It deals with the acquisition, interpretation, and application of information and ideas. Readers develop an initial understanding by identifying, collecting, and selecting information and ideas. They develop a more complete understanding by organizing and using information and ideas. They learn to establish a critical stance to form opinions, make judgments, and evaluate the quality and usefulness of information and ideas. This goal involves readers' ability to assess validity and accuracy, determine value, and judge relevance and importance of information and ideas.
Students learn the strategies proficient readers apply before, during, and after reading a text.
They learn to use metacognitive strategies as they read. Metacognition involves the awareness of, manipulation of, and control over one's thinking processes including perseverance, attitudes, and attention. The English language arts program for grades 3-5 is a spiraling program with strong connections among the goals, objectives, and strands. Teachers will want to note and build upon the connections and the overlapping areas of the curriculum asking students to note and find connections, revisit significant concepts, participate in meaningful dialogue and develop knowledge and skills within the context of appropriate use. In this way we will develop students who can read and compose.