A knowledge and skills statement is a broad statement of what students must know and be able to do. It generally begins with a learning strand and ends with the phrase “The student is expected to:” Knowledge and skills statements always include related student expectations.
Glossary Support for ELA.7.8
Although common elements can be found across genres, it is important for students to be taught the characteristics, structures, and purposes specific to a particular genre so they are better able to engage with the text and draw meaning from it. For example, students should know that when they read a literary text, the language can be highly figurative. Students need to make inferences to determine the implied meaning of these words. If students do not understand that this is a characteristic of literature, they will likely not be able to determine the author’s purpose or message because the students are reading the words only for their literal meaning.
the author’s primary goal in a piece of writing, such as to narrate, to argue, to review, to explain, to examine, etc.
text that is widely acknowledged for its outstanding and enduring qualities
text that is set near the present time, typically post-World War II
texts that represent regional, economic, social, and ethnic differences through subject matter and/or characters
As students become more proficient readers, the texts they engage with and draw meaning from should become more complex in structure, language, and/or content. Within and across grade levels, students are expected to be exposed to challenging texts that allow them the opportunity to practice and master new skills.
stories derived from the oldest records of oral and written narratives throughout history (e.g., tales, legends, fairytales, fables, myths, and religious texts)
