Middle Link

Language Arts

Reading

Reading sections: ACTIVE Frequently Requested Forms Vacation Reading   Web sites of Interest

The Carnegie Corporation released an important document that all middle school teachers should be aware of called Reading Next (2004). It is the follow up report to the groundbreaking report called Reading First that is guiding our instruction in the elementary grades. In Reading Next, the authors outline the “Fifteen Elements of Effective Adolescent Literacy Programs.” As you read this list below, think about how this aligns with the Anchorage School District. To read the full report or to download it, click here: Reading Next: www.all4ed.org/publications/ReadingNext/

Fifteen Elements of Effective Adolescent Literacy Programs

1. Direct, explicit comprehension instruction, which is instruction in the strategies and processes that proficient readers use to understand what they read, including summarizing, keeping track of one's own understanding, and a host of other practices

2. Effective instructional principles embedded in content, including language arts teachers using content-area texts and content-area teachers providing instruction and practice in reading and writing skills specific to their subject area

3. Motivation and self-directed learning, which includes building motivation to read and learn and providing students with the instruction and supports needed for independent learning tasks they will face after graduation

4. Text-based collaborative learning, which involves students interacting with one another around a variety of texts

5. Strategic tutoring, which provides students with intense individualized reading, writing, and content instruction as needed

6. Diverse texts, which are texts at a variety of difficulty levels and on a variety of topics

7. Intensive writing, including instruction connected to the kinds of writing tasks students will have to perform well in high school and beyond

8. A technology component, which includes technology as a tool for and a topic of literacy instruction

9. Ongoing formative assessment of students, which is informal, often daily assessment of how students are progressing under current instructional practices

10. Extended time for literacy, which includes approximately two to four hours of literacy instruction and practice that takes place in language arts and content-area classes

11. Professional development that is both long term and ongoing

12. Ongoing summative assessment of students and programs, which is more formal and provides data that are reported for accountability and research purposes

13. Teacher teams, which are interdisciplinary teams that meet regularly to discuss students and align instruction

14. Leadership, which can come from principals and teachers who have a solid understanding of how to teach reading and writing to the full array of students present in schools

15. A comprehensive and coordinated literacy program, which is interdisciplinary and interdepartmental and may even coordinate with out-of-school organizations and the local community

Have questions? Need more information? Click logo for LA home page Stacy Miller Middle School Literacy Support Teacher miller_stacy@asdk12.org 907-742-6036