The following is an AAV of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts Grades 6-12 (PPT; 3.4MB). The PowerPoint presentation was presented to the California Teachers Association Good Teaching Conference in San Jose, California on January 21, 2011.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts Grades 6-12
California Teachers Association
Good Teaching Conference
January 21, 2011
California Department of Education
Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
CLAB: Developed by SCFIRD with support from ELCSD, SCALD, and AAD
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
The Standards comprise three main sections:
- a comprehensive K–5 section
- includes standards for foundational skills
- two content area-specific sections for grades 6–12
- one for English-language arts
- one for literacy in history/social studies, science and technical subjects
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
- The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts (CCSS) are organized around the College and Career Readiness (CCR) Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language.
- Each strand is headed by a set of CCR anchor standards that is identical across all grades and content areas.
- The Common Core State Standards for English- language arts also set requirements for reading and writing in the social and natural sciences and for technical subjects.
California Additions
- Formal presentations (grades 1-12)
- Penmanship (grades 2-4)
- Analysis of text features informational text (grades 6-12)
- Career documents (grade 8)
Common Core State Standards: What’s New?
- Integrated
- Interdisciplinary
- Aligned to college and career readiness skills
- Continuous and consistent
CCSS English Language Arts Highlights
- Balance
- Focus on Comprehension
- Focus on Vocabulary and Language proficiency across four strands
- Text Complexity
Common Core State Standards: What’s New?
- Increased commitment to technology
- Value to group dynamics
- Standards for “writing across curriculum”
Common Core Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
A screen shot of page 32 of the Reading Standards for Informational Text 6-12 from the Common Core State Standards located on the Sacramento County Office of Education
Web site.
Anchor Standards
Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.
Trace the progression of standard 9 for Reading Literature from kindergarten through grade 12. If you have time, trace the progression of standard 9 for Reading Informational Text.
Organization of the Standards
4 Domains
|
4 Strands
|
|---|---|
Reading (includes vocabulary) |
Reading |
Writing |
Writing |
Written and Oral Language Conventions |
Language (includes vocabulary) |
Listening and Speaking |
Speaking and Listening |
Reading Standards
- Reading standards are in two components:
- Literature
- Informational text
- And also in two Literacy components:
- Literacy in History/Social Studies
- Literacy in Science/Technical Subjects
Reading Standards
- The four reading sections:
- Key Ideas and Details (3)
- Craft and Structure (3)
- Integration of Knowledge and Ideas (3)
- Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity (1)
Reading Standards: Key Ideas and Details
- Collection and citation of textual evidence
- Analysis of theme(s), central idea(s), or conclusions
- Analysis of character, story elements, events, or procedures are introduced and developed
Reading Standards: Key Ideas and Details
Grade 7: Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (7.RL&I.1)
Grade 8: Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (8.RL&I.1)
Grades 9-10: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text. (9-10.RL&I.1)
Grades 11-12: Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining here the text leaves matters uncertain. (11-12.RL&I.1)
Reading Standards: Craft and Structure
- Vocabulary in context, including:
- Figurative, connotative, & technical
- Impact of diction on meaning & tone
- Symbols & discipline-specific language
- Analysis of choices of language, structure, rhetorical devices, and textual features
- Determination of author’s point of view or purpose
- Comparison of treatment by multiple authors of theme, material, or procedure
Reading Standards: Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
- Analyze/interpret/translate subject or information between diverse genres or media
- Evaluation of arguments, reasoning, hypotheses, and evidence
- Compare/contrast treatments of similar topic in primary and secondary sources
Reading Standards: Range of Reading & Level of Text Complexity
- At each grade level, students read at appropriate levels of the text complexity band in:
- Literature; including, stories, drama, and poetry
- Literary non-fiction
- History/social studies texts
- Science/technical texts
Writing Standards
- The four writing sections:
- Text Types and Purposes
- Production and Distribution of Writing
- Research to Build and Present Knowledge
- Range of Writing
Writing Standards: Text Types and Purposes
- In grades 6-12 students focus on three types of writing:
- Write arguments
- Write informative/explanatory texts
- Write narratives
Writing Standards: Production & Distribution of Writing
-
Covers:
- Overall development and organization—emphasis on clarity
- The writing process of planning and revision
- Use of technology for production and publication both of individual and, for the first time, group writing projects
Writing Standards: Production & Distribution of Writing
Grades 9-10
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically. (9-10.W.6)
Grades 11-12
Use technology, including the Internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to on going feedback, including new arguments or information. (11-12.W.6)
Writing Standards: Research to Build & Present Knowledge
- Conduct short and sustained projects that synthesize information
- Gather relevant information and evidence from a variety of sources, including digital media
- Draw evidence to support argument or position
Writing Standards: Range of Writing
Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences. (2-12.W.10)
Speaking and Listening Standards
The two sections are:
- Comprehension and Collaboration
- Presentation of Ideas and Knowledge
Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration
Highlights:
- Initiate and participate in discussions
- Be prepared with information
- Set and follow group norms and goals
- Respond thoughtfully
- Honor diverse perspectives
- Integrate information
- Evaluate speaker’s point of view
Speaking and Listening Standards: Presentation of Ideas and Knowledge
Highlights on how students present their ideas:
- Plan and deliver information clearly and precisely
- Incorporate digital media as appropriate
- Adapt speech for specific settings and tasks
Language Standards
The three sections are:
- Conventions of Standard English
- Knowledge of Language
- Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Language Standards: Conventions of Standard English
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
- Usage
- Syntax
- Grammar
- Morphology
- Writing conventions
Language Standards: Conventions of Standard English
A screen shot of page 47 showing the Language Progressive Skills by Grade from the Common Core State Standards located on the Sacramento County Office of Education
Web site.
Language Standards: Knowledge of Language
- Understanding & application of language functioning in different contexts:
- Make effective choices for meaning or style
- Write & edit to conform to style manual guidelines
Language Standards: Knowledge of Language
6.L.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
a. Vary sentence patterns for meaning, reader/listener interest, and style.*
b. Maintain consistency in style and tone.*
7.L.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
a. Choose language that expresses ideas precisely and concisely, recognizing and eliminating wordiness and redundancy.*
8.L.3. Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening.
a. Use verbs in the active and passive voice and in the conditional and subjunctive mood to achieve particular effects (e.g., emphasizing the actor or the action; expressing uncertainty or describing a state contrary to fact).
Language Standards: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
- Determine/clarify meaning of unknown words and words with multiple meanings
- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings
- Acquire and accurately use general academic and domain-specific words and phrases
English Learner Considerations
- Approximately 25% of California students are English learners
- Many CCSS support English language development
- The CCSS set rigorous grade-level expectations
- They assert that all students should be held to the same high expectations
Common Core: Particularly Important Skills for English Learners
- Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning and style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening. Knowledge of language should include:
- Pragmatic knowledge--knowledge of language use in context (status/purpose of speaker, genre structures)
- Linguistic knowledge--knowledge of the functional demands of writing and speaking (e.g., formulate questions, compare/contrast, summarize, draw conclusions
- Recognize variations from standard English in their own and others’ writing and speaking and identify and use strategies to improve expression in conventional language
Source: Diane August, Center for Applied Linguistics
Four Strands Activity
- Select the strand you are most interested in exploring and gather at the appropriate chart.
- Starting with your grade level, review the standards in the strand you selected and identify both similarities to the 1997 standards and what’s new about the CCSS standards.
- Consider the implications for instructional practice.
- Discuss your findings with the group and chart the similarities, differences, and implications for practice.
- Please write out your group’s observations and insights about the set of standards you selected and have a volunteer share these out with the whole group.
Appendices
- Appendix A: Research Supporting Key Elements of the Standards
- Appendix B: Text Exemplars and Sample Performance Tasks
- Appendix C: Samples of Student Writing
Appendices are available on the Common Core State Standards Initiative
Web site.
Appendix A
Research Supporting Key Elements of the ELA Standards Including:
- Complexity of Texts
- Foundational Skills
- Writing
- Speaking and Listening
- Language
- Glossary of Key Terms
Appendix B: Text Exemplars and Sample Performance Tasks
- Text Exemplars by Grade Level
- Includes examples by grade level with sample performance tasks
- Stories, poetry, drama, and informational text
- Gives teachers an idea of achievement expectations for each grade level
- Includes examples for History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
Appendix C: Samples of Student Writing
- This appendix includes student samples of writing for each grade level with annotation describing what the writer did well.
Slide shows an example of a Student Sample: Grade 9, Argument
A screen shot of the Common Core State Standards Resources Web page
Source: Common Core State Standards Resources
A screen shot of the CDE on iTunes U Web page
Source: CDE on iTunes U
Resources
For more information, visit the California
Department of Education’s Common Core State Standards Web page.
For additional information, contact:
Curriculum Frameworks, and Instructional Resources Division
Curriculum, Learning and Accountability Branch
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
916-319-0881
Barbara Murchison
Curriculum Frameworks and
Instructional Resources Division
bmurchison@cde.ca.gov
916-319-0440 [Note: the preceding phone number is no longer valid. Please contact the Curriculum Frameworks and Instructional Resources Division at 916-319-0881 for more information.]
Shobhana Rishi
English Learner & Curriculum Support Division
srishi@cde.ca.gov
916-319-0201
