ELA

In the English Language Arts department we strive to provide every student with the opportunity to engage in exciting literacy activities designed to improve the reading, writing and listening skills of each student. Our instructional program includes: Core novels such as A Long Walk to Water, Lyddie, Inside Out and Back Again serve as the core readings in every class. All students engage in weekly book clubs with their peers that include student choice of reading, student led discussions and peer assessments. All of our students acquire vocabulary through the Word GEn program that teaches vocabulary across all of the subject areas and includes interesting topics including stem cell research, violence in the media and gun control. Students engage in student led Socratic seminars at least once per month. Students prepare for the State ELA exams by developing their close reading skills through a number of techniques including Signposts and talking to the Text.