Middle School English Language Arts Instructional Guide

Active Reading Techniques (cont’d)

● Discussion and Collaborative Learning: Foster discussion and critical thinking through small group and whole class discussions. ● Post-Reading Refection and Extension Activities: Synthesize understanding and extend learning through writing responses and engaging in projects.

The Skill, Will, and Thrill of Reading Comprehension, Doug Fisher and Nancy Frey, ASCD

Resource: Writing Text Dependent Questions

WRITING

A Culture of Writers

Foster a dynamic writing environment that sustains a positive writing culture and empowers students as writers.

The Writing Habit Write daily in a variety of formats, and for a variety of purposes. Writing to Learn Use low stakes writing to write about content to navigate ideas, build upon learning and comprehension, and to communicate thinking. Writing Feedback Provide frequent during-writing feedback and targeted instruction based on formative data. Specific strategy instruction on the characteristics and components of good writing via modeling, explanation, and guided practice. Writing Modes Use technology and emerging technologies to support writing processes, practices, and products. Mentor Texts Select writing that exemplifies specific literary techniques, genres, or styles, providing students with models to analyze and emulate in their own writing. Writingas Process

See the CSD Writing Framework, linked image below, to learn more and to see strategies for each pillar of the Writing Framework.

By studying mentor texts, students can gain insight into effective writing strategies, deepen their understanding of literary conventions, and improve their skills through guided practice and reflection.

Last Updated May 30th, 2024 Middle School ELA, Page 6