Book report alternative: A character's letter to the editor

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 6

• Goal 1: The learner will use language to express individual perspectives drawn from personal or related experience.
  • Objective 1.03: Interact appropriately in group settings by:
    • listening attentively.
    • showing empathy.
    • contributing relevant comments connecting personal experiences to content.
    • monitoring own understanding of the discussion and seeking clarification as needed.
  • Objective 1.04: Reflect on learning experiences by:
    • describing personal learning growth and changes in perspective.
    • identifying changes in self throughout the learning process.
    • interpreting how personal circumstances and background shape interaction with text.
• Goal 2: The learner will explore and analyze information from a variety of sources.
  • Objective 2.01: Explore informational materials that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understand of what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
    • studying the characteristics of informational works.
    • restating and summarizing information.
    • determining the importance and accuracy of information.
    • making connections between works, self and related topics/information.
    • comparing and/or contrasting information.
    • drawing inferences and/or conclusions.
    • generating questions.
  • Objective 2.02: Use multiple sources of print and non-print information in developing informational materials such as brochures, newsletters, and infomercials by:
    • exploring a variety of sources from which information may be attained (e.g., books, Internet, electronic databases, CD-ROM).
    • distinguishing between primary and secondary sources.
    • analyzing the effects of the presentation and/or accuracy of information.
• Goal 3: The learner will examine the foundations of argument.
  • Objective 3.01: Explore argumentative works that are read, heard, and/or viewed by:
    • monitoring comprehension for understanding what is read, heard, and/or viewed.
    • analyzing the characteristics of argumentative works.
    • determining the importance of author's word choice and focus.
    • summarizing the author's purpose and stance.
    • making connections between works, self and related topics.
    • drawing inferences.
    • responding to public documents (such as but not limited to editorials and school and community policies).
    • distinguishing between fact and opinion.
  • Objective 3.03: Study arguments that evaluate through:
    • exploring examples that show a firm control of sound judgments, audience awareness, clear idea/theme, and the use of relevant and coherent reasons for support.
    • preparing individual and/or group essays and presentations that use evaluative techniques.
• Goal 5: The learner will respond to various literary genres using interpretive and evaluative processes.
  • Objective 5.01: Increase fluency, comprehension, and insight through a meaningful and comprehensive literacy program by:
    • using effective reading strategies to match type of text.
    • reading self-selected literature and other materials of individual interest.
    • reading literature and other materials selected by the teacher.
    • discussing literature in teacher-student conferences and small group discussions.
    • taking an active role in whole class seminars.
    • discussing and analyzing the effects on texts of such literary devices as figurative language, dialogue, flashback and sarcasm.
    • interpreting text by explaining elements such as plot, theme, point of view, characterization, mood, and style.
    • investigating examples of distortion and stereotypes.
    • recognizing underlying messages in order to identify recurring theme(s) within and across works.
    • extending understanding by creating products for different purposes, different audiences and within various contexts.
    • exploring relationships between and among characters, ideas, concepts and/or experiences.
  • Objective 5.02: Study the characteristics of literary genres (fiction, nonfiction, drama, and poetry) through:
    • reading a variety of literature and other text (e.g., novels, autobiographies, myths, essays, magazines, plays, pattern poems, blank verse).
    • interpreting what impact genre-specific characteristics have on the meaning of the work.
    • exploring how the author's choice and use of a genre shapes the meaning of the literary work.
    • exploring what impact literary elements have on the meaning of the text such as the influence of setting or the problem and its resolution.
• Goal 6: The learner will apply conventions of grammar and language usage.
  • Objective 6.01: Demonstrate an understanding of conventional written and spoken expression by:
    • using a variety of sentence types correctly, punctuating them properly, and avoiding fragments and run-ons.
    • using appropriate subject-verb agreement and verb tense that are appropriate for the meaning of the sentence.
    • demonstrating the different roles of the different parts of speech in sentence construction.
    • using pronouns correctly, including clear antecedents and correct case.
    • using phrases and clauses correctly (e.g., prepositional phrases, appositives, dependent and independent clauses).
    • determining the meaning of unfamiliar vocabulary words by using context clues, a dictionary, a glossary, a thesaurus, and/or structural analysis (roots, prefixes, suffices) of words.
    • extending vocabulary knowledge by learning and using new words.
    • exploring the role and use of dialects and of standard English to appreciate appropriate usage in different contexts.
    • developing an awareness of language conventions and usage during oral presentations.
  • Objective 6.02: Identify and edit errors in spoken and written English by:
    • reviewing and using common spelling rules, applying common spelling patterns, and developing and mastering an individualized list of words that are commonly misspelled.
    • applying proofreading symbols when editing.
    • producing final drafts that demonstrate accurate spelling and the correct use of punctuation and capitalization.
    • developing an awareness of errors in everyday speech.