• Determine the meaning of unknown words by using a variety of context clues, including word, sentence and paragraph clues.
• Use context clues to determine the meaning of synonyms, antonyms,  homophones, homonyms and homographs.

• Recognize the difference between the meanings of connotation and denotation.
• Identify and apply the meaning of the terms synonym, antonym,  homophone and homograph.
• Identify and understand new uses of words and phrases in text, such as similes and metaphors.

• Identify word origins to determine the meaning of unknown words and phrases.
• Identify the meanings of prefixes, suffixes and roots and their various forms to determine the meanings of words.
• Identify the meanings of abbreviations.

• Establish and adjust purposes for reading including to find out, to understand, to interpret, to enjoy and to solve problems.
• Predict and support predictions using an awareness of new vocabulary, text structures and familiar plot patterns.
• Compare and contrast information on a single topic or theme across different text and non-text resources.
• Summarize important information in texts to demonstrate comprehension.
• Make inferences or draw conclusions about what has been read and support those conclusions with textual evidence.
• Select, create and use graphic organizers to interepret textual information.
• Answer literal, inferential and evaluative questions to demonstrate comprehension of grade-appropriate print texts and electronic and visual media.

• Monitor own comprehension by adjusting speed to fit the purpose, or by skimming, scanning, reading on or looking back.
• List questions and search for answers within the text to construct meaning. 

Independently read books for various purposes (e.g., for enjoyment, for literary experience, to gain information or to perform a task.

• Generating writing ideas through discussions with others and from printed material.
• State and develop a clear main idea for writing.
• Determine a purpose and audience for writing.
• Use organizational strategies (e.g., brainstorming, lists, webs and Venn diagrams) to plan writing.

• Organize writing, beginning with an introduction, body and a resolution of plot, followed by a closing statement or a summary of important ideas and details.
• Vary simple, compound and complex sentence structures.
• Create paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting sentences that are marked by indentation and are linked by transitional words and phrases.
• Vary language and style as appropriate to audience and purpose.
• Use available technology to compose text.
• Reread and assess writing for clarity, using a variety of methods (e.g., writer's circle or author's chair).
• Add descriptive words and details and delete extraneous information.
• Rearrange words, sentences and paragraphs to clarify meaning.
• Use resources and reference materials, including dictionaries, to select more effective vocabulary.
• Proofread writing and edit to improve conventions (e.g., grammar, spelling, punctuation and capitalization) and identify and correct fragments and run-ons.
• Apply tools (e.g., rubric, checklist and feedback) to judge the quality of writing.

• Spell high-frequency words correctly.
• Spell plurals and inflectional endings correctly.
• Spell roots, suffixes and prefixes correctly.

• Use commas, end marks, apostrophes and quotation marks correctly.
• Use correct capitalization.
• Use conjunctions and interjections.
• Use adverbs.
• Use prepositions and prepositional phrases.
• Use objective and nominative case pronouns.
• Use subjects and verbs that are in agreement.
• Use irregular plural nouns.

• Demonstrate active listening strategies (e.g., asking focused questions, responding to cues, making visual contact).
• Recall the main idea, including relevant supporting details and identify the purpose of presentations and visual media.
• Distinguish between a speaker's opinions and verifiable facts.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the rules of the English language.
• Select language appropriate to purpose and audience.
• Use clear diction and tone, and adjust volume and tempo to stress important ideas.
• Adjust speaking content according to the needs of the audience.

• Deliver informational presentations (e.g., expository, research) that:
• a.  presents events or ideas in logical sequence and maintain a clear focus;
  b.  demonstrate an understanding of the topic;
  c.  include relevant facts, details, examples, quotations, statistics, stories and anecdotes to clarify and explain information; 
  d.  organize information to include a clear introduction, body and conclusion;
  e.  use appropriate visual materials (e.g., diagrams, charts, illustrations) and available technology; and
  f.  draw from several sources identify sources used.
• Deliver formal and informal descriptive presentations recalling an event or personal experience that convey relevant information and descriptive details.