School Improvement in Maryland

Using the VSC: Reading/ELA, Grade 4

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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 basic elements of grammar to express ideas clearly **
Objectives
  1. Identify and use parts of speech such as prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections
  2. Combine short, related sentences using a series, compound subjects, and key words
  3. Compose simple and compound sentences using coordinating conjunctions
  4. Identify and use verb forms such as singular/plural, regular/irregular
  5. Identify and use verb tenses such as present, past, and future

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. Use singular subjects with singular verbs and plural subjects with plural verbs
  2. Apply consistent and appropriate use of verb tenses such as past, present, and future; pronouns such as personal, possessive, and pronoun/antecedent agreement; and modifiers
  3. Recognize and correct common usage errors such as homophones, contractions, and commonly confused words
  4. Use available resources to correct or confirm editorial choices
  5. Explain editorial choices

Topic

C. Mechanics

Indicator

  • 1. Explain 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 correct and varied end punctuation
  2. Use commas correctly in appositives, items in a series, and before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence
  3. Use underlining, quotation marks, or italics to identify titles of documents
  4. Use apostrophes in contractions and possessives
  5. Use quotation marks and commas in simple dialogue and for direct quotations
  6. Use capital letters correctly in titles and the first word in a direct quotation
  7. Indent for paragraphs

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. Spell grade-appropriate high frequency and content words
  2. Modify spellings when adding inflectional endings and suffixes
  3. Spell one-syllable and multi-syllabic words with complex spelling patterns such as -tion, -ous, ph-, kn-, etc.
  4. Access resources as a spelling aid (word wall, dictionary, technology)
  5. Use mnemonic devices to recall frequently misspelled words

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. Maintain accuracy and automaticity in manuscript and cursive writing
  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