English Language

Unit 1

• Participate in collaborative discussions on a variety of grade-level topics
• Follow agreed-upon rules and preparation procedures for discussions
• Listen and respond to others with focus and care
• Interpret information presented in many media and formats
• Identify an argument, claims, and evidence presented by a speaker
• Present claims or information in logical sequence supported with relevant facts and details

Unit 2

• Use clear diction, appropriate eye contact, and adequate volume when speaking
• Add multimedia and visual components to clarify ideas in presentations
• Show command of formal English language when speaking for a variety of tasks
• Recognize and follow proper usage of pronouns; correct improper usage
• Form, recognize, and use various verb tenses and appropriate shifts in verb tense
• Correctly use conventions of English when writing (capitalization, punctuation, and spelling)

Unit 3

• Vary sentence patterns for meaning, interest, and style when writing; avoid passive constructions
• Maintain consistency in style and tone when writing
• Know the difference between formal and informal English and when to use each
• Use context clues to determine word and phrase meanings
• Use word structure clues to determine meanings of unknown words
• Use relationships between words to better understand each word

Unit 4

• Use references (print and digital) to determine or verify a word’s meanings, find its pronunciation or its part of speech
• Interpret and use figurative language (similes, metaphors, idioms, adages, proverbs, etc.) and nuances in words
• Distinguish literal and nonliteral meanings of words in context
• Distinguish shades of meaning among related words
• Distinguish among connotations of words with similar denotations
• Learn and use grade-level general academic vocabulary