Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Birth to Age Five

Approaches to Learning

  • I

    Approaches to Learning1.I

    1. A

      Shows Curiosity1.I.A

      1. 1

        Express interest in people1.I.A.1

      2. 2

        Show interest in learning new things1.I.A.2

      3. 3

        Ask Questions1.I.A.3

    2. B

      Take Initiative 1.I.B

      1. 1

        Initiate interaction with others1.I.B.1

      2. 2

        Make decisions independently 1.I.B.2

      3. 3

        Develop independence during activities, routines and play1.I.B.3

    3. C

      Exibit Creativity 1.I.C

      1. 1

        Try new ways of doing things1.I.C.1

      2. 2

        Use imagination to generate a variety of ideas1.I.C.2

      3. 3

        Exhibit sense of humor 1.I.C.3

    4. D

      Show Confidence 1.I.D

      1. 1

        Express ideas and opinions 1.I.D.1

      2. 2

        View self as competent and has a positive self-image 1.I.D.2

    5. E

      Display Persistance 1.I.E

      1. 1

        Sustain attention to a task or activity that is age-appropriate1.I.E.1

      2. 2

        Pursue challenges1.I.E.2

      3. 3

        Cope with Frustration 1.I.E.3

    6. F

      Use Problem Solving Skills1.I.F

      1. 1

        Recognize problems1.I.F.1

      2. 2

        Try to solve problems1.I.F.2

      3. 3

        Working with others to solve problems 1.I.F.3

Social-Emotional Development2

  • I

    Knowledge of Self2.I

    1. A

      Exhibit Self Awareness2.I.A

      1. 1

        Show respect for self2.I.A.1

      2. 2

        Develop personal preferences 2.I.A.2

      3. 3

        Know personal information2.I.A.3

    2. B

      Develop Self Control2.I.B.

      1. 1

        Care for personal and group belongings2.I.B.1

      2. 2

        Begin to accept the consequences of their own actions 2.I.B.2

      3. 3

        Express feelings through appropriate gestures, action and language 2.I.B.3

    3. C

      Develop Personal Responsibility2.I.C

      1. 1

        Care for personal and group belongings 2.I.C.1

      2. 2

        Begin to accept the consequences of their own actions 2.I.C.2

  • II

    Knowledge of Others2.II

    1. A

      Build Relationships of Mutual Trust and Respect with Others2.II.A

      1. 1

        Respect rights of others 2.II.A.1

      2. 2

        Seek comfort and security from significant adults 2.II.A.2

      3. 3

        Develops friendships2.II.A.3

      4. 4

        Use courteous words and actions 2.II.A.4

      5. 5

        Respect similarities and differences among people 2.II.A.5

    2. B

      Work Cooperatively With Others2.II.B

      1. 1

        Participate successfully as a member of a group 2.II.B.1

      2. 2

        Share experiences and ideas with others 2.II.B.2

      3. 3

        Begin to examine a situation from another person’s perspective 2.II.B.3

      4. 4

        Resolve conflicts with others 2.II.B.4

Language and Literacy3

  • I

    Spoken/Expressive Language3.I

    1. A

      Use Language to Communicate3.I.A

      1. 1

        Communicate in a variety of ways3.I.A.1

      2. 2

        Initiate and respond appropriately in conversation and discussions3.I.A.2

      3. 3

        Use language to pretend or create3.I.A.3

      4. 4

        Use complete sentences of varying length 3.I.A.4

  • II

    Listening/Receptive Language3.II

    1. A

      Listen for Different Purposes 3.II.A

      1. 1

        Listen to others3.II.A.1

      2. 2

        Listen to sounds in the environment 3.II.A.2

      3. 3

        Follow simple directions3.II.A.3

      4. 4

        Listen responsively to books and stories 3.II.A.4

      5. 5

        Respond to questions 3.II.A.5

  • III

    Written Language 3.III

    1. A

      Use writing as a Means of Expression/ Communication 3.III.A

      1. 1

        Experiment with writing tools and materials3.III.A.1

      2. 2

        Use scribbles, shapes, pictures, letter-like forms and letters to write3.III.A.2

      3. 3

        Tell others about marks and intended meaning of drawing or writing3.III.A.3

      4. 4

        Use a variety of resources to facilitate writing 3.III.A.4

  • IV

    Knowledge of Print and Books3.IV

    1. A

      Apply Early Reading Skills3.IV.A

      1. 1

        Show an interest in reading and books 3.IV.A.1

      2. 2

        Exhibit book handling skills3.IV.A.2

      3. 3

        Recognize that print represents spoken words3.IV.A.3

      4. 4

        Develop a sense of story3.IV.A.4

      5. 5

        Read environmental print and symbols3.IV.A.5

      6. 6

         Identify some alphabet letters 3.IV.A.6

  • V

    Sounds of Language3.V

    1. A

      Attend to Sounds of Language3.V.A

      1. 1

        Repeat rhymes, simple songs, poems and finger plays 3.V.A.1

      2. 2

        Participate in word games 3.V.A.1

      3. 3

        Discriminate some sounds in words 3.V.A.1

Mathematics4

  • I

    Numbers and Operations4.I

    1. A

      Develop Number Sense4.I.A

      1. 1

        Show interest and understanding in counting4.I.A.1

      2. 2

        Explores quantity 4.I.A.1

    2. B

      Develop Numerical Representations4.I.B

      1. 1

        Identify numerals in everyday situations 4.I.B.1

      2. 2

        Use drawings to represent numbers4.I.B.2

      3. 3

        Write some numerals 4.I.B.3

  • II

    Geometry and Spatial Sense4.II

    1. A

      Investigate Positions and Locations4.II.A

      1. 1

        Take objects apart and puts them together4.II.A.1

      2. 2

        Use actions and words to indicate position and location4.II.A.2

      3. 3

        Use actions and words to indicate movement and orientation 4.II.A.3

    2. B

      Explore Shapes4.II.B

      1. 1

        Investigate and talk about the characteristics of shapes4.II.B.1

      2. 2

        Identify and name some shapes 4.II.B.2

      3. 3

        Create and duplicate three -dimensional and two -dimensional shapes 4.II.B.3

  • III

    Patterns and Relationships4.III

    1. A

      Develop an awareness of patterns4.III.A

      1. 1

        Recognize patterns and relationships4.III.A.1

      2. 2

        Duplicate and extend patterns 4.III.A.2

      3. 3

        Create patterns 4.III.A.3

  • IV

    Measurement4.IV

    1. A

      Use Measurement4.IV.A

      1. 1

        Explore ways to measure4.IV.A.1

      2. 2

        Measure using objects.4.IV.A.2

      3. 3

        Compare objects using measurable features.4.IV.A.3

      4. 4

        Use language to describe measurement. 4.IV.A.4

  • V

    Data4.V

    1. A

      Explore Data4.IV.A

      1. 1

        Collect and organize information4.IV.A.1

      2. 2

        Displays information (charts and graphs) 4.IV.A.2

Science5

  • I

    Physical Science5.I

    1. A

       Explore, Investigate and Solve Problems of the Physical World5.I.A

      1. 1

        Ask questions 5.I.A.1

      2. 2

        Make predictions based on experiences5.I.A.2

      3. 3

        Experiment5.I.A.3

      4. 4

        Reflect on results 5.I.A.4

  • II

    Life Science5.II

    1. A

      Explore, Investigate and Solve Problems of Living Things5.II.A

      1. 1

        Ask questions5.II.A.1

      2. 2

        Make predictions based on experiences5.II.A.2

      3. 3

        Experiment5.II.A.3

      4. 4

         Reflect on results 5.II.A.4

  • III

    Earth Science5.III

    1. A

      Explore, Investigate and Solve Problems of the Earth and Sky5.III.A

      1. 1

        Ask questions5.III.A.1

      2. 2

        Make predictions based on experiences5.III.A.2

      3. 3

        Experiment5.III.A.3

      4. 4

        Reflect on Results5.III.A.4

Physical Development6

  • I

    Physical Development and Coordination6.I

    1. A

      Use Gross Motor Skills with Purpose and Coordination6.I.A

      1. 1

        Control body movements 6.I.A.1

      2. 2

        Use large muscle movements to manipulate objects6.I.A.2

      3. 3.

        Move From One Point to Another6.I.A.3

    2. B

      Use Fine Motor Skills with Purpose and Coordination6.I.B

      1. 1

        Use fingers and hands to accomplish fine motor tasks6.I.B.1

      2. 2

         Use tools in a functional manner6.I.B.2

      3. 3

        Exhibit coordination of facial muscles 6.I.B.3

    3. C

      Respond to Sensory Input to Function in the Environment6.I.C

      1. 1

        Exhibit sensory awareness6.I.C.1

      2. 2

        Exhibit body awareness 6.I.C.2

      3. 3

        Exhibit spatial awareness6.I.C.3

      4. 4

         Exhibit temporal awareness 6.I.C.4

  • II

    Health6.II

    1. A

      Practice Healthy Behaviors6.II.A

      1. 1

        Show independence in personal care routines6.II.A.1

      2. 2

        Participate in daily physical activity 6.II.A.2

    2. 3

      Exhibit body strength and endurance 6.II.A.3

  • III

    Safety6.III

    1. A

      Practice Safe Behaviors6.III.A

      1. 1

        Know and follow safety rules 6.III.A.1

      2. 2

        Recognize personal danger 6.III.A.2

      3. 3

        Know how and when to seek help from others 6.III.A.3

Expressive Arts7

  • I

    Music and Movement7.I

    1. A

      Show Interest in Music and Movement7.I.A

      1. 1

        Use body to move to music and express self7.I.A.1

      2. 2

        Use music and movement to express concepts, ideas or feelings 7.I.A.2

  • II

    Visual Arts7.II

    1. A

      Show Interest in Visual Arts7.II.A

      1. 1

        Explore and experiment with a range of media through sensory exploration7.II.A.1

      2. 2

        Use a range of materials to create pictures or three -dimensional objects 7.II.A.2

      3. 3

        Use creative art to express thoughts, feelings and experiences 7.II.A.3

  • III

    Drama7.III

    1. A

      Show Interest in Dramatic Arts7.III.A

      1. I

        Express self through physical action and sound 7.III.A.1

      2. 2

        Begin to use representation to communicate7.III.A.2

      3. 3

        Begin to pretend play 7.III.A.3

      4. 4

        Use creativity and imagination to assume roles in dramatic play 7.III.A.4

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
PRE-K
Where can I read the official document?
Missouri Early Learning Standards (MELS) 2021

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