updated 6 May, 2007

Reading

• Apply reading strategies and skills to improve fluency and understanding
• Read age-appropriate material aloud with adequate speed, accuracy, and expression
• Demonstrate an understanding of vocabulary

Literature

• Identify and understand literary elements (characterization, characters, dialogue, figurative language, flashback, foreshadowing, imagery, irony, point of view, symbolism, and story elements: setting, plot, conflict, climax, resolution, theme)
• Recognize the differences among types of literature (allegory, drama, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, short stories)

  Literature Related Web Sites

• Picturing Hemingway "In his own lifetime, Hemingway's fame rested nearly as much on his personality as it did on his art. Between his expertise as an outdoor sportsman, his stints as a war correspondent, and his enthusiasm for bullfighting and boxing, he became a symbol of virile glamour, and his celebrity even among those who never read his books was a phenomenon unique in American letters. His most enduring legacy, however, is his crisp, direct storytelling prose, which has been a shaping influence for countless writers of the twentieth century."
• Houghton Mifflin Reading/Language Arts Center
• Children's Literature Web Guide
• CyberGuides: Teacher Guides and Student Activities - Standards-based, web-delivered units on childrens' literature for grades K-12.
• TheCase.com for Kids Calling all amateur detectives and mystery lovers. Each month TheCase.com for Kids ("Mysteries to solve, scary stories, magic tricks, and contests") features a quick solve (the answer is just a click away), a mystery writing contest, and a mini mystery Solve-It contest. Monthly winners are rewarded with a mystery book. Nancy Drew enthusiasts have their own site (you'll find the link on the main page).

Writing

• Recognize and apply appropriate parts of speech
• Use correct grammar in written work
• Apply appropriate punctuation
• Use correct spelling
• Identify, construct, and combine various types of sentences
• Avoid fragments, run-ons, and non-parallel constructions
• Construct effective paragraphs
• Use the writing process effectively (prewrite, draft, revise, edit, publish)
• Demonstrate organization, focus, elaboration, and integration in written compositions
• Write using various forms (expository, narrative, persuasive, poetry, etc.)

  Writing Related Web Sites

  • Cafe Hawthorne - a district 97 showcase of student writings.
  • The Global Campfire
  • Stone Soup Magazine

  Grammar Related Web Sites

  • The Maple Woods Writing Center Handouts - everything from how to create a thesis statement to comma usage, to using dashes and apostrophes, plus much more.
  • Writing Argumentative Essays - Great online instruction with links to everything from the difference between a debatable and non-debatable statement to converting informal text into formal text.
  • Plain Language Action Network Reference Library - This great site for writers includes links to writing tools such as Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr., an annotated web directory about grammar, style, usage, plain language and much, much more...including fun stuff.
  • The Grammar Lady Online - Use this site if you need help using proper grammar in your speaking or writing.
  • Writers' Workshop Online Handbook
  • Grammar Safari
  • On-Line English Grammar

Listening/Speaking
Research

• Understand and use the techniques and processes as outlined in Research Basics
  • Writing Basics and Research Basics - Districts 97, 90, 200 standardize requirements.