Author study: Improving reading comprehension using inference and comparison

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 4

• Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
  • Objective 1.06: Read independently daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student's independent reading level) to:
    • increase fluency.
    • build background knowledge.
    • expand vocabulary.
• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by:
    • setting a purpose using prior knowledge and text information.
    • making predictions.
    • formulating questions.
    • locating relevant information.
    • making connections with previous experiences, information, and ideas.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, including:
    • fiction (legends, novels, folklore, science fiction).
    • nonfiction (autobiographies, informational books, diaries, journals).
    • poetry (concrete, haiku).
    • drama (skits, plays).
  • Objective 2.05: Make inferences, draw conclusions, make generalizations, and support by referencing the text.
• Goal 3: The learner will make connections with text through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
  • Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
    • analyzing the impact of authors' word choice and context.
    • examining the reasons for characters' actions.
    • identifying and examining characters' motives.
    • considering a situation or problem from different characters' points of view.
    • analyzing differences among genres.
    • making inferences and drawing conclusions about characters, events and themes.
  • Objective 3.06: Conduct research for assigned projects or self-selected projects (with assistance) from a variety of sources through the use of technological and informal tools (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).
• Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
  • Objective 4.08: Focus revision on a specific element such as:
    • word choice.
    • sequence of events and ideas.
    • transitional words.
    • sentence patterns.
  • Objective 4.10: Use technology as a tool to gather, organize, and present information.
• Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
  • Objective 5.01: Use correct capitalization (e.g., names of languages, nationalities, musical compositions) and punctuation (e.g., commas in a series, commas in direct address, commas and quotation marks in dialogue, apostrophes in possessives).
  • Objective 5.02: Demonstrate understanding in speaking and writing by appropriate usage of:
    • pronouns.
    • subject/verb agreement.
    • verb tense consistency.
    • subject consistency.
  • Objective 5.03: Elaborate information and ideas in writing and speaking by using:
    • simple and compound sentences.
    • regular and irregular verbs.
    • adverbs.
    • prepositions.
    • coordinating conjunctions.
  • Objective 5.04: Compose multiple paragraphs with:
    • topic sentences.
    • specific, relevant details.
    • logical progression and movement of ideas.
    • coherence.
    • elaboration.
    • concluding statement related to the topic.
  • Objective 5.05: Use visual (orthography) and meaning-based strategies as primary sources for correct spelling.
  • Objective 5.06: Proofread and correct most misspellings independently with reference to resources (e.g., dictionaries, thesauri, glossaries, computer spell-checks, and other classroom sources).
  • Objective 5.07: Use established criteria to edit for language conventions and format.
  • Objective 5.08: Demonstrate evidence of language cohesion by:
    • logical sequence of fiction and nonfiction retells.
    • time order sequence of events.
    • sustaining conversations on a topic.

Grade 5

• Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
  • Objective 1.05: Read independently daily from self-selected materials (consistent with the student's independent reading level) to:
    • increase fluency.
    • build background knowledge.
    • expand and refine vocabulary.
• Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
  • Objective 2.02: Interact with the text before, during, and after reading, listening, and viewing by:
    • making predictions.
    • formulating questions.
    • supporting answers from textual information, previous experience, and/or other sources.
    • drawing on personal, literary, and cultural understandings.
    • seeking additional information.
    • making connections with previous experiences, information, and ideas.
  • Objective 2.03: Read a variety of texts, such as:
    • fiction (tall tales, myths).
    • nonfiction (books of true experience, newspaper and magazine articles, schedules).
    • poetry (narrative, lyric, and cinquains).
    • drama (plays and skits).
  • Objective 2.05: Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).
  • Objective 2.09: Listen actively and critically by:
    • asking questions.
    • delving deeper into the topic.
    • elaborating on the information and ideas presented.
    • evaluating information and ideas.
    • making inferences and drawing conclusions.
    • making judgments.
• Goal 3: The learner will make connections through the use of oral language, written language, and media and technology.
  • Objective 3.01: Respond to fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama using interpretive, critical, and evaluative processes by:
    • analyzing word choice and content.
    • examining reasons for a character's actions, taking into account the situation and basic motivation of the character.
    • creating and presenting a product that effectively demonstrates a personal response to a selection or experience.
    • examining alternative perspectives.
    • evaluating the differences among genres.
    • examining relationships among characters.
    • making and evaluating inferences and conclusions about characters, events and themes.
  • Objective 3.06: Conduct research (with assistance) from a variety of sources for assigned or self-selected projects (e.g., print and non-print texts, artifacts, people, libraries, databases, computer networks).
• Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
  • Objective 4.08: Focus revision on target elements by:
    • improving word choice.
    • rearranging text for clarity.
    • creating simple and/or complex sentences for clarity or impact.
    • developing a lead, characters, or mood.
  • Objective 4.10: Use technology as a tool to enhance and/or publish a product.
• Goal 5: The learner will apply grammar and language conventions to communicate effectively.
  • Objective 5.01: Consistently use correct capitalization (e.g., names of magazines, newspapers, organizations) and punctuation (e.g., colon to introduce a list, commas in apposition, commas used in compound sentences).
  • Objective 5.02: Demonstrate understanding in speaking and writing by using:
    • troublesome verbs.
    • nominative, objective, and possessive pronouns.
  • Objective 5.03: Elaborate information and ideas in speaking and writing by using:
    • prepositional phrases.
    • transitions.
    • coordinating and/or subordinating conjunctions.
  • Objective 5.04: Determine the impact of word choice on written and spoken language.
  • Objective 5.05: Spell most commonly used words accurately using a multi-strategy approach to the learning of new spellings.
  • Objective 5.06: Proofread for accuracy of spelling using appropriate strategies to confirm spelling and to correct errors.
  • Objective 5.07: Edit final product for grammar, language conventions, and format.
  • Objective 5.08: Create readable documents through legible handwriting and word processing.