cite several relevant pieces of textual evidence to support an in-depth analysis of what the text says explicitly and elaborate on inferences drawn from the text
analyze a theme and/or central idea and how it is conveyed through particular details and provide an objective summary of the text
analyze how the responses and changes of complex characters contribute to the plot of a story or drama as it moves towards resolution
determine the meaning of words and phrases, including figurative and connotative language; analyze and critique the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone
analyze how a sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza affects the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot
analyze how an author develops the point of view and perspective of the narrator or speaker in a text
compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text
compare, contrast, and analyze texts in different forms or genres in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics
read and comprehend literature and literary nonfiction, including stories, dramas, and poems in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range by the end of grade 6
B - Reading Informational Text
cite several relevant pieces of textual evidence to support an in-depth analysis of what the text says explicitly and elaborate on inferences drawn from the text
analyze the central idea of the text and how it is conveyed through particular details and provide an objective summary of the text
analyze how key individuals, events, or ideas are developed in order to evaluate the relationships among the key individuals, events, or ideas; use textual evidence to support analysis
determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including figurative and connotative language; analyze and critique the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone
analyze and evaluate why authors use particular sentences, paragraphs, chapters, or sections in the overall structure of a text and explain how they contribute to the development of ideas, citing evidence from the text as support
analyze an author's purpose and point of view/perspective and use textual evidence to explain how they are conveyed
synthesize information presented in different media or formats to develop a comprehensive understanding of a topic or issue
trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, explaining why the reasoning and/or evidence supports or does not support the claims
compare and contrast one author's presentation of events with that of another and provide evidence from the texts to illustrate the impact of the different presentations
read and comprehend informational texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range, by the end of grade 6
C - Writing
write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence
write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content
write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events, using effective technique, relevant descriptive details, and well-structured event sequences
produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
develop and strengthen writing as needed, with some guidance and support from peers and adults, by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach
use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills
conduct short research projects to answer questions, drawing on several sources and refocusing the inquiries when appropriate
gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source; and quote or paraphrase the data and conclusions of others while avoiding plagiarism and providing basic bibliographic information for sources
draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research
write routinely over extended time frames (e.g., time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (e.g., a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences
D - Speaking and Listening
engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (e.g., one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly
interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study
delineate a speaker's argument and specific claims, distinguishing claims that are supported by reasons and evidence from claims that are not
present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation
include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information
adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate
E - Language
demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing
use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening
determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings
acquire and accurately use grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression
draft writing to capture ideas and develop fluency
revise writing to match purposes with audience and to improve content, organization, and style
revise writing to eliminate wordiness
edit for spelling, fragments, and run-on sentences
use writing handouts, grammar checkers, and references to edit usage and mechanics
write to report answers to research questions
write, combine, and vary sentences to match purposes and audience
distinguish between fact and opinion
write Standard American English sentences with correct verb forms, punctuation, capitalization, possessives, plural forms and other mechanics
recognize and write for a variety of purposes specific to journalism (e.g., news, editorials, and features)
defend editorial conclusions using credible facts, examples, illustrations, and details from various sources
read newspapers, charts, graphs, and technical documents for research
read critically, ask pertinent questions, recognize assumptions and implications, and evaluate ideas
identify, comprehend, and summarize who, what, when, where, and how in a variety of print and non-print resources
take notes in interviews and discussions and report accurately what others have said
use the research process (select a topic, formulate questions, identify key words, choose sources, skim, paraphrase, take notes, organize, summarize, and present ideas)
acquire new vocabulary through research and interview
use a variety of print and non-print resources as parts of the research for stories
prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
work as a team member to solve problems
recognize speaker's purpose and identify verbal and nonverbal components of communication (body language, facial expressions, gestures)
speak so others can hear and understand
B - Technology and Production/Publication Skills
demonstrate ability to use appropriate medium for production/publications (e.g., desktop publishing for print journalism, video equipment for broadcast journalism)
plan interviews by developing questions for print and/or broadcast stories
conduct, record, and accurately report information from interviews
utilize pre-writes, story boards, or split page format for story development
prepare and refine print articles/script for publication/production
C - Knowledge of Journalism Ethics
understand and practice ethical reporting avoiding bias, slander, and plagiarism
D - Knowledge of Journalism Careers
identify career opportunities in journalism (e.g., editor-in-chief, editor, reporter, photojournalist, copy reader, advertisement sales, graphic artist)
cite several relevant pieces of textual evidence to support an in-depth analysis of what the text says explicitly and elaborate on inferences drawn from the text
analyze a theme and/or central idea and how it is conveyed through particular details and provide an objective summary of the text
analyze how the responses and changes of complex characters contribute to the plot of a story or drama as it moves towards resolution
determine the meaning of words and phrases, including figurative and connotative language; analyze and critique the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone
analyze how a sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza affects the overall structure of a text and contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot
analyze how an author develops the point of view and perspective of the narrator or speaker in a text
compare and contrast the experience of reading a story, drama, or poem to listening to or viewing an audio, video, or live version of the text
compare, contrast, and analyze texts in different forms or genres in terms of their approaches to similar themes and topics
read and comprehend literature and literary nonfiction, including stories, dramas, and poems in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range by the end of grade 6
B - Reading Informational Text
cite several relevant pieces of textual evidence to support an in-depth analysis of what the text says explicitly and elaborate on inferences drawn from the text
analyze the central idea of the text and how it is conveyed through particular details and provide an objective summary of the text
analyze how key individuals, events, or ideas are developed in order to evaluate the relationships among the key individuals, events, or ideas; use textual evidence to support analysis
determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including figurative and connotative language; analyze and critique the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone
analyze and evaluate why authors use particular sentences, paragraphs, chapters, or sections in the overall structure of a text and explain how they contribute to the development of ideas, citing evidence from the text as support
analyze an author's purpose and point of view/perspective and use textual evidence to explain how they are conveyed
synthesize information presented in different media or formats to develop a comprehensive understanding of a topic or issue
trace and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, explaining why the reasoning and/or evidence supports or does not support the claims
compare and contrast one author's presentation of events with that of another and provide evidence from the texts to illustrate the impact of the different presentations
read and comprehend informational texts in the grades 6-8 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range, by the end of grade 6
C - Writing
draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research by writing
D - Speaking and Listening
engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (e.g., one-on-one, in groups, teacher-led, and/or student-led) with various partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly
interpret information presented in diverse media and formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) and explain how it contributes to a topic, text, or issue under study
E - Language
determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade 6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings
acquire and accurately use grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression
