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Hydromania's Group Skills Unit
and Washington's Essential Academic Learning Requirements

The following chart travels through the Group Skills unit, tying it to the Washington Essential Academic Learning Requirements 2000 (this will link you to the State of Washington's Education Reform website) that are addressed by that unit. Sometimes only parts of a particular benchmark will be applicable to a Hydromania unit, but we thought it best to cite the entire benchmark for easier reference to these state goals. Please note also that because a lesson can be taught and expanded on at many levels of thoroughness, benchmarks were included assuming the most thorough coverage of the topic. Therefore, each teacher will want to review the listed benchmarks in order to see for her/himself which ones are in agreement with their plans. Hopefully you will find this to be a helpful and timesaving tool as you help students rise to the challenge of meeting these goals.

Curriculum Topic Essential Academic Learning Requirement Subtopic (if applicable)/
Grade 4 and 7 Benchmarks
Topic I:
Group Skills 		Communication:
The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.
To meet this standard, the student will focus attention.
  • Grade 4:
    > pay attention while others are talking.
    > pay attention to oral stories, instructions, reports, assemblies, and daily announcements.
  • Grade 7:
    > give evidence of paying attention such as nodding, maintaining eye contact, taking notes, and asking relevant questions.
    > pay attention and respond appropriately in particular contexts such as social interactions and receiving information.
Communication:
The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.
To meet this standard, the student will listen and observe to gain and interpret information.
  • Grade 4:
    > demonstrate listening strategies for following instructions.
  • Grade 7:
    > demonstrate listening strategies for gaining information.
Communication:
The student uses listening and observation skills to gain understanding.
To meet this standard, the student will check for understanding by asking questions adn paraphrasing.
  • Grade 4:
    > ask questions to clarify content and meaning including who, what, why, when, where, and how.
    > select information and give opinions.
  • Grade 7:
    > ask questions to clarify content and meaning in a variety of contexts and situations.
    > ask questions to verify judgments and inferences.
    > construct hypotheses.
Communication:
The student communicates ideas clearly and effectively.
To meet this standard, the student will communicate clearly to a range of audiences for different purposes.
  • Grade 4:
    > communicate to a teacher, small group, and class, for example, by tutoring or giving reports.
  • Grade 7:
    > communicate for a range of purposes for example, to inform, explain, persuade, or entertain.
Communication:
The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.
To meet this standard, the student will use language to interact effectively and responsibly with others.
  • Grade 4:
    > demonstrate conversation skills, for example, entering in, taking turns, responding to others' remarks, and closing a conversation.
  • Grade 7:
    > use language to interact with others, for example, to greet people, compliment, give encouragement, or express feelings.
Communication:
The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.
To meet this standard, the student will work cooperatively as a member of a group.
  • Grade 4:
    > assume a variety of assigned roles within a group to perform a task.
    > contribute to group with ideas and effort.
    > respect others' feelings and right to participate in a group.
  • Grade 7:
    > assume roles or tasks within a group to perform a task.
    > contribute to a group with suggestions, research, and effort.
    > demonstrate respect for others' opinions by allowing time for responses.
Communication:
The student uses communication strategies and skills to work effectively with others.
To meet this standard, the student will seek agreement and solutions through discussion.
  • Grade 4:
    > identify and share ideas and points of view.
    > formulate ideas and identify possible alternatives.
    > suggest solutions and initiate action.
  • Grade 7:
    > acknowledge others' ideas and points of view; identify similarities and differences.
    > check for understanding in group interactions.
    > contribute responsibly to group efforts.
    > choose a position and develop a plan of action.
    > define challenges and encourage others to action.
Communication:
The student analyzes and evaluates the effectiveness of formal and informal communication.
To meet this standard, the student will seek and offer feedback.
  • Grade 4:
    > offer feedback on others' presentations.
    > accept and apply feedback on own presentation when appropriate.
  • Grade 7:
    > with guidance, offer feedback on others' presentations with regard to content and organization.
    > accept feedback when appropriate and revise own presentation.
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