Independent Higher Level Concepts (IHL)
 
Writes persuasively about ideas, feelings, and opinions.
Creates plots with problems and solutions.
Begins to develop the main characters and detailed settings.
Begins to write organized nonfiction and includes sources.
Writes cohesive paragraphs including reasons & examples
Uses transitional sentences to connect paragraphs.
Varies sentence structure, leads, and endings.
Beings to use description languages, details and similes.
Uses ideas, organization, word choice, sentence fluency, voice
Uses tools (e.g., dictionaries, word lists, spell checkers) to edit
Begins to use complex punctuation (, : ; ! ?) appropriately.
Reads medium level chapter books.
Expands knowledge of different genres (realistic fiction, historical fiction and fantasy).
Reads aloud with expression.
Uses resources to locate and sort information with guidance.
Gathers information bys using the glossary, captions and index
Uses context cues, other reading strategies & resources 
Follows multi-step written directions independently.
Discuss setting, plot, characters, and literary elements
Make connections to other authors, books, and perspectives.
Participates in small group literature discussion with guidance.