Grade 11:Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening

1.1 Learning to read independently

1. Locate various texts, media and traditional resources assigned and independent projects before reading.
2. Analyze the structure of informational materials explaining how authors used these to achieve their purposes
3. Use knowledge of root words and words from literary works to recognize and understand the meaning of new words during reading. Use these words accurately in speaking and writing.
4. Identify, describe, evaluate and synthesize the essential ideas in the text. Assess those reading strategies that were most effective in learning from a variety of texts.
5. Establish a reading vocabulary by identifying and correctly using new words acquired through the study of their relationships to other words. Use a dictionary or related reference.
6. Understand the meaning of and apply key vocabulary across various subject areas.
7. Demonstrate after reading understanding and interpretation of both fiction and non-fiction text, including public documents.
8. Demonstrate fluency and comprehension in reading.

 

1.2 Reading Critically in All Content Areas

A.     Read and understand essential content of informational texts and documents in all academic areas.

B.     Use and understand a variety of media and evaluate the quality of the material produced.

C.     Produce work in at least one literary genre that follows the conventions of the genre.

 

1.3 Reading, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature

A.     Read and understand works of literature

B.     Analyze the relationships, uses of effectiveness of literary elements used by one or more authors in similar genres including characterization, setting, plot, theme, point of view, tone and style.

C.     Analyze the effectiveness in terms of literary quality of the author’s use of literary devoices.

D.     Analyze and evaluate in poetry the appropriateness of diction and figurative language (e.g. irony, understatement, overstatement, paradox).

E.      Analyze how a scriptwriter’s use of words creates tone and mood, and how choice of words advances the theme or purpose of the work.

F.      Read and respond to nonfiction and fiction including poetry and drama.

 

 

 

1.4 Types of writing

A.     Write short stories, poems and plays.

B.     Write complex informational pieces (e.g. research appears, analysis, evaluations, essays.

C.     Write persuasive pieces.

D.     Maintain written records of activities, course work, experience, honors and interests.

E.      Write a personal resume.

 

1.5 Quality of Writing

A.     Write with a sharp, distinct focus.

B.     Write using well-developed content appropriate for the topic.

C.     Write with controlled and/or subtle organization.

D.     Write with a command of the stylistic aspects of composition.

E.      Revise writing to improve style, word choice, sentence variety and subtlety of meaning after rethinking how questions of purpose, audience, and genre have been addressed.

F.      Edit writing using the conventions of language.

G.     Present and/or defend written work for publication when appropriate.

 

1.6 Speaking and Listening

A.     Listen to others.

B.     Listen to a selection of literature (fiction and/or nonfiction).

C.     Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.

D.     Contribute to discussions.

E.      Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.

F.      Use of media for learning purposes.

 

1.7 Characteristics and Functions of the English Language.

A.     Describe the influence of historical events on the English language.

B.     Analyze when differences in language are a source of negative or positive stereotypes among groups.

C.     Explain and evaluate the role and influence of the English language within and across countries.

 

1.8 Research

A.     Select and refine a topic for research.

B.     Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies.

C.     Organize, summarize and present main ideas from research.