Language Arts
Grade 6: Oral and Visual Communication
Overall Expectations
•make reports, describe and explain a course of action, and follow detailed instructions;
•ask and answer questions to obtain and clarify information;
•communicate a main idea about a topic and describe a sequence of events;
•express and respond to a range of ideas and opinions concisely, clearly, and appropriately;
•contribute and work constructively in groups;
•demonstrate the ability to concentrate by identifying main points and staying on topic;
•identify the main types of media works and the most characteristic techniques used in them;
•analyse media works;
•create a variety of media works;
•use the conventions (e.g., sentence structure) of oral language, and of the various media, that are appropriate to the grade (see below). 
Specific Expectations
Use of Words and Oral Language Structures
•use a varied vocabulary and a range of sentence structures to add interest to their remarks;
•speak correctly, observing common grammatical rules such as subject-verb agreement, noun-pronoun agreement, and consistency of verb tense;
•recognize and interpret figurative language (e.g., a simile) in the speech of others and use it to add interest to their own remarks;
Non-verbal Communication Skills 
•use tone of voice and gestures to enhance the message and help convince or persuade listeners in conversations, discussions, or presentations;
Group Skills
•use constructive strategies in small-group discussions (e.g., invite other group members to contribute; ask questions to clarify a point; negotiate to find a basis for agreement);
•follow up on others' ideas, and recognize the validity of different points of view in group discussions or problem-solving activities;
Media Communication Skills 
•identify questionable strategies (e.g., exaggerated claims, one-sided presentation of information) presenters use to influence an audience;
•identify the various types of professionals involved in producing a media work (e.g., newswriter, photographer, camera operator, film director) and describe the jobs they do;
•analyse and assess a media work and express a considered viewpoint about it (e.g., write a movie review);
•create a variety of media works (e.g., create a video advertisement for a book as a member of an "advertising team").
 Expectations: Copyright The Queen's Printer for Ontario, 1997.  With thanks to B.Phillips, 1998.
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