Helen S. Comba English Language Arts

Curriculum Presentation2010

Core Content State Standards (www.corestandards.org)

Adopted by New Jersey in June 2010

Curriculum documents revised summer 2010

Implementation of new documents 2010-2011

Purchase of Units of Study to support Writing Workshop

Review/purchase of materials 2010-2011

Components include: Shared Reading Guided Reading Independent Reading Word Study Read Aloud Writing Workshop Writing Across the Curriculum Technology

2005 2010

Emphasis on literature

Explicit teaching of skills in isolation

Variation in topics taught by grade level

Little integration of reading and writing in curriculum documents

Balance of literature with informational text

Integration of language arts

Topics consistent across grade levels

Integration of reading and writing throughout curriculum documents

2010 Curriculum Revision in English Language Arts represents documents that are…

Consistent across grade levels

Integrate the language arts

Offer a balance of instruction in reading and writing

Offer a balance between fiction and informational text; story writing and nonfiction writing skills

Reading Units Reading Literature Reading Informational Text Independent Reading (Book Clubs, Literature Circles)

Writing Units Writing about experiences (personal narrative, fiction) Writing about information (nonfiction writing, essays) Writing across the curriculum (RAFT)

Our curriculum revision reflects the Common Core State Standards.

teach children how to write texts like other writers write-memoirs, stories, editorials, essays, poems- for an audience of readers, not just the teacher.

teach children to write with meaning (above all else).

Children are taught, explicitly, the skills and strategies of effective writing and the qualities of good writing.

Children are provided with opportunities to cycle through the writing process.

NJ ASK: Sample Expository Prompt(Grades 3-5)Most people have a special activity or hobby that they enjoy. Some people collect things while others like to read or play games. What activity do you like to do?

Write a composition describing what you enjoy doing. Explain why that activity is special to you.

Provide opportunities for your children to write at home. Have writing materials (i.e., pens, pencils, notebooks and

paper) available.

Show an interest in what your child is writing at school and at home.

Show your child how writing is a part of your life.

Understand that writing is a life skill and the “small moments” that they are writing now will get them there.