Alberta - English Language Arts 1

Text Forms and Structures

Identifying and applying text forms and structures improves understanding of content, literary style, and our rich language traditions.

Guiding question: How can the organization of ideas and information support the sharing of messages?

Learning outcome: Students examine ways that messages can be organized and presented for different purposes.

Skills and Procedures

Discuss reasons for messages to be shared.

Identify messages that provide enjoyment.

Describe the differences between messages that are imaginary (fiction) or real (non-fiction).

Discuss forms used to organize messages.

Identify messages in a variety of environmental print.

Identify the title and author or creator of a variety of digital or non-digital messages.

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Comprehension

Text comprehension is supported by applying varied strategies and processes and by considering both particular contexts and universal themes.

Guiding Question: What messages are conveyed through ideas and information within texts?

Learning Outcome: Students investigate meaning communicated in texts.

Knowledge

Questions that guide comprehension of texts include

  • Who?
  • What?
  • Where?
  • When?
  • Why?
  • How?

Texts can contain information that answers questions.

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Writing

Ideas and information can be articulated accurately and imaginatively through the use of writing processes and an understanding of the author’s craft.

Guiding Question: How can writing be used to communicate meaning?

Learning Outcome: Students create messages through the application of writing processes.

Knowledge

Processes that can be used to support writing messages include

  • planning
  • writing
  • editing
  • sharing

Planning involves thinking or talking about

  • why you are writing a message (purpose)
  • who will be reading the message (audience)
  • the form the message will take
  • ideas

Messages can be created by individuals or groups.

Messages are owned by their creators.

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Understanding

Ideas and information can be shared through written messages.

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Skills and Procedures

Create written messages that align with an intended audience or purpose.

Create written messages in a variety of forms to represent ideas or information.

Generate ideas that can be expressed through messages.

Combine ideas in a logical sequence to create sentences.

Write sentences that contain complete thoughts and make sense.

Edit written work for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Add images or features to written messages.

Share messages with others.

Identify individuals or groups that have created messages.

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Knowledge

Creative thinking involves using imagination and combining materials or ideas in different ways for personal expression.

Writing can support creative expression of ideas through organization and word choice.

Creative ideas for expression can be inspired by personal experiences with

  • people
  • places
  • things
  • stories
  • images
  • information

Creative ideas can be organized in a variety of ways.

In creative writing, word choice can paint a picture in the reader’s mind.

Creative ideas can be clarified by adding words that describe things that can be seen, heard, smelled, tasted, or touched (sensory language).

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Understanding

Creative expression can inspire imaginative thinking and fun.

Skills and Procedures

Collect ideas that are inspired by a variety of experiences.

Apply creative thinking to create or make changes to a representation of a message.

Express ideas and information through a variety of written forms.

Identify effective use of sensory language in stories, songs, or print texts.

Include sensory language to enhance ideas in creative writing.

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Knowledge

Factual information can be gathered to support sharing ideas about things that are real.

Factual information can come from a variety of digital or non-digital sources, including

  • people
  • places
  • print
  • images
  • observations

Organizational tools, such as graphic organizers, can be used to record factual information.

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Understanding

Research processes can be used to gather and record factual information.

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Skills and Procedures

Ask questions to identify research topics.

Gather factual information from a variety of digital or non-digital sources.

Use organizational tools to record information.

Record factual information in various ways.

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