Current ELA Standards.pdf
The new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will be implemented during the 2014-15 school year. These standards have been adopted by 46 states nationwide. New assessments are being developed to align with these standards. Mayfield teachers are beginning to learn the CCSS in English Language Arts now and will be prepared to deliver high quality instruction when the full implementation is required and new assessments are administered.
Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts
CCSS ELA.pdf
Instructional Framework Grades K-8
The foundation of language arts instruction in the elementary and middle levels is literacy workshop.
Reading Workshop
The goals of Reading Workshop are to change the way we think and talk about texts and literature, to expand what it means to comprehend, and to develop novice readers’ abilities to manage the challenges of reading.
Readers need time to read and discuss texts, access to a wide variety of quality reading materials, choice in what they read, informative response to their efforts, and quality demonstrations of literate behaviors.Essential Components of literacy workshop include
- A literate environment
- Reading aloud
- Interactive discussions
- Extensive and intensive reading, including independent reading
- Explicit instruction
- Reading assessments
Writing Workshop
Writing Workshop creates an environment where students can acquire skills, along with fluency, confidence, and desire to see themselves as writers. Students are put in charge and are actively involved with creating their own texts. The writing workshop puts students on the spot and makes them responsible for their learning.
The three components that make up the writing workshop are the minilesson, writing time, and sharing. The minlessons are short, focused, and direct. This is a time for whole group instruction. Writing time is devoted to having students do actual writing. Students are rough drafting, planning, rereading, proofreading, or conferring with other students. While students are involved with writing, the teacher moves around the classroom, examining, complimenting, asking questions, or making suggestions. Sharing is when students have a special time to share their writing with the entire class. In the sharing sessions, the teacher coaches the students in how to give and receive response to each other is writing.