Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using frequently occurring conjunctions to signal simple relationships (e.g., because ).

Apply the understanding that usage is a matter of convention, can change over time, and is sometimes contested.

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

Spell correctly.

Vary syntax for effect, consulting references (e.g., Tufte’s Artful Sentences ) for guidance as needed; apply an understanding of syntax to the study of complex texts when reading.

Use context (e.g., the overall meaning of a sentence, paragraph, or text; a word’s position or function in a sentence) as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.

Consult general and specialized reference materials (e.g., dictionaries, glossaries, thesauruses), both print and digital, to find the pronunciation of a word or determine or clarify its precise meaning, its part of speech, its etymology, or its standard usage.