Mission

The language arts of reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing are the key to all learning, and developing skills in these areas is fundamental to students’ success in school and life.

Beliefs

The Language Arts Curriculum Committee developed and approved the following Guiding Principles, which reflect the best practices and research in the field. These beliefs are reflected in the objectives of all language arts courses.

1. All students will have access to high quality literature that reflects diverse perspectives at appropriate reading and developmental levels. Core texts will be selected for design and coherence to insure a shared literary background, and supplementary texts are selected based on teacher and student interest and need.
2. All students will develop skills to become increasingly autonomous learners.
3. All students will receive instruction in reading skills and strategies.
4. Literature is one vehicle that teaches interdisciplinary and metacognitive skills.
5. Writing will use Six Traits as a common K-12 framework for instruction, assessment, and communication about writing with students, other teachers and parents.
6. All students will have opportunities to conduct research and utilize their findings.
7. All students will develop increasingly complex critical thinking skills using a wide variety of literary, auditory and visual texts (including print, TV, radio, newspaper, film, internet and advertising, etc).
8. Language arts skills (reading, viewing, listening, speaking and writing) are best taught and learned when integrated within the context of the curriculum.
9. Assessment of student progress (pre, ongoing and post) will be used to inform instruction.
10. Students will develop and use increasingly complex tools of reading comprehension, literary analysis, writing revision and editing.
11. Staff development is an essential component to develop and maintain a quality language arts program.

Course Sequence

In addition to the Language Arts Scope and Sequence, course specific information can be accessed through the Searchable Online Curriculum Database.

To search:

1. For 'Curriculum Area' select Language Arts - English
2. For 'School' select the appropriate school
3. Click 'Go'
4. Click on the desired course