Grades 6-8 Communication Arts Course Description

Communication Arts is a Tier 3 reading intervention that uses the READ180 Universal and System 44 curriculum. READ180/System 44 is a multimedia program that is designed to meet the specific needs of students whose reading achievement is below grade level. It is composed of three rotations: Small group, Independent Reading, and Computer. In the teacher-led small group rotation, the students focus on learning vocabulary, comprehension skills using informational texts, and basic writing skills. In the independent reading rotation, students read books at their independent reading level based upon their Lexile, or audiobooks at a higher Lexile. (This is sometimes coordinated with the books which they are required to read in their core ELA class.) In the computer rotation, the computerized software tracks each student’s progress and customizes instruction to meet each student’s individual needs.

Vocabulary

• Content and Academic

• Strategies

Comprehension

• Key Ideas and Themes - Informational

• Author’s Point of View and Purpose

• Textual Evidence

• Integration of Knowledge & Ideas Across Texts

• Independent Reading of Literature

Writing

• Narrative Writing

• Revising & Editing