Language Arts I Can Statements
Grade 5 Curriculum
General Outcome 1
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.
1.1 Discover and Explore
Express ideas and develop understanding
¨ I can use my past experiences to make sense of new ideas and information
¨ I can read, write represent and talk to explore my understanding of new ideas and information
¨ I can use my own experiences to explore and express my opinions and understandings
Experiment with language and forms
¨ I can select the best form to organize ideas and information to better understand the topic
Express preferences
¨ I can select and explain why I like different forms of different texts
Set goals
¨ I can self evaluate and set goals to improve my language arts learning
1.2 Clarify and Extend
Consider the ideas of others
¨ I can listen to other’s viewpoints to improve my understanding
Combine ideas
¨ I can use different ways to explore relationships among ideas and experiences
Extend understanding
¨ I can use different ways to search for further ideas and information from other sources
General Outcome 2
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to comprehend and respond personally and critically to different texts.
2.1 Use Strategies and Cues
Use prior knowledge
¨ I can describe how what I already know helps me understand new ideas and information
¨ I can use organizational structures, such as tables of contents, indexes, topic sentences and headings, to get information
Use comprehension strategies
¨ I can use different reading speeds and strategies to suit the kind of text
¨ I can understand new ideas and information by responding personally, taking notes and discussing ideas with others
¨ I can use the meanings of words I already know to predict the meanings of new words
¨ I can check my understanding by comparing what I already know with information from other sources
Use textual cues
¨ I can use maps, diagrams, special fonts and graphics, that highlight important ideas to better understand the information
¨ I can use letters, brochures, glossaries and encyclopedias, to better understand ideas and information
Use phonics and structural analysis
¨ I can pick out prefixes and suffixes to read and understand new words.
¨ I can use a variety of strategies to read unfamiliar words.
Use references
¨ I can find words in dictionaries and glossaries to check the spellings or find the meanings, by using alphabetical order and guide words.
2.2 Respond to Texts
Experience various texts
¨ I can experience different texts, such as historical fiction, myths, biographies, poetry, news reports and guest speakers.
¨ I can express my point of view about different types of texts
¨ I can make connections between fictional texts and historical events
¨ I can describe and discuss new places, times and characters and events in different texts
¨ I can show my understanding of a text in different ways
Construct meaning from texts
¨ I can compare characters and situations in different texts to real people and situations.
¨ I can describe characters’ qualities based on what they say and do and how they are described in different texts
¨ I can describe and discuss how the setting affects the characters and events
¨ I can show my understanding of different texts, using evidence from personal experiences and the texts.
¨ I can retell stories from the point of view of different characters.
Appreciate the artistry of texts
¨ I can explain how simile and hyperbole are used to create mood and mental images
¨ I can change sentences and words to add to meaning and to create mood and special effects
2.3 Understand Forms, Elements and Techniques
Understand forms and genres
¨ I can tell about similarities and differences among different texts
¨ I can identify the main characteristics of different texts
Understand techniques and elements
¨ I can identify the main problem in different texts, and explain how it is solved
¨ I can identify and discuss the main character’s point of view and motivation
¨ I can identify examples of best word choice and imagery that create different effects
¨ I can identify sections or elements in print or in other media texts, such as shots in films or selections in magazines
Experiment with language
¨ I can experiment with words and sentence patterns, to create word pictures
¨ I can identify how imagery and figurative language, such as simile and exaggeration show meaning
2.4 Create Original Text
Generate ideas
¨ I can use my experiences with other texts to create own texts
Elaborate on the expression of ideas
¨ I can choose the right kind of text for my audience and purpose
Structure texts
¨ I can use structures (headings, bullets, etc) to organize and present my ideas
¨ I can use my own experiences as a starting point for writing fiction
General Outcome 3
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to manage ideas and information.
3.1 Plan and Focus
Focus attention
¨ I can summarize important ideas in different texts and express my opinions about them
¨ I can use what I know about my audience to focus topics for research
Determine information needs
¨ I can organize information into categories and ask questions related to each category
Plan to gather information
¨ I can develop and follow my own plan for finding ideas and information
3.2 Select and Process
Use a variety of sources
¨ I can find information to answer research questions using a variety of sources (newspapers, encyclopedias, CDROMs, a series by the same writer, scripts, diaries, autobiographies, interviews and oral traditions).
Access information
¨ I can use a variety of tools, such chapter headings, glossaries and encyclopedia guide words, to find information
¨ I can skim, scan and listen for key words and phrases
Evaluate sources
¨ I can determine how useful information is for my research purpose
3.3 Organize, Record and Evaluate
Organize information
¨ I can use clear organizational tools (chronological order, and cause and effect) to link ideas and information so my audience understands
¨ I can organize ideas and information to show key points for the audience
¨ I can add, delete or combine ideas to communicate better
Record information
¨ I can record information in own words; cite titles and authors alphabetically, and provide publication dates of sources
¨ I can combine ideas and information from several sources
¨ I can record ideas and information in categories, according to a research plan
Evaluate information
¨ I can connect gathered information to what I already know to get new ideas
3.4 Share and Review
Share ideas and information
¨ I can communicate ideas and information in a variety of different texts (illustrated reports, charts, graphic displays and travelogues)
¨ I can use the right type of text to inform and to engage the audience
Review research process
¨ I can self assess my research skills using a rubric
General Outcome 4
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to enhance the clarity and artistry of communication.
4.1 Enhance and Improve
Appraise own and others’ work
¨ I can make a rubric to evaluate different texts
¨ I can use a rubric to give feedback to others and to revise my own work
Revise and edit
¨ I can revise to add and organize details that make my meaning clear
¨ I can edit for appropriate use of different kinds of sentences (statements, questions and exclamations)
Enhance legibility
¨ I can write legibly, using consistent alignment, shape and slant
¨ I can use word processing skills, and use publishing programs to organize information
Expand knowledge of language
¨ I can improve my word choice by using synonyms, antonyms and homonyms and a thesaurus
¨ I can explain different meanings for the same word, depending on the sentence it is used in
Enhance artistry
¨ I can use different words, phrases, sentences and multimedia effects to get my point across
4.2 Attend to Conventions
Attend to grammar and usage
¨ I can use words and phrases to make my writing clear
¨ I can use connecting words to link ideas in sentences and paragraphs
¨ I can identify irregular verbs, and use in my own writing
¨ I can identify past, present and future verb tenses, and use them in sentences.
Attend to spelling
¨ I can use what I know about spelling to help me spell words in own writing
¨ I can use correct spelling of commonly misspelled words in own writing
¨ I can apply spelling rules when editing and proofreading own writing
Attend to capitalization and punctuation
¨ I can use capital letters, appropriately, in titles, headings and subheadings in my own writing
¨ I can use quotation marks and separate paragraphs to show dialogue in my own writing
¨ I can recognize various uses of apostrophes, and use them appropriately in own writing
4.3 Present and Share
Present information
¨ I can organize ideas and information in presentations to make my focus clear and engage the audience
Enhance presentation
¨ I can use openings and closings that keep my audience interested
Use effective oral and visual communication
¨ I can change my volume, tone of voice and gestures to keep my audience interested
¨ I can set up the presentation space to focus audience attention
Demonstrate attentive listening and viewing
¨ I can identify and understand the purpose of verbal and nonverbal messages from a presenter
¨ I can respect the perspectives of the presenter
¨ I can respect the presenter’s opinions by listening politely and giving feedback
General Outcome 5
Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to respect, support and collaborate with others.
5.1 Respect Others and Strengthen Community
Appreciate diversity
¨ I can discuss my understanding of the lives of different people or characters (in various communities, cultural traditions, places and times portrayed in different texts)
¨ I can compare my own and others’ responses to ideas and experiences
Relate texts to culture
¨ I can identify and discuss how qualities (such as courage, ambition and loyalty) are shown in different texts from diverse cultures and communities
Celebrate accomplishments and events
¨ I can use the right words and tone to recognize and honor people and events
Use language to show respect
¨ I can use appropriate language for the situation
5.2 Work within a Group
Cooperate with others
¨ I can take responsibility for being a good group member
¨ I can decide whether to work alone or with a group to complete a task
Work in groups
¨ I can come up with questions to guide research
¨ I can give my ideas, listen and respond to help solve problems
Evaluate group process
¨ I can show appreciation for others work, and give constructive feedback to group members