The requirements of the PA Core Standards grow in complexity as students progress from grade to grade. While students may be identifying characters in kindergarten, they may be asked to analyze a character’s actions in relation to the plot of the story in grade 5. The chart below highlights some of the major concepts addressed in each domain across the elementary grade levels. The Pennsylvania Department of Education provides the PA Core Standards for specific grade levels on its website.
- Understanding of the basic features of print
- Understanding of spoken words, syllables, sounds
- Knowing and applying grade appropriate phonics skills
- Reading grade level text with accuracy and fluency
- Understanding main idea and key details of a text
- Asking and answering questions about text
- Describing how concepts in a text are connected
- Understanding and using new words
- Comparing and contrasting key points in and among texts
- Understanding lessons or themes in and among texts
- Asking and answering questions about text
- Describing characters, settings, or events in a text
- Understanding point of view
- Understanding and using new words
- Comparing and contrasting concepts in and among texts
- Writing the following types of text: Informational and explanatory texts; Narrative texts; Opinion and argumentative texts
- Produce and publish writing using digital tools
- Conduct research projects
- Gather information from a variety of sources
- Participate or engage in collaborative discussions
- Ask and answer questions about information from speaker
- Recount stories or report on topics aloud
- Speak in complete sentences and adapt speech to different situations
- Add multimedia and visual displays to presentations
- Demonstrate command of grade appropriate conventions of standard English
The PA Core Standards build in complexity in grades 6 through 12. They define the knowledge and skills of educational experiences for students to graduate high school able to succeed in post-secondary education and/or a globally competitive workforce. Instruction in secondary level English Language Arts focuses on the importance of building knowledge, reading and writing grounded in evidence from text, and regular practice with complex texts and academic vocabulary. To view the PA Core Standards for specific grade levels, please click the link below.
Dave Parry
- Read, understand, and respond to informational text
- Comprehend, acquire vocabulary, and make connections among ideas and between texts with a focus on textual evidence
- Includes key ideas and details, craft and structure, integration of knowledge and ideas, vocabulary acquisition and use, range of reading
- Read and respond to works of literature
- Comprehend, acquire vocabulary, and make connections among ideas and between texts with a focus on textual evidence
- Includes key ideas and details, craft and structure, integration of knowledge and ideas, vocabulary acquisition and use, range of reading
- Writing for different purposes and audiences
- Write clear and focused text to convey a well-defined perspective and appropriate content.
- Includes informative/explanatory writing, opinion/argumentative writing, narrative writing, response to literature, production and distribution of writing, technology and publication, conducting research, credibility, reliability, and validity of sources, range of writing
- Present appropriately in formal speaking situations
- Listen critically
- Respond intelligently as individuals or in group discussions
- Includes comprehension and collaboration, presentation of knowledge and ideas, integration of knowledge and ideas, conventions of Standard English
