Course Content
A. Vocabulary Fundamentals
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A.01. Recognize common prefixes (e.g., pre-, re-, un-) and suffixes (e.g., -ful, -less, -able).
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A.02. Identify the meaning of words with prefixes such as pre-, re-, sub-, mis-, un-, dis-, in-, im-, and non-.
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A.03. Identify the meaning of words with suffixes such as -ful, -less, -able, and -ible.
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A.04. Use Greek and Latin roots to infer the meanings of unfamiliar words.
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A.05. Determine the meanings of words with Greek and Latin roots.
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A.06. Explore the etymology and historical usage of common prefixes and suffixes.
B. Word Relationships
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B.01. Identify synonyms for given words.
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B.02. Identify antonyms for given words.
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B.03. Distinguish between words with similar meanings but different connotations (positive and negative).
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B.04. Describe the subtle differences in meaning between related words.
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B.05. Complete analogies by identifying relationships between words.
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B.06. Solve challenging analogies that require nuanced understanding of word relationships.
C. Contextual Vocabulary
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C.01. Determine the meaning of a word using context clues within a sentence.
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C.02. Identify the meaning of a word using synonyms provided in the context.
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C.03. Identify the meaning of a word using antonyms provided in the context.
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C.04. Find specific words in a passage using context clues.
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C.05. Analyze how the surrounding text helps clarify the meaning of unfamiliar words.
D. Reference Skills
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D.01. Arrange words in alphabetical order.
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D.02. Use guide words to locate entries in a dictionary.
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D.03. Interpret dictionary entries to understand word meanings, pronunciations, and origins.
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D.04. Select the correct definition of a word from a dictionary entry based on context.
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D.05. Utilize thesaurus entries to find synonyms and related words.
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D.06. Compare and contrast information from different reference sources.
E. Grammar Basics: Sentences
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E.02. Identify the complete subject and complete predicate of a sentence.
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E.03. Identify the simple subject and simple predicate of a sentence.
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E.04. Identify compound subjects and compound predicates in sentences.
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E.05. Differentiate between complete sentences, fragments, and run-on sentences.
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E.06. Correct fragments and run-on sentences to create grammatically correct sentences.
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E.01. Distinguish between declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences.
F. Grammar: Phrases and Clauses
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F.01. Distinguish between phrases and clauses.
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F.02. Identify appositives and appositive phrases within sentences.
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F.03. Identify dependent and independent clauses within sentences.
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F.04. Classify sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex.
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F.05. Combine sentences effectively using relative clauses to improve sentence fluency.
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F.06. Analyze complex sentence structures and their impact on meaning.
G. Grammar: Nouns
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G.01. Review the rules for forming and using plural nouns.
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G.02. Form and use plural forms of compound nouns correctly.
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G.03. Differentiate between plural nouns, singular possessive nouns, and plural possessive nouns.
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G.04. Form the singular or plural possessive form of nouns.
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G.05. Identify and correct errors in the use of plural and possessive nouns.
H. Grammar: Pronouns
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H.01. Identify pronouns and their corresponding antecedents in sentences.
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H.02. Use pronouns that agree in number and gender with their antecedents.
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H.03. Identify and correct vague pronoun references to ensure clarity.
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H.04. Identify all possible antecedents for a given pronoun in a sentence.
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H.05. Correct inappropriate shifts in pronoun number and person within a passage.
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H.06. Understand the impact of pronoun usage on clarity and coherence.
I. Grammar: Types of Pronouns
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I.01. Choose between subject and object pronouns correctly.
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I.02. Use “I” and “me” correctly in compound subjects and objects.
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I.03. Use personal and reflexive pronouns appropriately.
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I.04. Determine whether a pronoun is reflexive or intensive.
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I.05. Use relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that) correctly in sentences.
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I.06. Distinguish between the uses of ‘who’ and ‘whom’ in complex sentences.
J. Grammar: Verbs
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J.01. Identify transitive and intransitive verbs in sentences.
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J.02. Identify linking verbs, predicate adjectives, and predicate nouns.
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J.03. Correct errors in subject-verb agreement in sentences.
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J.04. Correct errors in indefinite pronoun-verb agreement.
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J.05. Use the correct verb form with compound subjects.
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J.06. Recognize and correct errors in subject-verb agreement in complex sentences.
K. Grammar: Verb Tense
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K.01. Review irregular past tense verb forms.
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K.02. Use simple past, present, and future tenses correctly.
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K.03. Identify and correct inappropriate shifts in verb tense within a passage.
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K.04. Form the progressive verb tenses (e.g., is running, was running).
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K.05. Form the perfect verb tenses (e.g., has run, had run).
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K.06. Manipulate verb tenses to accurately convey time and sequence of events.
L. Grammar: Modifiers
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L.01. Identify adjectives and adverbs in sentences.
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L.02. Determine the appropriate order of adjectives preceding a noun.
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L.03. Choose between using adjectives and adverbs correctly.
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L.04. Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives correctly.
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L.05. Form and use comparative and superlative adverbs correctly.
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L.06. Correctly use “good,” “better,” “best,” “bad,” “worse,” and “worst” in sentences.
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L.07. Correctly use “well,” “better,” “best,” “badly,” “worse,” and “worst” in sentences.
M. Grammar: Prepositions and Objects
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M.01. Identify prepositional phrases in sentences.
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M.02. Distinguish between direct objects and indirect objects in sentences.
N. Grammar: Conjunctions
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N.01. Use correlative conjunctions (e.g., either/or, neither/nor) correctly in sentences.
O. Grammar: Sentence Clarity
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O.01. Identify and correct misplaced modifiers, especially with visual aids.
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O.02. Determine if modifiers are used correctly in a sentence.
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O.03. Rewrite sentences to correct misplaced or dangling modifiers.
P. Grammar: Punctuation I – Commas
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P.01. Use commas correctly with non-restrictive elements (phrases, clauses).
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P.02. Use commas in compound and complex sentences.
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P.03. Use commas with direct addresses, introductory words, interjections, and interrupters.
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P.04. Use commas with coordinate adjectives.
Q. Grammar: Punctuation II – Advanced
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Q.01. Use semicolons and commas correctly to separate clauses.
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Q.02. Use semicolons, colons, and commas correctly in lists.
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Q.03. Use dashes effectively in sentences.
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Q.04. Use hyphens correctly in compound adjectives.
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Q.05. Determine the appropriate use of ellipses in writing.
R. Grammar: Capitalization and Formatting
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R.01. Correct capitalization errors in sentences and paragraphs.
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R.02. Apply correct capitalization rules for titles.
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R.03. Apply correct formatting conventions for titles of works.
S. Reading: Main Idea and Theme
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S.01. Determine the main idea of a passage.
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S.02. Match quotations to their corresponding themes.
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S.03. Determine the themes of short stories.
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S.04. Summarize the main idea of a text in a concise statement.
T. Reading: Author’s Perspective
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T.01. Identify the author’s purpose in a given text.
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T.02. Determine which sentence is more formal in tone.
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T.03. Compare passages to analyze differences in tone.
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T.04. Determine the author’s point of view in a passage.
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T.05. Analyze how an author’s background and experiences influence their writing.
U. Reading: Text Structure
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U.01. Compare and contrast information presented in informational texts.
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U.02. Match causes and effects in informational texts.
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U.03. Match problems with their solutions as presented in texts.
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U.04. Identify different text structures used by authors.
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U.05. Outline the structure of a complex informational text.
V. Reading: Literary Devices
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V.01. Interpret the meaning of figures of speech (e.g., metaphors, similes).
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V.02. Classify different types of figures of speech used in literature.
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V.03. Analyze the effects of figures of speech on the meaning and tone of a text.
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V.04. Explain how literary devices contribute to the overall impact of a text.
W. Reading: Analyzing Texts
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W.01. Analyze and interpret short stories.
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W.02. Read and comprehend informational passages.
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W.03. Trace and evaluate an argument presented in a text.
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W.04. Identify and analyze the elements of plot, character, and setting in a short story.
X. Reading: Comparative Analysis
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X.01. Compare two texts from different genres.
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X.02. Compare illustrations of literary and historical subjects.
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X.03. Evaluate the effectiveness of different literary devices in conveying a similar theme.
Y. Writing: Structuring and Organizing
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Y.01. Order topics from the broadest to the narrowest in a logical sequence.
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Y.02. Organize information effectively by topic.
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Y.03. Use transitions with conjunctive adverbs to connect ideas smoothly.
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Y.04. Create an outline for an essay or research paper.
Z. Writing: Argumentation
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Z.01. Distinguish between facts and opinions in written text.
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Z.02. Choose appropriate evidence to support a claim or argument.
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Z.03. Identify supporting details in informational texts.
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Z.04. Identify supporting details in literary texts.
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Z.05. Identify counterclaims and rebuttals in argumentative writing.
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Z.06. Develop a well-reasoned argument with clear evidence and logical reasoning.
AA. Writing: Creative Techniques
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AA.01. Use personification effectively in creative writing.
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AA.02. Experiment with different literary devices to enhance creative writing.
BB. Writing: Editing and Revision
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BB.01. Use parallel structure correctly to improve clarity.
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BB.02. Remove redundant words or phrases to make writing more concise.
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BB.03. Use frequently confused words correctly (e.g., their/there/they’re, to/too/two).
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BB.04. Correct errors involving frequently confused words.
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BB.05. Suggest appropriate revisions to improve the clarity, coherence, and style of writing.
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BB.06. Apply editing techniques to refine and polish written work.
CC. Writing: Research Skills
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CC.01. Identify instances of plagiarism in written work.
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CC.02. Paraphrase and summarize information from sources accurately and ethically.
DD. Domain-Specific Vocabulary
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DD.01. Determine the meaning of domain-specific words with pictures in various contexts.
