Standard 3: Language Arts Literacy

Language Arts Literacy Cumulative Progress Indicators (CPIs) for the end of the designated grade span

Place a "+" for an expectation that represents a strength & a "-" for a weakness

+ or -

STANDARD 3.2 (WRITING) ALL STUDENTS WILL WRITE IN CLEAR, CONCISE, ORGANIZED LANGUAGE THAT VARIES IN CONTENT AND FORM FOR DIFFERENT AUDIENCES AND PURPOSES.

A.     Writing as a Process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, postwriting)

By the end of Kindergarten, students will:

1.         Recognize that thoughts and talk can be written down in words.

2.         Observe the teacher modeling writing.

3.         Generate and share ideas and experiences for a story.

4.         Attempt to put ideas into writing using pictures, developmental spelling, or conventional text.

5.         Write (print) own first and last name.

6.         Participate in group writing activities such as experience stories, interactive writing, and shared writing.

7.         Begin to sequence story events for writing using pictures, developmental spelling, or conventional text.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 1, students will:

1.         Begin to generate ideas for writing through talking, sharing, and drawing.

2.         Observe the modeling of writing.

3.         Begin to use a basic writing process to develop writing.

4.         Use simple sentences to convey ideas.

5.         Increase fluency (ability to write ideas easily) to improve writing.

6.         Continue to use pictures, developmental spelling or conventional text to create writing drafts.

7.         Revisit pictures and writings to add detail.

8.         Begin to mimic an author’s voice and patterns.

9.         Begin to use a simple checklist to improve writing with teacher support.

10.     Begin to use simple computer writing applications during some parts of the writing process.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 2, students will:

1.      Generate ideas for writing: hearing stories, recalling experiences, brainstorming, and drawing.

2.      Observe the modeling of writing.

3.      Begin to develop an awareness of simple story structures and author’s voice.

4.         Use sentences to convey ideas in writing.

5.      Maintain the use of a basic writing process to develop writing.

6.      Use graphic organizers to assist with planning writing.

7.      Compose readable first drafts.

8.      Use everyday words in appropriate written context.

9.         Reread drafts for meaning, to add details, and to improve correctness.

10.     Focus on elaboration as a strategy for improving writing.

11.     Participate with peers to comment on and react to each other’s writing.

12.     Use a simple checklist to improve elements of own writing.

13.     Use computer writing applications during some parts of the writing process.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 3, students will:

1.       Generate possible ideas for writing through recalling experiences, listening to stories, reading, brainstorming, and discussion.

2.      Examine real-world examples of writing in various genres to gain understanding of how authors communicate ideas through form, structure, and author’s voice.

3.      Use graphic organizers to assist with planning writing.

4.      Compose first drafts from prewriting work.

5.      Revise a draft by rereading for meaning, narrowing the focus, sequencing, elaborating with detail, improving openings, closings, and word choice to show voice.

6.      Participate with peers to comment on and react to each other’s writing.

7.      Build awareness of ways authors use paragraphs to support meaning.

8.      Begin to develop author’s voice in own writing.

9.      Use reference materials to revise work, such as a dictionary or internet/software resource.  

10.   Edit work for basic spelling and mechanics.

11.     Use computer word-processing applications during parts of the writing process.

12.   Understand and use a checklist and/or rubric to improve writing.

13.   Reflect on own writing, noting strengths and areas needing improvement.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 4, students will:

1.      Generate possible ideas for writing through talking, recalling experiences, hearing stories, reading, discussing models of writing, asking questions, and brainstorming.

2.      Develop an awareness of form, structure, and author’s voice in various genres.  

3.      Use strategies such as reflecting on personal experiences, reading, doing interviews or research, and using graphic organizers to generate and organize ideas for writing.

4.      Draft writing in a selected genre with supporting structure according to the intended message, audience, and purpose for writing.

5.       Revise drafts by rereading for meaning, narrowing the focus, elaborating, reworking organization, openings, and closings, and improving word choice and consistency of voice.

6.      Review own writing with others to understand the reader’s perspective and to consider ideas for revision.  

7.       Review and edit work for spelling, mechanics, clarity, and fluency.

8.      Use a variety of reference materials to revise work, such as a dictionary, thesaurus, or internet/software resources.

9.       Use computer writing applications during most of the writing process.

10.   Understand and apply elements of grade-appropriate rubrics to improve and evaluate writing.

11. Reflect on one’s writing, noting strengths and areas needing improvement.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 5, students will:

1.        Write stories with multiple paragraphs that develop a situation or plot, describe the setting, and include an ending.

2.         Write informational compositions with multiple paragraphs that present important ideas, provide details, and offer a concluding paragraph.

3.         Generate possible ideas for writing through listening, talking, recalling experiences, hearing stories, reading, discussing models of writing, asking questions, and brainstorming.

4.         Develop an awareness of form, structure, and author’s voice in various genres.

5.         Use strategies such as graphic organizers and outlines to elaborate and organize ideas for writing.

6.         Draft writing in a selected genre with supporting structure according to the intended message, audience, and purpose for writing

7.         Make decisions about the use of precise language, including adjectives, adverbs, verbs, and specific details, and justify the choices made.

8.         Revise drafts by rereading for meaning, narrowing focus, elaborating and deleting, as well as reworking organization, openings, closings, word choice, and consistency of voice.

9.         Review own writing with others to understand the reader’s perspective and to consider and incorporate ideas for revision.

10.     Review and edit work for spelling, usage, clarity, organization, and fluency.

11.     Use a variety of reference materials to revise work.

12.     Use computer writing applications during the writing process.

13.     Understand and apply the elements of a scoring rubric to improve and evaluate writing.

14.     Reflect on own writing, noting strengths and setting goals for improvement.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 6, students will:

1.         Write informational compositions of several paragraphs that engage the interest of the reader, state a clear purpose, develop the topic, and conclude with a detailed summary.

2.         Generate ideas for writing through reading and making connections across the curriculum and with current events.

3.         Expand knowledge about form, structure, and voice in a variety of genres.

4.         Use strategies such as using graphic organizers and outlines to elaborate and organize ideas for writing.

5.         Draft writing in a selected genre with supporting structure and appropriate voice according to the intended message, audience, and purpose for writing.

6.         Make decisions about the use of precise language, including adjectives, adverbs, verbs, and specific details, and justify the choices made.

7.        Revise drafts by rereading for meaning, narrowing focus, elaborating and deleting, as well as reworking organization, openings, closings, word choice, and consistency of voice.

8.         Review own writing with others to understand the reader’s perspective and to consider and incorporate ideas for revision.

9.         Review and edit work for spelling, usage, clarity, organization, and fluency.

10.     Use a variety of reference materials to revise work.

11.     Use computer writing applications during the writing process.

12.     Understand and apply the elements of a scoring rubric to improve and evaluate writing.

13.     Reflect on own writing, noting strengths and setting goals for improvement.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 7, students will:

1.         Write stories or scripts with well-developed characters, setting, dialogue, clear conflict and resolution, and sufficient descriptive detail.

2.         Write multi-paragraph compositions that have clear topic development, logical organization, effective use of detail, and variety in sentence structure.

3.        Generate and narrow topics by considering purpose, audience, and form with a variety of strategies (e.g., graphic organizers, brainstorming, or technology-assisted processes).

4.         Revise and edit drafts by rereading for content and organization, usage, sentence construction, mechanics, and word choice.

5.         Demonstrate understanding of a scoring rubric to improve and evaluate writing.

6.         Compose, revise, edit, and publish writing using appropriate word processing software.

7.         Reflect on own writing, noting strengths and setting goals for improvement.

B.     Writing as a Product (resulting in work samples)

By the end of Kindergarten, students will:

1.         Show and talk about work samples containing pictures, developmental spelling, or conventional text.

2.         Begin to collect favorite work samples to place in personal writing folder.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 1, students will:

1.      Produce finished writings to share with class and/or for publication.

2.      Produce stories from personal experiences.

3.      Show and talk about own writing for classroom audience.

4.      Collect favorite works to place in personal writing folder.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 2, students will:

1.         Produce finished writings to share with classmates and/or for publication.

2.         Produce stories from personal experiences.

3.         Produce a narrative with a beginning, middle, and end.

4.       Write nonfiction pieces, such as letters, procedures, biographies, or simple reports.

5.       Organize favorite work samples in a writing folder or portfolio.  

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 3, students will:

1.      Write a descriptive piece, such as a description of a person, place, or object.

2.      Write a narrative piece based on personal experiences. 

3.      Write a nonfiction piece and/or simple informational report across the curriculum.

4.      Present and discuss writing with other students.

5.      Apply elements of grade-appropriate rubrics to improve writing.

6.      Develop a collection of writings (e.g., a literacy folder or portfolio).

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 4, students will:

1.         Create narrative pieces, such as memoir or personal narrative, which contain description and relate ideas, observations, or recollections of an event or experience.

2.         Write informational reports across the curriculum that frame an issue or topic, include facts and details, and draw from more than one source of information.

3.         Craft writing to elevate its quality by adding detail, changing the order of ideas, strengthening openings and closings, and using dialogue.

4.         Build knowledge of the characteristics and structures of a variety of genres.

5.         Sharpen focus and improve coherence by considering the relevancy of included details, and adding, deleting, and rearranging appropriately.

6.         Write sentences of varying lengths and complexity, using specific nouns, verbs, and descriptive words.

7.         Recognize the difference between complete sentences and sentence fragments and examine the uses of each in real-world writing.

8.         Improve the clarity of writing by rearranging words, sentences, and paragraphs.

9.        Examine real-world writing to expand knowledge of sentences, paragraphs, usage, and authors’ writing styles.

   10.     Provide logical sequence and support the purpose of writing by refining organizational structure and developing transitions between ideas.

11.     Engage the reader from beginning to end with an interesting opening, logical sequence, and satisfying conclusion.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 5, students will:

1.         Expand knowledge of characteristics and structures of selected genres.

2.         Write a range of grade appropriate essays across curricula (e.g., persuasive, personal, descriptive, issue- based)

3.         Write grade appropriate, multi-paragraph, expository pieces across curricula (e.g., problem/solution, cause/effect, hypothesis/results, feature articles, critique, research reports).

4.         Write various types of prose, such as short stories, biography, autobiography, or memoir, that contain narrative elements.

5.         Support main idea, topic, or theme with facts, examples, or explanations, including information from multiple sources.

6.         Sharpen focus and improve coherence by considering the relevancy of included details and adding, deleting, and rearranging appropriately.

7.         Write sentences of varying length and complexity, using specific nouns, verbs, and descriptive words.

8.         Prepare a works consulted page for reports or research papers.

9.         Provide logical sequence throughout multi-paragraph works by refining organizational structure and developing transitions between ideas.

10.     Engage the reader from beginning to end with an interesting opening, logical sequence, and satisfying conclusion.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 6, students will:

1.          Expand knowledge of characteristics, structures, and tone of selected genres.

2.         Write a range of grade appropriate essays  across curricula (e.g., persuasive, personal, descriptive, issue- based)

3.         Write grade appropriate, multi-paragraph expository pieces across curricula (e.g., problem/solution, cause/effect, hypothesis/results, feature articles, critique, research reports).

4.         Write various types of prose, such as short stories, biography, autobiography, or memoir that contain narrative elements.

5.         Support main idea, topic, or theme with facts, examples, or explanations, including information from multiple sources.

6.         Sharpen focus and improve coherence by considering the relevancy of included details, and adding, deleting, and rearranging appropriately.

7.         Write sentences of varying length and complexity, using specific nouns, verbs, and descriptive words.

8.         Prepare a works consulted page for reports or research papers.

9.         Provide logical sequence throughout multi-paragraph works by refining organizational structure and developing transitions between ideas.

10.     Engage the reader from beginning to end with an interesting opening, logical sequence, and satisfying conclusion.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 7, students will:

1.       Extend knowledge of specific characteristics, structures, and appropriate voice and tone of selected genres and use this knowledge in creating written work, considering the purpose, audience, and context of the writing.

2.         Write various types of prose, such as short stories, biographies, autobiographies, or memoirs that contain narrative elements.

3.         Write reports and subject-appropriate nonfiction pieces across the curriculum based on research and including citations, quotations, and a works consulted page.

4.         Write a range of essays, including persuasive, speculative (picture prompt), descriptive, personal, or issue-based.

C.     Mechanics, Spelling, and Handwriting

By the end of Kindergarten, students will:

1.         Use letter/sound knowledge in attempting to write (print) some words.

2.         Spell own name.

3.         Recognize and begin to use left-to-right and top-to-bottom directionality and spacing between words when writing.

4.         Gain increasing control of penmanship, including pencil grip, paper position, and beginning strokes.

5.         Write all uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet from teacher copy.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 1, students will:

1.         Write all upper and lowercase letters of the alphabet from memory.

2.         Begin to use basic punctuation and capitalization.  

3.         Apply sound/symbol relationships to writing words.

4.         Use developmental spelling or phonics-based knowledge to spell independently, when necessary.

5.         Develop awareness of conventional spelling.

6.         Use left-to-right and top-to-bottom directionality and use appropriate spacing between words.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 2, students will:

1.         Use correct end point punctuation.

2.         Apply basic rules of capitalization.

3.         Use correct spelling of some high frequency words.

4.         Apply sound/symbol relationships to writing words.

5.         Recognize and apply basic spelling patterns.

6.         Write legibly to meet district standards.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 3, students will:

1.         Use Standard English conventions that are developmentally appropriate to the grade level: sentences, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling.

2.         Use grade-appropriate knowledge of English grammar and usage to craft writing, such as singular and plural nouns, subject/verb agreement, and appropriate parts of speech.

3.         Study examples of narrative and expository writing to develop understanding of paragraphs and indentation.

4.         Develop knowledge of English spelling through the use of patterns, structural analysis, and high frequency words.

5.         Write legibly in manuscript or cursive to meet district standards.

Building upon knowledge and skills gained in preceding grades, by the end of Grade 4, students will:

1.        Use Standard English conventions that are appropriate to the grade level, such as sentence structure, grammar and usage, punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and handwriting.

2.         Use increasingly complex sentence structure and syntax to express ideas.

3.         Use grade appropriate knowledge of English grammar and usage to craft writing, such as subject/verb agreement, pronoun usage and agreement, and appropriate verb tenses.

4.         Use punctuation correctly in sentences, such as ending punctuation, commas, and quotation marks in dialogue.

5.         Use capital letters correctly in sentences, for proper nouns, and in titles.

6.         Study examples of narrative and expository writing to develop understanding of the reasons for and use of paragraphs and indentation.

7.         Indent in own writing to show the beginning of a paragraph.