English Language Arts

The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts are divided into sections for K-5 and 6-12. The standards for all grades fall into the following domains, or groups of related standards:

Reading: covers analysis and understanding of literature and informational text
Writing: deals with persuasive, narrative, and expository writing; organization; and research
Speaking and Listening: focuses on comprehension, presentations, and working with others
Language: includes grammar, usage, punctuation, vocabulary, and other conventions of language

Elementary Grades: K-5
Middle Grades: 6-8

Elementary Grades: K-5

The standards for younger students focus on developing comprehension strategies, or different ways to understand what they read. The goal for kindergarten through grade 5 is to help students become independent readers and writers who think critically about literature. This way, students build a solid foundation for middle and high school.

Students will:

develop basic foundational skills in using written and spoken language in kindergarten
learn how to read and think critically about informational text, such as newspapers, maps, and charts
become effective communicators
discover how to present their knowledge and converse with other in a respectful way
understand the basics of how to use language properly, in both speaking and writing

These skills will lay the groundwork for students to convey their ideas well in later grades.

Middle Grades: 6-8

Middle school students are expected to look even deeper into what they’re reading, and to use what they learn about structure and literary elements in their writing:

They will:

become familiar with different types of text, such as modern fiction, non-fiction, myths, and plays
explore texts in different media, including digital text and video
learn more about elements of literature, such as irony
analyze text for meaning, bias, and other complex elements
learn how to conduct research projects, build persuasive arguments, and present their findings to others
continue to develop grammar and expand vocabulary

Text recommended under the Common Core State Standards may be more complex than what was used under old state standards.

Shifts for Students Demanded by the Common Core in English Language Arts:

Below are shifts for students in the areas of English Language Arts/Literacy.

English Language Arts

Read as much non-fiction as fiction
Learn about the world by reading
Read more challenging material closely
Discuss reading using evidence
Write non-fiction using evidence
Increase academic vocabulary

Learn the words that they can use in college and career
Get smarter at using the “language of power”

Parents can…

Read often and constantly with babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and children
Read multiple books about the same topic
Let your kids see you reading
Talk to your children; read to your children; listen to your children; sing with your children; make up silly rhymes and word games with your children

In This Section

In This Section

The Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts are divided into sections for K-5 and 6-12. The standards for all grades fall into the following domains, or groups of related standards:

Elementary Grades: K-5

Middle Grades: 6-8

Shifts for Students Demanded by the Common Core in English Language Arts:

Shift 1: Read as much non-fiction as fiction

Shift 2: Learn about the world by reading

Shift 3: Read more complex material carefully

Shift 4: Discuss reading using evidence

Shift 5: Writing from Sources

Shift 6: Academic Vocabulary