Overview

Lesson Procedure

60-65 minutes of class time across 5 phases.

1. Warm-Up5-10 minutes
2. Direct Instruction20 minutes
3. Guided Practice15 minutes
4. Independent Practice15 minutes
5. Closure5 minutes

1. Warm-Up5-10 minutes

   Warm-Up Prompt

   "Think of a time you changed your mind about something because of a fact you learned from another person. What was the fact, and why did it change your mind?"

   Give students three minutes to write, then collect a few answers. Ask one follow-up for each: "Did you change your whole opinion, or just part of it?" Tell the class that SL.7.1 asks them to do exactly this in a discussion: listen for new information and change a view only as far as the evidence goes. Show Diagram 1.

2. Direct Instruction20 minutes

   Part 1: What grade 7 adds. Walk through Diagram 1 and the table below. Define each key word as it comes up: collegial means respectful and cooperative, the way good teammates act; to elicit elaboration is to draw out more explanation or detail from a speaker; on topic means about the question the group is discussing; new information is a fact or detail another speaker adds that you had not considered; and warranted means justified by good reasons or evidence.

   SL.7.1 moves with sentence starters

   Move	Part	Starter
   Use your preparation	a	"The line I marked is in paragraph __ ..."
   Probe an idea	a	"Which line makes you think that?"
   Check progress	b	"It's __. Our goal is __, and we have __."
   Draw out more	c	"What makes you say that?" "How does that connect to ...?"
   Steer back	c	"That's interesting, and it connects to our question because ..."
   Build on	main	"I'll add to what __ said ..."
   Take in new information	d	"I hadn't noticed that. It changes my view about ..."
   Hold a view with a reason	d	"I hear you, but I still think ... because ..."

   Part 2: The text under study. Students read the two excerpts the night before and mark one line in each. First tell the story up to the letter in your own words: Jimmy Valentine, a skilled safecracker (someone who breaks open safes to steal), gets a pardon (an official release) after ten months in prison and goes straight back to robbing safes. Ben Price, the detective who arrested him before, takes up the trail. In the small town of Elmore, Arkansas, Jimmy falls in love at first sight with Annabel Adams, the banker's daughter, takes the name Ralph D. Spencer and opens a shoe store. A year later he writes to an old partner. Explain a few words: a kit is a set of tools, scores in "old scores" means old wrongs someone might want to settle, and a livery buggy is a rented horse and carriage. The paragraphs are numbered so that speakers can cite them.

   1At the end of a year the situation of Mr. Ralph Spencer was this: he had won the respect of the community, his shoe-store was flourishing, and he and Annabel were engaged to be married in two weeks. Mr. Adams, the typical, plodding, country banker, approved of Spencer. Annabel's pride in him almost equalled her affection. He was as much at home in the family of Mr. Adams and that of Annabel's married sister as if he were already a member.

   2One day Jimmy sat down in his room and wrote this letter, which he mailed to the safe address of one of his old friends in St. Louis:

   3DEAR OLD PAL:

   4I want you to be at Sullivan's place, in Little Rock, next Wednesday night, at nine o'clock. I want you to wind up some little matters for me. And, also, I want to make you a present of my kit of tools. I know you'll be glad to get them--you couldn't duplicate the lot for a thousand dollars. Say, Billy, I've quit the old business--a year ago. I've got a nice store. I'm making an honest living, and I'm going to marry the finest girl on earth two weeks from now. It's the only life, Billy--the straight one. I wouldn't touch a dollar of another man's money now for a million. After I get married I'm going to sell out and go West, where there won't be so much danger of having old scores brought up against me. I tell you, Billy, she's an angel. She believes in me; and I wouldn't do another crooked thing for the whole world. Be sure to be at Sully's, for I must see you. I'll bring along the tools with me.

   5Your old friend,

   6JIMMY.

   7On the Monday night after Jimmy wrote this letter, Ben Price jogged unobtrusively into Elmore in a livery buggy. He lounged about town in his quiet way until he found out what he wanted to know. From the drug-store across the street from Spencer's shoe-store he got a good look at Ralph D. Spencer.

   8"Going to marry the banker's daughter are you, Jimmy?" said Ben to himself, softly. "Well, I don't know!"

   Then summarize the next scene: the morning after Ben Price arrives, Jimmy joins Annabel's family at the bank on his way to Little Rock, carrying his suit-case. Mr. Adams shows everyone the bank's new vault (a strong steel room for money), which has a time-lock (a lock that cannot be opened until a set time). May, who is nine, shuts her five-year-old sister Agatha inside by mistake, and Mr. Adams says there is nobody nearer than Little Rock who can open the door. Ben Price has walked into the bank. Excerpt 2 begins there.

   1Agatha's mother, frantic now, beat the door of the vault with her hands. Somebody wildly suggested dynamite. Annabel turned to Jimmy, her large eyes full of anguish, but not yet despairing. To a woman nothing seems quite impossible to the powers of the man she worships.

   2"Can't you do something, Ralph--try, won't you?"

   3He looked at her with a queer, soft smile on his lips and in his keen eyes.

   4"Annabel," he said, "give me that rose you are wearing, will you?"

   5Hardly believing that she heard him aright, she unpinned the bud from the bosom of her dress, and placed it in his hand. Jimmy stuffed it into his vest-pocket, threw off his coat and pulled up his shirt-sleeves. With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place.

   6"Get away from the door, all of you," he commanded, shortly.

   7He set his suit-case on the table, and opened it out flat. From that time on he seemed to be unconscious of the presence of any one else. He laid out the shining, queer implements swiftly and orderly, whistling softly to himself as he always did when at work. In a deep silence and immovable, the others watched him as if under a spell.

   8In a minute Jimmy's pet drill was biting smoothly into the steel door. In ten minutes--breaking his own burglarious record--he threw back the bolts and opened the door.

   9Agatha, almost collapsed, but safe, was gathered into her mother's arms.

   10Jimmy Valentine put on his coat, and walked outside the railings towards the front door. As he went he thought he heard a far-away voice that he once knew call "Ralph!" But he never hesitated.

   11At the door a big man stood somewhat in his way.

   12"Hello, Ben!" said Jimmy, still with his strange smile. "Got around at last, have you? Well, let's go. I don't know that it makes much difference, now."

   13And then Ben Price acted rather strangely.

   14"Guess you're mistaken, Mr. Spencer," he said. "Don't believe I recognize you. Your buggy's waiting for you, ain't it?"

   15And Ben Price turned and strolled down the street.

   Part 3: A model teacher-led discussion. Volunteers read the transcript below aloud. It was written for this page. After each worked example, ask, "Which move from the table did that speaker make, and how can you tell?"

   1Ms. Alvarez: Here is today's question: has Jimmy really changed, or is "Ralph Spencer" just one more disguise? Our goal is two pieces of evidence on each side by 10:40. Last night you each marked a line in the letter. Priya, will you start?

   2Priya: I marked paragraph 4 of the letter excerpt: "I wouldn't touch a dollar of another man's money now for a million." I think he has changed, and I think the letter proves it.

   3Ms. Alvarez: What makes you trust a letter more than something he says out loud?

   4Priya: Look at who it's to. Billy is an old partner from his safecracking days. Jimmy doesn't need to impress Billy, so he has no reason to lie. If he were still stealing, he could just say so to Billy.

   5Marcus: I'm not sure it proves it. If he quit, why does he still have the tools? In paragraph 7 of the ending, the suit-case full of tools is right there in the bank.

   6Diego: Speaking of the tools, could a drill really get through a steel vault door in ten minutes? That seems way too fast to me.

   7Hana: That's a fair question, but it's about real vaults, not about whether Jimmy changed. The suit-case does matter for our question, though, because of where it's going. The letter says, "I want to make you a present of my kit of tools," and it ends, "I'll bring along the tools with me." He's taking them to Little Rock to give them away.

   8Marcus: Oh, I missed that. I thought the suit-case meant he was planning one more job. If he's bringing the kit to Billy as a present, then carrying it doesn't prove anything bad. I'll drop that part of my point.

   9Ms. Alvarez: So the suit-case moved to the other side. Marcus, is there anything you still doubt?

   10Marcus: Yes. In the letter he plans to "go West, where there won't be so much danger of having old scores brought up against me." He's hiding his past from Annabel. He changed what he does, but he hasn't told her the truth.

   11Jonah: I'll build on that. The story itself says the old Jimmy is still in there. In paragraph 5 of the ending, when he takes off his coat, "Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place."

   12Ms. Alvarez: Jonah, say more. How does that line fit our question?

   13Jonah: He still has the old skills, but now he uses them to save Agatha instead of to steal. So he changed, just not in a way that erases who he was.

   14Ms. Alvarez: It's 10:37. Hana, where are we on our goal?

   15Hana: For "he changed," we have the line to Billy and giving away the tools. For "not all the way," we have going West to hide his past and the Ralph Spencer line. That's two on each side, three minutes early.

   16Ms. Alvarez: Good. Tomorrow we'll use all four to take on a harder question: why does Ben Price let him go?

   • Coming prepared and using the preparation (Transcript 1, paragraphs 1-2)

     Ms. Alvarez asks who will start, and Priya reads the line she marked the night before: "I wouldn't touch a dollar of another man's money now for a million."

     Result: Priya opens with evidence instead of a feeling. She names where the line is (paragraph 4 of the letter excerpt), quotes it exactly, and then states her own view in one clear sentence: he has changed, and the letter proves it.

   • A question that elicits elaboration (Transcript 1, paragraphs 3-4)

     Ms. Alvarez: "What makes you trust a letter more than something he says out loud?"

     Result: The question does not ask Priya to repeat her claim; it asks for the reason behind it. To elicit elaboration means to draw out more explanation. Priya answers with a new idea: Billy is an old partner, so Jimmy has no reason to lie to him.

   • Bringing the discussion back on topic (Transcript 1, paragraphs 6-7)

     Diego asks whether a drill could really get through a steel vault door so fast. Hana answers.

     Result: Hana says the question is fair but belongs to another topic, then connects the suit-case to the class question with a relevant observation from the letter: "I want to make you a present of my kit of tools." The talk returns to whether Jimmy changed without anyone being told to be quiet.

   • Acknowledging new information and modifying a view (Transcript 1, paragraphs 8-10)

     Marcus: "Oh, I missed that. I thought the suit-case meant he was planning one more job."

     Result: Marcus names the new information, explains why it changes one part of his point, and drops that part. He does not give up his whole view: he keeps his doubt and supports it with a different line, the plan to "go West." Changing a view when warranted means changing only as much as the evidence requires.

   • Tracking progress toward a goal and a deadline (Transcript 1, paragraphs 14-15)

     Ms. Alvarez: "It's 10:37. Hana, where are we on our goal?"

     Result: The goal from paragraph 1 was two pieces of evidence on each side by 10:40. Hana counts what the class has against that goal, two for each side, and reports that they finished three minutes early. Tracking progress means checking the goal during the talk, not only setting it at the start.

   Point out that the class ended with more doubt than it started with, and that is a good result. Marcus changed part of his view and kept the rest, and Hana's progress check shows the goal was met on time.

3. Guided Practice15 minutes

   Groups of four read Transcript 2 aloud, one part each. In it, four seventh graders prepare their side of a class debate. Groups mark every place where a speaker sets or checks a goal or deadline, gives out a role, follows a rule, steers the talk back, or changes a view because of new information. Then show Diagram 2.

   1Elena: Our side in Friday's debate is "Yes, Ben Price was right to let Jimmy go." Ms. Alvarez gave us 25 minutes, starting now at 10:05, so we finish at 10:30. What's our goal?

   2Tariq: The task card says an opening statement with three reasons, and each reason needs a line from the story.

   3Elena: Then let's set checkpoints: all three reasons picked by 10:15, the statement written by 10:25, and five minutes to practice. Do we need roles?

   4Mei: Yes, or we'll all talk at once. I'll keep time and call the checkpoints. Sam, you're the evidence checker, so every line has to pass you. Tariq writes. Elena, you give the statement on Friday.

   5Sam: Fine. And our rule from the class chart: one voice at a time, and if you disagree, give a reason. First reason: Jimmy had already quit. The letter says, "I've quit the old business--a year ago."

   6Tariq: Good. I'll write that down as reason one.

   7Mei: Wait. Ben Price never reads that letter. Jimmy mailed it to Billy in St. Louis. If our reasons are about Ben's choice, they have to be things Ben could know.

   8Sam: Hmm. You're right, Ben never saw the letter. Then I'd change the reason: Ben saw for himself what Jimmy gave up. When Jimmy opens his tools, "Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place," and Ben is standing right there.

   9Elena: What else did Ben see? Can you point to it?

   10Sam: Paragraph 12 of the ending. Jimmy walks right up to him and says, "Well, let's go." He doesn't run. That can be reason two.

   11Tariq: This reminds me of that movie where the cop chases the thief for years and then they become friends. Did anyone see it? The ending was so good.

   12Elena: Maybe later, but we're on Ben. And actually your point fits: Ben has chased Jimmy for a long time, so letting him go is a big change for Ben, too. We could say that in the statement.

   13Mei: Checkpoint. It's 10:14, and we have two reasons. We need a third in one minute, or we fall behind.

   14Tariq: Third reason: Ben already knew Jimmy was living an honest life. The letter excerpt says he "had won the respect of the community" and his shoe-store was "flourishing," and Ben "lounged about town in his quiet way until he found out what he wanted to know."

   15Sam: Those words are all in paragraphs 1 and 7 of the letter excerpt. It passes.

   16Mei: 10:15, three reasons, right on time. Tariq, you have ten minutes to write the statement. I'll call 10:25.

   Debrief with three questions. (1) How does the group track its progress? Elena sets checkpoints in paragraph 3 (reasons by 10:15, statement by 10:25, practice until 10:30), and Mei, the timekeeper, checks them in paragraph 13 ("It's 10:14, and we have two reasons") and paragraph 16 ("three reasons, right on time"). (2) What new information changes the first reason, and was the change warranted? In paragraph 7 Mei points out that Ben never read the letter. Sam agrees and replaces the reason with something Ben saw himself. The change was warranted, because a reason for Ben's choice has to be something Ben knew. (3) How is Tariq's movie comment handled? Elena sets it aside for later and finds the part that is relevant: Ben's long chase makes his choice stand out. The talk is back on topic in one turn.

4. Independent Practice15 minutes

   Students read Transcript 3, a one-on-one talk between partners Leila and Owen (written for this page) about the rose and about Ben Price. With the transcript and both excerpts open, they answer quiz questions 1-10 on their own, then questions 11-20, which ask them to use the standard in new situations and to write their own discussion moves.

   1Leila: We have eight minutes and two questions, so let's give the rose four minutes. I reread paragraphs 3 to 5 of the ending last night. Jimmy asks Annabel for her rose right before he opens his suit-case. Why do you think he wants it?

   2Owen: I think it's for good luck. He's about to do something hard, so he wants something of hers with him.

   3Leila: Could be. What in the story makes you think it's about luck?

   4Owen: He has "a queer, soft smile" in paragraph 3. He looks calm, like he knows he'll need a little luck and she's giving it to him.

   5Leila: Here's something I noticed, though. Right after he puts the rose in his pocket, the story says, "With that act Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place." Passed away is what people say when someone dies.

   6Owen: Oh. So Ralph Spencer is kind of dying right there. That changes how I see the rose. It's not for luck. It's a goodbye present, something to keep from Annabel, because he thinks he'll lose her once everybody sees what he can do.

   7Leila: That's how I read it. And paragraph 12 fits: he tells Ben, "I don't know that it makes much difference, now."

   8Owen: My little sister once locked me in the garage by accident. I yelled for like twenty minutes before my dad came home.

   9Leila: That sounds scary, and it's actually why the scene works. In paragraph 1, Agatha's mother is so "frantic" that she beats on the vault door with her hands. Everyone is panicking, and that makes Jimmy's calm stand out. It's been four minutes, so let's move to Ben. Why does he let Jimmy go?

   10Owen: Maybe Ben is just tired of chasing him. Arresting people means a lot of paperwork.

   11Leila: I hear you, but I don't think that fits. Ben came all the way to Elmore to find Jimmy. Someone who is tired of a case wouldn't travel that far. I think Ben lets him go because he just watched Jimmy save a child and give up his secret to do it.

   12Owen: Okay, the trip to Elmore is a good point, so I'll drop the paperwork idea. But I think there's more. Ben calls him "Mr. Spencer" in paragraph 14. He uses the new name, so he's telling Jimmy that Ralph Spencer is who he is now.

   13Leila: I didn't notice the name. So you're saying Ben lets the new man go free, not the old burglar. I'll add that to my answer.

   14Owen: We have one minute left. Let's each write one sentence for the class.

5. Closure5 minutes

   Exit ticket: "Write down one piece of new information you heard today from a classmate or a transcript. Did it change your view of Jimmy or Ben? Say why it was or was not enough to change it." Use the tickets to pair students with different views for Activity 1.

   Teacher note on the text. The excerpts come from a 1919 printing of Roads of Destiny (1909) and keep O. Henry's spelling, punctuation and dated words exactly, including "ain't," the double hyphens that stand for dashes and the invented word "burglarious." Paragraph 1 of the ending includes the dated generalization "To a woman nothing seems quite impossible to the powers of the man she worships"; name it as the narrator's old-fashioned view of women and invite students to question it. The story asks readers to sympathize with a former burglar, and Ben Price's choice is meant for debate, not as a model of how police should act.

   Homework. Tonight students research a question about the story, hold a one-on-one discussion at home or by phone, and plan their group's debate. Go over the directions and rubric before they leave.

Differentiation Strategies

Assessment Guidance

1. Question 1 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   In paragraph 1 of Transcript 3, how does Leila show that she came to the discussion prepared?

   AShe tells Owen which of the two partners will speak first and last BShe says she reread paragraphs 3 to 5 and points to the rose request CShe reminds Owen of the class rule about giving reasons when you disagree DShe asks Owen to summarize the whole story before they begin

2. Question 2 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   In paragraph 3, Leila asks, "What in the story makes you think it's about luck?" What does this question do?

   AIt tells Owen that his idea is wrong and should be dropped BIt changes the topic from the rose to Ben Price CIt asks Owen to agree with Leila's own idea about the rose DIt elicits elaboration by asking Owen for evidence behind his idea

3. Question 3 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   What new information does Leila bring in paragraph 5?

   AThe line saying "Ralph D. Spencer passed away" once the rose is in his pocket BThe fact that Annabel's rose was a gift from her father for the coming wedding CThe detail that Ben Price had been waiting outside the bank all morning DThe fact that Jimmy had already given the tools to Billy the night before

4. Question 4 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   How does Owen respond to Leila's new information in paragraph 6?

   AHe ignores it and repeats that the rose is only there for good luck BHe says Leila misquoted the story and asks her to read the whole line again CHe acknowledges it and changes his view: the rose is a goodbye present DHe agrees with Leila but says the rose is not important to the story

5. Question 5 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   In paragraph 8, Owen tells a story about being locked in the garage. How does Leila respond in paragraph 9?

   AShe tells Owen that personal stories are against the class discussion rules BShe links his story to Agatha's mother's panic and returns to the question CShe asks Owen three more questions about his sister and the garage DShe ends the discussion because the partners have run out of time

6. Question 6 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   How do Leila and Owen track progress toward their goal?

   AThey split their eight minutes between two questions and check the time as they go BThey count how many times each partner speaks and try to keep the numbers equal CThey write a list of every line they quote and read the list at the end of the talk DThey ask the teacher at the end of the talk whether they covered enough

7. Question 7 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   In paragraph 11, why does Leila keep her own view instead of accepting Owen's paperwork idea?

   AOwen did not quote the story exactly, so his idea does not count BLeila has already written her answer and does not want to change it CThe class rule says the first partner to speak gets to decide DThe idea is a guess, and the story shows Ben traveled to Elmore

8. Question 8 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   How does Owen build on the discussion in paragraph 12?

   AHe repeats Leila's idea about the rescued child in the same words BHe asks Leila to decide which reason is the strongest one CHe adds that Ben calls Jimmy "Mr. Spencer," using the new name DHe says that Ben Price is the real hero of the whole story, not Jimmy

9. Question 9 of 20 · Multiple Choice

   In paragraph 13, Leila says, "I didn't notice the name." What is she doing?

   AAdmitting that she did not prepare for the discussion at all BAcknowledging Owen's new information and adding it to her view CTelling Owen that his point is off the topic of the discussion DSetting a new deadline for finishing the whole discussion

10. Question 10 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    Which statement best describes how the partners' views change during Transcript 3?

    ABoth change views when the story backs new information, not for a guess BNeither partner changes a view, because each one wins half of the whole argument COwen changes every view he has as soon as Leila disagrees with him DLeila changes her view each time Owen gives a new opinion about the story

11. Question 11 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    A group's goal is to find four quotations about Ben Price by 1:40. At 1:32 the group has found one. Which comment tracks progress best?

    A"We're doing great, so let's keep talking and see what comes up." B"It's 1:32, and we have one of four. Let's each find a line by 1:34." C"We should probably speed up at some point before the very end, maybe." D"Whoever finds the most quotations gets to present to the whole class."

12. Question 12 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    A group of three has 12 minutes to choose one line from each excerpt and explain it to the class. Which set of roles fits the task best?

    AThree writers who each write their own full explanation at the same time BA leader who picks both lines while the other two members stay quiet CNo roles, because the standard says roles are only for groups of four DA timekeeper, an evidence checker for paragraph numbers, and a speaker

13. Question 13 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    A group's rules are "One voice at a time" and "Give a reason when you disagree." Ravi disagrees with Nia's first reason. Which comment follows both rules?

    A"When Nia finishes: I disagree, because Ben never read the letter." B"Nia, stop. That reason is wrong and everyone here knows it." C"Can I just jump in right now? I don't like that reason at all." D"Fine, whatever you say, Nia. Let's just put it on the list."

14. Question 14 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    In a teacher-led discussion about Ben Price, a student says, "My cousin wants to be a detective when she grows up." Which response brings the discussion back on topic with a relevant observation?

    A"That has nothing to do with anything we're talking about today." B"What school does your cousin go to? Is it near here, or far away?" C"Detectives arrest criminals, so why does Ben let Jimmy walk away?" D"I want to be a lawyer, so maybe your cousin and I will work together."

15. Question 15 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    Which question would elicit the most elaboration from a classmate who says, "Jimmy was brave"?

    A"Do you think Jimmy was really brave in the bank, yes or no?" B"Was that in the first part of the story or near the end?" C"Did you like the story overall, and would you read it again?" D"What did Jimmy risk by opening the vault? Which line shows it?"

16. Question 16 of 20 · Multiple Choice

    Before a discussion, Mateo looked up "time-lock" and learned that such a lock will not open until a set time. Which opening uses his research to probe an idea?

    A"I looked it up: a time-lock opens only at a set time. So why can't they wait?" B"I looked up time-lock last night, and it's an interesting word." C"I didn't read the ending, but I guess Jimmy opened the door somehow." D"Time-lock is a hard word, so let's skip that part of the story."

17. Question 17 of 20 · Short Answer

    A classmate says, "Jimmy is still a criminal, because he broke open the vault with burglar's tools." Write two or three sentences in reply that acknowledge the point, state your own view clearly, and support it with a line from either excerpt and its paragraph number.

    Show model answer

18. Question 18 of 20 · Short Answer

    You think Ben Price lets Jimmy go only because he feels sorry for Annabel. A classmate points out that, in excerpt 1, Ben watched Jimmy in town and said to himself, "Well, I don't know!" Is this new information enough to change your view? Write two or three sentences that acknowledge it and explain your decision.

    Show model answer

19. Question 19 of 20 · Short Answer

    Your group of four has 25 minutes, from 9:35 to 10:00, to make a poster answering, "What is the turning point of the story?" Write a plan with two class rules, a specific goal, two checkpoint times and what should be done by each, and a role for each member. Then write what the timekeeper should say at the first checkpoint if the group is behind.

    Show model answer

20. Question 20 of 20 · Short Answer

    Write one open question about Jimmy's letter (excerpt 1) that you could ask a partner, and one follow-up question that would draw out more detail if the answer is short. Then write one sentence you would say if your partner started talking about something unrelated to the story.

    Show model answer

These standards connect to SL.7.1: prerequisites to review first, parallel standards at the same level, and next steps that build on it.

Standard text: Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy. © Copyright 2010. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices and Council of Chief State School Officers. All rights reserved.