or communicating. b. N/A c. N/A EE.L.7.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. DELETE b. Produce complete simple sentences when writing or communicating. c. No Change L.7.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Use a comma to separate coordinate adjectives (e.g., It was a fascinating, enjoyable movie but not He wore an old[,] green shirt). b. Spell correctly. EE.L.7.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English when writing. a. Use end punctuation when writing a sentence or question. b. Spell words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of letter-sound relationships and/or common spelling patterns. EE.L.7.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English. a. No Change b. No Change Knowledge of Language L.7.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. a. Choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.* EE.L.7.3 Use language to achieve desired meaning when writing or communicating. a. Use precise language as required to achieve desired meaning. EE.L.7.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.7.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 7 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., belligerent, bellicose, rebel). c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech. d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary). EE.L.7.4 Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary drawn from reading and content areas. a. Use context to identify which word in an array of content related words is missing from a sentence. b. N/A c. Seek clarification and meaning support when unfamiliar words are encountered while reading or communicating. d. N/A EE.L.7.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. Use context to determine which word is missing from a content area text. b. Use frequently occurring root words (e.g., like) and the words that result when affixes are added (e.g., liked, disliked, liking). c. No Change d. No Change L.7.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., literary, biblical, and mythological allusions) in context. b. Use the relationship between particular words (e.g., synonym/antonym, analogy) to better understand each of the words. c. Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., refined, respectful, polite, diplomatic, condescending). EE.L.7.5 Demonstrate an understanding of word relationships. a. Demonstrate understanding of synonyms and antonyms. b. N/A c. N/A EE.L.7.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use. a. Identify the literal and nonliteral meanings of words in context. b. Demonstrate understanding of synonyms and antonyms. c. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.7.6. Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. EE.L.7.6 Use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases. EE.L.7.6 Use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases across contexts. COMMON CORE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS FOR EIGHTH GRADE Eighth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. EE.RL.8.1 Cite text to support inferences from stories and poems. No Change RL.8.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text. EE.RL.8.2 Provide a summary of a familiar text. EERL.8.2 Recount an event related to the theme or central idea, including details about character and setting. RL.8.3 Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision. EE.RL.8.3 Identify which incidents in a story or drama lead to subsequent action. No Change Craft and Structure RL.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. EE.RL.8.4 Determine meanings of words and phrases in literature including figurative language. EERL.8.4 Determine connotative meanings of words and phrases in a text. RL.8.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style. EE.RL.8.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts. EE.RL.8.5 Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts (e.g., stories, poems, dramas). RL.8.6 Analyze how differences in the points of view of the characters and the audience or reader (e.g., created through the use of dramatic irony) create such effects as suspense or humor. EE.RL.8.6 Determine the difference in the points of view of a character and the audience or reader in a text with suspense or humor. No Change Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.8.7 Analyze the extent to which a filmed or live production of a story or drama stays faithful to or departs from the text or script, evaluating the choices made by the director or actors. EE.RL.8.7 Compare and contrast a scene from a filmed or live production of a story or drama to the text or script. EE.RL.8.7 Compare and contrast a text version of a story, drama, or poem with an audio, video, or live version of the same text. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RL.8.8 (Not applicable to literature) RL.8.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change RL.8.9 Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new. EE.RL.8.9 Compare and contrast themes, patterns of events, or characters across two or more stories or dramas. No Change Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.8.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently. EE.RL.8.10 **This Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.8.10 Demonstrate understanding of text while actively engaged in reading or listening to stories, dramas, and poetry. Eighth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.8.1 Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. EE.RI.8.1 Cite text to support inferences from informational text. No Change RI.8.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text. EE.RI.8.2 Provide a summary of a familiar informational text. No Change RI.8.3 Analyze how a text makes connections among and distinctions between individuals, ideas, or events (e.g., through comparisons, analogies, or categories). EE.RI.8.3 Make connections between key individuals or events in a text. EE.RI.8.3 Recount events in the order they were presented in the text. Craft and Structure RI.8.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts. EE.RI.8.4 Determine meanings of words and phrases in informational text including figurative language. EE.RI.8.4 Determine connotative meanings of words and phrases in a text. RI.8.5 Analyze in detail the structure of a specific paragraph in a text, including the role of particular sentences in developing and refining a key concept. EE.RI.8.5 Determine the role of sentences in a paragraph (e.g., topic sentence, supporting details, and examples). EE.RI.8.5 Locate the topic sentence and supporting details in a paragraph. RI.8.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how the author acknowledges and responds to conflicting evidence or viewpoints. EE.RI.8.6 Determine an author’s purpose or point of view. EE.RI.8.6 Determine an author’s purpose or point of view and identify examples from text to that describe or support it. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.8.7 Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using different mediums (e.g., print or digital text, video, multimedia) to present a particular topic or idea. EE.RI.8.7 Select medium based on the advantages and disadvantages of using print, digital text, video, or multimedia to present a topic or idea. EE.RI.8.7 Determine whether a topic is best presented as audio, video, multimedia, or text. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RI.8.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced. EE.RI.8.8 Determine whether claims in a text are fact or opinion. EE.RI.8.8 Determine the argument made by an author in an informational text. RI.8.9 Analyze a case in which two or more texts provide conflicting information on the same topic and identify where the texts disagree on matters of fact or interpretation. EE.RI.8.9 Compare and contrast the key information in two different texts on the same topic. EE.RI.8.9 Identify where two different texts on the same topic differ in their interpretation of the details. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.8.10 By the end of the year, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 6–8 text complexity band independently and proficiently. EE.RI.8.10 **This Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.8.10 Demonstrate understanding while actively reading or listening to literary nonfiction. Eighth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Text Types and Purposes W.8.1 Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. d. Establish and maintain a formal style. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. EEW.8.1 a-b. Write an argument to support claims with one clear reason or piece of evidence. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.8.1 Write claims about topics or texts. a. Introduce the claim and provide reasons or pieces of evidence to support it. b. Write reasons to support a claim about a topic or text. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.8.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content. a. Introduce a topic clearly, previewing what is to follow; organize ideas, concepts, and information into broader categories; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., charts, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. b. Develop the topic with relevant, well-chosen facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples. c. Use appropriate and varied transitions to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among ideas and concepts. d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic. e. Establish and maintain a formal style. f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented. EE.W.8.2 a-b. Write to convey ideas and information clearly including facts, details, and other information as well as graphics and multimedia as needed. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A f. N/A EE.W.8.2 Write to share information supported by details. a. Introduce a topic clearly and write to convey ideas and information about it including visual, tactual, or multimedia information as appropriate. b. Write one or more facts or details related to the topic. c. Write complete thoughts as appropriate. d. Use domain specific vocabulary related to the topic. e. No Change f. Provide a closing. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.8.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences. a. Engage and orient the reader by establishing a context and point of view and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally and logically. b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, and reflection, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. c. Use a variety of transition words, phrases, and clauses to convey sequence, signal shifts from one time frame or setting to another, and show the relationships among experiences and events. d. Use precise words and phrases, relevant descriptive details, and sensory language to capture the action and convey experiences and events. e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on the narrated experiences or events. EE.W.8.3 Select an event or personal experience and write about it. a-b. Introduce the experience or situation, at least one character, and two or more events in sequence. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.8.3 Write about events or personal experiences. a. Write a narrative about a real or imagined experience introducing the experience, at least one character, and two or more events. b. DELETE c. Use temporal words (e.g., first, then, next) to signal order. d. Use words that describe the feelings of characters or provide other sensory information about the setting, experiences, or events. e. Provide a closing. Production and Distribution of Writing W.8.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. EE.W.8.4 Produce writing that is appropriate for the task, purpose, or audience. No Change W.8.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on how well purpose and audience have been addressed. EE.W.8.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan by brainstorming and revise own writing by adding more information. EE.W.8.5 With guidance and support from adults and peers, plan before writing and revise own writing by adding more information. W.8.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and present the relationships between information and ideas efficiently as well as to interact and collaborate with others. EE.W.8.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce writing to interact and collaborate with others. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.8.7 Conduct short research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question), drawing on several sources and generating additional related, focused questions that allow for multiple avenues of exploration. EE.W.8.7 Conduct short research projects to answer and pose questions based on one source of information. No Change W.8.8 Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources, using search terms effectively; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation. EE.W.8.8 Select quotes from multiple print or digital sources that provide important information about a topic. EE.W.8.8 Select quotes providing relevant information about a topic from multiple print or digital sources. W.8.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. a. Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Analyze how a modern work of fiction draws on themes, patterns of events, or character types from myths, traditional stories, or religious works such as the Bible, including describing how the material is rendered new”). b. Apply grade 8 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., “Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is sound and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; recognize when irrelevant evidence is introduced”). EE.W.8.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 8 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast themes, patterns of events, or characters across two or more stories or dramas.”). b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 8 Reading Standards to informational text (e.g., “Determine whether claims in a text are fact or opinion.”). EE.W.8.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. No Change b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 8 Reading Standards to informational texts (e.g., “Use relevant and sufficient evidence for supporting the claims and argument.”). W.8.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. EE.W.8.10 Write routinely for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences. No Change Eighth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.8.1 Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher- led) with diverse partners on grade 8 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly. a. Come to discussions prepared, having read or researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence on the topic, text, or issue to probe and reflect on ideas under discussion. b. Follow rules for collegial discussions and decision-making, track progress toward specific goals and deadlines, and define individual roles as needed. c. Pose questions that connect the ideas of several speakers and respond to others’ questions and comments with relevant evidence, observations, and ideas. d. Acknowledge new information expressed by others, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views in light of the evidence presented. EE.SL.8.1 Listen and communicate with a variety of partners in order to discuss issues regarding the content. a. Come to discussions prepared to share information previously studied. b. Follow simple rules and carry out assigned roles during discussions. c-d. Respond to others’ questions and comments by answering questions regarding content. EE.SL.8.1 Engage in collaborative discussions. a. No Change b. No Change c. Remain on the topic of the discussion when asking or answering questions or making other contributions to a discussion. d. d. Acknowledge new information expressed by others in a discussion and relate it to own ideas. SL.8.2 Analyze the purpose of information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and evaluate the motives (e.g., social, commercial, political) behind its presentation. EE.SL.8.2 Describe the purpose of information presented in graphical, oral, visual, or multimodal formats. EE.SL.8.2 Determine the purpose of information presented in graphical, oral, visual, or multimodal formats. SL.8.3 Delineate a speaker’s argument and specific claims, evaluating the soundness of the reasoning and relevance and sufficiency of the evidence and identifying when irrelevant evidence is introduced. EE.SL.8.3 Determine whether claims in an oral presentation are fact or opinion. EE.SL.8.3 Determine the argument made by a speaker on a topic. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE SL.8.4 Present claims and findings, emphasizing salient points in a focused, coherent manner with relevant evidence, sound valid reasoning, and well- chosen details; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation. EE.SL.8.4 Present findings including relevant details. EE.SL.8.4 Present descriptions, facts, or details supporting specific points made on a topic. SL.8.5 Integrate multimedia and visual displays into presentations to clarify information, strengthen claims and evidence, and add interest. EE.SL.8.5 Integrate multimedia and visual information into presentations. EE.SL.8.5 Include multimedia and visual information into presentations. SL.8.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. EE.SL.8.6 Adapt communication to a variety of contexts and tasks using complete sentences when indicated or appropriate. EE.SL.8.6 Use complete sentences when communicating with others. Eighth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.8.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Explain the function of verbals (gerunds, participles, infinitives) in general and their function in particular sentences. b. Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice. c. Form and use verbs in the indicative, imperative, interrogative, conditional, and subjunctive mood. d. Recognize and correct inappropriate shifts in verb voice and mood.* EE.L.8.1 Demonstrate conventions of standard English grammar when writing or communicating. a. N/A b. Form and use the simple verb tenses (e.g., I walked, I walk, I will walk). c. N/A d. Use appropriate verbs to match nouns. EE.L.8.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. No Change b. No Change c. Use appropriate verbs to match nouns. d. DELETE L.8.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Use punctuation (comma, ellipsis, dash) to indicate a pause or break. b. Use an ellipsis to indicate an omission. c. Spell correctly. EE.L.8.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English when writing. a. Use end punctuation and capitalization when writing a sentence or question. b. N/A c. Spell words phonetically, drawing on knowledge of letter-sound relationships and/or common spelling patterns. EE.L.8.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English. a. No Change b. No Change c. No Change Knowledge of Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.8.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. a. Use verbs in the active and passive voice and in the conditional and subjunctive mood to achieve particular effects (e.g., emphasizing the actor or the action; expressing uncertainty or describing a state contrary to fact). EE.L.8.3 Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening. a. Use to-be verbs (am, are, is, was, were, be, become, became) accurately when writing and communicating. EE.L.8.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. No Change Vocabulary Acquisition and Use W.8.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words or phrases based on grade 8 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence or paragraph; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word (e.g., precede, recede, secede). c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning or its part of speech. d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary). EE.L.8.4 Demonstrate knowledge of new vocabulary drawn from reading and content areas. a. Use context to identify which word in an array of content related words is missing from a sentence. b. N/A c. Seek clarification and meaning support when unfamiliar words are encountered while reading or communicating. d. N/A EE.L.8.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. Use context to determine which word is missing from a content area text. b. Use frequently occurring root words (e.g., like) and the words that result when affixes are added (e.g., liked, disliked, liking). c. No Change d. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.8.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g. verbal irony, puns) in context. b. Use the relationship between particular words to better understand each of the words. c. Distinguish among the connotations (associations) of words with similar denotations (definitions) (e.g., bullheaded, willful, firm, persistent, resolute). EE.L.8.5 Demonstrate an understanding of word relationships. a. Demonstrate understanding of the use of multiple meaning words. b. Use knowledge of common words to understand the meaning of compound and complex words in which they appear (e.g., birdhouse, household). c. Use descriptive words to add meaning when writing and communicating. EE.L.8.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use. a. No Change b. No Change c. No Change L.8.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. EE.L.8.6 Acquire and use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases. EE.L.8.6 Use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases across contexts. Common Core Essential Elements and Achievement Descriptors for Ninth-Tenth Grade Ninth-Tenth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.9-10.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. EE.RL.9-10.1 Determine which citations demonstrate what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. No Change RL.9-10.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text. EE.RL.9-10.2 Determine the central idea of the text and select details that relate to it; recount the text. EE.RL.9-10.2 Recount events related to the theme or central idea, including details about character and setting. RL.9-10.3 Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme. EE.RL.9-10.3 Describe interactions between characters. EE.RL.9-10.3 Determine how characters change or develop over the course of a text. Craft and Structure RL.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone). EE.RL.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including common analogies and figures of speech. EE.RL.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including idioms, analogies, and figures of speech. RL.9-10.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise. EE.RL.9-10.5 Determine the sequence of events in a story or drama. EE.RL.9-10.5 Identify where a text deviates from a chronological presentation of events. RL.9-10.6 Analyze a particular point of view or cultural experience reflected in a work of literature from outside the United States, drawing on a wide reading of world literature. EE.RL.9-10.6 Connect the experiences of characters in a story or drama from outside of the U.S. with personal experience. EE.RL.9-10.6 Determine a point of view or cultural experience in a work of literature from outside the United States and compare it with own point of view or experience. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.9-10.7 Analyze the representation of a subject or a key scene in two different artistic mediums, including what is emphasized or absent in each treatment (e.g., Auden’s “Musée des Beaux Arts” and Breughel’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus). EE.RL.9-10.7 Compare the representation of a subject or topic in two different artistic mediums (e.g., poetry and illustration). No Change RL.9-10.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.9-10.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change RL.9-10.9 Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work (e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author draws on a play by Shakespeare). EE.RL.9-10.9 Identify when an author references one text to another text. EE.RL.9-10.9 Identify when an author draws upon or references a different text. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.9-10.10 By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9–10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, at the high end of the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently. EE.RL.9-10.10 **This Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.9-10.10 Demonstrate understanding of a text while actively engaged in reading or listening to stories, dramas, or poems. Ninth-Tenth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.9-10.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. EE.RI.9-10.1 Determine which citations demonstrate what the text says explicitly as well as inferentially. No Change RI.9-10.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text. EE.RI.9-10.2 Determine the central idea of the text and select details to support it. No Change RI.9-10.3 Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them. EE.RI.9-10.3 Determine connections drawn between ideas or events in informational text. EE.RI.9-10.3 Determine logical connections between individuals, ideas, or events in a text. Craft and Structure RI.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper). EE.RI.9-10.4 Determine meanings of words and phrases in informational text including figurative language. EE.RI.9-10.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in text, including common idioms, analogies, and figures of speech. RI.9-10.5 Analyze in detail how an author’s ideas or claims are developed and refined by particular sentences, paragraphs, or larger portions of a text (e.g., a section or chapter). EE.RI.9-10.5 Determine which sentences in a text support the claims of the author. EE.RI.9-10.5 Locate sentences that support an author’s central idea or claim. RI.9-10.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose. EE.RI.9-10.6 Determine an author’s purpose or point of view. EE.RI.9-10.6 Determine author’s point of view and compare with own point of view. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RI.9-10.7 Analyze various accounts of a subject told in different mediums (e.g., a person’s life story in both print and multimedia), determining which details are emphasized in each account. EE.RI.9-10.7 Compare a selection of informational text about a person with another medium. EE.RI.9-10.7 Analyze two accounts of a subject told in different mediums to determine how they are the same and different. RI.9-10.8 Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning. EE.RI.9-10.8 Delineate statements that support an argument. EE.RI.9-10.8 Determine how the specific claims support the argument made in an informational text. RI.9-10.9 Analyze seminal U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (e.g., Washington’s Farewell Address, the Gettysburg Address, Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms speech, King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail”), including how they address related themes and concepts. EE.RI.9-10.9 Make connections between U.S. documents of historical and literary significance based on related themes and concepts. EE.RI.9-10.9 Determine the arguments of different texts on the same topic. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.9-10.10 By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 9–10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. By the end of grade 10, read and comprehend literary nonfiction at the high end of the grades 9–10 text complexity band independently and proficiently. EE.RI.9-10.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.9-10.10 Demonstrate understanding while actively engaged in reading or listening to literary non-fiction. Ninth-Tenth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Text Types and Purposes W.9-10.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. a. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that establishes clear relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly, supplying evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level and concerns. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims. d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. EE.W.9-10.1 a. Write about a personal opinion and give more than one reason supporting and rejecting the claim. b. N/A c. N/A d. N/A EE.W.9-10.1 Write claims about topics or texts. a. Introduce a topic or text and write one claim and one counterclaim about it. b. Write one counter-claim. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.9-10.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. a. Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. b. Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic. c. Use appropriate and varied transitions to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts. d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic. e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic). EE.W.9-10.2 a-b. Write to convey ideas and information using clear organization and including facts, details, and other information as well as graphics and multimedia as needed. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A f. N/A EE.W.9-10.2 Write to share information supported by details. a. Introduce a topic clearly and use a clear organization to write about it including visual, tactual, or multimedia information as appropriate. b. Develop the topic with facts or details. c. Use complete, simple sentences as appropriate. d. Use domain specific vocabulary when writing claims related to a topic of study or text. e. No Change f. Providing a closing or concluding statement. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.9-10.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well- chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. a. Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events. b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. c. Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole. d. Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters. e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. EE.W.9-10.3 Select an event or personal experience and write about it. a-b. Introduce an experience or situation, at least one character, and describe multiple events in sequence. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.9-10.3 Write about events or personal experiences. a. Write a narrative about a problem, situation, or observation including at least one character, details, and clearly sequenced events. b. DELETE c. Organize the events in the narrative using temporal words to signal order as appropriate. d. Use descriptive words and phrases to convey a vivid picture of experiences, events, setting, or characters. e. Provide a closing. Production and Distribution of Writing W.9-10.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade- specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.) EE.W.9-10.4 Produce writing that is appropriate to a particular task, purpose, and audience. EE.W.9-10.4 Produce writing that is appropriate for the task, purpose, and audience. W.9-10.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. EE.W.9-10.5 Develop writing by planning and revising own writing by adding more information. EE.W.9-10.5 Develop writing by planning and revising own writing. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.9-10.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically. EE.W.9-10.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products. No Change Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.9-10.7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self- generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. EE.W.9-10.7 Conduct short research projects to answer questions posed by self and others using multiple sources of information. EE.W.9-10.7 Conduct research projects to answer questions posed by self and others using multiple sources of information. W.9-10.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation. EE.W.9-10.8 Select information from multiple sources and use the information to write answers to research questions. EE.W.9-10.8 Write answers to research questions by selecting relevant information from multiple resources. W.9-10.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. a. Apply grades 9–10 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Analyze how an author draws on and transforms source material in a specific work [e.g., how Shakespeare treats a theme or topic from Ovid or the Bible or how a later author draws on a play by Shakespeare]”). b. Apply grades 9–10 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., “Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, assessing whether the reasoning is valid and the evidence is relevant and sufficient; identify false statements and fallacious reasoning”). EE.W.9-10.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 9-10 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Identify when an author has drawn upon or included references to another text.”). b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 9-10 Reading Standards to informational text (e.g., “Delineate statements that support an argument.”). EE.W.9-10.9 Use information from literary and informational text to support writing. a. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 9-10 Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Identify when an author has drawn upon or included references to another text.”). b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 9-10 Reading Standards to informational texts (e.g., "Use sound reasons for supporting the claims and argument."). Range of Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.9-10.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. EE.W.9-10.10 Write routinely over time for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. No Change Ninth-Tenth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9–10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. a. Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well-reasoned exchange of ideas. b. Work with peers to set rules for collegial discussions and decision-making (e.g., informal consensus, taking votes on key issues, presentation of alternate views), clear goals and deadlines, and individual roles as needed. c. Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that relate the current discussion to broader themes or larger ideas; actively incorporate others into the discussion; and clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions. d. Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives, summarize points of agreement and disagreement, and, when warranted, qualify or justify their own views and understanding and make new connections in light of the evidence and reasoning presented. EE.SL.9-10.1 Initiate and participate in collaborative discussions. a. Prepare for discussions by collecting information on the topic. b. Work with peers to set rules for discussions. c. Ask and answer questions during a discussion. d. Indicate agreement or disagreement with others during discussions. EE.SL.9-10.1 Engage in collaborative discussions. a. No Change b. Work with adults and peers to set rules for discussions. c. Relate the topic of discussion to broader themes or ideas. d. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE SL.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source. EE.SL.9-10.2 Determine the credibility of information presented in diverse media or formats. No Change SL.9-10.3 Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, identifying any fallacious reasoning or exaggerated or distorted evidence. EE.SL.9-10.3 Determine whether a claim made by a speaker is credible (e.g., fact or opinion; supported or unsupported). EE.SL.9-10.3 Determine the speaker's point of view on a topic. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas SL.9-10.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task. EE.SL.9-10.4 Present information logically with an organization that is appropriate to the purpose, audience, and task. EE.SL.9-10.4 Present an argument on a topic with logically organized claims, reasons, and evidence. SL.9-10.5 Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest. EE.SL.9-10.5 Use digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to support understanding. No Change SL.9-10.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. EE.SL.9-10.6 Adapt communication to a variety of contexts and tasks using complete sentences when indicated or appropriate. EE.SL.9-10.6 Adapt communication to a variety of contexts and tasks. Ninth-Tenth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English L.9-10.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Use parallel structure.* b. Use various types of phrases (noun, verb, adjectival, adverbial, participial, prepositional, absolute) and clauses (independent, dependent; noun, relative, adverbial) to convey specific meanings and add variety and interest to writing or presentations. EE.L.9-10.1 Demonstrate knowledge of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. N/A b. Use a variety of parts of speech (nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, and prepositions) in writing or communication to convey information. EE.L.9-10.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. No Change b. No Change L.9-10.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Use a semicolon (and perhaps a conjunctive adverb) to link two or more closely related independent clauses. b. Use a colon to introduce a list or quotation. c. Spell correctly. EEL.9-10.2. Demonstrate understanding of use of conventions of standard English writing. a. Use correct punctuation when writing. b. N/A c. Spell most single-syllable words correctly and apply knowledge of word chunks in spelling longer words. EE.L.9-10.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English. a. Use a comma and conjunction to combine two simple sentences. b. No Change c. No Change Knowledge of Language L.9-10.3 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. a. Write and edit work so that it conforms to the guidelines in a style manual (e.g., MLA Handbook, Turabian’s Manual for Writers) appropriate for the discipline and writing type. EE.L.9-10.3 Use knowledge of language to achieve desired meaning when writing or communicating. a. Write and revise work so that it communicates clearly to the intended audience. EE.L.9-10.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. Vary syntax when writing and communicating. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.9-10.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech (e.g., analyze, analysis, analytical; advocate, advocacy). c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, or its etymology. d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary). EE.L.9-10.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple- meaning words. a. Use context to determine the meaning of unknown b. N/A c. Consult reference materials (dictionaries, online vocabulary supports) to clarify the meaning of unfamiliar words encountered when reading. d. See EEL.9- 10.4.c. above. EE.L.9-10.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. No Change b. Identify and use root words and the words that result when affixes are added or removed. c. No Change d. DELETE L.9-10.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text. b. Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations. EE.L.9-10.5 Demonstrate understanding of multiple meaning of words and figurative language. a. Distinguish understanding of multiple meaning of words and figures of speech. b. N/A EE.L.9-10.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use. a. Interpret common figures of speech. b. Determine the intended meaning of multiple meaning words. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.9-10.6 Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. EE.L.9-10.6 Acquire and use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases. EE.L.9-10.6 Use general academic and domain- specific words and phrases across contexts. COMMON CORE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTORS FOR ELEVENTH-TWELFTH GRADE Eleventh-Twelfth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Literature) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RL.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain. EE.RL.11-12.1 Cite textual evidence to determine where the text leaves matters uncertain. EE.RL.11-12.1 Analyze a text to determine its meaning and cite textual evidence to support explicit and implicit understandings. RL.11-12.2 Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text. EE.RL.11-12.2 Provide a summary of an unfamiliar text. EE.RL.11-12.2 Recount the main events of the text which are related to the theme or central idea. RL.11-12.3 Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed). EE.RL.11-12.3 Explain how characters develop over the course of a story. EE.RL.11-12.3 Determine how characters, the setting or events change over the course of the story or drama. Craft and Structure RL.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.) EE.RL.11-12.4 Determine how words or phrases with multiple meanings have an impact on meaning or tone of a text. EE.RL.11-12.4 Determine how words or phrases in a text, including words with multiple meanings and figurative language, impacts the meaning. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RL.11-12.5 Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g., the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact. EE.RL.11-12.5 Determine how the author’s choice of where to end the story contributes to the meaning. No Change RL.11-12.6 Analyze a case in which grasping a point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement). EE.RL.11-12.6 Identify the intended meaning to match what an author wrote. EE.RL.11-12.6 Determine the point of view when there is a difference between the author’s actual language and intended meaning. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas RL.11-12.7 Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama, or poem (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry), evaluating how each version interprets the source text. (Include at least one play by Shakespeare and one play by an American dramatist.) EE.RL.11-12.7 Compare two or more interpretations (e.g., recorded or live production of a play or recorded novel or poetry) of a story, drama, or poem. No Change RL.11-12.8 (Not applicable to literature) EE.RL.11-12.8 (Not applicable to literature) No Change RL.11-12.9 Demonstrate knowledge of eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and early-twentieth-century foundational works of American literature, including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics. EE.RL.11-12.9 Compare and contrast elements of American literature to other literary works, self, or one’s world. (Compare themes, topics, locations, context, and point of view.). EE.RL.11-12.9 Demonstrate explicit understanding of recounted versions of foundational works of American literature. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RL.11-12.10 By the end of grade 11, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 11–CCR text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RL.11-12.10 **This Literature Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RL.11-12.10 Demonstrate understanding while actively engaged in reading or listening to stories, dramas, and poems. Eleventh-Twelfth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Reading (Informational Text) CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Key Ideas and Details RI.11-12.1 Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain. EE.RI.11-12.1 Cite textual evidence to determine where informational text leaves matters uncertain. EE.RI.11-12.1 Analyze a text to determine its meaning and cite textual evidence to support explicit and implicit understanding. RI.11-12.2 Determine two or more central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to provide a complex analysis; provide an objective summary of the text. EE.RI.11-12.2 Provide a summary of an informational text. EE.RI.11-12.2 Determine the central idea of a text; recount the text. RI.11-12.3 Analyze a complex set of ideas or sequence of events and explain how specific individuals, ideas, or events interact and develop over the course of the text. EE.RI.11-12.3 Explain how specific events develop over the course of the text. EE.RI.11-12.3 Determine how individuals, ideas, or events change over the course of the text. Craft and Structure RI.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10). EE.RI.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words or phrases within an informational text. EE.RI.11-12.4 Determine how words or phrases in a text, including words with multiple meanings and figurative language, impacts the meaning of the text. RI.11-12.5 Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging. EE.RI.11-12.5 Determine how the author’s choice of where to make an argument contributes to the meaning. EE.RI.11-12.5 Determine whether the structure of a text enhances an author’s claim. RI.11-12.6 Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness, or beauty of the text. EE.RI.11-12.6 Determine how the author’s style affects the purpose of the text. EE.RI.11-12.6 Determine author’s point of view and compare and contrast it with own point of view. Integration of Knowledge and Ideas CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE RI.11-12.7 Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a problem. EE.RI.11-12.7 Analyze information presented in different media on related topics to answer questions or solve problems. No Change RI.11-12.8 Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. texts, including the application of constitutional principles and use of legal reasoning (e.g., in U.S. Supreme Court majority opinions and dissents) and the premises, purposes, and arguments in works of public advocacy (e.g., The Federalist, presidential addresses). EE.RI.11-12.8 Explain how U.S. texts inform citizens’ rights. EE.RI.11-12.8 Determine whether the claims and reasoning enhance the author’s argument in an informational text. RI.11-12.9 Analyze seventeenth-, eighteenth-, and nineteenth-century foundational U.S. documents of historical and literary significance (including The Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address) for their themes, purposes, and rhetorical features. EE.RI.11-12.9 Determine the purposes of foundational U. S. documents of historical significance. EE.RI.11-12.9 Compare and contrast arguments made by two different texts on the same topic. Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity RI.11-12.10 By the end of grade 11, read and comprehend literary nonfiction in the grades 11–CCR text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range. EE.RI.11-12.10 **This Essential Element references all elements above. EE.RI.11-12.10 Demonstrate understanding while actively engaged in reading or listening to literary non-fiction. Eleventh-Twelfth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Writing CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Text Types and Purposes W.11-12.1 Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims. d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. EE.W.11-12.1 a-b. Write to express an opinion with supporting information about a topic or text and a concluding statement. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.11-12.1 Write arguments to support claims. a. Write an argument to support a claim that results from studying a topic or reading a text. b. Support claims with reasons and evidence drawn from text. c. No Change d. No Change e. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.11-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content. a. Introduce a topic; organize complex ideas, concepts, and information so that each new element builds on that which precedes it to create a unified whole; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to aiding comprehension. b. Develop the topic thoroughly by selecting the most significant and relevant facts, extended definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic. c. Use appropriate and varied transitions and syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships among complex ideas and concepts. d. Use precise language, domain-specific vocabulary, and techniques such as metaphor, simile, and analogy to manage the complexity of the topic. e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic). EE.W.11-12.2 a-b. Write to convey ideas and information using clear organization and including facts, details, and other information as well as graphics and multimedia as needed. c. N/A d. N/A e. N/A f. N/A EE.W.11-12.2 Write to share information supported by details. a. Introduce a topic clearly and write an informative or explanatory text that conveys ideas, concepts, and information including visual, tactual, or multimedia information as appropriate. b. Develop the topic with relevant facts, details, or quotes. c. Use complete, simple sentences, as well as compound and other complex sentences as appropriate. d. Use domain specific vocabulary when writing claims related to a topic of study or text. e. No Change f. Provide a closing or concluding statement. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.11-12.3 Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well- chosen details, and well-structured event sequences. a. Engage and orient the reader by setting out a problem, situation, or observation and its significance, establishing one or multiple point(s) of view, and introducing a narrator and/or characters; create a smooth progression of experiences or events. b. Use narrative techniques, such as dialogue, pacing, description, reflection, and multiple plot lines, to develop experiences, events, and/or characters. c. Use a variety of techniques to sequence events so that they build on one another to create a coherent whole and build toward a particular tone and outcome (e.g., a sense of mystery, suspense, growth, or resolution). d. Use precise words and phrases, telling details, and sensory language to convey a vivid picture of the experiences, events, setting, and/or characters. e. Provide a conclusion that follows from and reflects on what is experienced, observed, or resolved over the course of the narrative. EE.W.11-12.3 Select an event or personal experience and write about it. a-c. Introduce an experience or situation, at least one character, and describe multiple events in sequence. d. N/A e. N/A EE.W.11-12.3 Write about events or personal experiences. a. Write a narrative about a problem, situation, or observation including at least one character, details, and clearly sequenced events. b. DELETE c. Organize the events in the narrative using temporal words to signal order and add cohesion. d. Use descriptive words and phrases to convey a vivid picture of experiences, events, setting, or characters. e. Provide a closing. Production and Distribution of Writing W.11-12.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. EE.W.11-12.4 Produce writing that is appropriate to a particular task, purpose, and audience. No Change W.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. EE.W.11-12.5 Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, and rewriting. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information. EE.W.11-12.6 Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish and update an individual or shared writing project. No Change Research to Build and Present Knowledge W.11-12.7 Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation. EE.W.11-12.7 Conduct short research projects to answer questions posed by self and others using multiple sources of information. EE.W.11-12.7 Conduct research projects to answer questions posed by self and others using multiple sources of information. W.11-12.8 Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation. EE.W.11-12.8 Select information from multiple sources and use the information to write answers to research questions. EE.W.11-12.8 Write answers to research questions by selecting relevant information from multiple resources. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE W.11-12.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. a. Apply grades 11–12 Reading standards to literature (e.g., “Demonstrate knowledge of eighteenth-, nineteenth- and early-twentieth- century foundational works of American literature, including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics”). b. Apply grades 11–12 Reading standards to literary nonfiction (e.g., “Delineate and evaluate the reasoning in seminal U.S. texts, including the application of constitutional principles and use of legal reasoning [e.g., in U.S. Supreme Court Case majority opinions and dissents] and the premises, purposes, and arguments in works of public advocacy [e.g., The Federalist, presidential addresses]”). EE.W.11-12.9 Cite evidence from literary or informational texts. a. Apply Grades 11-12 Essential Elements for Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast elements of American literature to other literary works, self, or one’s world. [Compare themes, topics, locations, context, and point of view].”). b. b. Apply Essential Elements of Grade 11-12 Reading Standards to nonfictional or informational texts (e.g., “Explain how U.S. texts inform citizens’ righ ts.”). EE.W.11-12.9 Cite evidence from literary or informational texts. a. Apply Grades 11-12 Essential Elements for Reading Standards to literature (e.g., “Compare and contrast elements of American literature to other literary works, self, or one’s world. [Compare themes, topics, locations, context, and point of view].”). b. Apply Grades 11-12 Essential Elements for Reading Standards to informational texts (eg., "Compare and contrast reasoning and arguments used in one's work with those used in seminal U.S. texts."). W.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. EE.W.11-12.10 Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences. No Change Eleventh-Twelfth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Speaking and Listening CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Comprehension and Collaboration SL.11-12.1 Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one- on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11– 12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. a. Come to discussions prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well- reasoned exchange of ideas. b. Work with peers to promote civil, democratic discussions and decision- making, set clear goals and deadlines, and establish individual roles as needed. c. Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives. d. Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task. EE.SL.11-12.1 Initiate and participate in collaborative discussions. a. Prepare for discussions by collecting information on the topic. b. Work with peers to set rules, goals, and deadlines to promote democratic discussions. c. Ask and answer questions to verify or clarify own ideas and understandings during a discussion. d. Restate comments or claims made by others during a discussion. EE.SL.11-12.1 Engage in collaborative discussions. a. No Change b. Work with peers to set rules and goals for discussions. c. No Change d. Respond to agreements and disagreements in a discussion. CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE SL.11-12.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse formats and media (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) in order to make informed decisions and solve problems, evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source and noting any discrepancies among the data. EE.SL.11-12.2 Determine the credibility and accuracy of information presented across diverse media or formats. No Change SL.11-12.3 Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric, assessing the stance, premises, links among ideas, word choice, points of emphasis, and tone used. EE.SL.11-12.3 Determine whether the claims made by a speaker are credible (e.g., fact or opinion; supported or unsupported). EE.SL.11-12.3 Determine whether the claims and reasoning enhance the speaker's argument on a topic. Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas SL.11-12.4 Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks. EE.SL.11-12.4 Present information and findings as well as alternative or opposing information, with an organization that is appropriate to the purpose, audience, and task. EE.SL.11-12.4 Present an argument on a topic using an organization appropriate to the purpose, audience, and task. SL.11-12.5 Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest. EE.SL.11-12.5 Use digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to support understanding. EE.SL.11-12.5 Use digital media strategically (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to support understanding and add interest. SL.11-12.6 Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate. EE.SL.11-12.6 Adapt communication to a variety of contexts and tasks using complete sentences when indicated or appropriate. EE.SL.11-12.6 Adapt communication to a variety of contexts and tasks. Eleventh-Twelfth Grade English Language Arts Standards: Language CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Conventions of Standard English CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.11-12.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and is sometimes contested. b. Resolve issues of complex or contested usage, consulting references (e.g., c. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage, Garner’s Modern American Usage) as needed. EE.L.11-12.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking. a. Apply understandings that conventions of English are required in some forms of communication (e.g., writing a letter to advocate for something) but not in others (e.g., writing an e-mail or a text message to a friend). b. Use appropriate resources to resolve issues involving grammar usage, punctuation, and spelling (e.g., end of sentence punctuation, commas, question marks, exclamation points, hyphenation, parentheses, and colons). EE.L.11-12.1 Demonstrate standard English grammar and usage when communicating. a. Use conventions of standard English when needed. b. Use digital, electronic, and other resources and tools to improve uses of language as needed. L.11-12.2 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. a. Observe hyphenation conventions. b. Spell correctly. EE.L.11-12.2 Apply knowledge of conventions of English grammar to convey desired meaning in writing and communication. b. N/A EE.L.11-12.2 Demonstrate understanding of conventions of standard English. a. Demonstrate conventions of standard English including capitalization, ending punctuation, and spelling when writing. b. Spell most single-syllable words correctly and apply knowledge of word chunks in spelling longer words. Knowledge of Language L.11-12.3 Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. a. Vary syntax for effect, consulting references (e.g., Tufte’s Artful Sentences) for guidance as needed; apply an understanding of syntax to the study of complex texts when reading. EE.L.11-12.3 Use knowledge of language to achieve desired meaning when writing or communicating. a. Vary sentence structure using a variety of simple and compound sentence structures. EE.L.11-12.3 Use language to achieve desired outcomes when communicating. a. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE Vocabulary Acquisition and Use L.11-12.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 11–12 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies. a. Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase. b. Identify and correctly use patterns of word changes that indicate different meanings or parts of speech (e.g., conceive, conception, conceivable). c. Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, its etymology, or its standard usage. d. Verify the preliminary determination of the meaning of a word or phrase (e.g., by checking the inferred meaning in context or in a dictionary). EE.L.11-12.4 Demonstrate knowledge of the meaning of words and phrases drawn reading and academic content. a. Use context to determine the meaning of unknown words. b. N/A c. N/A d. Consult reference materials (dictionaries, online vocabulary supports) to clarify the meaning of unfamiliar words encountered when reading. EE.L.11-12.4 Demonstrate knowledge of word meanings. a. No Change b. Identify and use root words and the words that result when affixes are added or removed. c. No Change d. d. No Change L.11-12.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings. a. Interpret figures of speech (e.g., hyperbole, paradox) in context and analyze their role in the text. b. Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations. EE.L.11-12.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language and words relationships. a. Interpret simple figures of speech encountered while reading or listening. b. N/A EE.L.11-12.5 Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and use. a. No Change b. No Change CCSS Grade-Level Standards Common Core Essential Elements Proposed EE L.11-12.6 Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression. EE.L.11-12.6 Use academic and domain-specific words and phrases for communication appropriate for the student’s educational plans and career goals. EE.L.11-12.6 Use general academic and domain- specific words and phrases across contexts.