1. Middle School ELA-Curriculum and Assessment
Presented by Ms. Fleri – ELA Department Lead
Hosted by Nicole Rini, PC

2. Your Child’s Classroom is Changing- How You Can Help
The Common Core State Standards ask teachers to make 12 major “shifts” or (changes) in their classrooms – six shifts in English language arts and six shifts in Mathematics.
These changes may be tough at first as students and teachers adjust to higher expectations.
As a parent, you can help and learn more by talking with your child about what they are learning.
Your Child’s Classroom is Changing- How You Can Help

3. New Shifts in ELA English Language Arts/Literacy
Read as much non-fiction as fiction
Learn about the world by reading
Read more challenging material
Talk about reading using "evidence"
Write about texts using "evidence"
Know more vocab words
New Shifts in ELA

4. Curriculum Maps Driven by an essential question
6th grade example: How do the choices we make reflect our values?
8th grade example: How do 4 different leaders across time imagine solutions to racial equality?
Curriculum Maps

5. Aligned to Common Core Standards
Focused on close reading: close reading involves multiple reading of a text for various purposes
Aligned to Common Core Standards

6. 1st Reading: should be about figuring out what the text says (Key Ideas and Details Standards 1-3)
CCSS

7. 2nd Reading: should be about craft and structure – “how the text says what it says”
(Craft and Structure Standards 4-6)
CCSS

8. 3rd Reading: should be about critically evaluating the text and to compare its ideas and approach to that of other texts
(Integration of Knowledge and Ideas Standards )
CCSS

9. Texts chosen are complex and authentic
Text Complexity

10. Writing and Speaking are grounded in the text – providing evidence
“what in the text made you think that”
“show me”
Writing and Speaking

11. Ain’t I A Woman by Sojourner Truth
Sample Text example

12. Ideas for Parents What can you do to help your child at home?
Supply books and make time for discussion
Know what is grade appropriate and challenging
Read the same text as your child and discuss
Encourage reading and writing at home OFTEN
Ideas for Parents