Illinois Learning Standards


Stage J - English Language Arts



English Language Arts Classroom Assessments Aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards



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The assessments are coded according to standard and stage. Example: 1A.J is aligned to standard 1A, stage J (eleventh & twelfth grades). Sample student work, when available, follows the assessment.

  • 1A.J - A Vocabulary Word a Day

    Students will develop their own vocabulary list by presenting to the class one vocabulary word each day from their reading.
  • 1B.J - A Great Literary Concept

    After reading selections Emerson and Thoreau, students will develop an analysis of the readings.
  • 1C.J - Recommendation For Adoption

    Students will survey the books they have read and select one to present to their high school’s English Department for adoption as a classroom text.
  • 2A.J - Burke's Pentad and Literary Analysis

    Each student will read a work of literature and answer the questions from Burke’s Pentad as preparation for the writing of an evaluation of the author’s writing technique and intended message.
  • 2B.J - The Text and the Times

    Students will read two selections about similar topics, situations or problems, but written by different authors and analyze the authors’ treatments of the topic.
  • 3A.J - Proofreading/The Foreman

    Each student will write an expository theme on a topic chosen by the teacher or selected through a class activity such as brainstorming.
  • 3B.J - The Foreman

    Each student will write an expository theme on a topic chosen by the teacher or selected through a class activity such as brainstorming.
  • 3C.J - Letter to the Editor

    Each student will write a letter to the editor of his/her local newspaper in which he/she addresses a current issue in the community.
  • 4A.J - What Do I Hear?

    Each student will listen to a three to five minute speech given by a fellow student and will fill out an evaluation sheet based on the content and purpose of the speech.
  • 4B.J - Let Me Tell You A Story

    Each student will research and develop a topic for a three to five minute speech and will deliver the speech using proper public speaking technique.
  • 5A.J - The Research Paper (1)

    Each student will complete a research paper which follows the conventions of the selected format (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago Manual of Style).
  • 5B.J - The Research Paper (2)

    Each student will analyze the information gathered for the research paper from 5A - Stage J and will select the information to include in the report.
  • 5C.J - Multimedia and the Public Speaker

    The student will develop a multimedia presentation to accompany the speech developed for ELA Standard 4B.J and will present the speech with the multimedia accompanying and enhancing the presentation.

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