Standard

Instruction and Assessment

Standard 1. The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.

1.1 Focuses attention

* Pays attention while others are talking
* Pays attention to oral stories, instructions, reports, assemblies, and daily announcements

1.2 Listens and observes to gain and interpret information

* Recognizes nonverbal communication
* Identifies visual information from a science experiment
* Interprets visual texts, illustrations, comics, and videos
* Listens for, identifies, and explains main ideas, details, fact vs. opinion, and meaning
* Demonstrates listening strategies for following instructions

1.3 Checks for understanding by asking questions and paraphrasing

* Asks questions to clarify content and meaning including who, what, why, when, where, and how
* Paraphrases information
* Selects information and gives opinions

Instructional Strategies

1.1 - 1.3
* Active listening
* Student generated questions
* Think-Pair-Share
* Saturation Reports
* I reports

Assessment

* Self-evaluation
* Class discussion of group evaluation
* Teacher observation
* Anecdotal Records

Standard 2. The student communicates ideas clearly and effectively

2.1 Communicates clearly to a range of audiences for different purposes

* Communicates to teacher, small group, and class; (e.g., by tutoring or giving reports)
* Shows beginning awareness of the needs of an audience
* Uses narrative and descriptive forms of speech

2.2 Develops content and ideas

* Chooses content which relates to topic
* Selects material from readily available sources
* Organizes information in a sequential pattern (beginning, middle, end) using simple transitions
* Describes ideas in concrete terms

2.3 Uses effective delivery

* Speaks at a volume and rate that enables others to follow
* Projects voice well
* Speaks fluently and expressively to the class
* Uses good posture and eye contact
* Begins to use facial expressions and body language to convey a message or enhance an oral presentation

2.4 Uses effective language and style

* Speaks using standard grammar
* Uses complete sentences
* Uses age-appropriate vocabulary
* Uses words and illustrations such as pictures or charts to create an effective presentation

2.5 Effectively uses action, sound, and/or images to support presentations

* Experiments with a variety of media and resources to convey a message or enhance an oral presentation

Instructional Strategies

2.1 - 2.5
* Oral Presentations (e.g., Storypath)
* Multi-media presentations
* Cooperative Learning (e.g. kit-based science)
* Jigsaw
* Speeches
* Reader's theatre

Assessment

* Self-evaluation
* Peer evaluation
* Teacher observation
* Video taping
* Anecdotal records
* Checklists

Standard 3. The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.

3.1 Uses language to interact effectively and responsibly with others

* Demonstrates conversation skills; (e.g., entering in, taking turns, responding to others' remarks, and closing a conversation)
* Distinguishes between types of speech such as a chat, a warning, or a joke
* Uses language that is respectful of others' feelings and rights
* Shows awareness of possible difficulties when communicating cross-culturally

3.2 Works cooperatively as a member of a group

* Assumes a variety of assigned roles within a group to perform a task
* Contributes to group with ideas and effort
* Respects others' feelings and right to participate in a group

3.3 Seeks agreement and solutions through discussion

* Identifies and shares ideas and points of view
* Accepts responsibility for personal actions
* Formulates ideas and identifies possible alternatives
* Suggests solutions and initiates action

Instructional Strategies

3.1 - 3.3
* Cooperative learning
* Literature circles
* Presentations, formal and informal
* Explicit teaching on diversity
* Class discussion
* Checklists

Assessment

* Self-evaluation
* Group evaluation
* Teacher observation
* Anecdotal records

Standard 4. The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of formal and informal communication.

4.1 Assesses strengths and needs for improvement; assesses own and others' communication strengths and needs and sets goals for improvement

* Uses established criteria to evaluate and improve one's own and others' presentations

4.2 Seeks and offers feedback; seeks and uses feedback to improve communication; offers suggestions and comments to others

* Offers feedback on others' presentations
* Accepts and applies feedback on own presentation when appropriate

4.3 Analyzes mass communication

* Identifies various forms of mass communication such as magazines, television, newspapers, and the internet; identifies messages in simple advertisements
* Identifies fact, opinion, and assumptions in mass communication
* Understands that all media is produced from a point of view and with a set of assumptions

4.4 Analyzes how communication is used in career settings

* Identifies different ways people communicate in the workplace; (e.g., telephone, e-mail, or formal presentations)

Instructional Strategies

4.1 - 4.4
* Goal Setting
* Establishing criteria for effective presentations and constructive feedback (i.e., rubrics)
* Journals - reflective and self evaluative
* Defining formal and informal communication and when each is most appropriate
*Comparing and contrasting research data from various media resources

Assessment

* Group self-assessment
* Content journal
* Reflective journal
* Checklist
* Teacher observation
* Anecdotal records