The Michigan Essential Skills.

This publication lists skill expectations in ten curriculum areas for grades 1-9. Although intended to be used by educators in Michigan, the skill list can be used or adapted by educators in other states. The ten curriculum areas are: communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening); health education; mathematics; music; physical education; science; social studies; visual arts; personal, interpersonal, and social understandings; and career development. Provided for each curriculum area are a brief description of general goals, the skill expectation, specific examples of the skills to be learned, and components. For example, the purpose of social studies is to help young people acquire and use knowledge, skills, and values through the study of the various social science disciplines. The ultimate goal of the social studies is that students become effective citizens. The skill expectation for the social studies is to help students acquire the knowledge of the principles, methods, and general content of social studies and their application. Examples of skills to be learned include evaluating the reliability and authenticity of the sources of information, identifying a variety of resources to gather information, and identifying how rules and laws contribute to the well-being of individuals and societies in general. Components listed for the social studies area include formulating and justifying concepts, making and testing generalizations, gathering and analyzing information from a variety of sources, and participating in group discussions and in group activities. (Author/RM)