Settling into harder books
Students start the year reading longer chapter books and articles on their own. They learn to notice when they get lost and use clues like background knowledge to get back on track.
This is the year reading and writing get longer and more demanding. Students read thicker books and longer articles on their own, pull out the main idea, and back up what they think with quotes from the page. In writing, they plan, draft, and revise full pieces with paragraphs that argue, explain, or tell a story, using commas, semicolons, and colons correctly. By spring, students can research a topic from a few sources, cite where the facts came from, and present what they found.
Students start the year reading longer chapter books and articles on their own. They learn to notice when they get lost and use clues like background knowledge to get back on track.
Students look closely at what stories and articles really mean. They find the theme, track how characters change, and back up their thinking by quoting straight from the page.
Students notice how chapters, scenes, and sections fit together. They compare a firsthand story to a secondhand report on the same event, including accounts from Dakota and Anishinaabe authors.
Students write essays that take a side and back it up with reasons and evidence from sources. They learn to quote, summarize, and credit where ideas came from instead of copying.
Students pick a question, gather information from books, videos, and interviews, and check whether each source can be trusted. They share what they found in writing and out loud to the class.
Students write stories and poems using techniques like figurative language and personification. They also play with punctuation, including semicolons and colons, to make their sentences sound the way they want.
Reading accurately means recognizing words quickly and correctly, including how word parts like prefixes and suffixes change meaning. Students read grade-level text smoothly enough that they can focus on understanding it.
Students break unfamiliar multi-syllable words into parts using letter sounds, syllable patterns, and word origins like French and Latin roots to figure out what the word means and how to say it.
Students read fifth-grade passages aloud at a steady pace, with correct pronunciation and enough expression that the meaning comes through clearly.
Students read on their own and with teacher guidance, choosing from stories, articles, and other texts that reflect different people and viewpoints, including voices not often heard in mainstream books.
Students read grade-level books and articles on their own, pausing to check their own understanding as they go. When something feels unclear, they fix it themselves by making inferences or linking what they read to what they already know.
Students choose and read grade-level books or articles on their own, understanding enough to complete a class assignment or answer questions about what they read.
Students find and read books that reflect lives and backgrounds different from their own, using tools like award lists or book reviews to choose what to read.
Students read stories and articles on their own and with teacher guidance, including books and texts written from Dakota and Anishinaabe points of view. The goal is building the reading stamina to handle challenging material independently.
Students pick books and articles that match what they need, whether for a class assignment or personal interest, and at least some of those choices feature stories and viewpoints from Dakota and Anishinaabe people, past and present.
Reading closely to figure out the big ideas in a story or article, not just what happened but what it means. Students dig into the author's message and explain what the text is really saying.
Students pull exact words from a story or article to support what they think it means, then write a brief summary of the whole piece in their own words.
Students find the big idea a story or article is really about, then trace how specific details, scenes, or examples build that idea from start to finish.
Students look at how a story's characters, setting, or conflict shift from beginning to end. They explain when key pieces are introduced and how those pieces change as the plot moves forward.
Students read a nonfiction passage and explain how the people, events, or ideas in it connect to each other, using specific details from the text as proof.
Students learn to recognize how a story, article, or argument is built, then use that structure to make sense of what they read. Knowing where the pieces fit helps them follow complex texts and judge how well the writing works.
Students look at how the chapters or scenes in a book build on each other to shape the whole story. They explain why the author arranged those parts in that order.
Students look at how a nonfiction article or book is organized, such as step-by-step order or a description of a topic, and explain how that structure shapes the way the information comes across.
Students read charts, diagrams, photos, and other visuals alongside the written words to figure out what the text is really saying. The images and graphics are part of the meaning, not just decoration.
Students read a story or article and explain why the author wrote it the way they did, looking at whether it is fact or fiction, when it was written, and who the author is and where they come from.
Students read two accounts of the same event, one written by someone who was there and one written by someone who wasn't. They explain what each writer chose to focus on and what details each one included or left out.
Students compare two texts written in different eras to see how the time period shaped what the author wrote about and how they wrote it. A story from 1920 and one from today, for example, reflect different worlds.
Students read a text and decide how much of it is real versus made up, then point to specific lines or details that support their thinking.
Students read a nonfiction article or speech and decide whether the author's argument holds up. They judge whether the reasons are convincing and whether the evidence actually supports what the author is claiming.
Students read a nonfiction text and find the author's main argument. Then they look at how the author's point of view or personal bias shapes which facts get included and which get left out.
Students look closely at specific words and phrases in a story or article to figure out how word choices shape the meaning, tone, and feel of the writing.
Words carry more than their dictionary meaning. Students read stories and poems closely enough to notice when a word feels warm, cold, hopeful, or threatening, and explain how that feeling shapes the text.
Students read tricky words that show up mostly in books, science, or social studies and figure out what those words mean from context. This skill covers the formal, subject-specific language that starts appearing in harder texts around fifth grade.
Students practice finding information across multiple sources, like books, articles, and websites, and deciding which ones are trustworthy and actually useful for the topic at hand.
Students gather facts and viewpoints from more than one type of source, such as a video, a podcast, or a live interview, rather than relying on a single article or website.
Students learn to judge whether a source is trustworthy and actually useful for the task at hand. They ask who wrote it, why, and whether the information holds up.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrate knowledge of oral language, phonological and phonemic awareness… | Reading accurately means recognizing words quickly and correctly, including how word parts like prefixes and suffixes change meaning. Students read grade-level text smoothly enough that they can focus on understanding it. | R1.5.1 |
| Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words | Students break unfamiliar multi-syllable words into parts using letter sounds, syllable patterns, and word origins like French and Latin roots to figure out what the word means and how to say it. | R1.5.1.1.1 |
| Read grade-level texts fluently with sufficient accuracy, rate and expression… | Students read fifth-grade passages aloud at a steady pace, with correct pronunciation and enough expression that the meaning comes through clearly. | R1.5.1.1.2 |
| Read and comprehend independently A) both self- selected and teacher-directed… | Students read on their own and with teacher guidance, choosing from stories, articles, and other texts that reflect different people and viewpoints, including voices not often heard in mainstream books. | R2.5.1 |
| Read independently and monitor understanding of grade-level text | Students read grade-level books and articles on their own, pausing to check their own understanding as they go. When something feels unclear, they fix it themselves by making inferences or linking what they read to what they already know. | R2.5.1.2.1 |
| At grade 5 text complexity, select and proficiently read and comprehend texts… | Students choose and read grade-level books or articles on their own, understanding enough to complete a class assignment or answer questions about what they read. | R2.5.1.2.2 |
| Locate, select and read texts representing various perspectives and identities… | Students find and read books that reflect lives and backgrounds different from their own, using tools like award lists or book reviews to choose what to read. | R2.5.1.2.3 |
| Read and comprehend independently both self-selected and teacher-directed… | Students read stories and articles on their own and with teacher guidance, including books and texts written from Dakota and Anishinaabe points of view. The goal is building the reading stamina to handle challenging material independently. | R3.5.1 |
| Choose and read texts that address the purpose | Students pick books and articles that match what they need, whether for a class assignment or personal interest, and at least some of those choices feature stories and viewpoints from Dakota and Anishinaabe people, past and present. | R3.5.1.3.1 |
| Read critically to comprehend, interpret and analyze themes and central ideas… | Reading closely to figure out the big ideas in a story or article, not just what happened but what it means. Students dig into the author's message and explain what the text is really saying. | R4.5.1 |
| Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and… | Students pull exact words from a story or article to support what they think it means, then write a brief summary of the whole piece in their own words. | R4.5.1.4.1 |
| Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is developed or conveyed… | Students find the big idea a story or article is really about, then trace how specific details, scenes, or examples build that idea from start to finish. | R4.5.1.4.2 |
| Describe how and when characters, setting, conflict, resolution, events or… | Students look at how a story's characters, setting, or conflict shift from beginning to end. They explain when key pieces are introduced and how those pieces change as the plot moves forward. | R4.5.1.4.3 |
| Explain the relationships or interactions between individuals, events and… | Students read a nonfiction passage and explain how the people, events, or ideas in it connect to each other, using specific details from the text as proof. | R4.5.1.4.4 |
| Apply knowledge of text structure to understand and evaluate a wide variety of… | Students learn to recognize how a story, article, or argument is built, then use that structure to make sense of what they read. Knowing where the pieces fit helps them follow complex texts and judge how well the writing works. | R5.5.1 |
| Explain how a series of chapters, scenes or stanzas fit together to provide the… | Students look at how the chapters or scenes in a book build on each other to shape the whole story. They explain why the author arranged those parts in that order. | R5.5.1.5.1 |
| Identify the effects of the various informational text structures | Students look at how a nonfiction article or book is organized, such as step-by-step order or a description of a topic, and explain how that structure shapes the way the information comes across. | R5.5.1.5.2 |
| Interpret, apply and evaluate the ideas/information conveyed through… | Students read charts, diagrams, photos, and other visuals alongside the written words to figure out what the text is really saying. The images and graphics are part of the meaning, not just decoration. | R5.5.1.5.3 |
| Analyze influences on content, meaning and style of text including fact and… | Students read a story or article and explain why the author wrote it the way they did, looking at whether it is fact or fiction, when it was written, and who the author is and where they come from. | R6.5.1 |
| Compare and contrast a firsthand and secondhand account, including those by… | Students read two accounts of the same event, one written by someone who was there and one written by someone who wasn't. They explain what each writer chose to focus on and what details each one included or left out. | R6.5.1.6.1 |
| Compare texts published in different time periods related to influences on… | Students compare two texts written in different eras to see how the time period shaped what the author wrote about and how they wrote it. A story from 1920 and one from today, for example, reflect different worlds. | R6.5.1.6.2 |
| Analyze a text's placement on a continuum of fact to fiction, citing evidence | Students read a text and decide how much of it is real versus made up, then point to specific lines or details that support their thinking. | R6.5.1.6.3 |
| Evaluate arguments and specific claims from complex informational texts | Students read a nonfiction article or speech and decide whether the author's argument holds up. They judge whether the reasons are convincing and whether the evidence actually supports what the author is claiming. | R7.5.1 |
| Identify an author's argument and how perspective and bias influence choices… | Students read a nonfiction text and find the author's main argument. Then they look at how the author's point of view or personal bias shapes which facts get included and which get left out. | R7.5.1.7.1 |
| Examine the impact of vocabulary, including words and phrases, on content… | Students look closely at specific words and phrases in a story or article to figure out how word choices shape the meaning, tone, and feel of the writing. | R8.5.1 |
| Demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances | Words carry more than their dictionary meaning. Students read stories and poems closely enough to notice when a word feels warm, cold, hopeful, or threatening, and explain how that feeling shapes the text. | R8.5.1.8.1 |
| Interpret words and phrases in academic, technical and domain-specific… | Students read tricky words that show up mostly in books, science, or social studies and figure out what those words mean from context. This skill covers the formal, subject-specific language that starts appearing in harder texts around fifth grade. | R8.5.1.8.2 |
| Access and gather information from a variety of sources, representing diverse… | Students practice finding information across multiple sources, like books, articles, and websites, and deciding which ones are trustworthy and actually useful for the topic at hand. | R9.5.1 |
| Collect information from a variety of sources in different formats… | Students gather facts and viewpoints from more than one type of source, such as a video, a podcast, or a live interview, rather than relying on a single article or website. | R9.5.1.9.1 |
| Evaluate sources based on validity and credibility of information related to… | Students learn to judge whether a source is trustworthy and actually useful for the task at hand. They ask who wrote it, why, and whether the information holds up. | R9.5.1.9.2 |
Students put spoken language into written form, applying spelling rules, grammar, and punctuation to make their sentences clear and correct.
Students use punctuation marks like semicolons and colons, correct spelling, and capital letters to make their writing clear and correct. These aren't drills on a worksheet; they show up in real pieces students write.
Students spell words borrowed from French and Latin by applying the spelling patterns those languages left behind, such as silent letters or familiar word endings.
Students use nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns correctly in their own sentences, going beyond basic grammar to include words like "where," "when," and "who" to connect ideas.
Students practice writing regularly across subjects, bringing their own point of view and experiences to the page. The goal is building the habit of putting thoughts into words, not just completing assignments.
Students write often and for different reasons: to share something they care about, to work through an idea, or to complete a school task. The goal is to make writing feel like a normal part of the day, not just a test.
Students write about how they've changed over time, tracing where their values, interests, or sense of self came from. The goal is to put their own story into words, not summarize facts.
Students practice writing by planning what to say, writing a draft, fixing and improving it, then preparing it to share. Each step builds on the last.
Students write several pieces, then choose which ones are worth polishing. They revise the drafts they pick, fix errors, and finish the piece so it's ready to share.
Students choose words and punctuation that fit who will read the writing and why. A casual note to a friend sounds different from a report for class, and this standard is about making that shift on purpose.
Students write a paragraph or essay that takes a clear side on a topic and backs it up with reasons and evidence. They think about who will read it and choose words and details that will actually persuade that reader.
Students write a short argument about a bigger topic, like whether schools should change a rule or whether a historical decision was right. The argument includes a clear position and reasons, building on what students learned in earlier grades.
Students write to change a reader's mind, using emotional appeals alongside facts. They learn to choose words and examples that motivate or inspire an audience, not just inform one.
Students write reports or explanations that lay out real information clearly, pulling details from books or articles. The writing is shaped for a specific reader, not just turned in to a teacher.
Students organize an informative piece into clear sections, using topic-specific words and headings or visuals where they help the reader follow along.
Students read a story or poem and write their thoughts about how the author told it, including what worked, what surprised them, and what it meant to them.
Students write stories, poems, and other creative pieces using specific details and word choices that bring their ideas to life. The focus is on craft: how sentences sound, how scenes unfold, how details make a moment feel real.
Students practice writing stories, poems, and plays using techniques like exaggeration and giving human feelings to objects. The goal is to shape the mood and style of the piece, not just tell what happened.
Students organize a story, poem, or other creative piece using a structure that fits the mood they want to create, such as breaking a story into chapters or a poem into stanzas.
Students pick a question they want to answer, research it, and write or present what they find. The topic, audience, and purpose change, but the process stays the same: ask, dig in, and share what you learned.
Students come up with their own questions about a topic before they start researching. Those questions drive what they look for and what they write about.
Students pick a topic, gather information from real sources, and write up what they learned. This standard is about the full research cycle: finding sources, taking notes, and turning those notes into a piece of writing worth sharing.
Students find facts or quotes from books and websites to back up their writing, then credit where that information came from. They also learn why copying someone else's work without permission is not allowed.
Students practice pulling information from books, websites, and other sources by quoting or summarizing them, then citing where the information came from. They also learn why copying someone else's work without credit is wrong.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Demonstrate knowledge of oral language, orthography, grammar and mechanics to… | Students put spoken language into written form, applying spelling rules, grammar, and punctuation to make their sentences clear and correct. | W1.5.2 |
| Use correct punctuation | Students use punctuation marks like semicolons and colons, correct spelling, and capital letters to make their writing clear and correct. These aren't drills on a worksheet; they show up in real pieces students write. | W1.5.2.1.1 |
| Apply spelling patterns and rules to spell words with French and Latin word… | Students spell words borrowed from French and Latin by applying the spelling patterns those languages left behind, such as silent letters or familiar word endings. | W1.5.2.1.2 |
| Use nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs | Students use nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and pronouns correctly in their own sentences, going beyond basic grammar to include words like "where," "when," and "who" to connect ideas. | W1.5.2.1.3 |
| Write routinely for various purposes and disciplines, representing one's own… | Students practice writing regularly across subjects, bringing their own point of view and experiences to the page. The goal is building the habit of putting thoughts into words, not just completing assignments. | W2.5.2 |
| Write routinely for a range of tasks, purposes and audiences | Students write often and for different reasons: to share something they care about, to work through an idea, or to complete a school task. The goal is to make writing feel like a normal part of the day, not just a test. | W2.5.2.2.1 |
| Write to reflect how personal identity has developed over time | Students write about how they've changed over time, tracing where their values, interests, or sense of self came from. The goal is to put their own story into words, not summarize facts. | W2.5.2.2.2 |
| Develop and strengthen writing by using a writing process including planning… | Students practice writing by planning what to say, writing a draft, fixing and improving it, then preparing it to share. Each step builds on the last. | W3.5.2 |
| Plan and draft multiple pieces | Students write several pieces, then choose which ones are worth polishing. They revise the drafts they pick, fix errors, and finish the piece so it's ready to share. | W3.5.2.3.1 |
| Use words, phrases, punctuation and sentences to convey ideas precisely… | Students choose words and punctuation that fit who will read the writing and why. A casual note to a friend sounds different from a report for class, and this standard is about making that shift on purpose. | W3.5.2.3.2 |
| Write arguments to support claims and to persuade in an analysis of topics or… | Students write a paragraph or essay that takes a clear side on a topic and backs it up with reasons and evidence. They think about who will read it and choose words and details that will actually persuade that reader. | W4.5.2 |
| Write to argue, situating argument in an explanation of a broad topic, building… | Students write a short argument about a bigger topic, like whether schools should change a rule or whether a historical decision was right. The argument includes a clear position and reasons, building on what students learned in earlier grades. | W4.5.2.4.1 |
| Write to persuade, employing emotional strategies | Students write to change a reader's mind, using emotional appeals alongside facts. They learn to choose words and examples that motivate or inspire an audience, not just inform one. | W4.5.2.4.2 |
| Write informative or explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and… | Students write reports or explanations that lay out real information clearly, pulling details from books or articles. The writing is shaped for a specific reader, not just turned in to a teacher. | W5.5.2 |
| Write to inform or explain, using precise, domain-specific vocabulary… | Students organize an informative piece into clear sections, using topic-specific words and headings or visuals where they help the reader follow along. | W5.5.2.5.1 |
| Write to respond to the style, tone and plot of a literary text | Students read a story or poem and write their thoughts about how the author told it, including what worked, what surprised them, and what it meant to them. | W5.5.2.5.2 |
| Write narratives, poetry and other creative texts with details and effective… | Students write stories, poems, and other creative pieces using specific details and word choices that bring their ideas to life. The focus is on craft: how sentences sound, how scenes unfold, how details make a moment feel real. | W6.5.2 |
| Write to create, using basic literary techniques including figurative language… | Students practice writing stories, poems, and plays using techniques like exaggeration and giving human feelings to objects. The goal is to shape the mood and style of the piece, not just tell what happened. | W6.5.2.6.1 |
| Use structure appropriate to chosen style and tone in written narratives… | Students organize a story, poem, or other creative piece using a structure that fits the mood they want to create, such as breaking a story into chapters or a poem into stanzas. | W6.5.2.6.2 |
| Engage in inquiry-based learning and research processes to create texts and… | Students pick a question they want to answer, research it, and write or present what they find. The topic, audience, and purpose change, but the process stays the same: ask, dig in, and share what you learned. | W7.5.2 |
| Formulate questions independently and in collaboration with peers to guide… | Students come up with their own questions about a topic before they start researching. Those questions drive what they look for and what they write about. | W7.5.2.7.1 |
| Plan and conduct independent research using sources to build and share… | Students pick a topic, gather information from real sources, and write up what they learned. This standard is about the full research cycle: finding sources, taking notes, and turning those notes into a piece of writing worth sharing. | W7.5.2.7.2 |
| Support writing with evidence from sources, correctly citing those sources | Students find facts or quotes from books and websites to back up their writing, then credit where that information came from. They also learn why copying someone else's work without permission is not allowed. | W8.5.2 |
| Use and cite sources in various formats, both quoting and summarizing, avoiding… | Students practice pulling information from books, websites, and other sources by quoting or summarizing them, then citing where the information came from. They also learn why copying someone else's work without credit is wrong. | W8.5.2.8.1 |
Students take part in class discussions by sharing their own ideas and stories while genuinely listening to classmates whose backgrounds and experiences differ from their own, including Dakota and Anishinaabe perspectives.
Students share their own ideas and listen to others during discussions and storytelling, making sure to include and think about perspectives from Dakota and Anishinaabe people alongside other voices and experiences.
Students help set the ground rules for a class discussion, like how to take turns and how to listen, so everyone feels respected and heard.
Students listen to classmates' ideas and use what they hear to reach their own conclusions. They take turns speaking and build on what others say, not just what they already knew going in.
Students share their own ideas or stories in a group discussion, then connect what they said to something a classmate already mentioned.
Students practice giving ground in a group discussion, finding middle ground when classmates disagree so the conversation keeps moving forward.
Students listen to others, then help the group agree on one goal everyone is working toward.
Students come to a discussion having read or thought about the topic in advance, then ask real questions, build on what classmates say, and add details that move the conversation forward.
Students ask questions during discussions to better understand what others mean, then adjust their own thinking or approach based on what they hear.
Students choose their words carefully when speaking to a class, a small group, or a partner. They adjust how formal or casual they sound based on who is listening and why.
Students choose their words carefully when speaking, adjusting how formal or casual they sound depending on who they're talking to and why.
Students read, listen to, and create media, such as articles, videos, and websites, with a clear sense of who the audience is and what the content is for. They think critically about where information comes from and make safe choices about what they share.
Students research a topic, gather trustworthy facts and details, and present findings in an organized way. They also practice sharing information honestly and safely, whether speaking to the class, recording a video, or using another format.
Students pick a digital tool to create and share a project, then explain why that tool fit the job and audience. They also learn that what they post online leaves a lasting trail.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange ideas in discussion and collaboration, as listener, speaker and… | Students take part in class discussions by sharing their own ideas and stories while genuinely listening to classmates whose backgrounds and experiences differ from their own, including Dakota and Anishinaabe perspectives. | LSVEI1.53 |
| Exchange ideas in storytelling, discussion and collaboration, intentionally… | Students share their own ideas and listen to others during discussions and storytelling, making sure to include and think about perspectives from Dakota and Anishinaabe people alongside other voices and experiences. | LSVEI1.5.3.1.1 |
| Help create and follow agreed-upon norms for a discussion | Students help set the ground rules for a class discussion, like how to take turns and how to listen, so everyone feels respected and heard. | LSVEI1.5.3.1.1.a |
| Participate as a speaker and listener, drawing conclusions based on information… | Students listen to classmates' ideas and use what they hear to reach their own conclusions. They take turns speaking and build on what others say, not just what they already knew going in. | LSVEI1.5.3.1.1.b |
| Express one's own ideas, stories and experiences, linking to comments of others | Students share their own ideas or stories in a group discussion, then connect what they said to something a classmate already mentioned. | LSVEI1.5.3.1.1.c |
| Negotiate and compromise to support productive exchange of ideas | Students practice giving ground in a group discussion, finding middle ground when classmates disagree so the conversation keeps moving forward. | LSVEI1.5.3.1.1.d |
| Identify and work toward a shared goal | Students listen to others, then help the group agree on one goal everyone is working toward. | LSVEI1.5.3.1.1.e |
| Ask and respond to questions by making comments that demonstrate preparation… | Students come to a discussion having read or thought about the topic in advance, then ask real questions, build on what classmates say, and add details that move the conversation forward. | LSVEI1.5.3.1.2 |
| Seek feedback from others, ask clarifying questions for understanding | Students ask questions during discussions to better understand what others mean, then adjust their own thinking or approach based on what they hear. | LSVEI1.5.3.1.3 |
| Communicate with others, applying knowledge of vocabulary, language, structure… | Students choose their words carefully when speaking to a class, a small group, or a partner. They adjust how formal or casual they sound based on who is listening and why. | LSVEI2.53 |
| Use vocabulary, language, structure and features of spoken language to… | Students choose their words carefully when speaking, adjusting how formal or casual they sound depending on who they're talking to and why. | LSVEI2.5.3.2.1 |
| Media Literacy in Exchanging Ideas | Students read, listen to, and create media, such as articles, videos, and websites, with a clear sense of who the audience is and what the content is for. They think critically about where information comes from and make safe choices about what they share. | LSVEI3.53 |
| Report on a topic in an organized manner, including relevant and credible facts… | Students research a topic, gather trustworthy facts and details, and present findings in an organized way. They also practice sharing information honestly and safely, whether speaking to the class, recording a video, or using another format. | LSVEI3.5.3.3.1 |
| Create and share work, using self-selected digital tools | Students pick a digital tool to create and share a project, then explain why that tool fit the job and audience. They also learn that what they post online leaves a lasting trail. | LSVEI3.5.3.3.2 |
Standards-based reading assessment for grades 3 through 8 and grade 10, aligned to Minnesota Academic Standards.
Alternate standards-based assessment for eligible students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, administered in the same subjects and grades as the MCA program.
Students read longer chapter books and articles, then explain what the text says and what it suggests between the lines. They write longer pieces with paragraphs, including stories, opinion pieces, and research reports. Spelling, punctuation, and grammar get tighter, with semicolons and colons showing up for the first time.
Keep a stack of books around at different levels and let students pick. After reading, ask two questions: what happened, and what does that make you think. Short conversations about a chapter or article do more than drilling vocabulary lists.
Students should quote a sentence or two from a book or article to back up what they say about it. They should also summarize the main idea in their own words. Both skills show up in class discussions and in written responses.
Start with shorter pieces tied to reading, then build into longer opinion, informational, and narrative writing. Revisit the writing process each unit so planning, drafting, revising, and editing become routine. Save argument and research writing for later in the year, once students can hold a longer piece together.
Students read a grade-level chapter book or article on their own and explain the theme or main idea using specific details. They write a multi-paragraph piece with a clear point, evidence, and mostly correct punctuation and spelling. They can also compare two sources on the same topic.
Quoting accurately, summarizing without copying, and using semicolons and colons tend to need repeated practice. Many students also struggle to compare a firsthand account with a secondhand one. Build short review cycles into each unit rather than saving these for one big lesson.
Students read books and articles by Dakota and Anishinaabe authors, both historical and contemporary, and compare them with other accounts of the same event or topic. The goal is to notice how perspective shapes what gets included and how it is told. This work runs across the year, not as a single unit.
Skip the spelling lists and look at the writing students bring home. Pick one thing to notice together, like commas in a list or a confused homophone, and let the rest go. Ten minutes once or twice a week is plenty.
Students start by asking their own questions about a topic, then gather information from books, websites, videos, and interviews. They practice quoting and summarizing, naming where the information came from, and noticing which sources seem trustworthy. Keep early research projects short so the process stays the focus.
Students learn to ask who wrote it, when, and why. They check whether the information matches what other sources say and whether the author has a reason to leave things out. This judgment grows slowly, so expect a lot of guided practice.