Boston Latin School Expectations for Student Learning

Boston Latin School Expectations for Student Learning CRITICAL THINKING: to evaluate information with logic and discernment ADVANCED students can: RESEARCHING AND PRESENTING: to research information and present it 1. clearly discern the hierarchy and sequence of ideas. in written, visual, and/or spoken format comprehensible to an audience 2. accurately assess the credibility of information. ADVANCED students can: 3. solve complex problems in all curricular areas. 1. research and record information using traditional and technological 4. synthesize and apply knowledge from different areas of learning. resources. 5. examine and correct their own reasoning. 2. carefully cite all sources of information, thus avoiding plagiarism and PROFICIENT students can: respecting the research of others. 1. usually establish the hierarchy and sequence of ideas. 3. use a prescribed method of organizing and reporting research, 2. determine the credibility of information in most cases. including all required areas. 3. solve complex problems in some curricular areas. 4. deliver the information and interpretation in a well-ordered written, 4. transfer skills at times from one curricular area to another. visual, and/or verbal presentation, using technology as appropriate. 5. examine their own reasoning and make some corrections. 5. effectively inform, engage, and respond to the intended audience. Students who NEED IMPROVEMENT may: 6. anticipate areas of possible difficulty or confusion and provide clear 1. incorrectly sequence some of the ideas in a text. explanations. 2. overlook inconsistencies in materials. PROFICIENT students can: 3. solve complex problems inconsistently. 1. research and record information with some assistance using 4. fail to use connections across curricular areas. traditional and technological resources. 5. have difficulty seeing and/or correcting their own errors in reasoning. 2. report sources of information, perhaps with minor omissions. 3. include essential information within a prescribed method of organizing and reporting research. 4. deliver the information in a well-organized presentation, perhaps with minor lapses in explanation and detail, using technology as appropriate. 5. generally engage, inform, and respond to the intended audience. 6. seek help when necessary in anticipating and clarifying possible areas of confusion. Students who NEED IMPROVEMENT may: 1. use a limited range of available information. 2. neglect some aspects of careful citation and documentation. 3. observe some, but not all, elements of prescribed methods of organizing and reporting research. 4. deliver some information, perhaps not carefully organized or respecting the shared responsibilities in group projects. 5. engage and inform the audience at a basic level without offering interpretive comments or responding thoughtfully to questions.

6 READING: to read and comprehend unabridged, authentic material that will facilitate higher education and beyond. ADVANCED STUDENTS CAN: WRITING: to be competent, creative writers who have mastered rhetorical 1. comprehend, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate all types of texts (both structures as well as expression of their own opinion and style literary and scientific) used in and out of all classroom work with few ADVANCED students can: errors of understanding. 1. show thorough knowledge of subject through cogent, perceptive, 2. recognize symbolism, figurative language, rhetoric, nuances, and relevant writing. implications in texts. 2. present a clear thesis with specific examples expertly embedded into 3. understand and appreciate texts that display the diversity of cultural writing, free of unnecessary repetition. traditions through the use of dialect and the vernacular. 3. order writing with an engaging opening, coherent paragraphs, 4. make inter-disciplinary connections by applying knowledge obtained excellent transitions, and a satisfying closure. through texts to all other fields. 4. apply clear, effective style and tone with rich vocabulary and artful 5. effectively use navigational tools (glossary, index, and the like) to use of figurative language. enhance understanding. 5. reveal mastery of syntax, variety of sentence structure and length, and mechanics (usage, spelling, and citation forms.) PROFICIENT STUDENTS CAN: PROFICIENT students can: 1. comprehend, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate all types of text (both 1. show sufficient knowledge of topic with cogent, logical thought and literary and scientific) used in and out of all classroom work with few empty sentences. some errors of understanding. 2. present an identifiable thesis with sufficient evidence and little 2. recognize obvious instances of symbolism, figurative language, unnecessary repetition. rhetoric, nuances, and implications in texts. 3. organize with a clear opening, some connection of paragraphs, and a 3. appreciate texts that display the diversity of cultural traditions, and conclusion. understand most of their dialect and vernacular. 4. apply appropriate diction, tone, and vocabulary for the task and the 4. make some inter-disciplinary connections by applying knowledge audience. obtained through texts to other closely related fields. 5. write clear sentences with some variety and limited errors in 5. sufficiently use navigational tools (glossary, index, and the like) to mechanics. enhance understanding. Students who NEED IMPROVEMENT may: Students who NEED IMPROVEMENT may: 1. exhibit insufficient knowledge of topic, incomplete discussion of 1. demonstrate uneven comprehension, analysis, synthesis, and idea, or poorly reasoned or digressive thoughts. evaluation of texts with superficial understanding. 2. present no identifiable thesis or controlling idea, few examples or 2. inconsistently identify most instances of symbolism, figurative supporting pieces of evidence, irrelevant or repetitive material. language, rhetoric, nuances, and implications of texts. 3. have a vague opening, a lack of connection between paragraphs, 3. have difficulty understanding regional dialect and vernacular. insufficient paragraph development, or lack of conclusion or order. 4. apply knowledge gained through texts to other disciplines in a limited 4. display in appropriate or inconsistent tone or diction with limited capacity. vocabulary. 5. display problematic use of navigational tools to enhance 5. write unclear, monotonous sentences with excessive errors in understanding. mechanics.

7 SPEAKING: to articulate comfortably in prepared and extemporaneous speech in school, work, and social situations LISTENING: to hear and comprehend unabridged, authentic discourse that ADVANCED students can: will promote success in higher education and later life. 1. communicate main idea and/or opinion perceptively, precisely, and ADVANCED students can: respectfully. 1. quickly comprehend information aurally without needing to consult 2. use varied, accurate language, including vocabulary appropriate to texts. the topic and discipline. 2. consistently apprehend speakers’ intent and tone. 3. speak clearly with a minimum of hesitation or fumbling. 3. determine the values of an oral argument. 4. demonstrate clear enunciation and careful pronunciation. 4. understand and apply directions given orally. 5. successfully engage the audience with eye contact, along with 5. successfully recall major points heard. gestures and visual aids when appropriate. 6. differentiate fact from opinion and listen respectfully even when the 6. anticipate areas about which listeners might need detail or additional position presented differs from their own. information and provide these. PROFICIENT students can: PROFICIENT students can: 1. comprehend information aurally with minimal recourse to textual 1. communicate a main idea and/or opinion clearly. reinforcement. 2. use appropriate vocabulary and accurate language for most topics. 2. recognize speakers’ intent and tone most of the time. 3. speak clearly most of the time. 3. usually determine the validity of an oral argument. 4. pronounce most words correctly and with good enunciation. 4. usually understand and apply directions given orally. 5. try to engage the audience with eye contact and other tools of a good 5. remember most of the major points heard. speaker. 6. usually differentiate fact from opinion and listen respectfully even Students who NEED IMPROVEMENT may: when the position presented differs from their own. 1. generalize or state unclearly the main idea and/or opinion. Students who NEED IMPROVEMENT may: 2. show some gaps in vocabulary appropriate to the topic. 1. require help from written material to achieve complete understanding 3. show lapses in enunciation or pronunciation. of a spoken message. 4. inconsistently engage the audience, perhaps forgetting eye contact or 2. have some difficulty discerning intent and tone. other speaking tools at times. 3. occasionally determine the validity of an oral argument. 5. neglect to offer detailed explanations or background information to 4. sometimes miss oral cues or fail to completely understand directions. make points clear. 5. remember only some of the major points heard. 6. sometimes struggle to listen attentively and respectfully.