Language Arts
Kindergarten
MN Department of Education Standards
- Identify letters and sounds
- Begin to distinguish between real and make-believe
- Read independently at his/her level
- Order events in sequence
- Answer literal, inferential and personal response questions
- Interpret signs, symbols, print
- Connect literature to self through feelings and emotions
- Use context or resources to determine meanings of new words
- Copy a simple sentence
- Write the alphabet in manuscript
- Contribute to experience stories
- Use grammar and punctuation
- Write personal responses
- Use the writing process
- Express ideas, feelings, and personal experiences
- Follow simple directions
- Gain information through listening
First Grade
MN Department of Education Standards
Reading
- Uses strategies to unlock words to gain meaning from print
- Sight vocabulary (commonly used words)
- Phonetic skills (beginning/ending consonants, long/short vowels)
- Context clues (definition, examples, compare/contrast)
- Word endings (s, es, ed, ing)
- Uses strategies to read for comprehension: characters, setting, sequence, retelling
- Applies thinking skills: problem solving, predictions
- Recognizes and locates sources of information in library media center and classroom with assistance: fiction, nonfiction, dictionary
- Uses strategies to locate information: alphabetizes, interprets graphs
- Reads for content and fluency
- Reads for information and enjoyment
- Reads to appreciate a variety of literature
Writing
- Write for various purposes and audiences
- Writes in a variety of forms: journals, stories, poetry, letters
- Begins to use the steps of the writing process: prewriting, writing, proofreading, sharing
- Uses the mechanics of writing: capitalizes names and first letter of sentence, end punctuation
- Continues improvement in manuscript writing
- Continues improvement in the application of spelling to daily writing
- Writes for content and fluency
Speaking
- Uses oral language to communicate personal needs
- Demonstrates communication skills in informal situations
- Uses oral language to communicate effectively in a variety of speaking experiences: sharing, role play, storytelling
- Follows directions – oral and written
Listening
- Listens for enjoyment and information in personal and group situations
- Listens to appreciate a variety of literature and music
- Demonstrates active listening behaviors
Second Grade
MN Department of Education Standards
Reading
- Uses strategies to unlock words to gain meaning from print
- Uses strategies to read for comprehension
- Applies thinking skills
- Recognizes and locates sources of information
- Uses a table of contents
- Begins to use a research process
- Reads for content and fluency
- Reads for information and enjoyment
- Reads to appreciate a variety of literature
Writing
- Writes for enjoyment
- Writes for various purposes and audiences
- Writes in a variety of forms; journals, poetry, letters, stories
- Uses the steps of the writing process: prewriting, writing, proofreading, sharing
- Uses the mechanics of writing: punctuation, capitalization, complete sentences, grammar (nouns and verbs)
- Continues improvement in manuscript handwriting
- Continues improvement in the application of spelling in daily writing
- Experiences steps in the research process: selects topic, shares information
- Introduces and practices cursive writing-tower case
Speaking
- Uses oral language to communicate personal needs
- Demonstrates communication skills in informal situations
- Uses oral language to communicate effectively in a variety of speaking experiences: social situations, choral reading, role playing
- Speaks clearly and confidently, using appropriate volume, posture and eye contact
Listening
- Listens for enjoyment and to gain information in personal and group situations
- Listens to appreciate a variety of literature
Grade Three
MN Department of Education Standards
Reading
- Predict/infer
- Self-question
- Think about words
- Monitor
- Summarize
- Evaluate
- Recognizes and locates sources of information in the classroom, media center and public library using print material, nonprint information, onling catalogs, computer applications
- Uses strategies to locate information
- Interprets maps, charts, and graphs
- Uses table of contents and glossary
- Applies alphabetizing skills
- Uses research process
- Identifies relevant sources
- Uses beginning note taking skills
- Organizes information
- Shares information
- Reads for content and fluency
- Reads for enjoyment
- Reads to appreciate a variety of literature
Writing
- Writes for various purposes and audiences
- Experiences a variety of forms of writing
- Applies the components of the writing process: mechanics, sentence and paragraph structure, cursive handwriting
- Applies the steps of the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, proof-reading, sharing/publishing
- Applies thinking skills: organizing, extending ideas
Speaking
- Speaks clearly and confidently, using appropriate volume, posture and eye contact
- Communications appropriately in social situations and is culturally sensitive
Listening
- Demonstrates appropriate listening behaviors in small and large group situations
- Listens for enjoyment and information
Grade Four
MN Department of Education Standards
Reading
- Applies word-reading strategies: selected vocabulary from reading; word analysis; context clues; vocabulary strategy
- Recognizes and locates sources of information
- Uses the steps of a research process: framing the question; interview process
- Applies thinking strategies: problem solving, inference; extending ideas; compare/contrast
- Reads for enjoyment
- Reads to appreciate a variety of literature
Writing
- Writes for various purposes and audiences
- Makes choices in topics: forms, and selections to publish
- Practices a variety of forms of writing
- Applies the components of the writing process
- Applies the steps of the writing process
- Applies thinking skills
- Applies the steps involved in a research process
Speaking
- Demonstrates skills necessary to communicate effectively in a variety of formal and informal social situations: voice projection, organization, expression, rate, body language, and use of notes
- Communicates appropriately in social situations and in a variety of speaking experiences: speaks confidently and is culturally sensitive
- Uses oral language to communicate effectively in formal situations (may include the following) book reports, recitation, reporting events, memorization, dramatization, interviews
Listening
- Demonstrates appropriate listening behaviors in small and large group situations
- Listens for enjoyment and information
Fifth Grade
MN Department of Education Standards
Reading
- Applies work-reading strategies
- Applies strategies for comprehending written material
- Recognizes and locates sources of information
- Uses strategies to locate information
- Continues improvement in applying the steps of a research process
- Applies thinking strategies: program solving, inference, extending ideas, compare/contrast
- Reads for enjoyment
- Reads to appreciate a variety of literature
Writing
- Write for various purposes and audiences
- Makes choices in topics, forms and selections to publish
- Practices a variety of forms and writing
- Applies the components of the writing process
- Applies the steps of the writing process
- Applies thinking skills
- Applies the steps involved in a research process
Speaking
- Demonstrates skills necessary to communicate effectively in a variety of formal and informal social situations: voice projection, organization, expression, rate, body language, and use of notes
- Communicates appropriately in social situations and in a variety of speaking experiences: speaks confidently and is culturally sensitive
- Uses oral language to communicate effectively in formal situations
Listening
- Demonstrates appropriate listening behaviors in small and large group situations
- Listens for enjoyment and information