Language Arts

Goals for English/Language Arts Department

• Promote the love of independent reading and build reading stamina both in class and schoolwide
• Improve comprehension of nonfiction via TeenBizPro, an Achieve 3000 program
• Create a passion for writing during Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month)
• Help students learn to revise and edit through our after-school Writing Center

• Incorporate reading and writing workshops

• Vertically align all three grade levels within the school with both fifth grade and ninth grade
• Support our teachers in professional development opportunities like the NCTE conference and NVWP Language & Learning Conference

Digital Content and Resources

• Achieve 3000
• Google Classroom
• Nanowrimo.org
• Noredink.com
• Membean
• NY Times
• Online subscription databases 

Differentiated Instruction

• Teach students to think at higher levels using Socratic seminars, writing prompts, class discussions, etc.
• Offer challenging novels and vocabulary
• Provide enrichment activities such as writing contests and the school spelling bee
• Emphasize authentic writing for an authentic audience -- not writing for the teacher!