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Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 9:01 PM
Site: Learnbps
Class: BPSS (ELA) English Language Arts Standards (S-ELA)
Glossary: 1st Grade English
E

ELA-01.L

Narrative for the Language Strand:

As they move through formal schooling, students must gain control over the many conventions of standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics. They must also learn various ways to convey meaning effectively. Language standards include the rules of standard written and spoken English as well as the use of language as craft and informed choice among alternatives. The vocabulary standards focus on understanding words and phrases (their relationships and nuances) and acquiring new academic and domain-specific vocabulary. 

English grammar conventions, knowledge of language, and vocabulary extend across reading, writing, speaking, and listening and, in fact, are inseparable from these contexts. As students grow in their understanding of patterns of English grammar, they can use this knowledge to make more purposeful and effective choices in their writing and speaking and more accurate and rich interpretations in their speaking and listening.

First grade students continue learn to write upper and lower case letters and when to use capital letters in writing. They also learn about how to use basic punctuation marks, and how to use singular and plural nouns, and verbs in the past, present and future tense.

 

How to help your child with the standards in the Language Strand:

  • Engage your child in conversations every day. If possible, include new and interesting words in your conversation.
  • Read to your child each day. When the book contains a new or interesting word, pause and define the word for your child. After you're done reading, engage your child in a conversation about the book.
  • Help build word knowledge by classifying and grouping objects or pictures while naming them.
  • Help build your child's understanding of language by playing verbal games and telling jokes and stories.
  • Encourage your child to read on his own. The more children read, the more words they encounter and learn.
  • Encourage your child to write at home.  In first grade students will be using their knowledge of phonics and sight vocabulary (I, and, said, to).  You may see your child using inventive spelling (dnosr for dinosaur).  Keep encouraging your child to write the sounds he/she hears in words so they feel confident in figuring out how to write and spell words.

Resources

Calculation Method for Strands

Strands are larger groups of related standards. The Strand Grade is a calculation of all the related standards. Click on the standard name below each strand to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each strand's related standards.

ELA-01.L.01

ELA Language Strand Logo 1st Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(L) Strand: Language
Cluster: Conventions of Standard English

ELA-01.L.01 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

Sub-Standards:

Introduce:
a. Produce and expand complete simple and compound declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences in response to prompts.
b. Correctly use common homophones (e.g., to, too, two; there, their).
c. Ensure subject verb-agreement.
d. Produce compound sentences.
e. Use singular and plural nouns with matching verbs in basic sentences (simple subject/verb agreement).
f. Form and use regular and irregular plural nouns.
g. Form and use the simple verb tenses (e.g., I walked, I walk; I will walk).
h. Use personal, possessive, and indefinite pronouns.
i. Use adjectives depending on what is to be modified.
j. Use demonstratives (that, those, these, this).
Practice:
k. Use question words (interrogatives).
l. Produce complete sentences in shared language activities.
m. Common and proper nouns.
n. Use regular plural nouns orally by adding /s/ or /es/.
o. Use frequently occurring adjectives.
p. Use articles.
Display proficiency in:
q. Uppercase and lowercase letters.
r. Use frequently occurring conjunctions (and, or, but).
s. Use prepositions.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can 

Reasoning Targets

  • I can 

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can 

Proficiency Scale

The Student Will ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-01.L.02

ELA Language Strand Logo 1st (ELA) Targeted Standard
(L) Strand: Language
Cluster: Conventions of Standard English

ELA-01.L.02 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale

Sub-Standards:

Introduce:
a. Capitalize dates and names of people.
b. Use commas in dates and to separate single words in a series.
c. Capitalize holidays, product names, and geographic names.
d. Use commas in greetings and closings of letters.
e. Use an apostrophe to form contractions and frequently occurring possessives.
f. Generalize learned spelling patterns when writing words (e.g., cage → badge; boy → boil).
g. Capitalize important words in titles.
h. Form and use possessives.
i. Add prefixes and suffixes to base words (e.g., sitting, smiled, cries, happiness).
j. Use punctuation to separate items in a series.
Practice:
k. Use end punctuation for sentences.
l. Use conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns and for frequently occurring irregular words.
m. Spell untaught words phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness and spelling conventions.
n. Use conventional spelling for high-frequency and other studied words.
o. Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed and/or using spelling patterns and generalizations. (e.g., word families, position-based spelling, syllable patterns, ending rules, meaningful word parts)
Display proficiency in:
p. Recognize and name end punctuation.

ELA-01.L.03

ELA Language Strand Logo 1st Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(L) Strand: Language
Cluster: Knowledge of Language

ELA-01.L.03 (Begins in grade 2)

ELA-01.L.04

ELA Language Strand Logo 1st Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(L) Strand: Language
Cluster: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

ELA-01.L.04 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple meaning words and phrases based on grade 1 reading and content, choosing flexibly from an array of strategies.

Sub-Standards:

a. Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
b. Use frequently occurring affixes as a clue to the meaning of a word.
c. Identify frequently occurring root words (e.g., look) and their inflectional forms (e.g., looked, looking).

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can&

Proficiency Scale

The Student Will ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-01.L.05

ELA Language Strand Logo 1st Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(L) Strand: Language
Cluster: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

ELA-01.L.05 With guidance and support from adults, demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.

Sub-Standards:

a. Sort words into categories (e.g., colors, clothing) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent.
b. Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).
c. Identify real-life connections between words and their use (e.g., note places at home that are cozy).
d. Distinguish shades of meaning among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare, glare, scowl) and defining or choosing them or by acting out the meanings.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can&

Proficiency Scale

The Student Will ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-01.L.06

ELA Language Strand Logo 1st Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(L) Strand: Language
Cluster: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use

ELA-01.L.06 Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading, being read to, and responding to texts, including using frequently occurring conjunctions to signal simple relationships (e.g., because).

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can

Reasoning Targets

  • I can

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can&

Proficiency Scale

The Student Will ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Start

2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
Simple

3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
Target

4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
Complex

Resources

Vocabulary

  • LIST
  • LIST
  • LIST

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-01.RF

Narrative for Reading Foundations Strand:

The Foundational Skill standards are directed toward fostering students' understanding and working knowledge of:

Concepts of Print:  Recognizing the features print (ex. a sentence begins with a capital and has punctuation at the end).

Phonological Awareness:  Understanding how spoken words work. 

Phonics and Word Study:  The relationship between letters and sounds in language.  Students will learn to recognize high-frequency words automatically. Students will also practice recognizing words with irregular spellings (sometimes refered to as sight words).

Fluency:  The ability to read smoothly and expressively.  A fluent reader is one who reads and understands what he or she is reading.  Fluency skills should increase as learners progress from beginning to advanced.  

The foundational skills standards are not meant to be taught as isolated skills. These standards are necessary and important components of an effective, comprehensive reading program designed to develop proficient readers with the ability to comprehend what is read across a range of text types and content areas (social studies, science).  

 

How to help your child at home with the foundational skill strand:

  • Re-read favorite books to build awareness of how print works 
  • Point out and read billboards, signs, package labels and any other print encountered (playing scavenger hunt games for words)
  • Play word games, taking turns saying syllables and the partner guesses the word (el-e-phant=elephant)
  • Discuss which letters and letter combinations go with which sounds in what you and your child are reading
  • Help your child to decode (take apart) common words so that he/she becomes familiar with how to read an unknown word
  • Point out common vowel combinations, such as words that end with silent e or those that have two vowels together
  • Look for familiar parts in unknown words, then blend those parts (chunks) together to see if the word sounds familiar (the word jump is made of j+ump+ing)
  • Have your child find high-frequency words in magazines or newspapers (first graders work on recognizing the first 300 words automatically)
  • Help your child to read aloud (and re-read) text that is at his/her reading level, reading with accuracy, appropriate speed, and expression
  • Read aloud higher levels of text to your child so that he/she can hear you read with accuracy, appropriate speed, and expression

Resources

Calculation Method for Strands

Strands are larger groups of related standards. The Strand Grade is a calculation of all the related standards. Click on the standard name below each strand to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each strand's related standards.

ELA-01.RF.01

ELA Reading Foundational Skills Strand Logo 1st Grade (ELA) Targeted Standard
(RF) Strand: Reading Foundations
Cluster: Print Concepts

ELA-01.RF.01 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.

a. Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence.

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can identify letters, words, and sentences
  • I can recognize that words are combined to make a sentences
  • I can recognize that the first word in a sentence is capitalized
  • I can recognize that words are separated by spaces before and after them
  • I can recognize that a sentence ends with a punctuation mark (e.g., period, question mark, exclamation point)

Reasoning Targets

  • I can 

Skills (Performance) Targets

  • I can 

Proficiency Scale

The Student Will ...
1 Beginning
... with help, demonstrates a partial understanding of some of the simpler details and processes (Score 2.0 content) and some of the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
  • With help, a partial understanding of the simple and target content.
2 Developing
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding the simpler details and processes but exhibits major errors or omissions regarding the more complex ideas and processes (Score 3.0 content).
  • Recognizes and identify specific terminology, such as:
    • First word
    • Capitalization
    • Ending punctuation
3 Proficient
“The Standard.”
... demonstrates no major errors or omissions regarding any of the information and processes that were end of instruction expectations.
  • Identify letters, words, and sentences
  • Recognize that words are combined to make a sentences
  • Recognize that the first word in a sentence is capitalized
  • Recognize that words are separated by spaces before and after them
  • Recognize that a sentence ends with a punctuation mark (e.g., period, question mark, exclamation point)
4 Advanced
... demonstrates in-depth inferences and applications regarding more complex material that go beyond end of instruction expectations.
  • Reading beyond grade level. 

Resources

Vocabulary

  • Capitalization
  • Punctuation

Websites

  • Links to sites that open in a new window

ELA-01.RF.01a

 

ELA-01 Targeted Standards
(RF) Strand: Reading Foundations
Cluster: Print Concepts.

ELA-01.RF.01 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.

RF.01.a Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation). 

Student Learning Targets:

Knowledge Targets

  • I can identify letters, words, and sentences
  • I can recognize that words are combined to make a sentences
  • I can recognize that the first word in a sentence is capitalized
  • I can recognize that words are separated by spaces before and after them
  • I can recognize that a sentence ends with a punctuation mark (e.g., period, question mark, exclamation point)

 

Proficiency (Rubric) Scale

Score   Description Sample Activity
4.0
 
  3.5 Advanced proficiency not available (See Level 4 explanation)
3.0
  2.5 No major errors or emissions regarding 2.0 content and partial knowledge of the 3.0 content.
2.0

  1.5 In addition to 1.0 content, student has partial knowledge of the 2.0 and/or 3.0 content.
1.0
 -See Level 3 for expectations
  0.5 Limited or no understanding of the skill id demonstrated.

Resources

Websites

Vocabulary

  • Letter
  • Word
  • Sentence
  • Capitalize
  • Punctuation Mark