Printer-friendly versionActivities address the following standards using McREL 4th Edition and the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
Memories: Can-Have-Are (Grades Pre K to 2)
Common Core
Speaking and
Listening
Comprehension and
Collaboration
Standard 1. Prepare for and participate effectively in a
range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on
other’s ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
Understanding Prejudice through Paper Plate Portraits (Grades 1-5)
Common Core
Speaking and
Listening
Comprehension and
Collaboration
Standard 1. Prepare for and participate effectively in a
range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on
other’s ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
McREL
Art Connections
Standard 1. Understands connections among the various
art forms and other disciplines
Level II [Grade K-4]
Benchmark 2. Knows how ideas and emotions are
expressed in the various art forms
Visual Arts
Standard 1. Understands and applies media, techniques,
and processes related to the visual arts
Standard 2. Knows how to use structures (e.g., sensory qualities, organizational principles, expressive features) and functions of art
Standard 3. Knows a range of subject matter, symbols, and potential ideas in the visual arts
Standard 4. Understands the visual arts in relation to history and cultures
Standard 5. Understands the characteristics and merits of one's own artwork and the artwork of others
Life Skills
Decision-making
Thinking and
Reasoning
Standard 6. Applies decision-making techniques
Comparing/Contrasting
Thinking and
Reasoning
Standard 3. Effectively uses mental processes that are
based on identifying similarities and differences.
Level I [Grade K-2]
Benchmark 1. Identifies the similarities and
differences between persons, places, things, and events using concrete criteria
Level II [Grade 3-5]
Benchmark 2. Knows when comparisons might not be fair
because some characteristics are not the same
Knowledge/skill
statements
1. Recognizes unfair comparisons
The Study of Racial Representation via Television Commercial
Analysis (Grades 6-12)
Common Core
Standards for Reading
Integration of Knowledge and Ideas
Standard
7. Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media,
including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
Standards for Writing
Standard
1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or
texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
Standard 2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.
Production and Distribution of Writing
Standard
4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization,
and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Research to Build and Present Knowledge
Standard
7. Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused
questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Standard 9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
Standards for Speaking and Listening
Comprehension and Collaboration
Standard
2. Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats,
including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
Standard
5. Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express
information and enhance understanding of presentations.
Standards for Language Conventions of Standard English
Standard
1. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage
when writing or speaking.
Standard 2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
What Is the Universal Language? (Grades 6-12)
Common Core
Reading
Craft and Structure
Standard 4. Interpret words and phrases
as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative
meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.
Language
Conventions of Standard English
Standard 1. Demonstrate command of the
conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Standard 2. Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Knowledge of Language
Standard 3. Apply knowledge of language
to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective
choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or
listening.
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Standard 5. Demonstrate understanding
of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
What Does Justice Require of Victim-Perpetrators? (Grades 9-12)
Common Core
Reading Standards for Informational Text
Integration of
Knowledge and Ideas
Standard 7. Integrate and evaluate multiple sources of
information presented in different media or formats (e.g., visually,
quantitatively) as well as in words in order to address a question or solve a
problem.
Speaking and
Listening
Comprehension and
Collaboration
Standard 1. a. Come to discussions
prepared, having read and researched material under study; explicitly draw on
that preparation by referring to evidence from texts and other research on the
topic or issue to stimulate a thoughtful, well reasoned exchange of ideas.
c. Propel conversations by posing and responding to questions that probe reasoning and evidence; ensure a hearing for a full range of positions on a topic or issue; clarify, verify, or challenge ideas and conclusions; and promote divergent and creative perspectives.
d. Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives; synthesize comments, claims, and evidence made on all sides of an issue; resolve contradictions when possible; and determine what additional information or research is required to deepen the investigation or complete the task.
Presentation of
Knowledge and Ideas
Standard 4. Present information, findings, and
supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that
listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing
perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and
style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal
tasks.
Standard 6. Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating a command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.
Teaching the Levees:
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Community Problem Solving (Grades
9-12)
McREL
Speaking and Listening
Comprehension and Collaboration
Standard
1. Prepare for and participate
effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse
partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and
persuasively.
Standard 2. Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively and orally.
Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas
Standard
4. Present information, findings and
supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and
the organization, development and style are appropriate to task, purpose and
audience.
Standard 5. Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of date to express information and enhance understanding of presentations.
Common Core Standards
Research
to Build and Present Knowledge
Standard 7. Conduct short as well as more sustained
research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of
the subject under investigation.
