English

Year Level Description

Students create a range of imaginative, informative and persuasive types of texts such as narratives, procedures, performances, reports, reviews, explanations and discussions. They use language features including complex sentences, unfamiliar technical vocabulary, figurative language, and information presented in various types of graphics. They demonstrate an understanding of grammar and they make considered choices from an expanding vocabulary, use accurate spelling and punctuation for clarity and make and explain editorial choices.

They analyse and explain literal and implied information from a variety of texts. They describe how events, characters and settings in texts are depicted and explain their own responses to them. They construct interpretive responses by referring to the text and their own knowledge and experiences. They explain some of the values and attitudes that influence texts in a variety of literary forums. They develop and explain a point of view about a text, selecting information, ideas and images from a range of resources. They understand how language features, images and vocabulary influence interpretations of characters, settings and events. They select and use evidence from a text to explain their response to it.

Students listen to discussions, clarifying content and challenging the ideas of others. They make presentations and contribute actively to class and group discussions, using a variety of strategies for effect. Students consider the ways speech can be used to entertain, inform and influence others.

Achievement Standard

Reading

• Responds to reading a variety of texts that reveal literal levels of understanding.
• Responds to reading a variety of texts that reveal inferential levels of understanding.
• Responds to reading a variety of texts that reveal evaluative levels of understanding.
• Selects, navigates and reads increasingly complex text for a range of purposes, applying appropriate text processing strategies to consolidate meaning.
• Compares and analyses information in different texts.
• Analyses and evaluates strategies authors use to influence readers.
• Uses research skills e.g. locating texts, gathering and organising information.

Speaking and Listening

• Varies tone, volume and pace of speech to create or emphasise meaning.
• Plans, rehearses and makes presentations for a variety of purposes.
• Listens actively and critically to others.

Writing            

• Consistently applies rules of punctuation to support meaning and effect.
• Shows some evidence of complex sentences used to elaborate, extend and/or explain ideas.
• Makes considered choices from a developing vocabulary including vocabulary that can express shades of meaning, feeling and opinion e.g. metaphors, similes, irony, rhetorical questions etc.
• Creates detailed texts elaborating on key ideas for a range of audiences and purposes.
• Shows more evidence of editing for coherence, sequence, effective choice of vocabulary and description, as appropriate to the task and audience.
• Uses a handwriting style that is legible, fluent and automatic and varies according to audience and purpose.