English Language Arts Program Update Dr. Lisa M. White School Committee Meeting October 19, 2009

Ongoing Focus Areas Alignment between state standards and district standards/expectations (Draft Revision of MA ELA Frameworks) Analysis of MCAS data: proficiency and improvement trends, AYP status for subgroups, etc. (District PIM) Revision of department mission statement and program goals

Elementary Initiatives Elementary Literacy Embedded PD Model (Year 2) Writer’s Workshop Comprehensive Literacy Assessments Differentiated Reading Instruction Standards-based report card (ELA components)

Job-Embedded PD Model 2 elementary literacy coaches (4 buildings each) Additional support for Grade 5 at PCIS and PSMS Half-Day small group workshops Model Lessons/Classroom Support Study Groups

Writer’s Workshop Calkins’ Units of Study (K-2 and 3-5) Talking, Drawing, and Writing (K) District writing binders for units (literacy coaches) Mentor texts

Basic Components of Writing Workshop Mini-lesson Connection to prior work Teaching and modeling Independent Writing Conferencing Share/Author’s Chair

Writing Genres Personal Narrative Essays Nonfiction Poetry Fiction FOCUS ON AUDIENCE AND PURPOSE

Linking Assessment and Instruction Formative and Summative Assessments MCAS GRADE DIBELS Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System Qualitative Reading Inventory IV Differentiated Reading Instruction

The Garden Analogy: If children were plants… Summative: The process of measuring the plants. It might be interesting to compare and analyze measurements but, in themselves, these do not affect the growth of the plants. Formative: The equivalent of feeding and watering the plants appropriate to their needs – directly affecting their growth.

What is Differentiated Instruction? Matching instruction to the needs of individual learners. Forming small, flexible teacher-led instructional groups based on student data and observations. Grouping students with similar instructional needs, limiting the size of the group based on the intensity of instruction needed. Arndt et al., Just Read, Florida! Leadership Conf., Orlando, 2008

Secondary Initiatives Secondary Literacy Initiative and PCIS Reading Grant Socratic Circles/Seminars & Literature Discussions Expansion of titles/choice Updated Writing Folder Requirements and Cumulative Writing Portfolios Curriculum Mapping/Pacing Guides (MS)

Small Learning Communities Grant: School-wide Literacy Dr. Julie Meltzer and literacy consultants from PCG-CRM Literacy Action Plans (all schools) Emphasis on reading and writing across content areas Common Strategies (Thinkquiry Toolkit) Literacy Walk-throughs

Content area literacy demands that students… Read, write, think, speak/present, and listen across content areas (although application may differ in each discipline of study).

Thinkquiry Toolkit I Two teacher tools Bloom’s Thinking Cues Interactive Word Walls Four collaborative routines Think, Pair, Share Give one, Get one, Move on Save the last word for me Group summarizing

Thinkquiry Toolkit I Six student strategies Coding Two-column notes Triple-entry journals Analytic graphic organizers Question-Answer Relationship (QAR) Role, Audience, Format, Topic (RAFT)

Transfer the strategies to students using the “Gradual Release Model” Pre-assessment Explicit instruction Guided practice Independent practice Independent application

Engagement in Literature Study and Reading Over the past two years, addition of 25 new literature titles in grades 7 & 8 Guided CHOICE! Literature Circles/Socratic Dialogues Increase motivation to read Emphasis on skills and strategies, not teaching “the book”

High School Writing Portfolios 2 writing pieces per year (one literary analysis and one choice piece) Reflection Letter at the end of each year Senior Year Final Reflection on Growth as a Writer

Recognizing Excellence NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing: Dylan Davis NCTE Excellence in Student Literary Magazines: PSHS Expressions PCIS Reading Leadership Team presenting at MA DESE conference

Celebrating Literacy! National Day on Writing: October 20 The National Gallery of Writers Writers in America’s Hometown