Uses simple sentences with inconsistent use of syntax, tense, plurals, and subject/verb agreement

Tells a story, informs, explains, entertains, and participates in social and academic discussions

Begins to use root words, affixes, and cognates to determine the meaning of new words

Begins to support main ideas with details

Understands roots and affixes

Decodes multi-syllabic words

Employs word-meaning strategies

Begins to read new text fluently

Increases vocabulary through reading across content areas

Uses text features to gain meaning, monitors for comprehension, visualizes and describes images from text, connects text to prior knowledge

Distinguishes between fact/opinion and fantasy/reality, infers and makes generalizations from text

Reads text containing compound sentences, yes/no questions, negative, simple past and future tense, and pronoun referents across content areas

Writes simple sentences and paragraphs

Demonstrates increasing control of:

• Capitals
• Punctuation
• Correct spelling
• Syntax

Uses reference tools to self-edit conventions

Develops own voice in writing

Organizes paragraph using a topic sentence and supporting details

Distinguishes between writing for different audiences and purposes

Uses basic transitions

Chooses and maintains a focus, utilizing a topic sentence and supporting details

Writes individually and in a group process

Writes rough draft independently

Uses descriptive sentences with common grammatical forms with some errors

Participates in academic and social discussions using appropriate ways of speaking based on audience and subject matter

Tells a story, informs, explains, entertains, and persuades

Uses simple figurative language and idiomatic expressions in discussions

Uses root words, affixes, and cognates to determine the meaning of new words

Identifies themes

Recognizes literary devices

Compares and contrasts

Uses a variety of strategies to monitor comprehension

Recognizes phonemes within multi-syllabic words

Uses word parts to determine word meanings, identifies multiple meaning words across content areas

Reads with increasing fluency, adjusting rate as needed

Independently confirms word meanings

Uses a variety of resources for research

Text increases in length and complexity

Uses descriptive sentences

Develops a topic in multiple paragraphs using topic sentences and supporting details

Distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant details

Writes for a variety of audiences and purposes

Uses grade level conventions inconsistently

Refines voice in writing

Follows the five step writing process (with assistance in editing and revising)

Speaks clearly and comprehensibly using standard English grammatical forms with random errors

Applies content-related vocabulary in a variety of contexts and situations

Gives oral presentations

Adjusts reading rate as needed

Uses specialized vocabulary and multiple meaning words appropriately

Uses comprehension and questioning strategies, summarize text, analyzes and applies persuasive devices

Develops research skills

States cause and effect, citing evidence from text

Comprehends grade level text

Uses specialized vocabulary across content areas

Uses standard grammar and conventions with lapses characteristic of English as a Second Language students