1. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS DEPARTMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS’ ORIENTATION September 28 th, 2011 Gihan Sorour ELA department Head-MS Curriculum Coordinator 9/28/2011 1 good isn't good enough!

2. C urriculum MLS revolutionized the ELA Department The latest research… allignment I nstruction A ssessment 9/28/2011 2 good isn't good enough!

3. C urriculum I nstruction A ssessment Student learning 9/28/2011 3 good isn't good enough!

4. In what context ? 9/28/2011 4 good isn't good enough!

5. WHY DIFFERENTIATION?  Let’s use this metaphor:  Think about the class as an elevator.  Everyone needs to get into it to start with.  Some students will run into the lift, while others will be dragged in.  Some students will travel right to the top of the building, while some may stop at the third floor, and some may only reach the first floor. 9/28/2011 5 good isn't good enough!

6. WHY DIFFERENTIATION ? -2  But everyone will have travelled somewhere successfully.  At the end of the class: every student can leave the room feeling that they have been challenged and that they have achieved something. 9/28/2011 6 good isn't good enough!

7. Curriculum- What to teach?  MLS/ELA adopted the Common Core Standards which are grouped by strands:  Reading Literature  Reading Informational texts  Writing  Speaking and listening  Language development  The CC teaching units are THEMATIC which provide a strong, connected context for student learning. C IA 9/28/2011 7 good isn't good enough!

8. Instruction- How to teach? MLS is using research based - best practices to deliver content to students. Marzano (2000) identified ten research- based, effective instructional strategies that cut across all content areas and all grade levels. C IA 9/28/2011 8 good isn't good enough!

9. Uses Accessible Technology Demonstrates High Expectations Communicates Learning Expectations Uses Effective Feedback and Grading Standards-Based Instruction Uses Research- Based Strategies Promotes Higher Order Thinking Skills Uses Appropriate Differentiation Uses Flexible Grouping Practices 9/28/2011 9 good isn't good enough!

10. Assessment- What and how to assess? Assessment OF learning C IA Assessments FOR learning 9/28/2011 10 good isn't good enough!

11. FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS For 9/28/2011 11 good isn't good enough!

12. Summative assessments Quarter & semester Standardized/Diagnostic  Quarter & semester  MI  STAR  MAP  Exit levels (2012-2013) Of 9/28/2011 12 good isn't good enough!

13. Establishes Relationships with Families and Community Grows Professionally through Job- Embedded Learning Enhances Knowledge and Skills through Professional Development Professionalism Establishes Classroom Rules and Procedures Maximizes Instructional Time Fosters a Sense of Community and Belonging Helps Students Take Responsibility for Learning Actively Supports the School Improvement Plan The environment: 9/28/2011 13 good isn't good enough!

14. The team Reading CoachesELA teachers  CCS units  Reading A-Z (ESS periods)  Supporting Writers’ workshop- in class.  Supporting Readers’ workshop- A-Z – in class. 9/28/2011 14 good isn't good enough!

15. The classroom THE GOAL: to know where our students are:ASSESSMENTS 1. MLS/ELA/MS administered a general writing assessment that assesses the six traits of writing. This will inform our instruction and will provide a base for formative and summative writing assessments throughout the year. 2. MLS/ELA/MS uses STAR- Renaissance Reading Inc. – Diagnostic and progress check which will identify/determine the reading levels and/or will inform progress. MLS uses this assessment K-8 and will assess 9&10 in 2012-2013. 3. MLS/ELA/MS administers the MI to inform about the types of intelligences of the students to cater to instruction and assessment. 9/28/2011 15 good isn't good enough!

16. ELA /MS has 8 periods: Writing:  4 periods are dedicated to Writers’ workshop, an instructional method to work on the writing process.  Writers’ Workshop respects students’ levels and and give them space for choice.  The objective is to have their writing skills improved and internalized. The classroom -2 9/28/2011 16 good isn't good enough!

17. Reading:  4 periods are dedicated to Readers’ workshop.  The workshop addresses the differences within the boundaries of the reading skills required. 2 periods are dedicated to Reading A-Z – IN CLASS:  Reading A-Z program and materials are correlated to the CCS.  Supporting the different levels of the students in class.  Using direct instruction to teach fiction and non-fiction material.  The Reading Coach along with the ELA teacher work with small groups intensively address the individual needs.  2 periods are dedicated to CCS units-Readers’ Workshop. The classroom -3 9/28/2011 17 good isn't good enough!

18. Reading Coaching: READING COACHES- SUPLANT 3 PERIODS OF ESS. STUDENTS WHO ARE READING SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW GRADE LEVEL : Star Reading assessment results ( to identify the levels of reading). Star Reading assessment is correlated with the levels of Reading A-Z. (AA- Z) ALL ARE ALLIGNED WITH THE CCS. At the same time, those students are attending the eight periods of ELA normally. They are not responsible for the ESS material for the semester until they reach the exit level. Some students may take longer than the others. The objective is to improve READING! The classroom -4 9/28/2011 18 good isn't good enough!

19. Book in a Bag program is taking place now twice a week for every class to enhance the students’ reading skills. Five percent of the homework grade is dedicated to this program. The classroom -5 9/28/2011 19 good isn't good enough!

20. The Classroom -6 Sundays: T. gives feedback for homework # 2 T. gives homework # 1 Mondays: S. delivers homework # 1 Weekly quiz: content material Tuesdays: T. gives feedback for homework # 1 Wednesdays: T. gives homework # 2 Thursdays: S. delivers homework # 2 Check next week’s plan on the school site. 9/28/2011 20 good isn't good enough!

21. GRADES 5% Effort & Collaboration 25% Homework 15% quizzes 35% Formative assessments 20% quarter/semester-summative assessment A100%-90%Excellent B89%-80% Above average C79%-70%Average D69%-60% Below average Fbelow 60%Failing INIncomplete 9/28/2011 21 good isn't good enough!

22. Please refer to the following hyperlinks for more information: References  CCS: www.corestandards.org/the-standards www.corestandards.org/the-standards  Star- Renaissance Reading Inc., http://www.renlearn.com/  Learning A-Z-http://www.learninga-z.com/  Multiple Intelligence: http://literacyworks.org/mi/assessment/findyourstrengths.html  Marazano-http://www.pkrnet.com/newmex/pdf/Marzano10Strat.pdf 9/28/2011 22 good isn't good enough!

23. Thank you 9/28/2011 23 good isn't good enough!

24. ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS DEPARTMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS’ ORIENTATION September 28 th, 2011 Gihan Sorour 9/28/2011 24 good isn't good enough!

25. 9/28/2011 25 good isn't good enough!