Literacy
Literacy
EL Education, Fundations
EL Education, Fundations
Embedded Files
Overview K-5
Newton Public Schools Elementary Literacy department provides students with excellent, evidence-based and data-driven literacy instruction in reading, writing, communicating, and critical thinking that strives to be culturally responsive, equitable, and representative of all students. Overview K-5
Becoming literate is a complex process. To this end, teachers provide systematic, explicit, and multisensory literacy instruction encompassing:
- Foundational skills (phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, encoding)
- Comprehension (vocabulary, cultural and content knowledge, specific strategies, volume reading, and discussion)
- Writing skills (composing and transcribing)
- Bridging processes (fluency, vocabulary, morphology, concepts of print)
- Materials that meet students’ needs and that provide access to complex, grade-level texts
EL Education
EL Education
EL Education: Module 1
EL Education: Module 1
Module Focus
Module Focus
- Becoming a Close Reader and Writing to Learn
Module Topic
Module Topic
- Poetry, Poets, and Becoming Writers
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
- What makes a poem a poem?
- What inspires writers to write poetry?
Writing and Performance Tasks
Writing and Performance Tasks
- Literacy Essay
- Poetry Presentation
Central Student Texts
Central Student Texts
- Love That Dog
- A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Reading
Reading
- Read on-level text with purpose and understanding
- Read and comprehend literature, including stories and poetry, in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed
- Explain major differences between poems and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems when writing or speaking about a text
- Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text
- Determine a theme of a story or poem from details in the text; summarize the text
- Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text
Writing
Writing
- Apply grade 4 reading standards to writing about literature
- Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences
- Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing
Speaking & Listening
Speaking & Listening
- Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion
- Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions and carry out assigned roles
- Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others
- Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English and situations where informal discourse is appropriate
Language and Foundational Skills
Language and Foundational Skills
- Read on-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings
- Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words
- Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons
- Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary
- Choose punctuation for effect
- Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations from a text.
- Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely
EL Education: Module 2
EL Education: Module 2
Module Focus
Module Focus
- Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others
Module Topic
Module Topic
- Animal Defense Mechanisms
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
- How do animals' bodies and behaviors help them survive?
- How can writers use knowledge from their research to inform and entertain?
Writing Tasks
Writing Tasks
- Informative Essay
- Putterfish Defense Mechanisms
- Narrative Writing
- Animal Defenses Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
Central Student Texts
Central Student Texts
- Venom, Animal Behavior: Animal Defenses
- Can You Survive the Wilderness?
- "Powerful Polly"
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Reading
Reading
- Read and comprehend informational texts in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed
- Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text
- Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text
Speaking & Listening
Speaking & Listening
- Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely
Language and Foundational Skills
Language and Foundational Skills
- Spell grade-appropriate words correctly, consulting references as needed
- Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence
- Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations from a text
- Order adjectives within sentences according to conventional patterns
- Use correct capitalization
- Use modal auxiliaries (e.g., can, may, must) to convey various conditions
- Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases
- Choose punctuation for effect
- Choose words and phrases to convey ideas precisely
Writing
Writing
- Apply grade 4 reading standards to writing about informational texts
- Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources
- Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic
- Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections; include formatting , illustrations, and multimedia
- Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic
- Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or other information and examples related to the topic
- Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably
- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others
- Demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
EL Education: Module 3
EL Education: Module 3
Module Focus
Module Focus
- Considering Perspectives and Supporting Opinions
Module Topic
Module Topic
- The American Revolution
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
- How did the American Revolution and the events leading up to it affect the people in the colonies?
- How does a person’s perspective influence her or his opinion?
Writing and PerformanceTasks
Writing and PerformanceTasks
- Text-Based Discussion
- American Revolution
- Opinion Writing
- Loyalist Broadside
Central Student Texts
Central Student Texts
- Divided Loyalties: The Barton Family during the American Revolution
- Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Reading
Reading
- Read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 4-5 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed
- Describe the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text
- Explain events, ideas, or concepts in a historical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text
- Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text
- Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences
- Compare and contrast the treatment of similar themes, topics and patterns of events in texts from different cultures
- Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text
- Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text
- Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text
Writing
Writing
- Apply grade 4 reading standards to writing about literature and informational text
- Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally
- Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations
- Provide a conclusion that follows from the narrated experiences or events
- Recall relevant information from experiences, gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources
- Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic
- Write routinely over extended time frames and shorter time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences
- Explain major differences between poems and prose, and refer to the structural elements when writing or speaking about a text
Speaking & Listening
Speaking & Listening
- Differentiate between contexts that call for formal English and situations where informal discourse is appropriate; use formal English when appropriate to task and situation
- Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly
- Integrate information from two texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably
Language and Foundational Skills
Language and Foundational Skills
- Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting fragments and run-ons
- Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations from a text
- Correctly use frequently confused words
- Form and use prepositional phrases and progressive verb tenses
- Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases
- Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases
EL Education: Module 4
EL Education: Module 4
Module Focus
Module Focus
- Gathering Evidence and Speaking to Others
Module Topic
Module Topic
- Responding to Inequality: Ratifying the 19th Amendment
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
- What can we learn from the process of ratifying the 19th Amendment?
- How can stories inspire us to take action to contribute to a better world?
- How and why can we encourage and support others to contribute to a better world?
Writing and Performance Tasks
Writing and Performance Tasks
- Opinion Writing
- PSA Script
- Taking Action Project Press Release
Central Student Texts
Central Student Texts
- The Hope Chest
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
- What can we learn from the process of ratifying the 19th Amendment?
- How can stories inspire us to take action to contribute to a better world?
- How and why can we encourage and support others to contribute to a better world?
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Reading
Reading
- Compare/contrast first and secondhand accounts of the same event or topic; describe the differences in focus and the information provided
- Determine the main idea or theme of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text
- Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from it
- Make connections between the text of a story and a visual or oral presentation it, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions
- Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text
- Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story, drawing on specific details in the text
- Identify the reasons and evidence a speaker provides to support particular points
Writing
Writing
- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others
- Demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
- Write informative/ explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly
- Introduce a topic or text clearly, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure in which related ideas are grouped to support the writer's purpose
- Conduct short research projects that build knowledge through investigation of different aspects of a topic
- Recall relevant information from experiences or gather relevant information from print and digital sources; take notes and categorize information, and provide a list of sources
- Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details
Language
Language
- Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies
- Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension
- Recognize and explain the meaning of common idioms, adages, and proverbs
- Explain the meaning of simple similes and metaphors in context
- Use relative pronouns and relative adverbs
EL Additional Language and Literacy Block
(ALL Block)
EL Additional Language and Literacy Block
(ALL Block)
Overview
Overview
During daily 20-minute rotations, including a small group with the teacher, students receive comprehensive instruction and practice in reading and speaking with fluency, grammar, usage, and mechanics (GUM), word study and vocabulary. In independent rotations they build stamina and volume of independent reading, engage in additional research reading of complex text, and build volume and practice with writing about texts.
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
Reading
Reading
- Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding and with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension
- Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text
- Determine the main idea or theme of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text
- Describe the overall structure of events, ideas, concepts, or information in a text or part of a text
- Explain events, procedures, ideas, or concepts in a historical, scientific, or technical text, including what happened and why, based on specific information in the text
- Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text
- Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points in a text
Writing
Writing
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly
- Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons and information
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience
- Write routinely over extended time frames) and shorter time frames for a range of discipline-specific tasks, purposes, and audiences
- Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, and editing
- Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons
Speaking & Listening
Speaking & Listening
- Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing my own clearly
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking
Language
Language
- Use combined knowledge of letter-sound correspondences, syllabication patterns, and morphology to read accurately unfamiliar multisyllabic words
- Determine the meaning of general academic and domain-specific words or phrases in a text relevant to a grade 4 topic or subject area
- Consult reference materials to find the pronunciation and determine or clarify the precise meaning of key words and phrases
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