ESL 1 STANDARDS Term: _________ Date:_____________

LISTENING

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS A S NY
Level 1 Entering Matches oral language to classroom and
everyday objects
Points to stated pictures in context
Responds non-verbally to oral commands or
statements (e.g. through physical movements)
Finds familiar people and places named orally
Level 2 Beginning Sorts pictures or objects according to oral
instructions
Matches pictures, objects or movements to oral
descriptions
Follows one-step oral directions (e.g. “stand
up”; “sit down” )
Identifies simple patterns described orally
Responds with gestures to songs, chants, or
stories modeled by teachers
Level 3 Developing Follows two-step oral directions, one step at a
time
Draws pictures in response to oral instructions
Responds non-verbally to confirm or deny facts
(e.g. thumbs up, thumbs down)
Acts out songs and stories using gestures
Level 4 Expanding Finds pictures that match oral descriptions
Follows oral directions and compares with
visual or nonverbal models (e.g. “Draw a circle
under the line.” )
Distinguishes between what happens first and
next in oral activities or readings
Role plays in response to stories read aloud
Level 5 Bridging Orders pictures of events according to
sequential language
Arranges objects or pictures according to
descriptive oral discourse
Identifies pictures/realia associated with grade-
level academic concepts from oral descriptions
Makes patterns from real objects or pictures
based on detailed oral descriptions
Level 6 Reaching
SPEAKING

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS A S NY
Level 1 Entering Identifies people or objects in illustrated short
stories
Repeats words, simple phrases
Answers yes/no questions about personal
information
Names classroom and everyday objects
Level 2 Beginning Restates some facts from illustrated short
stories
Describes pictures, classroom objects or
familiar people using simple phrases
Answers questions with one or two words (e.g.
“Where is Linda?”)
Completes phrases in rhymes, songs, and chants
Responds with gestures to songs, chants, or
stories modeled by teachers
Level 3 Developing Retells short narrative stories through pictures
Repeats sentences from rhymes and patterned
stories
Makes predictions (e.g. “What will happen
next?”)
Answers explicit questions from stories read
aloud (e.g. who, what, or where)
Level 4 Expanding Retells narrative stories through pictures with
emerging details
Sings repetitive songs and chants independently
Compares attributes of real objects (e.g. size,
shape, color)
Indicates spatial relations of real-life objects
using phrases or short sentences
Level 5 Bridging Tells original stories with emerging detail
Explains situations (e.g. involving feelings)
Offers personal opinions
Expresses likes, dislikes, or preferences with
reason
Level 6 Reaching
READING

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS A S NY
Level 1 Entering Matches icons and symbols to corresponding
pictures
Identifies name in print
Finds matching words or pictures
Finds labeled real-life classroom objects
Level 2 Beginning Matches examples of the same form of print
Distinguishes between same and different forms
of print (e.g. single letters and symbols)
Demonstrates concepts of print (e.g. left to right
movement, beginning/end, or top/bottom of
page)
Matches labeled pictures to those in illustrated
scene
Level 3 Developing Uses pictures to identify words
Classifies visuals according to labels or icons
(.e.g. animals v. plants)
Demonstrates concepts of print (e.g. title,
author, illustrator)
Sort labeled pictures by attribute (e.g. number,
initial sound)
Level 4 Expanding Identifies some high-frequency words in
context
Orders a series of labeled pictures described
orally to tell stories
Matches pictures to phrases/short sentences
Classifies labeled pictures by two attributes
(e.g. size and color)
Level 5 Bridging Finds school-related vocabulary terms
Differentiates between letters, words, and
sentences
Strings words together to make short sentences
Indicates features of words, phrases, or
sentences that are the same and different
Level 6 Reaching
WRITING

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS A S NY
Level 1 Entering Draws pictures and scribbles
Circles or underlines pictures, symbols, and
numbers
Traces figures and letters
Makes symbols, figures or letters from models
and realia (e.g. straws, clay )
Level 2 Beginning Connects oral language to print (e.g. language
experience)
Reproduces letters, symbols, and numbers from
models in context
Copies icons of familiar environmental print
Draws objects from models and labels with
letters
Level 3 Developing Communicates using letters, symbols, and
numbers in context
Makes illustrated “notes” and cards with
distinct letter combinations
Makes connections between speech and writing
Reproduces familiar words from labeled models
or illustrations
Level 4 Expanding Produces symbols and strings of letters
associated with pictures
Draws pictures and uses words to tell a story
Labels familiar people and objects from models
Produces familiar words/phrases from
environmental print and illustrated text
Level 5 Bridging Creates content-based representations through
pictures and words
Makes “story books” with drawings and words.
Produces words/phrases independently
Relates everyday expressions using
phrases/short sentences
Level 6 Reaching
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS A S NY
Level 1 Entering

Level 2 Beginning

Level 3 Developing

Level 4 Expanding

Level 5 Bridging

Level 6 Reaching

WORK HABITS

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS A S NY
Level 1 Entering

Level 2 Beginning

Level 3 Developing

Level 4 Expanding
Level 5 Bridging

Level 6 Reaching