(PRIORITY
ACHIEVEMENT STUDENT SKILLS)
The P.A.S.S. outcomes
were developed by educators in the state of Oklahoma to provide a framework
and sequence of language arts and reading skills.These
are based on the N.C.T.E. and I.R.A. standards.This
overview is based on a “draft” document dated Aug. 22, 2002. This document
can be accessed at the sde.state.ok.us/home01_test.html?http://sde.state.ok.us/publ/pass.html
site
The Reading Strands
fall into the following six categories.They
are not independent skills, but interrelated ones.
1. Print Awareness
This is basically HOW
print works.
1.
Phonological/Phonemic Awareness
This
ability to distinguish different sounds from each other is an oral prerequisite
to phonics and is a predictor of later reading success.Words
and syllables can be broken down to their phonemes only after children
can hear the differences.
2.
Phonics/Decoding
Strategies learned to
break words down when unfamiliar words are encountered.
3.
Vocabulary
This is learned through
reading, direct instruction, and student-centered activities.
4.
Fluency
There
are two stages: the “decoding stage” when students change printed symbols
into words, and the “fluency stage” when students recognize words and focus
on comprehension.Speed and accuracy
in reading are hallmarks of this stage.
5.
Comprehension/Critical Listening
Students
understand the meaning of the text—what is read, what is meant, and what
is implied.Students read for many
purposes and thus they need a variety of strategies: prediction, using
prior knowledge, skimming, drawing inferences and conclusions, finding
the meaning, summarizing information, analyzing and developing written
text, monitoring their reading and making corrections.
The Language Arts Strands
fall into the following seven categories at all grade levels.These
are all stated in terms of student performance.In
the document there are boxed headings for the Strands at each grade
level.Then a series of Standards
follow for that Strand.There is
some change from grade to grade.At
Grade 4 the Strands are:
1.Reading/Literature
Students
will apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate,
appreciate and respond to a wide variety of text.Standards
include: Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension/Critical , Literature, Research
and Information, and Writing/Grammar/Useage.
2.OralLanguage/Listeningand
Speaking
Students
will demonstrate thinking skills using the Standards
of Listening,
Speaking and Group Interaction.
3.Visual
Literacy
The
student will interpret, evaluate, and compose visual messages.The
Standards
are (1) interpreting meaning, (2) evaluate the media, and (3) compose a
visual message.
1.Writing/Grammar/Useage
and Mechanics
The
student will express ideas effectively in written modes for a variety of
purposes and audiences.The Standards
are
(1) the Writing Process, (2) Modes and forms of writing and (3) Grammar/Useage
and Mechanics.
It would probably be helpful
for you to access these on the sde website.Read
over the Standards you are expected to teach your students at your chosen
grade level.Then look at the Standards
and activities for the grade before.Check
the next grade to see what types of goals your students will be expected
to meet with next year.