School Improvement in Maryland

Using the VSC: Reading/ELA, Grade 8

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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. Apply knowledge of grammar concepts and skills to control oral and written language **
Objectives
  1. Consider the meaning, position, form, and function of words when identifying and using all grammatical concepts
  2. Combine and expand sentences by incorporating subjects, predicates, and modifiers and by logically coordinating, subordinating, and sequencing ideas
  3. Differentiate grammatically complete sentences from non-sentences
  4. Compose simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences using independent, dependent, restrictive, and nonrestrictive 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 English usage, involving subject/verb agreement
  2. Apply consistent and appropriate use of the person, number, and case of pronouns; pronoun/antecedent agreement; special pronoun problems such as who - whom, and incomplete constructions; active and passive voice; and verbal and verbal phrases
  3. Recognize and correct common usage errors such as misplaced and dangling 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. Punctuate at the word level
    • Hyphen
    • Slash
  2. Use the mechanics of writing correctly
  3. Use available resources for all mechanics of writing rules that may be in flux

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