Grade 1 - English Language Arts

General Outcome 1: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.

General Outcome 2: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to comprehend and respond personally and critically to oral, print and other media texts.

General Outcome 3: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to manage ideas and information.

General Outcome 4: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to enhance the clarity and artistry of communication.

General Outcome 5: Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to respect, support and collaborate with others.

Discover and ExploreExpress ideas and develop understanding:-share personal experiences that are clearly related to oral, print and other media texts-talk with others about something recently learned-make observations about activities, experiences with oral, print and other media textsExperiment with language and forms:-experiment with different ways of exploring and developing stories, ideas and experiencesExpress preferences:-express preferences for a variety of oral, print and other media textsSet goals:-choose to read and write for and with others

Create Original TextGenerate ideas:-generate and contribute ideas for individual or group oral, print and other media textsElaborate on the expression of ideas:-change, extend or complete rhymes, rhythms and sounds in pattern stories, poems, nursery rhymes and other oral, print and other media textsStructure texts:-write, represent and tell brief narratives about own ideas and experiences-recall and retell or represent favourite stories

Understand Forms, Elements and TechniquesUnderstand forms and genres:-distinguish differences in the ways various oral, print and other media texts are organized-identify various forms of media textsUnderstand techniques and elements:-know that stories have beginnings, middles and endings-tell what characters do or what happens to them in a variety of oral, print and other media textsExperiment with language:-demonstrate interest in repetition, rhyme and rhythm in shared language experiences, such as action songs and word play

Respond to TextsExperience various texts:-participate in shared listening, reading and viewing experiences, using oral, print and other media texts from a variety of cultural traditions and genres, such as poems, storytelling by elders, pattern books, audiotapes, stories and cartoons-illustrate and enact stories, rhymes and songs-remember and retell familiar stories and rhymesConstruct meaning from texts:-relate aspects of stories and characters to personal feelings and experiences-retell interesting or important aspects of oral, print and other media textsConstruct meaning from texts:-tell or represent the beginning, middle and end of stories-tell, represent or write about experiences similar or related to those in oral, print and other media texts-tell what was liked or disliked about oral, print and other media textsAppreciate the artistry of texts:-identify how words can imitate sounds and create special effects-experiment with repetition, rhyme and rhythm to create effects in own oral, print and other media texts

Use Strategies and CuesUse prior knowledge:-use knowledge of how oral language is used in a variety of contexts to construct and confirm meaning-use previous experience and knowledge of oral language to make connections to the meaning of oral, print and other media texts-use knowledge of context, pictures, letters, words, sentences, predictable patterns and rhymes in a variety of oral, print and other media texts to construct and confirm meaning-use knowledge of print, pictures, book covers and title pages to construct and confirm meaningUse comprehension strategies:-use language prediction skills to identify unknown words within the context of a sentence-use a variety of strategies, such as making predictions, rereading and reading on-talk about print or other media texts previously read or viewed-identify the main idea or topic of simple narrative and expository textsUse comprehension strategies:-identify by sight some familiar words from favourite print texts-identify high frequency words by sight-read aloud with some fluency and accuracy, after rehearsal-self-correct when reading does not make sense, using cues such as pictures, context, phonics, grammatical awareness and background knowledgeUse textual cues:-preview book cover, pictures and location of text to assist with constructing and confirming meaning-use word boundaries, capital letters, periods, question marks and exclamation marks to assist with constructing and confirming meaning during oral and silent reading

Clarify and ExtendConsider the ideas of others:-listen and respond appropriately to experiences and feelings shared by othersCombine ideas:-group ideas and information into categories determined by an adultExtend understanding:-ask questions to get additional ideas and information on topics of interest

Organize, Record and EvaluateOrganize information:-identify or categorize information according to sequence, or similarities and differences-list related ideas and information on a topic, and make statements to accompany picturesRecord information:-represent and explain key facts and ideas in own wordsEvaluate information:-recognize and use gathered information to communicate new learning

Select and ProcessUse a variety of sources:-find information on a topic, using a variety of sources, such as picture books, concept books, people and field tripsAccess information:-use text features, such as illustrations, titles and opening shots in video programs, to access information-use questions to find specific information in oral, print and other media texts-understand that library materials are organized systematicallyEvaluate sources:-match information to research needs

Plan and FocusFocus attention:-explore and share own ideas on topics of discussion and study-connect information from oral, print and other media texts to topics of studyDetermine information needs:-ask and answer questions to satisfy information needs on a specific topicPlan to gather information:-follow spoken directions for gathering ideas and information

Share and ReviewShare ideas and information:-share ideas and information from oral, print and other media texts with familiar audiences-answer questions directly related to textsReview research process:-talk about informationgathering experiences by describing what was interesting, valuable or helpful

Enhance and ImproveAppraise own and others’ work:-ask or respond to questions or comments related to the content of own or others’ pictures, stories or talkRevise and edit:-rephrase by adding or deleting words, ideas or information to make better sense-check for obvious spelling errors and missing wordsEnhance legibility:-print letters legibly from left to right, using lines on a page as a guide-use appropriate spacing between letters in words and between words in sentences-explore and use the keyboard to produce textExpand knowledge of language:-identify and use an increasing number of words and phrases related to personal interests and topics of study-experiment with letters, sounds, words and word patterns to learn new wordsEnhance artistry:-use words and pictures to add sensory detail in oral, print and other media texts

Attend to ConventionsAttend to grammar and usage:-speak in complete statements, as appropriate-write simple statements, demonstrating awareness of capital letters and periodsAttend to spelling:-use knowledge of consonant and short vowel sounds to spell phonically regular one syllable words in own writing-spell phonically irregular high frequency words in own writing-use phonic knowledge and skills and visual memory to attempt spelling of words needed for writing-know that words have conventionally accepted spellingsAttend to capitalization and punctuation:-capitalize the first letter of names and the pronoun “I” in own writing-identify periods, exclamation marks and question marks when reading, and use them to assist comprehension

Present and SharePresent information:-present ideas and information to a familiar audience, and respond to questionsEnhance presentation:-add such details as labels, captions and pictures to oral, print and other media textsUse effective oral and visual communication:-speak in a clear voice, with appropriate volume, to an audienceDemonstrate attentive listening and viewing:-ask questions to clarify information-be attentive and show interest during listening or viewing activities

Respect Others and Strengthen CommunityAppreciate diversity:-share personal experiences and family traditions related to oral, print and other media textsRelate texts to culture:-talk about other times, places and people after exploring oral, print and other media texts from various communitiesCelebrate accomplishments and events:-share ideas and experiences through conversation, puppet plays, dramatic scenes and songs to celebrate individual and class accomplishmentsUse language to show respect:-use appropriate words, phrases and sentences to ask questions, to seek and give assistance, and to take turns

Work within a GroupCooperate with others:-work in partnerships and groups-help others and ask others for helpWork in groups:-ask questions and contribute ideas related to class investigations on topics of interest-take turns sharing ideas and informationEvaluate group process:-recognize personal contributions to group process