• Interacting with text through close reading, analysis, and interpretation.
• Engaging and interacting with the text (deep reading of text) to discern not only the craft of the writer, but the connectivity to other texts and citing evidence to support a conclusion.

Writing

• Writing routinely over extended periods (research, reflection, and revision) and shorter periods (a single sitting) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences.
• Employing detail in writing, sustaining a focus, and producing well-organized writing.
• Gathering information, evaluating sources, citing evidence, and responding analytically.
• Building knowledge on a subject through research projects and responding analytically to literary and informational sources.

Speaking & Listening

• Listening attentively and critically, responding thoughtfully, and building upon the ideas of others.
• Assuming responsibility for small-group discussions.
• Talking about texts in order to develop knowledge of academic language and conceptual understanding.
• Discussing and making connections among multiple texts using intra-, inter-, and extra-textual questions.

Language

• Applying conventions of standard English include grammar, usage, and mechanics, as well as using language to convey meaning effectively.
• Determining or clarifying the meaning of unknown and multiple meaning words through context clues, understanding word relationships and nuances in meanings, and understanding the structure of words.
• Acquiring and using general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gathering vocabulary knowledge.