

​ACADEMICS

Independent Read, Write, Collaborate
3rd-4th (IC)
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Writes short fiction and poetry with guidance.
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Writes a variety of short nonfiction pieces w/ help.
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Writes with a central idea.
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Writes using complete sentences.
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Organized ideas in a logical sequence
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Beings to recognize and use interesting language/
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Uses several pre-writing strategies (web, brainstorm)
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Adds description and detail with guidance.
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Edits for capitals and punctuation with guidance.
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Reads beginning chapter books.
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Chooses, read, and finishes a variety of materials
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Begins to read aloud with fluency.
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Reads silently for increasing periods (15-30 minutes).
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Begins to use meaning cues (context)
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Follows written directions.
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Identifies chapter titles and table of contents
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Summarizes and retells story events in sequential order.
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Compares and contrasts characters & plots
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Makes predictions and “read beyond the text”
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Identifies own reading strategies and sets goals
Independent Higher Level Concepts
5th Grade-6th Grade (IHL)
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Writes persuasively about ideas, feelings, and opinions.
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Creates plots with problems and solutions.
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Begins to develop the main characters and detailed settings.
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Begins to write organized nonfiction and includes sources.
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Writes cohesive paragraphs including reasons & examples
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Uses transitional sentences to connect paragraphs.
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Varies sentence structure, leads, and endings.
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Beings to use description languages, details, and similes.
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Uses ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, voice
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Uses tools (e.g., dictionaries, word lists, spell checkers) to edit
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Begins to use complex punctuation (, : ; ! ?) appropriately.
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Reads medium-level chapter books.
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Expands knowledge of different genres (realistic fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy).
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Reads aloud with expression.
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Uses resources to locate and sort information with guidance.
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Gathers information by using the glossary, captions, and index
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Uses context cues, other reading strategies & resources
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Follows multi-step written directions independently.
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Discuss setting, plot, characters, and literary elements
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Make connections to other authors, books, and perspectives.
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Participates in small group literature discussions with guidance.