Common Core Basics Students in grades K-8 are given individual specific standards. While those in 9-10 and 11-12 are grouped together. The emphasis throughout is on the results rather than the way they were achieved. All subject areas are focusing more heavily on the use of the components of literacy, such as reading, writing, speaking and listening. Your child will need to be able to explain how they arrived at their result and even if the answer is incorrect, points might be given for good method. From beginning to end, the Common Core demands a more rigorous teaching environment as well as a higher level of expectation for the students. The ultimate goal of the Common Core is to better prepare students for college or a career.

The Big Jump The elementary grades (K-5) lay the foundation and have specific requirements for each year. There is a considerable jump however, in both the content and level of achievement demanded in the Language Arts Standards between 5th and 6th grade. This pattern continues throughout the middle school years, leveling off by 8th grade. Some requirements that should be mastered by 7th grade are removed from the list and not noted again.

Why the Jump?? K-5 Common Core standards establish the framework. They accommodate individual developmental differences while bringing all students “up to speed” on basic language arts components. The spike in 6th grade is primarily a shift in focus to prepare your child for high school. It is the next step for building on what they already know and developing ways to use these skills effectively. Students are required to “dig deeper” and incorporate different perspectives. The literature becomes more complex and things like subgenres are introduced. Your child will be required to use text to both support and evaluate their responses as well as those of others.

6th Grade Literature The biggest change with regard to literature is that your child will no longer be focusing on how the writing is constructed. They will now be moving into why it was written the way it was. They will now be determining meaning, looking for point of view and deciphering just how any one part of the text works within the whole. Here are a few things that your 6th grader will need to be able to do when they interact with text. provide evidence to support their point of view identify inferences within the text explain the plot and the author’s point of view

7th and 8th Grade Fiction The criteria for these two grades are somewhat consistent and include the following: Your child will need to be able to read and comprehend text with more complexity by determining the meaning of words, phrases and passages and understanding the impact they have on the tone of the text. They will need to examine different types of literature and determine the author’s point of view and how they have structured the text to get the message across to the audience. They need to experience different formats for a variety of literary styles sometimes comparing one style of presentation to another and other times using a text to text or text to self method. They need to be able provide a complete summary of their readings and to cite several pieces that provide the strongest support to their point of view.

6th Grade – Informational Text When working with this type of text your child will need to be able to incorporate some of the following skills to maximize what the work has to offer and what they take away from it. They need to be able to analyze key elements, events and people involved to see how the author has presented them in the context of the work. They need to build on that to be able to make inferences with regard to the author’s credibility and determine the meaning and relevance of the text. They need to be able to integrate information from multiple sources (media) to provide support while developing an understanding of how each particular piece fits to either support or negate the information. They need to be able to prove their research through appropriate citations from the text.

7th and 8th Grade Informational Text Moving to the next level, your child should be able to: Determine the central idea of the text and provide an objective summary of what they have read. Identify the structure and purpose of the work – how does the author convey their point of view? What words and phrases have special power in getting the message across? Compare and contrast multimedia versions of different topics to focus on key concepts and ideas Analyze multiple sources with or without conflicting opinions to help determine their own opinion Evaluate the arguments presented and determine if the information is sound Cite several pieces that provide the strongest support

6th, 7th and 8th Grade Writing All three grades follow the same basic guidelines with regard to what is expected from students in these two basic areas of writing. For argumentative writing, they need to be able to provide relevant evidence, support their argument clearly and present it in a formal style. For the informative/explanatory style, they need to be able to organize their topic, present relevant facts, use correct and precise language and present it in a formal style. The “heavy lifting” to get to this point is again primarily done in 6th grade – the big jump year. So let’s break this down a bit further.

6th Grade Writing The primary goal here and through the next three years is to have your child produce clear writing which is organized and follows proper format. They need to know that almost all of what they write will need to be edited, revised and rewritten (sometimes more than once.) Technology is a wonderful tool but the internet is just the beginning. They need to process what they see and read to create their own product. Also very important for the years to come is a knowledge of keyboarding skills and developing the stamina for extended work sessions.

6th Grade Writing - continued When approaching the concept of narrative writing, your child will be mastering the idea of engaging the reader. They will be using some of the techniques they brought from K-5 for basic form and expanding on correct narrative techniques. When looking at research writing they will be moving far beyond the “cut and paste” reporting style. They will need to look at several sources and gather information with a deeper understanding of what constitutes a credible source – especially on the internet. They will need to provide original work supported with evidence from literature or informative texts.

6th, 7th and 8th Grade Speaking and Listening A primary skill that came easier to past generations is the art of conversation. Middle school students at all levels will be learning what constructive discussions look like and the benefits of exchanging ideas in this way. Some of the ground rules that we will be focusing on for engaging in productive collaborative discussions include: Be prepared to present your point of view but remain open minded Integrate diverse media and resources Provide support for your discussion points Define and keep to the discussion at hand And finally…“No Hogs or Logs!” Be an active participant but don’t take over.

6th, 7th and 8th Grade Language In addition to what we have already covered, your middle-school child will: Develop a command of grade appropriate vocabulary by learning how to determine unknown words from text. Move toward mastering the more mature conventions of the structure of literature. Develop their own voice with regard to style and character.