Connecting ideas within sentences by combining clauses.

Combine clauses in a few basic ways (e.g., creating compound sentences using and, but, so; creating complex sentences using because) to make connections between and to join ideas (e.g., I want to read this book because it describes the solar system).

Combine clauses in a growing number of ways to create compound and complex sentences that make connections between and link concrete and abstract ideas, for example, to express a reason (e.g., He stayed at home on Sunday in order to study for Monday's exam) or to make a concession (e.g., She studied all night even though she wasn't feeling well).

Combine clauses in a variety of ways to create compound and complex sentences that make connections between and link concrete and abstract ideas, for example, to make a concession (e.g., While both characters strive for success, they each take different approaches through which to reach their goals.), or to establish cause (e.g., Women's lives were changed forever after World War II as a result of joining the workforce).

Modifying to add details to provide more information and create precision.

Expand sentences with simple adverbials (e.g., adverbs, adverb phrases prepositional phrases) to provide details (e.g., time, manner, place, cause) about familiar activities or processes.

Expand sentences with a growing variety of adverbials (e.g., adverbs, adverb phrases, prepositional phrases) to provide details (e.g., time, manner, place, cause) about familiar or new activities or processes.

Expand sentences with a variety of adverbials (e.g., adverbs, adverb phrases and clauses, prepositional phrases) to provide details (e.g., time, manner, place, cause) about a variety of familiar and new activities and processes.

Using nouns and noun phrases to expand ideas and provide more detail.

Expand noun phrases to create increasingly detailed sentences (e.g., adding adjectives for precision) about personal and familiar academic topics.

Expand noun phrases in a growing number of ways (e.g., adding adjectives to nouns; simple clause embedding) to create detailed sentences that accurately describe, explain, and summarize information and ideas on a variety of personal and academic topics.

Expand noun phrases in a variety of ways (e.g., more complex clause embedding) to create detailed sentences that accurately describe concrete and abstract ideas, explain procedures and sequences, summarize texts and ideas, and present and critique points of view on a variety of academic topics.

Using verbs and verb phrases to create precision and clarity in different text types.

Use a variety of verbs in different tenses (e.g., past, present, future, simple, progressive) appropriate to the text type and discipline to create short texts on familiar academic topics.

Use a variety of verbs in different tenses (e.g., past, present, future, simple, progressive) appropriate to the text type and discipline to create a variety of texts that explain, describe, and summarize concrete and abstract thoughts and ideas.

Use a variety of verbs in different tenses (e.g., past, present, future, simple, progressive, perfect), and mood (e.g., subjunctive) appropriate to the text type and discipline to create a variety of texts that describe concrete and abstract ideas, explain procedures and sequences, summarize texts and ideas, and present and critique points of view.

Understanding cohesion and how language resources across a text contribute to the way a text unfolds and flows.

a) Apply knowledge of familiar language resources for referring to make texts more cohesive (e.g., using pronouns to refer back to nouns in text) to comprehending and writing brief texts.

b) Apply knowledge of familiar language resources for linking ideas, events, or reasons throughout a text (e.g., using connecting/transition words and phrases, such as first, second, third) to comprehending and writing brief texts.

a) Apply knowledge of a growing number of language resources for referring to make texts more cohesive (e.g., using nominalizations to refer back to an action or activity described earlier) to comprehending texts and to writing increasingly cohesive texts for specific purposes and audiences.

b) Apply knowledge of familiar language resources for linking ideas, events, or reasons throughout a text (e.g., using connecting/transition words and phrases, such as meanwhile, however, on the other hand) to comprehending texts and to writing increasingly cohesive texts for specific purposes and audiences.

a) Apply knowledge of a variety of language resources for referring to make texts more cohesive (e.g., using nominalization, paraphrasing, or summaries to reference or recap an idea or explanation provided earlier) to comprehending grade-level texts and to writing clear and cohesive grade-level texts for specific purposes and audiences.

b) Apply knowledge of familiar language resources for linking ideas, events, or reasons throughout a text (e.g., using connecting/transition words and phrases, such as on the contrary, in addition, moreover) to comprehending grade-level texts and to writing cohesive texts for specific purposes and audiences.

Understanding text structure and organization based on purpose, text type, and discipline.

Apply analysis of the organizational structure of different text types (e.g., how arguments are organized by establishing clear relationships among claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence) to comprehending texts and to writing brief arguments, informative/explanatory texts and narratives.

Apply analysis of the organizational structure of different text types (e.g., how arguments are organized by establishing clear relationships among claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence) to comprehending texts and to writing increasingly clear and cohesive arguments, informative/explanatory texts and narratives.

Apply analysis of the organizational structure of different text types (e.g., how arguments are organized by establishing clear relationships among claims, counterclaims, reasons, and evidence) to comprehending texts and to writing clear and cohesive arguments, informative/explanatory texts and narratives.

Selecting and applying varied and precise vocabulary and other language resources to effectively convey ideas.

a) Use familiar general academic (e.g., temperature, document) and domain-specific (e.g., characterization, photosynthesis, society, quadratic functions) words to create clear spoken and written texts.

b) Use knowledge of morphology to appropriately select basic affixes (e.g., The skull protects the brain).

a) Use an increasing variety of grade-appropriate general academic (e.g., dominate, environment) and domain-specific (e.g., characterization, photosynthesis, society, quadratic functions) academic words accurately and appropriately when producing increasingly complex written and spoken texts.

b) Use knowledge of morphology to appropriately select affixes in a growing number of ways to manipulate language (e.g., diplomatic, stems are branched or unbranched).

a) Use a variety of grade-appropriate general (e.g., anticipate, transaction) and domain-specific (e.g., characterization, photosynthesis, society, quadratic functions) academic words and phrases, including persuasive language, accurately and appropriately when producing complex written and spoken texts.

b) Use knowledge of morphology to appropriately select affixes in a variety of ways to manipulate language (e.g., changing humiliate to humiliation or incredible to incredibly).

Justifying own arguments and evaluating others’ arguments in writing.

a) Justify opinions by articulating some relevant textual evidence or background knowledge, with visual support.

b) Express attitude and opinions or temper statements with familiar modal expressions (e.g., can, may).

a) Justify opinions and positions or persuade others by making connections between ideas and articulating relevant textual evidence or background knowledge.

b) Express attitude and opinions or temper statements with a variety of familiar modal expressions (e.g., possibly/likely, could/would).

a) Justify opinions or persuade others by making connections and distinctions between ideas and texts and articulating sufficient, detailed, and relevant textual evidence or background knowledge, using appropriate register.

b) Express attitude and opinions or temper statements with nuanced modal expressions (e.g., possibly/ potentially/ certainly/absolutely, should/might).

Writing literary and informational texts to present, describe, and explain ideas and information, using appropriate technology.

a) Write short literary and informational texts (e.g., an argument about water rights) collaboratively (e.g., with peers) and independently.

b) Write brief summaries of texts and experiences by using complete sentences and key words (e.g., from notes or graphic organizers).

a) Write longer literary and informational texts (e.g., an argument about water rights) collaboratively (e.g., with peers) and independently by using appropriate text organization and growing understanding of register.

b) Write increasingly concise summaries of texts and experiences by using complete sentences and key words (e.g., from notes or graphic organizers).

a) Write longer and more detailed literary and informational texts (e.g., an argument about water rights) collaboratively (e.g., with peers) and independently using appropriate text organization and register.

b) Write clear and coherent summaries of texts and experiences by using complete and concise sentences and key words (e.g., from notes or graphic organizers).

Expressing information and ideas in formal oral presentations on academic topics.

Plan and deliver brief oral presentations and reports on grade-appropriate topics that present evidence and facts to support ideas.

Plan and deliver a variety of oral presentations and reports on grade-appropriate topics that present evidence and facts to support ideas by using growing understanding of register.

Plan and deliver a variety of oral presentations and reports on grade-appropriate topics that express complex and abstract ideas well supported by evidence and sound reasoning, and are delivered using an appropriate level of formality and understanding of register.