The Circle of Learning

Learners will identify the elements of a sentence and paragraph in order to improve critical thinking skills.

Identify a written sentence as a complete thought that starts with a capital letter and ends with the appropriate punctuation mark.
Identify that complete sentences contain a subject, verb, and predicate.
Identify that an incomplete sentence is missing one of the elements of a complete sentence.
Identify complete and incomplete sentences in various texts.
Identify a paragraph as a group of sentences based on one idea or point of view.
Identify the main idea, supporting sentences, and closing sentence in a paragraph.

Examples of applying this learning outcome outside the learning environment:
Family	Community	Work
Teach a child to recognize the punctuation symbols that signal the ends of sentences.	Write a note to your doctor in complete sentences that describe your symptoms (e.g., My wrist hurts when I bend it.) Take this note with you to your doctor's appointment.	Make up sentences that explain what common workplace symbols mean (e.g., "The exit sign tells people where to leave the building").

Learners will read short paragraphs and simple documents for enjoyment and practical purposes.

Identify the different ways that information and ideas can be expressed in writing (e.g., schedules, poems, calendars).
Identify texts and documents as being either fiction or non-fiction.
Read a variety of simple fiction and non-fiction materials of two or three paragraphs.
Read a variety of simple documents with short text and simple structure for information (e.g., a list in a textbook, an assembly diagram for a crib).
Read to learn new vocabulary.
Identify the main ideas, key words, and supporting details in paragraphs or simple documents.
Read and follow simple instructions to perform a task.
Locate one or more pieces of information from a simple document.
Compare, contrast, or rearrange information from one or two simple documents.
Demonstrate your understanding of what has been read.
- Recognize and explain time/order sequence of text.
- Recall information to answer factual questions.
- Express thoughts and feelings about ideas presented in various written materials (e.g., short newspaper articles or articles in community newsletters).
- Explain the difference between fact and fiction.