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GRADE 9
The Penn-Delco School District’s Secondary Language Arts Curriculum is based on the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
A. Students in Grade 9 who meet the reading standards are able to:
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Identify, evaluate and analyze differences in format among various informational sources.
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Use context clues to expand their reading vocabulary by identifying and correctly using new words.
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Demonstrate understanding and interpretation of both fiction and non-fiction text by comparing, contrasting, making inferences and doing critiques.
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Continue to demonstrate fluency and comprehension.
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Read and understand essential content of information in texts and documents in all academic areas.
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Use and understand a variety of media and evaluate the quality of the material.
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Read works of literature and analyze using literary elements such as characterization, plot, setting, theme, point of view, voice and tone.
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Analyze the literary elements used by one or more authors in similar genres.
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Analyze literary devices including rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, meter, personification, simile, hyperbole, metaphor, irony, satire, foreshadowing and flashback.
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Analyze and evaluate poetry in terms of diction, irony, understatement, overstatement and paradox.
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Read and analyze drama.
B. Students in Grade 9 who meet the writing standards are able to:
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Write original short stories, poems and plays using literary conflict, dialogue and literary elements.
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Write complex informational pieces including research papers, analyses, evaluations and essays.
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Write persuasive pieces including a clearly stated position, convincing arguments, an anticipated counter argument and a strong conclusion.
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Write a personal resume.
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Write with a distinct focus identifying topic, task and audience.
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Write well developed content with details specific and relevant to the topic.
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Write with logical organization.
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Write with attention to stylistic aspects of composition such as sentence length and variety, precise language, voice and tone.
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Revise writing to improve content, organization and style.
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Edit writing to reflect correctness in conventions of language: spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure and parts of speech.
C. Students in Grade 9 who meet the speaking and listening standards are able to:
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Listen to others, ask clarifying questions, synthesize information and take notes.
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After listening to selections of fiction and non-fiction, predict solutions, relate to prior knowledge, summarize what has been heard and identify new words and concepts.
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Speak using skills appropriate to formal speech situations.
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Vary sentence structure, adjust pace and volume and use standard English.
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Contribute to discussions, ask questions and respond with relevant information.
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Participate in small and large group discussions and presentations.
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Participate in interviews.
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Participate in debates.
D. Students in Grade 9 who meet the characteristics and functions of the English language standard are able to:
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Describe the influence of historical events on the English language.
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Analyze when differences in language are a source of negative or positive stereotypes.
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Analyze regional and time period differences in speech.
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Identify sources of word origins.
E. Students in Grade 9 who meet the research standard are able to:
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Locate information using appropriate sources and strategies and evaluate the importance and quality of the sources.
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Use traditional and electronic sources.
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Develop a thesis statement based on the research.
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Give precise formal credit for others’ ideas and information
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