Standard 1:  Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies of the reading process

Interval Benchmark 1: Uses a variety of strategies to define and extend understanding of text

a:

Uses knowledge of organizational features (such as sequencing, cause and effect, compare and contrast, story grammar, fact and opinion) to aid comprehension of a variety of text formats

b:

Uses knowledge of the use of figurative language or word choice to aid comprehension

c:

Uses text information to draw conclusions or make inferences

d:

Uses text information to determine main idea

e:

Distinguishes between relevant and irrelevant information

f:

Restates or paraphrases information to synthesize information

g:

Uses discussion, note taking, and writing to synthesize thoughts to aid reading comprehension

Interval Benchmark 2: Uses a variety of strategies to define and extend understanding of words

a:

Uses contextual clues to determine meanings of words or phrases

Interval Benchmark 3: Understands devices used to support author's purpose

a:

Recognizes authors write for a variety of purposes, such as to explain, inform, persuade, etc.

	Standard 2:  Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies for comprehending a variety of literary texts

Interval Benchmark 1: Utilizes a variety of reading strategies to determine meaning in a literary passage or text

a:

Reads a variety of literary texts and genres to apply reading strategies and skills

b:

Connects text to his/her own life by using prior knowledge, personal experience, and text clues to evaluate and respond to literature (written, visual, oral and kinesthetic)

c:

Recalls stated information

d:

Uses restated or paraphrased text to identify a concept

e:

Understands words in context

Interval Benchmark 2: Applies critical thinking skills to derive meaning from literary text

a:

Uses implicit and explicit information to draw a conclusion

b:

Makes an inference or draws a conclusion about a character's actions, feelings, motives, traits, or relationships using implicit and explicit information

c:

Determines main ideas

Interval Benchmark 3: Recognizes writing techniques and devices to understand the author's purpose and viewpoint

a:

Recognizes the use of literary devices in a variety of literary works

b:

Recognizes point of view as a writing technique

c:

Analyzes author's style and text structure to determine meaning and affect on the reader

d:

Interprets non-literal language to understand the author's viewpoint

Interval Benchmark 4: Recognizes the defining characteristics and elements of literary forms and genre

a:

Understands each literary form and genre has its own unique characteristics

b:

Recognizes story is defined by a particular structure and the subsequent relationship between story elements (i.e., character, setting, plot, events, theme, conflict, etc.)

	Standard 3:  Demonstrates competence in the general skills and strategies for comprehending a variety of informational texts

Interval Benchmark 1: Applies a variety of reading strategies to determine meaning of informational text

a:

Uses print information to identify ideas or concepts relevant to text meaning

b:

Understands words in context

c:

Uses a variety of reference materials

Interval Benchmark 2: Applies critical thinking skills to derive meaning from informational text

a:

Summarizes and paraphrases text using implicit and explicit information to draw conclusions or make inferences

b:

Translates text into new context

c:

Determines main idea

Interval Benchmark 3: Interprets a text's style, structure, mood, or tone to determine author's purpose or viewpoint

a:

Determines author's purpose or viewpoint through interpretation of the style, structure, mood, or tone of the text

Interval Benchmark 4: Understands different devices used to support claims in informational texts

a:

Recognizes the difference between fact and opinion

Interval Benchmark 5: Understands the defining characteristics and organizational patterns/structures of informational texts

a:

Uses comparison and contrast, sequencing, and cause and effect to determine meaning

b:

Uses the defining characteristics of informational texts to determine meaning

Interval Benchmark 6: Evaluates informational texts

a:

Uses strategies to evaluate the accuracy of conclusions and inferences

b:

Uses strategies to evaluate the accuracy, validity, and reliability of information

c:

Makes connections between main ideas of a text and other sources and related topics