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Standards Overview
Shanghai American School
Language Arts
Grade 9Grade 10Grade 11Grade 12
I. Writing Process
Standard I Writing Process Use the skills and strategies of the writing process
  • 1. Model the distinct phases of the writing process (prewriting, drafting, responding, editing, publishing, audience, and purpose)
    41]
  • 2. Demonstrate an ability to use strategies of the writing process to write descriptive compositions
    23]
I. Writing Process
Standard I Writing Process Use the general skills and strategies of the writing process
  • 1. Incorporate all or most of the following in purposefully constructed compositions: ideas, organization, voice, sentence structure, word choice, and convention usage
    91]
  • 2. Demonstrate an ability to use strategies of the writing process to write analytical compositions
    75]
I. Writing Process
Standard I Writing Process Use the general skills and strategies of the writing process
  • 1. Demonstrate an ability to use strategies of the writing process to write narrative compositions
    27]
I. Writing Process
Standard I Writing Process Use the general skills and strategies of the writing process
  • 1. Demonstrate an ability to use strategies of the writing process to write expository compositions
    64]
II. Style/Rhetorical Technique
Standard II Style/Rhetorical Techniques Use stylistic and rhetorical techniques in a variety of written genre
  • 1. Formulate thesis statements, write compositions that are coherent and organized
    44]
  • 2. Use correct paragraph form in writing with topic sentence, supporting detail, and concluding sentence.
    54]
II. Style/Rhetorical Technique
Standard II Style/Rhetorical Techniques Use stylistic and rhetorical techniques in a variety of written genre
  • 1. Support generalizations and ideas with detail, evidence, or examples
    88]
  • 2. Use a variety of transitional devices
    79]
  • 3. Use accurate diction and introduce varied sentence structure in compositions
    85]
II. Style/Rhetorical Technique
Standard II Style/Rhetorical Techniques Use stylistic and rhetorical techniques in a variety of written genre
  • 1. Write compositions that exhibit a developed personal style and voice
    26]
II. Style/Rhetorical Technique
Standard II Style/Rhetorical Techniques Use stylistic and rhetorical techniques in a variety of written genre
  • 1. Write compositions that present ideas with clarity and coherence while exhibiting a developed personal style and voice
    51]
III. Grammar and Mechanics
Standard III Grammar and Mechanics Use grammatical and mechanical conventions in a variety of written genre
  • 1. Display knowledge of basic grammar usage, spelling, and punctuation to effectively participate in the editing process
    54]
III. Grammar and Mechanics
Standard III Grammar and Mechanics Use grammatical and mechanical conventions in a variety of written genre
  • 1. Build competency with grammar usage, spelling, and punctuation to effectively participate in the editing process.
    66]
III. Grammar and Mechanics
Standard III Grammar and Mechanics Use grammatical and mechanical conventions in a variety of written genre
  • 1. Demonstrate knowledge of grammar usage, spelling, and punctuation to effectively participate in the editing process
    31]
III. Grammar and Mechanics
Standard III Grammar and Mechanics Use grammatical and mechanical conventions in a variety of written genre
  • 1. Demonstrate competency in grammar usage, spelling, and punctuation to effectively participate in the editing process
    46]
IV. Research
Standard IV Research
Use the skills and strategies of the research process: Gather, Analyze & Interpret, Respond
  • 1. Distinguish the difference between paraphrasing, direct quotations, indirect quotations, and plagiarizing and display the ability to integrate quotations in a grammatically correct manner
    18]
  • 2. Use standard format and methodology for documenting reference sources (e.g., credit quotes and paraphrased ideas; use MLA citation style; include a bibliography of reference material)
    11]
  • 3. Use appropriate research methodology (e.g., formulate questions and refine topics; develop a plan for research; organize what is known about a topic; use appropriate research methods; collect information to narrow and develop a topic and support a thesis)
    19]
IV. Research
Standard IV Research Use the skills and strategies of the research process -Gather -Analyze and interpret -Respond
  • 1. Use and evaluate the credibility of a variety of print and electronic sources to gather information for research topics and to draw and support conclusions.
    27]
IV. Research
Standard IV Research Use the skills and strategies of the research process -Gather -Analyze and interpret -Respond
  • 1. Write research papers (e.g., include a thesis statement; synthesize information into a logical sequence; paraphrase ideas and connect them to other sources and related topics; identify complexities and discrepancies in information)
    19]
IV. Research
Standard IV Research
Use the skills and strategies of the reading process across a variety of genre:
Word analysis, Fluency,
Vocabulary development
  • 1. Recognize the philosophical assumptions and basic beliefs underlying an author's work (e.g., point of view, attitude, and values conveyed by specific language; clarity and consistency of political assumptions)
    19]
V. Reading Process
Standard V Reading Process
Use the skills and strategies of the reading process across a variety of genre -Word analysis -Fluency -Vocabulary development
  • 1. Use contextual clues to understand figurative and technical meanings of terms
    65]
V. Reading Process
Standard V Reading Process Use the skills and strategies of the reading process across a variety of genre -Word analysis -Fluency -Vocabulary development
  • 1. Recognize writing techniques used to influence the reader and accomplish an author's purpose (e.g., organizational patterns, imagery, figures of speech, auditory devices in poetry, formal and informal language, point of view, characterization, irony and narrator)
    89]
V. Reading Process
Standard V Reading Process Use the skills and strategies of the reading process across a variety of genre -Word analysis -Fluency -Vocabulary development
  • 1. Recognize and understand influences on one's own personal response to a text (e.g., personal experiences and perspectives shaped by personal background)
    31]
V. Reading Process
Standard V Reading Process
Use reading skills and strategies to comprehend and interpret a variety of purposes
  • 1. Use language of literary criticism to evaluate literary works (e.g., voice, purpose, rhetorical devices, stylistic devices, and literary devices).
    56]
VI. Interpret Literature
Standard VI Interpret Literature
Use reading skills and strategies to comprehend and interpret a variety of genre
  • 1. Identify thesis statements in essays and topic sentences in paragraphs; distinguish main ideas from supporting details
    53]
VI. Interpret Literature
Standard VI Interpret Literature Use reading skills and strategies to comprehend and interpret a variety of genre
  • 1. Recognize the relationships between literature and its historical period, culture and societal period
    88]
  • 2. Recognize stylistic techniques used to convey viewpoints or impressions
    101]
VI. Interpret Literature
Standard VI Interpret Literature Use reading skills and strategies to comprehend and interpret a variety of genre
  • 1. Make connections between the text and personal experiences and prior literary experiences
    47]
  • 2. Recognize how themes are present across literary works and genres
    45]
VI. Interpret Literature
Standard VI Interpret Literature
Use listening and speaking skills and strategies for a variety of purposes.
  • 1. Use discussions with peers as a way of understanding information, testing ideas, and debating interpretation
    55]
VII. Listening and Speaking Skills
Standard VII Listening and Speaking Skills
Use listening and speaking skills and strategies for a variety of purposes
  • 1. Give formal presentations to the class that reflect an understanding of oratory techniques, adapt language to a particular audience and purpose, and use a variety of verbal and nonverbal techniques to enhance listeners' comprehension
    24]
  • 2. Use a variety of strategies to enhance listening comprehension (e.g., focus attention on message, monitor message for clarity and understanding, ask relevant questions, provide verbal and nonverbal feedback, use abbreviation system to record information quickly; and select and organize essential information)
    9]
VII. Listening and Speaking Skills
Standard VII Listening and Speaking Skills Use listening and speaking skills and strategies for a variety of purposes
  • 1. Evaluate own and others' effectiveness in group discussions and formal presentations
    24]
VII. Listening and Speaking Skills
Standard VII Listening and Speaking Skills Use listening and speaking skills and strategies for a variety of purposes
  • 1. Demonstrate an ability to structure ideas and arguments orally in a logical way, and to support them with relevant examples
    44]
VII. Listening and Speaking Skills
Standard VII Listening and Speaking Skills
Use listening and speaking skills and strategies for a variety of purposes
  • 1. Use discussions with peers as a way of understanding information, testing ideas, and debating interpretation
    42]
VIII. Viewing and Media
Standard VIII Viewing and Media
Use viewing skills and strategies to comprehend and interpret a variety of visual media
  • 1. Recognize how literary forms can be represented in visual narratives
    22]
VIII. Viewing and Media
Standard VIII Viewing and Media Use viewing skills and strategies to comprehend and interpret a variety of visual media
  • 1. Identify aspects of the construction of media images (e.g., the significance of the parts of a visual text, such as how a title might tie in with main characters or themes)
    15]
VIII. Viewing and Media
Standard VIII Viewing and Media Use viewing skills and strategies to comprehend and interpret a variety of visual media
  • 1. Use a range of strategies to interpret visual media (e.g., draw conclusions, make generalizations, synthesize materials viewed, refer to images or information in visual media to support point of view, and deconstruct media to determine the main idea)
    28]
VIII. Viewing and Media
Standard VIII Viewing and Media
Use viewing skills and strategies to comprehend and interpret a variety of visual media
  • 1. Recognize how images and sound convey messages in visual media (e.g., special effects, camera angles, symbols, color, line, texture, and shape).
    31]