The Language Strand of the Common Core

 

The Language Strand of the Common Core Standards
and
English Language Learners

Hi everyone,
We are all looking for fun and fresh ideas for the year.  With this in mind, don't forget to review the Language Domain of the Common Core English Language Arts (ELA) standards?  This great domain elevates the importance of English grammar, conventions, vocabulary in the classroom.  

It is essential for classroom and ESL teachers to understand this important strand.

As you know, the strands or domains of the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts include:

o  Reading Foundational Skills

o Reading

o  Literature

o  Informational Text

o  Writing

o  Language

o  Speaking and Listening

Let’s take a closer look at this important language domain.  The broad Language standards for K-5 are comprised of 3 subcategories:  

1.    Conventions of Standard English

2.    Knowledge of Language

3.    Vocabulary Acquisition and Use


Furthermore, each grade level has specific standards under these three categories, which are hierarchical in nature. These standards define what a student should know or be able to do at the end of each grade level.  

Here is a glimpse of the Language skills that I found of particular interest in each subcategory.  Many of these require continued attention over grade levels.

💥Conventions of Standard English

•    Plurals: Regular and Irregular
•    Nouns:  Possessive Nouns, Collective Nouns, Abstract Nouns
•    Pronouns: Possessive, Indefinite, Reflexive Pronouns
•    Verbs; Past, Present, Future Verbs.  Irregular past tense verbs. Perfect tense verbs
•    Complete Sentences

💥Knowledge of Language

•    Formal and informal uses of English
•    Choosing words and phrases for effect and to convey ideas

💥Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

•    Root words, prefixes, and suffixes
•    Connect words to categories
•    Antonyms, synonyms, and homographs
•    Shades of meanings of related words
•    Figurative Language: similes, metaphors, idioms

It is great to see language as one of the domains of the ELA Common Core Standards.  We all know that language is interwoven with speaking, listening, reading, and writing.  Language now has elevated importance in the classroom with this Standard of the ELA Common Core.

Happy Teaching!💕

Fun To Teach