Use knowledge of the distinctive characteristics to classify and interpret elements of various genres, including: fiction (e.g., science fiction/fantasy), nonfiction (e.g., essays, letters), poetry (e.g., lyric, narrative), and drama (e.g., short plays)

Demonstrate understanding of information in grade-appropriate texts using a variety of strategies, including: sequencing events and steps in a process, summarizing and paraphrasing information, identifying stated or implied main ideas and explaining how details support ideas, comparing and contrasting literary elements and ideas, making inferences and drawing conclusions, predicting the outcome of a story or situation, and identifying literary devices

Write multiparagraph compositions on student- or teacher-selected topics organized with the following: established central idea, organizational patterns (e.g., comparison/contrast, order of importance, chronological order) appropriate to the topic, elaboration (e.g., fact, examples, and/or specific details), transitional words and phrases that unify ideas and points, and overall structure including an introduction, a body/middle, and a concluding paragraph that summarizes important ideas and details

Develop grade-appropriate compositions on student- or teacher-selected topics that include the following: word choices (diction) appropriate to the identified audience and/or purpose, vocabulary selected to clarify meaning, create images, and set a tone, information/ideas selected to engage the interest of the reader, clear voice (individual personality), and variety in sentence structure

Develop grade-appropriate compositions by identifying and applying writing processes, such as the following: selecting topic and form, prewriting (e.g., brainstorming, researching, raising questions, generating graphic organizers), drafting, conferencing (e.g., peer and teacher), revising based on feedback and use of various tools (e.g., LEAP21 Writer's Checklist, rubrics), proofreading/editing, and publishing using technology

Develop writing using a variety of literary devices, including analogies, symbolism, and puns

Write for various purposes, including: letters of complaint supported with complete and accurate information and reasons, evaluations of media, such as television, radio, and the arts, text-supported interpretations of elements of grade-appropriate stories, poems, plays, and novels, and applications, such as memberships and library cards

Use standard English punctuation, including: commas to set off direct quotations, nouns of direct address, and after introductory words or phrases and semicolons or colons to separate independent clauses

Write paragraphs and compositions following standard English structure and usage, including: varied sentence structures, including complex sentences, antecedents that agree with pronouns in number, person, and gender, and sentences without double negatives

Apply knowledge of parts of speech in writing, including: infinitives and participles, superlative and comparative degrees of adjectives, and adverbs

Adjust diction and enunciation to suit the purpose for speaking

Locate and integrate information from a variety of grade-appropriate resources, including: multiple printed texts (e.g., encyclopedias, atlases, library catalogs, specialized dictionaries, almanacs, technical encyclopedias), electronic sources (e.g., Web sites, databases), and other media sources (e.g., audio and video tapes, films, documentaries, television, radio)