Listening and Speaking
In Grade 4, students enhance their listening and speaking skills to communicate effectively in various contexts. They learn to listen attentively, respond critically, and express ideas with clarity and confidence while developing an appreciation for both Standard English and Home Languages.
Grade Four Expectations for Listening and Speaking
For Pleasure and Personal Growth
- Continue to listen to and appreciate messages of increasingly diverse genres of diverse music, stories, information
- Continue to demonstrate interest, curiosity, and responsive engagement in sharing the experiences of others and with oral stories and information sharing
- Further develop an awareness of how purposeful oral language provides a receptive or expressive venue for sharing emotions
- Reflect on and identify personal strengths as listeners and speakers, areas for improvement and the strategies they found most helpful in oral communication
Specific Curriculum Outcomes
By the end of Grade Four, the learner will be expected to:
Inclusive Assessment Strategies
Assessment strategies that provide information about learning:
- Observations: Teacher observations during listening and speaking activities, noting student engagement, comprehension, and participation
- Conversations: One-on-one discussions with students about their listening and speaking skills, strengths, and areas for improvement
- Products: Student presentations, dramatic performances, and oral responses to various prompts
Sample Assessment Tools:
- Observation checklists for listening and speaking skills
- Rubrics for evaluating oral presentations and storytelling
- Self-assessment tools for students to reflect on their communication skills
- Peer feedback forms for collaborative speaking activities
- Audio recordings of student speaking for assessment and reflection
- Anecdotal records of student participation in discussions
Inclusive Learning Strategies
Additional Resources and Materials
For Teachers
- Audio recordings of local music, stories, and environmental sounds
- Visual aids for storytelling and presentations
- Debate and discussion prompt cards
- Books and resources in both Standard English and Home Languages
- OECS Grade 4 Language Arts Curriculum Guide
- Digital recording equipment for student podcasts and presentations
- Sample rubrics for assessing various speaking activities
For Students
- Listening journals for recording observations and reflections
- Visual cues for active listening and speaking
- Vocabulary cards for new words and expressions
- Recording devices for self-assessment of speaking
- Cultural artifacts and realia for discussion and storytelling
- Graphic organizers for planning oral presentations
- Self-assessment checklists for speaking activities
Teacher Content Knowledge
Listening and Speaking are foundational for all learning. The strategies and skills of listening and speaking allow learners to contribute meaningfully to social environments. As learners receive, reflect on, and communicate ideas, they develop increasing proficiency in cognitive organization, critical thinking, and problem solving. Listening and speaking strategies and skills are foundational for the development of reading, viewing, writing, and representing.
In Grade 4, students are ready to engage with more complex listening and speaking tasks that require critical thinking and analysis. They can begin to identify subtle messages, biases, and implied meanings in oral communications. Teachers should provide opportunities for students to practice formal speaking in various contexts and to engage in more structured discussions and debates. The integration of technology can enhance listening and speaking activities through recordings, multimedia presentations, and digital storytelling.
Teachers should continue to value and respect linguistic diversity while also teaching the conventions of Standard English. Creating a classroom environment that celebrates cultural expressions through language helps students develop confidence in their communication skills and appreciation for diverse perspectives.