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Language
As students progress through the grades levels, they develop more proficiency in understanding the
basic conventions of Standard English and use this in both spoken and written products. They not only
develop knowledge of the rules of language, punctuation, etc., but they develop an extensive vocabulary
becoming skillful in determining the meaning of words and phrases they encounter. The information in
this strand is highly integrated with the other strands of English/Language Arts.
Middle School
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Conventions Demonstrate command of Demonstrate command of Demonstrate command of
conventions of
the conventions of
the conventions of
of Standard the
standard English grammar standard English by:
standard English grammar
English
and usage by: ensuring the explaining the functions of and usage by: explaining
proper use of pronouns
and by using strategies to
improve expression in
conventional language
Demonstrate command of
standard English
capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling
when writing
phrases and clauses, using
compound, complex, and
compound-complex
sentences; recognizing and
correct misplaced and
dangling modifiers
Demonstrate command of
standard English
capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling
when writing
the function of verbs;
forming and using verbs in
the active and passive
voices; forming an using
verbs in the indicative,
imperative, interrogative,
conditional, and
subjunctive mood; and
recognizing and correcting
inappropriate shifts in
verb voice and mood
Demonstrate command of
standard English
capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling
when writing
Knowledge
of Language
Language Standards
Use knowledge of
language and its
conventions when writing,
speaking, reading, or
listening by varying
sentence patterns and
maintaining consistency in
style and tone
Use knowledge of
language and its
conventions when writing,
speaking, reading, or
listening by choosing
language that expresses
ideas concisely,
eliminating redundancy
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Use knowledge of
language and its
conventions when writing,
speaking, reading, or
listening by using verbs to
achieve particular effects
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Vocabulary
Acquisition
and Use
Determine or clarify the
meaning of multi-meaning
words and phrases by:
using context, using
common grade
appropriate Greek or Latin
roots, consulting reference
material, and verifying the
preliminary meaning of a
word or phrase
Determine or clarify the
meaning of multi-meaning
words and phrases by:
using context, using
common grade
appropriate Greek or Latin
roots, consulting reference
material, and verifying the
preliminary meaning of a
word or phrase
Determine or clarify the
meaning of multi-meaning
words and phrases by:
using context, using
common grade
appropriate Greek or Latin
roots, consulting reference
material, and verifying the
preliminary meaning of a
word or phrase
Demonstrate
understanding of
figurative language, word
relationships, and nuances
in word meanings by:
interpreting figures of
speech, using the
relationship between
particular words, and
distinguishing between
the connotations of words
with similar denotations
Demonstrate
understanding of
figurative language, word
relationships, and nuances
in word meanings by:
interpreting figures of
speech, using the
relationship between
particular words, and
distinguishing between
the connotations of words
with similar denotations
Demonstrate
understanding of
figurative language, word
relationships, and nuances
in word meanings by:
interpreting figures of
speech, using the
relationship between
particular words, and
distinguishing between
the connotations of words
with similar denotations
Acquire and use accurately
grade appropriate general
academic and domain
specific words and phrases
Acquire and use accurately
grade appropriate general
academic and domain
specific words and phrases
Acquire and use accurately
grade appropriate general
academic and domain
specific words and phrases
High School
Conventions
of Standard
English
Language Standards
Grades 9 and 10
Grades 11 and 12
Demonstrate command of conventions of
Standard English
Demonstrate command of conventions of
Standard English
Use parallel structure
Understand that usage is a matter of
convention and can evolve
Use various phrases and clauses to
convey meaning and add sentence
variety
Resolve issues of complex or contested
usage, consulting references as needed
Demonstrate command of capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling in writing
Demonstrate command of capitalization,
punctuation, and spelling in writing
Use a semicolon to link two or more
independent clauses
Use hyphenation according to usage
conventions
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Use a colon to introduce a list
Spell correctly
Spell correctly
Knowledge
of Language
Vocabulary
Acquisition
and Use
Language Standards
Apply knowledge of language to
understand how language functions, and
make effective choices for meaning and
style
Apply knowledge of language to
understand how language functions, and
make effective choices for meaning and
style
Write and edit work to conform with
appropriate style manual (e.g. MLA, APA,
etc.)
Vary syntax for effect, and apply
understanding of syntax to reading
Determine, clarify meaning of words
based on grade 9-10 standards selecting
flexibly from a range of standards
Determine, clarify meaning of words
based on grade 11-12 standards selecting
flexibly from a range of standards
Use context clues to understand meaning
of words
Use context clues to understand meaning
of words
Identify and correctly use patterns of
word changes that indicate different
meanings or parts of speech
Identify and correctly use patterns of
word changes that indicate different
meanings or parts of speech
Consult references to identify
pronunciation, part of speech, or
entomology
Consult references to identify
pronunciation, part of speech,
entomology or its standard usage
Verify inferred meaning of words by
consulting references
Verify inferred meaning of words by
consulting references
Demonstrate understanding of figurative
language, word relationships and
nuances
Demonstrate understanding of figurative
language, word relationships, and
nuances
Interpret figures of speech (e.g.,
euphemisms, oxymoron) and analyze
their role in the text
Interpret figures of speech (e.g.,
hyperbole, paradox) and analyze their
role in the text
Analyze connotations of words
Analyze connotations of words
Acquire and accurately use academic and
subject specific vocabulary at college and
career readiness levels; demonstrate
independence in gathering vocabulary
Acquire and accurately use academic and
subject specific vocabulary at college and
career readiness levels; demonstrate
independence in gathering vocabulary
Epping School District
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