Commack School District

Excellence in Education

English Benchmarks

By the end of 6th grade, a portfolio for each student will include many activities demonstrating competency using word-processing software and the Internet, including:

an expository writing of either a book review or a movie review,
a friendly letter, and
an essay written in class.

By the end of the 7th grade, a portfolio for each student will include many activities demonstrating competency, including:

a personal narrative which will require peer editing, provide a detailed cover page using Word Art, contain pagination, and use formatting tools and borders for appropriate effect.
poems using short lines that will consist of centered lines, illustrated fonts and styles, and punctuation changes for effect.
a literary letter that requires the correct use and formatting of quotes, is in friendly-letter format, is a response to literature, and requires multiple margins and differing line spacing.

By the end of the 8th grade, a portfolio for each student will include many activities demonstrating competency, including:

a book review which includes a title and byline, requires the use of columns, follows correct formatting guidelines, and requires students to search for and include information found on the Internet.
a poem class that includes lines that are centered or have margins consistent to the form of the poem, font styles and a format that are appropriate to the subject of the poem, and punctuation changes for effect.
an editorial using formatting tools and borders for appropriate effect.