CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.4.6

ELA4th GradePresentation of Knowledge and Ideas

The Standard

Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English (e.g., presenting ideas) and situations where informal discourse is appropriate (e.g., small-group discussion); use formal English when appropriate to task and situation.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Speaking and Listening Standards

What This Standard Means

Students need to know when to use formal English and when casual talk is fine. They should be able to switch their word choice, sentence structure, and tone based on the setting, such as a class presentation, partner talk, interview, or group work.

Mastery looks like a student giving a clear, polished answer during a presentation, then using more relaxed language during a small group task. Students often get stuck thinking formal means using fancy words, or they do not notice that audience and purpose should change how they speak.

Ways to Teach It

Have students sort scenario cards into formal and informal piles, then act out one example from each pile.
Ask students to rewrite a casual partner comment as something they would say during a class presentation.
Use a two-minute exit check where students label three speaking situations as formal, informal, or either.
Show short clips of a news report and a playground conversation, then list how the speakers sound different.