1. 2010 Marquette Diocese Curriculum Committee

2. Diocesan Goals We will teach our Language Arts curriculum using the Common Core State Standards for ELA, that have been adopted by the state of Michigan. These have been developed nationally and are being adopted by states. We will build a list of core content in reading material to be covered in all of our schools. We will infuse all areas of the curriculum with our faith and values with a special emphasis on Language Arts for this year. We will propose best practices in light of the Common Core State Standards, our curriculum committee work and our professional experience in the area of Language Arts for local schools to work towards. We will provide curriculum planning goals and tools to be implemented at the local school level.

3. Local Schools Goals Schools will set academic school improvement goals by October 15th To include: A planning component A process to engage discussion around teachers moving to teaching from the Common Core Standards Examine, evaluate, and implement consistent academic programs within ELA across grade levels A faith and values component A content component

4. Teacher In-service How we got here School visits last Fall indicated great variation in curriculum understanding and delivery Curriculum committee formed late last year composed of membership from each school (5 meetings thus far, 3 full day) Used framework from Advance Ed  Vision – where are we going  Profile – where are we now  Plan and implementation  Results

5. Vision Key components of: Our Catholic Faith Academic excellence Holistic – Integral formation Christian teamwork Continuous improvement

6. Profile Where we are today Assessments Special services Technology Teacher planning: lesson, unit and annual Staff development Class sizes, demographics and multi-grade level classes Language Arts Curriculum Evaluation

7. Focus on Language Arts New Common Core State Standards What are we currently doing in Language Arts? Focus on faith and values integration

8. New Common Core State Standards for ELA and Math Why Common Core Standards -- raise the bar academically Fewer, clearer, higher content and expectations Mandate certain critical content for all students in K-8: classical myths and stories, foundational documents of U.S. history, Seminal works of American literature and the writings of Shakespeare State of Michigan has adopted them

9. What are we currently teaching in Language Arts? See charts Key observations across schools: Some inconsistency in K-8 writing programs across diocese Basal textbooks used in some programs in middle school, not all Trade book use varies; limited use of nonfiction Grammar texts, use of spelling and vocabulary programs vary widely

10. The Essential Questions for Developing ELA Content – What’s in your closet? What fiction and nonfiction content are we presently teaching in our schools in English Language Arts? What are the similarities and differences throughout the diocese? How does our content align to the Common Core ELA State Standards? Does our ELA content include our Catholic faith and values?

11. Faith and Values Integration into English Language Arts Curriculum Bible stories, parables, psalms, etc. Prayer Saints’ lives Literature selection Poetry

12. What’s next? We need your help! Goal Setting – School and Diocesan Begin process to identify core ELA content throughout diocesan schools (specifically trade books) Gather information Planning component

13. Use of technology Wiki space