Listed are the New York State Learning Standards as found at the site http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/ela/elacore.htm as they apply to sixth grade. The standards that do not apply to this activity have been eliminated leaving only those that do as well as a brief description of how they apply. The activity can be found at http://www.quia.com/cb/196707.html; this is a challenge board for the Lois Lowry book, "Gathering Blue", that can be played by 1 or 2 players.

Core Performance Indicators: common to all four ELA standards Throughout grades 5 and 6, students demonstrate the following core performance indicators in the key ideas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

5-6.R.3 Use word recognition and context clues to read fluently

Students are asked to provide a synonym for a vocabulary word. The word is listed in a sentence that it is found in the book. If an incorrect answer is given then correct answers are supplied by the game.

5-6.R.4 Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words by using context clues, a dictionary, or a glossary

Students are asked to provide a synonym for a vocabulary word. The word is listed in a sentence that it is found in the book. If an incorrect answer is given then correct answers are supplied by the game.

Initiate communication with peers, teachers, and others in the school community

The game can be played as a two player game. It is possible that students will be deciding to play the game with another students as well as taking turns cooperatively.

The grade-specific performance indicators that grade 6 students demonstrate as they learn to read include

Use knowledge of a variety of decoding strategies, such as letter-sound correspondence, syllable patterns, decoding by analogy, word structure, use of syntactic (grammar) cues, and use of semantic (meaning) cues, to read unfamiliar words

Students are asked to provide a synonym for a vocabulary word. The word is listed in a sentence that it is found in the book, thus providing the students with a semantic clue.

Recognize at sight a large body of high-frequency words and specialized content vocabulary

Students will be asked to supply the words that make up the special vocabulary of the village in which the story is set. Students will be asked questions about dyes and they dying process, reinforcing the special vocabulary associated with it.

Extend knowledge of word meaning through direct and indirect means

Students are asked to provide a synonym for a vocabulary word. The word is listed in a sentence that it is found in the book. If an incorrect answer is given then correct answers are supplied by the game.

Use prior knowledge and experience in order to understand ideas and vocabulary found in a variety of texts

Students will be encourage to make connections such as: the Council edifice is a stone building that survived from long ago and it has two sticks that are revered and colored glass, so what must the building have originally been?

Acquire new vocabulary by engaging with a variety of texts written by a range of different authors

The students will have read the book "Gathering Blue" and will be playing games to reinforce the vocabulary.

Determine the meaning of unfamiliar words by using context, dictionaries, glossaries, and other print resources, including electronic resources

Students will be providing synonyms for vocabulary words by reading the word in context in a quote from the book. When an incorrect answer is given by the student the game will supply a correct answer.

Read grade-level texts from a variety of genres, in varying text formats and by different authors, for a variety of purposes

Students will be reading a science fiction book. The game ask them about this genre, and if a question is answered incorrectly the correct answer is supplied.

Use a variety of strategies (e.g., summarizing, forming questions, visualizing, and making connections) to support understanding of texts read

Students will be playing the game to assist them in vocabulary and understanding.

Read grade-level texts and answer literal, inferential, analytic, and evaluative questions

Students will be answering many questions, when incorrect answers are given often the quote where one can find the information will be given. Somtimes the explanation of how a conclusion might have been reached will be supplied in the case of an incorrect answer.

Use prior knowledge, along with multiple sources of information, to support comprehension, from forming predictions to making inferences and drawing conclusions

Students will be using prior information about churches to infer the type of building the Council Edifice is.

Demonstrate comprehension of grade-level texts through a range of responses, such as writing, drama, and presentations

Students will indicate comprehension by attaining a high score on the game.

Be familiar with titles and authors of a wide range of literature

Students will be reading a science fiction book.

Engage in independent silent reading for extended periods of time

Students will need to have read the book to complete the challenge board.

The grade-specific performance indicators that grade 6 students demonstrate as they learn to read include

Locate and use school and public library resources, with some direction, to acquire information

Read to collect and interpret data, facts, and ideas from multiple sources

Students will be using a computer game to gain more information about the book. they are also directed to refer to the book to gain information.

Distinguish between fact and opinion

Students are asked to view a statement about the book and state if it is a fact or an opinion.

Identify information that is implied rather than stated

Students are asked to view a statement about the book and state if it is implied or stated.

Draw conclusions and make inferences on the basis of explicit and implied information, with assistance

Students will be asked to make inferences about such items as "Jo may be chained in the future", "The council edifice building was once a church", "The boy with amazing blue eyes is the main character Jonas from 'The Giver'".

Read, view, and interpret texts from a variety of genres

The students will be reading the science fiction book, "Gathering Blue".

Define characteristics of different genres

Students are asked to state that the setting of most science fiction books is in the future. This answer is supplied if the student answers incorrectly.

Identify literary elements, (e.g., setting, plot, character, rhythm, and rhyme) of different genres

Students are asked to state that the setting of most science fiction books is in the future.

Identify the author's point of view, such as first-person narrator and omniscient narrator, with assistance

Students are given the description of 1st and 3rd person narrator as well as omnicience and asked to state if these are the points of view this twory is written from.

Determine how the use and meaning of literary devices, such as symbolism, metaphor and simile, alliteration, personification, flashback, and foreshadowing, convey the author’s message or intent, with assistance

Evaluate, with assistance, the validity and accuracy of information, ideas, themes, opinions, and experiences in text to
- identify conflicting information
- consider the background and qualifications of the writer
- evaluate examples, details, or reasons used to support ideas
- identify differing points of view in texts and presentations
- identify cultural and ethnic values and their impact on content, with assistance
- identify multiple levels of meaning

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Share reading experiences to build a relationship with peers or adults; for example, read together silently or aloud with a partner or in small groups

Students can share a reading experience by playing the game based on a book with another student.

The writing competencies common to all four ELA standards that students demonstrate during grade 6 are

Correctly spell words within own writing that have been previously studied or that follow previously studied spelling patterns

Students must spell the words properly to recieve credit in the game.