EngageNY.org

Bringing the Common Core to Life

An Introduction to the 3-8 NYS ELA Modules

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Session Learning Targets

• I can describe the key components of the 3-8 ELA Modules.

Who We Are

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Expeditionary Learning (EL) is a non-profit network of practitioners, with 165 schools in 30 states, 4,000 teachers and 40,000 students.

We have been working with schools and teachers for 20 years to create rigorous classrooms in which develop strong literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking skills.

We have a proud history of working in New York State and have engaged teams of teachers from high-performing classrooms throughout the state to help develop our curriculum modules.

In the elementary grades, the average percentage point difference between an EL mentor school and its local district was 16 percentage points in

Reading/English language arts.

High Expectations Lead to Achievement

Schools fully implementing the EL model

outperform district averages in reading/ELA.

Black Hispanic FRL SPED ELL Total School

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EL Mentor Schools Compared to Local District on Read-ing/English-Language Arts State Assessments (2010-11)

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We have always viewed every teacher - regardless of subject area, grade or specialization - as a teacher of readers, writers, and content. This was a natural connection for us.

Via intensive collaboration with Student Achievement Partners (SAP) and with the input of teachers from across the country, we have created a curriculum that engages students and supports teachers in building students’ capacity to read, think, talk, and write about complex texts.

A Deep Partnership

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Module 1

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Module 4

8/9 weeks 16/19 weeks 24/26 weeks 32/34 weeks

Structure of the EL Curriculum Modules

Each module is approximately 8 weeks of linked instruction, comprised of 3 units. 6 modules will be provided so that teachers can make choices.

Teaching four modules results in deep teaching and assessment of all of the RL, RI, and W standards in 3-5 and all of the standards in their entirety in 6-8.

Each module is anchored around one or more central text – books from a variety of publishers, chosen to be the best for the subject and standards. These books are complemented by rigorous, authentic informational text embedded within the curriculum itself.

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Unit 1

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Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4

Each Module Contains Three Units

In addition to instruction linked to the central text(s), each unit includes a text list of suggested classroom resources at all levels, which can be used with students at other times of the day.

Building Background Knowledge (2-2.5 weeks)

Extended Reading and

Research(2-2.5 weeks)

Extended Writing(2-2.5 weeks)

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End of Unit Assessments

Mid-Unit Assessments

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End of Unit Assessments

Mid-Unit Assessments

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End of Unit Assessments

Mid-Unit Assessments

Module 3

End of Unit Assessments

Mid-Unit Assessments

Module 4

On-demand and Performance Assessment

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Culminating Performance

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Culminating Performance

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Culminating Performance

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Culminating Performance

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Incorporates multiple modes, or types, of writing (e.g., argument, informative / explanatory text, and narrative)

Always involves writing from sources and citing evidence Requires research to build and present knowledge

The Staircase of Complexity

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Reading Closely Gathering Evidence Opinions Supporting Opinions w Evidence

Which Texts?

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Plus all kinds of short text that you access through the curriculum materials…

The curriculum combines high quality, rigorous, standards-aligned content with effective instructional practice, bringing together the “what” and the “how” of the Common Core standards. – Teachers who use these materials are not only ensured that they are

addressing the standards, they are being coached to address the standards in ways that engage students.

Detailed Lesson Plans Designed to Help Teachers Make the Shifts

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The curriculum is conceived as a tool for professional learning, not as a script, and can be adapted to the needs of teachers at all stages of their practice. It can be used as an exemplar of Common Core-aligned instruction for veteran teachers, or as explicit scaffolding for teachers who need more support.

Alignment to the Shifts

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Helping Students Read Closely

Link: http://vimeo.com/54007714

As you’re watching, look for the following: How is the teacher ensuring that all students have access

to an appropriately challenging text? How does the teacher ensure that all students “work” the

same challenging text? How does he engage, support, and hold students

accountable at an individual level?

Module Samplers• Designed as a “snap shot” of the components

of a module.• Download these for training or introductory

sessions.

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Managed Choice

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The modules include a rich variety of texts, often pairing a primary source historical document with literature on the same topic.

Module topics are based in part on the content many teachers already know, but also include additional authentic texts needed to craft a coherent learning progression.

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The Module Overview• The purpose of this document is to provide an

overview of the entire Module (8 weeks of instruction). It helps you understand how the texts and activities progress toward the final performance task.

Module overviews describe what students will read and write and the assessments that teachers will use to measure their progress.

Central texts are the texts that lessons are specifically designed around.

Alignment to CC Standards is described in the “English Language Arts Outcomes table.”

Also notice the “Calendared Curriculum Map,” which provides a sense of pace (about 1 hour per day).

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Module Assessments

There are assessments embedded in each unit (mid and end).

Excellent potential for grade level conversation, professional collaboration.

Students are practicing assessment all year long.

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Performance Tasks

What do you notice about assessment in the module?

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Unit Overviews

Each one goes into depth about the scope of each unit.

Helps you understand on a day-to-day basis the learning targets each lesson will address.

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Unit Calendars

The Calendared Curriculum Map in the unit provides a day to day scope and sequence.

The supporting targets are meant to be shared with kids (more on this in the lessons).

The Structure of a Lesson Plan

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…and the teaching notes provide some

coaching for teachers as they think about

delivering the lesson.

The agenda shows the lesson “at a glance…

Academic and Domain Specific Vocabulary Work in Every Lesson

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Each lesson calls out vocabulary that should be explicitly taught as

well as other words that may arise in the course of teaching the content.

Universal Terms

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Each lesson is broken down into sections:

Opening, Work Time, and Closing.

Flex Tasks to Meet Students’ Needs

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Each lesson offers recommendations for

supporting all learners.

Module Sampler is a Model

• Help your schools/districts provide organized, clearly delineated materials to teachers. Organized notebooks, with tabs, are strongly recommended.

• All module materials are to be accessed (free!) through EngageNY.

• Take the time to familiarize yourself with the different levels of material and EngageNY.

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For More Information

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Please visit www.elschools.org or email us at:

commoncoresuccess@ elschools.org