2. Digging into the ELA Content
A Quick Guide to Observing Rigorous and Relevant Lessons

3. We have to start with where our scores are lowest…

4. 6th Grade Reading:
Use context to determine word meaning
Antonyms/Synonyms
Alliteration
*Effect of Author’s Word Choice
Figurative Language
Cause & Effect
Purpose of a simile
*Drawing conclusions
Make predictions
Identify question to be answered
*Organizational/Text structure
*Fact vs. Opinion
Identifying supporting details

5. 7th Grade Reading
Use context to determine word meaning
*Roots and Prefixes
Antonyms
Poetry
Author’s purpose
Figurative Language
*Drawing conclusions
Make predictions
*Word choice and author’s attitude/tone
Summarize informational text
Text Structure

6. 8th Grade Reading and Writing
Use context to determine word meaning
*Dictionary (roots and etymology)
*Character motivation
Figurative Language
Point of view
*Cause/Effect
Drawing conclusions
Main idea
*Details
Summarize
Most specific vocabulary
Needlessly repeated information
Wrongly placed information
Apostrophe use
Comma use
*Pronouns
Verb tense

7. EOC Reading
*Context of unfamiliar words
*Figurative Language
Author’s style and effect
Main idea
Symbolism
*Knowledge of lit terms
Supporting Details
*Inference
Facts
*Purpose of paragraphs/info
Draw conclusions

8. EOC Writing
Strategy to generate/organize ideas
Revise for tone
Identify sentences that don’t persuade
Valid source by web address
Transition words
Relevant research questions
*Comma use
Subject-verb agreement
Punctuation/appositives
Possessives

9. The Fix: Integrated, Rigorous Lessons
Here is what I look for when I go into classes!
The Fix: Integrated, Rigorous Lessons

13. here are models of the types of lessons you should see in classrooms

14. Reading Classrooms What should be included in lessons/classes?
Strategy Focus—Bi-weekly
Vocabulary in Context—Weekly
Literary Circles—Monthly
Read Aloud (max. 5 minutes)—Bi-weekly
Reader’s Theatre—Monthly
Common Novel Study—Max. 1 each semester (students may be given choice for book reports/lit. circles each month)
Achieve 3000—Weekly
Project—Every 4.5 Weeks

16. English Classrooms What should be included in lessons/classes?
DOL/Quick Grammar Practices focused on areas of weakness (not just random)
Vocabulary in context—taken from the stories
Media and Research merged into lessons
Writing tasks based on readings/themes from readings

17. Sample Lessons of the Rigor and Integration Needed in the English Classroom
Sample Integrated Lesson:
Sample Integrated Unit:

18. Questions, Comments, Concerns?