English Language Arts Common Core Lesson Alignment NCAGT/PAGE Conference March 1, 2013 Lisa L. McIntosh

Tri-State Quality Review Rubric

Materials  Go to our Resources LiveBinder at:  Click on the tab, Quality Review Rubric  Open a copy of the ELA 3-12 Quality Review Rubric

What is the Quality Review Rubric? 1. It is a rubric used to evaluate lessons that include instructional activities and assessments aligned to the CCSS that may extend over a few class periods or days AND to evaluate units that include integrated and focused lessons aligned to the CCSS that extend over a longer period of time. 2. The primary purpose of the Quality Review process is to provide specific input for the improvement of instructional materials so that teaching and learning are aligned with the CCSS. Note: The Tri-State Rubrics and DPI do not require a specific template for lesson or unit design. The Rubrics are not designed to evaluate a single task.

Four dimensions: I.Alignment to the rigors of the CCSS II.Key areas of focus in the CCSS (the “shifts”) III.Instructional Supports IV.Assessment

I. Alignment to the rigors of the CCSS The lesson/unit aligns with the letter and spirit of the CCSS:  Targets a set of grade-level ELA/Literacy CCSS for teaching and learning. **  Includes a clear and explicit purpose for instruction.  Selects texts that measure within the grade-level text complexity band and and are of sufficient quality and scope for the stated purpose.** (i.e., present vocabulary, syntax, text structures, levels of meaning/purpose, and other qualitative characteristics similar to CCSS grade-level exemplars in Appendices A & B) In addition, for units:  Integrates reading, writing, speaking and listening so that students apply and synthesize advancing literacy skills.  (Grades 3-5) Builds students’ content knowledge and their understanding of reading and writing in social studies, the arts, science or technical subjects through the coherent selection of texts. [NOTE: Disciplinary rubrics for grades 6-12 are under development.]

Alignment to the Standards  The Standard(s) selected are clearly evident and explicitly taught in the lesson.  Make sure the entire Standard is addressed.

Language Reading Speaking and Listening Writing Integration of Standards  Standards from each Strand may be addressed in a lesson or unit.

Text Complexity  In the CCSS, text is the focus of instruction.  All students should have extensive opportunities to encounter grade-level complex texts.  Shorter challenging texts that elicit close reading and rereading should be a part of regular instruction.

II. Key areas of focus in the CCSS The lesson/unit addresses key areas of focus in the CCSS:  Reading Text Closely: Makes reading text(s) closely, examining textual evidence, and discerning deep meaning a central focus of instruction. **  Text-Based Evidence: Facilitates rich and rigorous evidence-based discussions and writing about common texts through a sequence of specific, thought-provoking, and text-dependent questions (including, when applicable, illustrations, charts, diagrams, audio/video, and media).**  Writing from Sources: Routinely expects that students draw evidence from texts to produce clear and coherent writing that informs, explains, or makes an argument in various written forms (notes, summaries, short responses, or formal essays).**  Academic Vocabulary: Focuses on building students’ academic vocabulary in context throughout instruction.

In addition, for units:  Increasing Text Complexity: Focuses students on the close reading of a progression of complex texts drawn from the grade-level band. Provides text- centered learning that is sequenced, scaffolded, and supported to advance students toward independent reading of complex texts at the CCR level.  Balance of Texts: Includes a balance of informational and literary texts as stipulated in the CCSS [p.5] and indicated by instructional time (may be more applicable across a year).  Building Disciplinary Knowledge: Provides opportunities for students to build knowledge about a topic or subject through analysis of a coherent selection of strategically sequenced, discipline-specific texts.  Balance of Writing: Includes a balance of on-demand and process writing (e.g. multiple drafts and revisions over time) and short, focused research projects, incorporating digital texts where appropriate.

Close Reading  Teachers provide students with multiple opportunities to read rich texts.

Text-Based Evidence  Teachers facilitate learning that stays deeply connected to the text.  Students develop the ability to make arguments based on evidence found in the text.

Text-Dependent Questions  Teachers facilitate evidence-based discussions using text-dependent questions.  Text-dependent questions can serve to scaffold learning.

Writing From Sources  Students are asked to make a claim and use evidence from the text in their writing.

Academic Vocabulary  Focus vocabulary instruction on Tier 2 words in context.

Balance of Informational and Literary Texts  In elementary grades, the CCSS call for a balance of literary and informational texts.  In ELA classes 6-12, there should be a blend of literature (fiction, poetry, and drama) and literary nonfiction

III. Instructional Supports The lesson/unit is responsive to varied student learning needs:  Cultivates student interest and engagement in reading, writing, and speaking about texts.  Addresses instructional expectations and is easy to understand and use.  Provides all students with multiple opportunities to engage with text of appropriate complexity for the grade level; includes appropriate scaffolding so that students directly experience the complexity of the text.  Focuses on challenging sections of text(s) and engages students in a productive struggle through discussion questions and other supports that build toward independence.  Integrates appropriate supports for students who are ELL, have disabilities, or read well below the grade level text band.  Provides extensions and/or more advanced text for students who read well above the grade level text band.

In addition, for units:  Includes a progression of learning where concepts and/or skills advance and deepen over time.  Gradually removes supports, requiring students to demonstrate their independent capacities.  Provides for authentic learning, application of literacy skills, student-directed inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and/or reflection.  Integrates targeted instruction in such areas as grammar and conventions, writing strategies, discussion rules, and all aspects of foundational reading for grades 3-5.  Includes regular independent reading based on student choice and interest to build stamina, confidence, and motivation; indicates how students are accountable for that reading.  Uses technology and media to deepen learning and draw attention to evidence and texts as appropriate.

Engagement and Differentiation  Lessons include instructional strategies and supports to engage ALL students in the content being studied. (ELL, EC, AIG)  Expectations are clearly communicated to students.

 Students are provided with opportunities to engage in a “productive struggle” with challenging sections of text.

IV. Assessment The lesson/unit regularly assesses whether students are mastering standards-based content:  Elicits direct, observable evidence of the degree to which a student can independently demonstrate the major targeted grade level CCSS standards with appropriately complex text(s).  Assesses student proficiency using methods that are unbiased and accessible to all students.  Includes aligned rubrics or assessment guidelines that provide sufficient guidance for interpreting student performance. In addition, for units:  Uses varied modes of assessment, including a range of pre, formative, summative, and self-assessment measures.

Use these steps to complete your rubric: 1.Record the grade and title 2.Scan the lesson 3.Identify the grade-level standards 4.Study and measure the text(s) used in the lesson 5.Analyze the lesson for evidence of the dimensions 6.Check the box for each criteria met or make suggestions for improvements

Where Do I Go When My Lessons Are Not Aligned?

Remember…. The purpose of the rubric is to:  Align lessons and units to the CCSS  Evaluate lessons and instructional resources  Serve as a guide to develop new lessons

Differentiating for Gifted Learners in the ELA Common Core Focus on the skills of argument. Provide lessons that integrate the ELA Standards of reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language as well as standards of other disciplines. Adjust texts so that students are reading texts that are slightly above their documented reading level – (text complexity). Promote students’ development of research skills, Standards 7, 8, and 9 in the ELA Common Core.

Lesson Examples for Gifted Learners Elementary: Kindergarten: Evaluation of Book Characters: Who Would You Want to Be? Writing opinion pieces Strengthening writing with guidance and support Grade 2: Debating Current Issues - Banning Junk Food at School Debating Using evidence from the text Comparing two or more texts on the same topic Real life situation – authentic Grade 3 : Growing up Batty: Bats & Humans – Are we that different? Staying in the text, but going deeper Finding evidence from the text.

Lesson Examples for Gifted Learners Middle: Grade 7: “The Star Spangled Banner”, 200 years later Writing arguments Integrating standards (Reading, Speaking and Listening, Writing) Using Socratic Seminar Higher-level questioning Using the standards as the criteria for the writing assessment

High School: Honors English 10: “Using Rhetoric to Make Public Addresses” Writing arguments Research English III: “Analyzing Structure in T.S. Eliot’s The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” Integrating standards Text-dependent questions

Evidence Let’s find evidence in the standards! color coding Click evidence to see where it occurs in the standards.

Evidence Resource Intel Showing Evidence Tool ation/k12/thinking-tools/showing-evidence/try- the-tool.html

Empowerment in implementation means knowing what to keep and what to let go. Shoulders can quickly get heavy in education. It can feel like every new idea is added to the heap of “everything to accomplish in a single day.” In order to implement the Core with success we’ll not only need to make sense of what it is, but we’ll also need to empower ourselves to determine what we let go of. Whether we decide to let go of a textbook we’ve always taught from in favor of a primary text or to keep the narrative piece of writing that sparks creativity in our students, we must remember that when our choices are purposeful we’ll find ways to intersect the Common Core Standards with the integrity of our classrooms. - Sarah Wessling's Top Ten Common Core Insider Secrets

Julie Joslin, Ed.D. Section Lead Grades 9-12 English Language Arts Consultant Lisa McIntosh, MSA K-5 English Language Arts Consultant Contact Information: