English Language Arts Curriculum

Course Purpose and Outcomes

Kindergarten  |  1st Grade  |  2nd Grade  |  3rd Grade

4th Grade  |  5th Grade  |  6th Grade  |  7th Grade  |  8th Grade

Kindergarten

Course Purpose:

Students will apply print concepts and foundational skills to learn how to read and write. Students will compose complete sentences with proper, simple grammar.

Outcome #

Outcome

LA.K.1

Students will distinguish between the author and illustrator, show parts of a fiction book with a product that asks and answers questions to clarify unknown words. 

LA.K.2

Students will distinguish between the author and illustrator, show parts of a nonfiction book by creating a product to ask and answer questions to clarify unknown words. 

LA.K.3

Students will apply phonemic awareness skills to read a story, identify story elements, key details, and retell by answering questions with prompting and support.

LA.K.4

Students will analyze nonfiction texts to identify key details and determine the connection between two pieces of information in an effort to create a  presentation that answers a question. 

LA.K.5

Students will produce informative writing using key details from grade level text to compare the relationship between illustrations and the story in which they appear. 

LA.K.6

Students will collaborate with peers to compare and contrast factual research and produce opinion writing

LA.K.7

Students will apply phonemic awareness to learn to identify and print all letters.

LA.K.8

Students will apply phonemic awareness and phonics skills to read grade level words and texts. 

LA.K.9

Students will construct writing that includes proper use of English grammar conventions when responding to a text. 

LA.K.10

Students will use word relationships, phrases,  inflections, and affixes to determine the meanings of words. 

1st Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will apply phonemic awareness skills to read with meaning. Students will connect reading, writing, speaking, and listening within their grade level content. Students will devise different forms of writing in a paragraph format.

Outcome #

Outcome

LA.1.1

Students will interpret various texts and writings, including poetry, by comparing and contrasting, asking and answering questions, and interpreting words and phrases that show feeling.

LA.1.2

Students will collaborate in peer and adult lead groups by reading with fluency while interpreting a story and analyzing the structure of the story.

LA.1.3

Students will ask and answer questions to determine understanding of word relationships, and interpret pictures, words, and phrases as they are used in a text,  identifying how specific word choices shape meaning

LA.1.4

Students will research a topic  using a variety of tools  and produce a written opinion piece with an introduction, researched supporting details, and a conclusion.

LA.1.5

Students will produce an informative piece of writing that includes an introduction, facts, and closure, and  produce a visual display to clarify thoughts and ideas.

LA.1.6

Students will interpret illustrations and details to describe story elements when asking and answering questions about a story.

LA.1.7

Students will show illustrations and details to describe the connection between two pieces of information in a text when answering a question. 

LA.1.8

Students will apply phonemic awareness and phonics skills to sound out and blend words orally. 

LA.1.9

Students will read, collaborate, and engage in discussions about grade level informational text.

LA.1.10

Students will apply correct parts of speech and grammar usage when writing or speaking. 

LA.1.11

Students will incorporate the use of conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking in response to a prompt.

2nd Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will read to learn while using complex text and connect reading, writing, listening, and speaking across all content areas.  

Students will construct different forms of writing in a three paragraph format.

Outcome #

Outcome

LA.2.1

Students will write, publish, and present a three paragraph informative/explanatory piece that includes an introduction, evidence that supports their opinion, and a concluding statement.

LA.2.2

Students will write a three paragraph opinion piece using grade level grammar including an introduction, reasons that support their opinion, and a conclusion  and produce a published, digital presentation.

LA.2.3

Students will determine the main idea and key details of a multiparagraph text.

LA.2.4

Students will apply various text features and determine how it contributes to a text.

LA.2.5

Students will read with fluency while interpreting  a story by analyzing the structure of various types of text. 

LA.2.6

Students will analyze a topic through writing a response to questions, adding details, revising, and edit a written response on a given topic, while strengthening writing as needed with guidance from adults and peers.

LA.2.7

Students will produce a digital presentation by comparing and contrasting  criteria using a variety of resources.

LA.2.8

Students will interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including technical and connotative words, and analyze how word choice shapes meaning or tone.

LA.2.9

Students will interpret poetry to show how fluency, rhythm, rhyming, and repeated words can produce meaning in this genre.

LA.2.10

Students will analyze how an individual event or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text by gathering information and answering questions for  deeper understanding.

LA.2.11

Students will apply correct application of conventions, sentences, and other grammatical skills, using resources and digital tools.

LA.2.12

Students will analyze words, spellings, and fluency by decoding, using vowel sounds, and reading grade-level appropriate words.

LA.2.13 Students will determine the main idea in a central text or passage by making connections to events or ideas, and write a three paragraph informative writing piece that outlines the main idea, reasons, and evidence while collaborating with peers.
LA.2.14 Students will use digital tools to write, publish, and present a three paragraph narrative piece to a small group.

3rd Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will apply common figurative language devices and other specific skills to comprehend unfamiliar text. Students will incorporate text evidence to support answers and write multi-paragraph papers in the three genre types.

Outcome #       

Outcome

LA.3.1

Students will ask and answer questions using text evidence.

LA.3.2

Students will read and comprehend grade level text fluently.

LA.3.3

Students will summarize nonfiction text.

LA.3.4

Students will determine the main idea and detail of a text read aloud. Students will compare and contrast two books written by the same author and be able to place events sequentially.

LA.3.5

Students will increase fluency and prosody by creating and/or performing stories and dramas.

LA.3.6

Students will create, publish, and present a five paragraph real or imaginary narrative piece.

LA.3.7

Students will interpret and produce correct use of figurative language.

LA.3.8

Students will create and present a five paragraph informative/ explanatory piece.

LA.3.9

Read and interpret poetry and nonfiction texts.

LA.3.10

Students will create and present a five paragraph opinion piece.

LA.3.11

Students will conduct research projects and use content area vocabulary.

4th Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will apply foundational skills when reading to learn and understand other subjects. Students will write narratives and support other writing with opinions and explanations with the use of text evidence.

Outcome #

Outcome:  

LA.4.1

Students will create and present a one page, typed opinion piece utilizing textual evidence.

LA.4.2

Students will write and present a one page, typed informative/explanatory piece specific to topic and idea

LA.4.3

Students will write and present a one page typed narrative about a real or imaginary experience.

LA.4.4

Students will plan, write, and publish a research project or paper

using technology.

LA.4.5

Students will compare and contrast similar central messages/themes in literature and engage in collaborative discussions

LA.4.6

Students will use informational text to determine the meaning of academic words and phrases while explaining events, procedures, and ideas or concepts.

LA.4.7

Students will read and comprehend grade level literature, using and interpreting figurative language and allusions to mythology.

LA.4.8

Students will use poetry and drama to interpret structural elements of each.

LA.4.9

Students will analyze nonfiction/informational text to determine the  text structure and author’s perspective

5th Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will apply foundational skills to critically read and analyze grade level texts. Students will evaluate spoken language to compare and contrast point of view. Students will support formal writing with explanations and text evidence from multiple sources.

Outcome #

Outcome

LA.5.1

Students will create and present an opinion piece supporting a point of view with reasons and information.

LA.5.2

Students will write an informative/explanatory piece to examine a topic and convey information.

LA.5.3

Students will create, publish and present an imaginary or real piece of narrative writing using technology.

LA.5.4

Students will construct, write, and publish a research project or paper, using technology.

LA.5.5

Students will analyze grade appropriate literature to increase fluency and comprehension, demonstrating the use of appropriate strategies and skills.

LA.5.6

Students will analyze literature that incorporates figurative language at the fifth grade reading level to determine meaning. 

LA.5.7

Students will analyze literature to compare and contrast stories with the same genre, theme, or topic.

LA.5.8

Students will draw information from a variety of informational or nonfiction texts to support understanding of grade level topics and concepts

LA.5.9

Students will analyze the structure of texts to explain relationships and interactions of individuals, events, and ideas using informational or nonfiction texts in grade level sources and materials.

LA.5.10

Students will use poetry to increase fluency, comprehension, and structure of a text, through media presentations.

6th Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will examine self-awareness, and identity while citing sources through accountability, comparing, contrasting and presenting through various media sources and fiction/non-fiction text. 

Outcome #

Outcome

LA.6.1

Students will evaluate differing claims in order to create a media presentation.

LA.6.2

Students will analyze textual evidence in order to produce an argumentative claim on theme in a work of literature.

LA.6.3

Students will use mentor texts and peer collaboration in order to create narrative writing.

LA.6.4

Students will write an informative/explanatory essay expressing the main idea and defining key words and phrases found in literary nonfiction.

LA.6.5

Students will use instructional level books or articles in order to determine how point of view is conveyed, presenting their own view to peers through an argumentative text using technology.

LA.6.6

Students will produce a real or imagined narrative by analyzing the text structure of previously read texts.

LA.6.7

Students will determine the main idea of nonfiction texts by analyzing text evidence and structure.

LA.6.8

Students will compare and contrast the point of view in texts of different genres and their approaches to similar themes and topics.

7th Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will find their own voice in the world, through critical thinking, close reading analysis, comparing, contrasting and presenting through various media sources and fiction/non-fiction text.

Outcome #

Outcome

LA.7.1

Students will write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well structured event sequences.

LA.7.2

Students will defend inferences in nonfiction text by interpreting textual evidence.

LA.7.3

Students will use grade level books or articles in order to analyze and argue how point of view is conveyed.

LA.7.4

Students will write informative texts to convey information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

LA.7.5

Students will produce an argumentative essay to support their evaluation of theme within a fictional text.

LA.7.6

Students will analyze the meaning of words and phrases, and how the structure of a drama or poem contributes to its meaning.

LA.7.7

Students will evaluate differing claims in order to create a media presentation.

LA.7.8

Students will write an informative/explanatory piece expressing the main idea and defining key words and phrases found in literary nonfiction.

LA.7.9

Students will produce a real or imagined narrative by analyzing the text structure of previously read texts.

LA.7.10

Students will determine the main idea of informational texts by analyzing text evidence and structure.

LA.7.11

Students will compare and contrast the point of view in texts of different genres, and their approaches to similar themes and topics.

8th Grade

Course Purpose:

Students will debate significant global issues through comparing, contrasting, and presenting solutions via various media sources and fiction/nonfiction text.

Outcome #

Outcome

LA.8.1

Students will analyze historical events from a personal perspective and evaluate ways society can stand up for its most vulnerable.

LA.8.2

Students will analyze how an author uses point of view, imagery, and figurative language in order to create tone and mood.

LA.8.3

Students will analyze a central idea and the supporting ideas of a text in order to write an objective summary, which will lead into the writing of an argumentative piece where students take a stand on a debatable issue.

LA.8.4

Students will analyze a work of literature and produce a thematic essay.

LA.8.5

Students will write narratives to develop real experiences using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well structured event sequences. 

LA.8.6

Students will evaluate differing claims in order to create a media presentation.

LA.8.7

Students will use mentor texts and peer collaboration in order to create narrative writing.

LA.8.8

Students will write an expository essay expressing the main idea and defining key words and phrases found in literary nonfiction.

LA.8.9

Students will use books or articles on reading level in order to determine how point of view is conveyed.

LA.8.10

Students will produce a real or imagined narrative by analyzing grade level texts.

LA.8.11

Students will determine the main idea of nonfiction texts by analyzing text evidence and structure.

LA.8.12 Students will compare and contrast the point of view in texts of different genres and their approaches to similar themes and topics.