General information about ELA (English Language Arts):
ELA (English Language Arts) consists of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and general language use including spelling, puncutuation, and grammar. All learning goals for ELA can be found in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). There is an extensive amount of information on the CCSS arranged by grade and strand found at: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/
Reading - In a nutshell, reading is making meaning of words. Simply reading words but not thinking about the message they are sending is not truly reading. When we read with understanding of the message that is being conveyed, that is called reading comprehension. One of the most important considerations for reading is that students are reading books, articles, etc. at a reading level that is appropriate for them. This may be above or below their actual grade level. If you aren't sure about your child's reading level, talk to his or her classroom teacher.
Students read and comprehend two basic types of text: LITERATURE and INFORMATIONAL TEXT. Literature tends to be stories with characters, problems and solutions. Informational text is true information that allows students to gain understanding about a concept. These two types of reading are approached by readers in different ways. Reading strategies are ways that readers think about the text to help them understand it better. You may have heard of some of the following:
ELA (English Language Arts) consists of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and general language use including spelling, puncutuation, and grammar. All learning goals for ELA can be found in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). There is an extensive amount of information on the CCSS arranged by grade and strand found at: http://www.corestandards.org/ELA-Literacy/
Students read and comprehend two basic types of text: LITERATURE and INFORMATIONAL TEXT. Literature tends to be stories with characters, problems and solutions. Informational text is true information that allows students to gain understanding about a concept. These two types of reading are approached by readers in different ways. Reading strategies are ways that readers think about the text to help them understand it better. You may have heard of some of the following:
Predicting – What will happen next/how will the current situation happening
in the text impact the future?
Summarizing – What was the main idea or important part of what was read?
Visualizing – Understanding the words that are being read in such a way
that the reader is able to picture in the mind what is being described.
Questioning – Paying close attention to the text and clarifying significant ideas or events.
Drawing Inferences – Using what was read to support an idea or thought that the
author does not give the reader directly.
Writing - Similar to reading, there are two different types of writing: NARRATIVE and INFORMATIONAL. Narrative writing is story-based while Informational writing examples include reports, pamphlets, etc.
Typically, writing is considered a process with the following steps:
1. Brainstorming - getting ideas down, organizing, creating a concept map, etc.
2. First draft - writing down the story, report, etc. the first time
3. Revision - making changes by adding, removing, changing order of, and/or substituting ideas
4. Editing - making changes with capitalization, punctuation, and/or spelling changes
5. Publishing - sharing a final draft with an audience
Typically, writing is considered a process with the following steps:
1. Brainstorming - getting ideas down, organizing, creating a concept map, etc.
2. First draft - writing down the story, report, etc. the first time
3. Revision - making changes by adding, removing, changing order of, and/or substituting ideas
4. Editing - making changes with capitalization, punctuation, and/or spelling changes
5. Publishing - sharing a final draft with an audience