Communication

Second draft - Updated 10/23/00

8th grade

 1. The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.

• 1. 1 Pays attention and responds appropriately.
• 1.2 Maintains eye contact during interviews, in interpersonal situations, or to a larger audience.
• 1.3 Identifies simple techniques for successful interviews (e.g., arrive on time, dress appropriately, maintain eye contact).
• 1.4 Identifies listening purpose and selects appropriate listening strategy.
• 1.5 Listens and observes to gain information (e.g., identifies speaker bias, distinguishes fact from opinion).
• 1.6 Listens and observes to identify and explain the use of information vs. persuasion in oral communication.
• 1.7 Makes limited adjustment in content, delivery, and language during presentations, group work, and one-to-one communication based upon interpretation of verbal and nonverbal cues.
• 1.8 Begins to analyze media for audience (Who is the target audience?).
• 1.9 Begins to analyze media for purpose (e.g., inform, entertain, persuade: Why does it say that?).
• 1.10 Begins to analyze media for content (e.g., message - What does it say?).
• 1.11 Begins to analyze media for technical strategies (e.g., camera angle, perspective, use of music, color, font, action).
• 1.12 Identifies persuasive techniques used in media (e.g., testimonials, appeal to popularity, appeal to emotions, bandwagon, generalizations).
• 1.13 Recognizes that media are open to multiple interpretations.
• 1.14 Recognizes and begins to detect implicit cultural and value messages contained in the media.
• 1.15 Identifies the point of view of media resources.
• 1.16 Generates questions and develops responses.
• 1.17 Checks for group understanding (e.g., questions, paraphrases, summarizes).
• 1.18 Analyzes resources for credibility of source and bias.

2. The student communicates ideas clearly and effectively.

• 2.1 Makes limited analysis of target audience, specific purpose (e.g., to get a job, to deliver a presentation, to sell a product), and purpose.
• 2.2 Makes some adjustment in content, delivery, and language based upon knowledge of target audience, purpose, topic, and context.
• 2.3 Selects and uses relevant and logical resources to support and develop a presentation.
• 2.4 Selects and organizes appropriate content.
• 2.5 Describes the connection between form and content.
• 2.6 Uses standard grammar and appropriate language.
• 2.7 Selects effective media to enhance an oral presentation (e.g., graphs, charts audiocassettes, etc.).

3. The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.

• 3.1 Identifies group task and selects appropriate actions (e.g., setting an agenda, making a plan or timeline).
• 3.2 Identifies techniques to help a group move toward consensus, propose solutions, or achieve results.
• 3.3 Encourages group members to contribute ideas and points of view.
• 3.4 Elaborates on the contribution of other group members (e.g., nods in agreement, asks simple questions, offers additional information).
• 3.5 Begins to use problem solving techniques (e.g., identify target, define issues, brainstorm, develop a plan).

4. The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of formal and informal communication.

• 4.1 Practices with feedback.
• 4.2 Uses the evaluation of self and others to improve performance and to set goals.
• 4.3 Identifies the media forms (e.g., TV, radio, billboards, magazine ads).
• 4.4 Recognizes that media producers make choices as they construct media (e.g., music, language, font, pictures).
• 4.5 Identifies media-constructed versions of reality.
• 4.6 Recognizes that all media have commercial implications.