Kansas Curricular Standards: Indicators
Standard 1: Learners demonstrate skill in reading
a variety of materials for a variety of purposes.
Benchmark 1: The proficient reader comprehends whole pieces
of narration, exposition, persuasion, and technical writing.
*1 . Differentiate between stated and inferred main ideas
and supporting details.
*2 . Differentiate between fact and opinion in a passage of
text.
*3 . Identify author's point of view or bias.
*4 . Analyze the text for such structures as cause and effect,
comparison and contrast, sequence, description, problem and
solution, and narration, to aid in comprehension.
5 . Evaluate the effectiveness of the text for the chosen
purpose.
6 . Summarize the text.
7 . Analyze the effectiveness of various persuasive devices,
such as appeals to reason, emotion, authority, and popularity.
8 . Follow directions presented in technical writing.
*9 . Analyze concepts in technical writing.
10. Synthesize important ideas from multiple sources.
11 . Use a wide range of automatic monitoring and
self-correction strategies to understand text.
12 . Evaluate the clarity and accuracy of expository texts.
Benchmark 2: The proficient reader decodes accurately and
understands new words in reading materials.
*1 . Use context clues, such as definition, restatement,
example, comparison, contrast, cause and effect, to determine
meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary. recommendation for state
assessment
*2 . Use analogies to expand vocabulary.
*3 . Distinguish connotations from denotations and synonyms
from antonyms.
Benchmark 3: The proficient reader reads fluently.
1. use complex vocabulary, punctuation, and sentence
structure to form an understanding of the text and to evaluate its
meaning.
2. adjust silent reading rate according to the purpose and
difficulty of the text.
3. use punctuation and sentence structure to assist in oral
reading.
4. use expressive oral reading to interpret the text.
Benchmark 4: The proficient reader uses what he/she already knows
about the topic and the type of text to understand what is
read.
1 . Use knowledge of structural elements to assist in
understanding various genres, such as drama, poetry, novel, and
short story.
2 . Use knowledge of structural elements to assist in
understanding various informational texts, such as essay, letter,
journal, newspaper, report, reference material, internet source,
technical manual, and job-related material.
3 . Synthesize prior knowledge from multiple sources to assist
in understanding and evaluating the text.
Benchmark 5: The proficient reader draws conclusions supported by
the text.
*1 . Compare and contrast themes common in different
texts.
*2 . Locate evidence from several texts to support a
conclusion.
3 . Evaluate conclusions by linking prior knowledge to context
of text.
Standard 2: Learners write effectively for a
variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts.
Benchmark 1: A proficient writer uses ideas that are well
developed, clear and interesting.
1 . Select topics that are original and appropriate to
the task.
*2 . Write insightfully from knowledge or experience.
3 . Provide details that focus the reader's attention on
important information.
*4 . Develop the topic in an enlightening, purposeful way that
makes a point or tells a story.
Benchmark 2: The proficient writer uses authentic and appropriate
voice.
*1 . Include tone and voice that gives flavor to the
message and seems appropriate for the purpose and audience.
*2 . Write narratives that seem believable, original, and
appealing.
3 . Write expository, technical, or persuasive pieces that
reflect a strong commitment to the topic and an effort to bring
the topic to life by anticipating the reader's questions and
showing why the reader should care or want to know more.
4 . Use a variety of techniques to express a personal style and
voice.
Benchmark 3: The proficient writer uses organization that enhances
the reader's understanding.
*1 . Write introductions that draw the reader in and
conclusions that leave the reader with a sense of resolution.
*2 . Use sequencing that is logical and effective.
*3 . Apply transitions clearly showing how ideas connect.
*4 . Use a variety of supporting details.
*5 . Organize so that the writing flows smoothly.
Benchmark 4: The proficient writer uses effective word
choice.
*1 . Choose words that are specific, accurate, and easily
understood.
*2 . Use language that is appropriate for the type of writing
and for the audience.
*3 . Use lively verbs that energize the writing and precise
nouns and modifiers that create pictures in the reader's mind.
*4 . Use clichés and jargon sparingly, only for
effect.
Benchmark 5: The proficient writer uses clear and fluent
sentences.
*1 . Construct sentences for clarity and meaning.
*2 . Write for cadence as if the writer has thought about the
sound of the words as well as the meaning.
*3 . Write sentences that vary in length as well as
structure.
4 . Use fragments only for style.
5 . Use dialogue that sounds natural.
Benchmark 6: The proficient writer uses standard American English
conventions.
1 . Paragraph to reinforce the organizational structure
of the text.
*2 . Use grammar and usage that contribute to clarity and
style.
*3 . Use accurate punctuation, guiding the reader through the
text.
*4 . Use correct spelling.
Benchmark 7: The proficient writer uses a writing process that
includes preparation, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing to
produce a written document. Students are taught and given practice
using a writing process at each grade level with content and
expectations that are progressively more challenging and appropriate
for that grade level.
1 . Generate ideas by using strategies, which may include
recalling, brainstorming, free writing, outlining, and clustering.
2 . Write successive versions by rereading, adding new
information, and reorganizing for sequence.
3 . Proofread and edit their own and their peers' revisions for
grammar, spelling, usage, and format.
4 . Use a style manual such as Modern Language Association
(MLA), American Psychological Association (APA), or other
acceptable style manuals.
*5 . Generate a legible final copy for presentation.
Benchmark 8: The proficient writer uses writing as a tool for
learning throughout the curriculum.
1 . Write while studying in the content areas notes,
outlines, lab reports, journal entries, research reports,
speeches, business letters, scripts, debates, essays, critical
analysis of current events, reaction papers, and plans,
procedures, and steps for various projects (such as science and
math).
Benchmark 9: The proficient writer uses a variety of modes of
writing for different purposes and audiences.
1 . Write descriptive pieces, which may include character
sketch and description of time, place, occasion, and object.
2 . Write narrative pieces, which may include personal
narrative, autobiography, memoir, and short story.
3 . Write expository pieces which may include research and
informational writing.
4 . Write persuasive pieces which may include speech, critical
evaluation, editorial, letter of application, resume, position
paper, letter to the editor, and essay.
5 . Write technical pieces which may include business letter,
chart, graph, technical report, manual, and technical
description.
*6 . Write for the purpose of convincing.
Standard 3: Learners demonstrate knowledge of
literature from a variety of cultures, genres, and time periods.
Benchmark 1: The proficient reader demonstrates knowledge
of the effects of cultures on literature.
1. Recognize literary contributions from various cultures
and genres.
2 . Explain the impact of cultural stereotypes on
literature.
Benchmark 2: The proficient reader identifies characteristics of a
wide variety of literary genres in various formats.
*1 . Identify fiction and nonfiction and a variety of
genres, such as novel, short story, poetry, drama, biography,
autobiography, and essay.
Benchmark 3: The proficient reader demonstrates knowledge of the
effects of time periods on literature.
1 . Analyze the effect of political, social, and economic
conditions, and contemporary ideas of the time period on
literature.
Standard 4: Learners demonstrate skills needed to
read and respond to literature.
Benchmark 1: The proficient reader uses literary concepts to
interpret literature.
*1 . Identify the elements of fiction and drama, such as
rising and falling action, conflict and resolution, major and
minor characters, setting, theme, and climax.
Benchmark 1: The proficient reader uses literary concepts to
interpret literature.
*1. Identify the elements of fiction and drama, such as
rising and falling action, conflict and resolution, major and
minor characters, setting, theme, and climax.
*2 . Make inferences and draw conclusions about story elements,
such as style, theme, plot, setting, and character.
*3 . Recognize use of more complex literary devices, such as
tone, irony, mood, satire, symbolism, allusion, dialogue, diction,
character's point-of-view, archetype, and analogy.
4 . Distinguish among elements of an exposition within a single
piece of literature, such as definition with examples, cause and
effect, comparison and contrast, description, and sequence.
|