School Improvement in Maryland

Using the VSC: Reading/ELA, Grade 6

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Reading/ELA:

Language

Standard 5.0 Controlling Language

Students will control language by applying the conventions of standard English in speaking and writing.*

Topic

A. Grammar

Indicator

  • 1. Recognize elements of grammar in personal and academic reading

Indicator

  • 2. Recognize, recall, and use grammar concepts and skills to strengthen control of oral and written language **
Objectives
  1. Recognize the meaning, position, form, and function of words when identifying grammatical concepts such as indefinite pronouns, perfect verb tenses, conjunctive adverbs, and correlative conjunctions
  2. Combine sentences using knowledge of subjects and predicates, logical placement of modifiers, and logical coordination, subordination, and sequencing of ideas
  3. Differentiate grammatically complete sentences from non-sentences, including fused sentences
  4. Compose simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences using independent and dependent clauses, transitions, conjunctions, and appropriate punctuation to connect ideas

Topic

B. Usage

Indicator

  • 1. Recognize examples of conventional usage in personal and academic reading

Indicator

  • 2. Comprehend and apply standard English usage in oral and written language **
Objectives
  1. Apply appropriate subject/verb agreement such as with collective nouns, indefinite pronouns, and inverted word order
  2. Apply consistent and appropriate use of the principal parts of regular and irregular verbs; person, number, and case of pronouns; pronoun/antecedent agreement; and degrees of comparison of modifiers
  3. Recognize and correct common usage errors such as misplaced modifiers; incorrect use of verbs; double negatives; and commonly confused words such as accept - except
  4. Use available resources to correct or confirm editorial choices
  5. Explain editorial choices

Topic

C. Mechanics

Indicator

  • 1. Explain and justify the purpose of mechanics to make and clarify meaning in academic and personal reading and writing

Indicator

  • 2. Apply standard English punctuation and capitalization in written language **
Objectives
  1. Use commas and semicolons correctly such as in a compound sentence
  2. Use parentheses and dashes correctly
  3. Use appropriate punctuation for special formats such as e-mails, bulleted lists, letters, memos, citations, and outlines
  4. Use a colon to introduce a list

Indicator

  • 3. Explain editorial choices involving mechanics

Topic

D. Spelling

Indicator

  • 1. Recognize conventional spelling in and through personal and academic reading

Indicator

  • 2. Apply conventional spelling in written language
Objectives
  1. Use conventional spelling in personal writing
  2. Develop self-monitoring strategies for frequently misspelled words
  3. Use suitable traditional and electronic resources as a spelling aid

Indicator

  • 3. Maintain a personal list of words to use in editing original writing

Topic

E. Handwriting

Indicator

  • 1. Produce writing that is legible to the audience
Objectives
  1. Write fluidly and legibly in manuscript and cursive
  2. Use word processing technology when appropriate

*Emphasis is on application of conventions rather than memorization of terms.

**At each grade level, curricular options include more complex examples of previous years' objectives.

Indicators/objectives that include assessment limits are assessed on MSA *New Standards identifies the need for students to process 1 million words per year to maintain academic progress.

11/15/07