Illinois Learning Standards used in From My Pen to Your Ear Middle School Workshop
STATE GOAL 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.
Why This Goal Is Important: Of all the language arts, listening and speaking are those most often used on a daily basis at home, school and work or in the community. Skill in speaking is universally recognized as a primary indicator of a person’s knowledge, skill and credibility. In person, by phone or through video, good listening and speaking skills are essential to sending, receiving and understanding messages. To understand messages spoken by others, students must be able to listen carefully, using specific techniques to clarify what they have heard. For speaking properly and making messages understood, grammar, sentence structure, tone, expression and emphasis must be part of students’ repertoires.
4A. Listen effectively in formal and informal situations.
Benchmarks:
- 4.A.2a Demonstrate understanding of the listening process (e.g., sender, receiver, message) by summarizing and paraphrasing spoken messages orally and in writing in formal and informal situations.
- 4.A.2b Ask and respond to questions related to oral presentations and messages in small and large group settings.
- 4.A.2c Restate and carry out a variety of oral instructions.
4.B Speak effectively using language appropriate to the situation and audience.
Benchmarks:
- 4.B.2a Present oral reports to an audience using correct language and nonverbal expressions for the intended purpose and message within a suggested organizational format.
- 4.B.2b Use speaking skills and procedures to participate in group discussions.
- 4.B.2c Identify methods to manage or overcome communication anxiety and apprehension (e.g., topic outlines, repetitive practice).
- 4.B.2d Identify main verbal and nonverbal communication elements and strategies to maintain communications and to resolve conflict.
