Course Content
A. Main Idea and Theme
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A.01. Identify the main idea of a simple passage.
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A.02. Identify the main idea of a complex passage.
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A.03. Combine main ideas from two related texts.
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A.04. Determine the central theme of a short story.
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A.05. Analyze how multiple themes interact in a longer work.
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A.06. Compare and contrast themes across different genres.
B. Author’s Purpose, Tone, and Perspective
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B.01. Identify the author’s purpose (inform, persuade, entertain).
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B.02. Distinguish between formal and informal tone in writing samples.
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B.03. Compare and contrast the tone of two passages.
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B.04. Determine the author’s point of view (first, second, third person).
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B.05. Analyze how authorial bias influences a text’s message.
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B.06. Analyze the impact of word choice on tone and authorial perspective.
C. Text Structure and Literary Devices
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C.01. Identify common text structures (compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution).
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C.02. Match causes and effects within informational texts.
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C.03. Match problems with solutions in informational texts.
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C.04. Identify sensory details used in descriptive writing.
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C.05. Identify and interpret allusions within a text.
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C.06. Identify and classify various figures of speech (metaphor, simile, personification).
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C.07. Analyze the effect of literary devices on meaning and tone.
D. Analyzing Literature and Informational Texts
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D.01. Identify the narrative point of view in a literary text.
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D.02. Draw inferences and make predictions based on textual evidence.
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D.03. Analyze character development and plot structure in short stories.
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D.04. Identify rhyme scheme and meter in poems.
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D.05. Analyze informational texts on various topics (animals, history, science).
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D.06. Evaluate the credibility and bias of informational sources.
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D.07. Compare and contrast information from multiple sources.
E. Analyzing Arguments and Comparing Texts
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E.01. Trace the main argument in a persuasive text.
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E.02. Identify supporting evidence and counterarguments.
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E.03. Evaluate the effectiveness of an argument.
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E.04. Compare and contrast information from two texts on a similar topic.
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E.05. Analyze texts from different genres to identify common themes or perspectives.
F. Novel and Nonfiction Book Studies
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F.02. Analyze character development and plot within assigned novels.
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F.03. Analyze thematic elements and literary devices within assigned novels.
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F.04. Analyze passages from assigned nonfiction books (e.g., Harriet Tubman, I Am Malala).
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F.05. Evaluate the author’s credibility and perspective in nonfiction texts.
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F.01. Analyze passages from assigned novels (e.g., The Lightning Thief, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, Esperanza Rising).
G. Visual Elements and Research Skills
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G.01. Interpret information presented in graphic organizers.
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G.02. Compare and contrast illustrations of literary and historical subjects.
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G.03. Identify relevant sources for research.
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G.04. Evaluate sources for credibility and bias.
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G.05. Properly use MLA formatting for in-text citations and Works Cited pages.
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G.06. Recognize and avoid plagiarism.
H. Expository Writing
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H.01. Organize information logically by topic.
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H.02. Order topics from broadest to narrowest scope.
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H.03. Write clear and concise expository paragraphs.
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H.04. Edit for clarity, coherence, and conciseness.
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H.05. Use appropriate transitions to connect ideas.
I. Persuasive and Opinion Writing
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I.01. Distinguish between facts and opinions.
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I.02. Choose relevant evidence to support a claim.
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I.03. Identify and address counterclaims effectively.
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I.04. Recognize and avoid common logical fallacies.
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I.05. Craft a persuasive argument with a clear thesis statement.
J. Descriptive and Creative Writing
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J.01. Use personification effectively.
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J.02. Write varied and engaging sentences.
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J.03. Use strong verbs and precise language to create vivid descriptions.
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J.04. Develop detailed and compelling character descriptions.
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J.05. Create original narratives with a clear plot structure.
K. Identifying Text Evidence and Writing Clearly
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K.01. Identify supporting details in informational and literary texts.
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K.02. Use textual evidence to support claims and interpretations.
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K.03. Write using precise and accurate language.
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K.04. Utilize effective transitions between sentences and paragraphs.
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K.05. Revise writing to improve clarity, coherence, and style.
L. Editing, Revising, and Grammar
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L.01. Correct frequently confused words (e.g., their/there/they’re).
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L.02. Correct punctuation errors (commas, dashes, apostrophes).
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L.03. Correct capitalization errors.
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L.04. Identify and correct sentence fragments and run-on sentences.
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L.05. Suggest appropriate revisions to improve clarity and accuracy.
M. Vocabulary Development
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M.01. Identify and use prefixes and suffixes to determine word meaning.
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M.02. Use Greek and Latin roots to understand word origins and meanings.
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M.03. Identify synonyms and antonyms.
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M.04. Correctly use homophones.
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M.05. Understand and use idioms and adages correctly.
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M.06. Distinguish between positive and negative connotations of words.
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M.07. Use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
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M.08. Understand and use domain-specific vocabulary.
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M.09. Utilize reference materials (dictionaries, thesauruses) effectively.
N. Grammar and Mechanics
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N.01. Identify sentence types (declarative, interrogative, imperative, exclamatory).
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N.02. Identify sentence parts (subject, predicate, clauses).
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N.03. Identify and use various types of nouns (common, proper, singular, plural, possessive).
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N.04. Understand and apply pronoun-antecedent agreement.
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N.05. Identify and use various types of pronouns (subject, object, possessive, reflexive, relative).
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N.06. Identify and use different verb types (transitive, intransitive, linking).
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N.07. Understand and apply subject-verb agreement rules.
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N.08. Use correct verb tense and avoid tense shifts.
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N.09. Identify and use adjectives and adverbs correctly.
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N.10. Identify and use prepositions and prepositional phrases.
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N.11. Identify direct and indirect objects.
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N.12. Identify and use coordinating, subordinating, and correlative conjunctions.
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N.13. Use contractions correctly.
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N.14. Use punctuation correctly (commas, dashes, apostrophes, quotation marks).
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N.15. Apply correct capitalization rules.
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N.16. Apply correct formatting rules for titles, addresses, and quotations.
