English Language Arts

Oceanside's Language Arts instruction at the Elementary level is designed to introduce and develop students' reading and writing skills in accordance with New York State Next Generation Common Core State Standards.  Literacy at this level meets the needs of growing readers, writers and thinkers by providing varied levels of support, which are individualized and fluid, throughout each school year. This is achieved through a multifaceted instructional approach including whole class and small group instruction, with opportunities for student partnerships and independent tasks.

Elementary instruction exposes students to an assortment of fiction and non-fiction texts for the purposes of reading, writing and discussing. These texts allow students to reflect on themselves as individuals, as well as their place in the world around them, exposing them to new ideas and concepts to become independent, critical thinkers.   

Students are assessed regularly throughout the school year through diagnostic testing in order to identify strengths and needs and to differentiate instruction.  The NYS ELA exam is administered in grades 3-8.

The Oceanside Middle School ELA courses for 7th and 8th graders are designed to develop students' skills in the areas of reading, writing, language, speaking and listening in accordance with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards.  Students' study of fiction and non-fiction texts will broaden their understanding of their own identity and their place in our ever-changing world, while preparing them for high school and beyond.

There is a great emphasis on developing students' readerly lives at the middle school level.  This love of reading is fostered through our district-wide #BookLove initiative, in which students spend focused time both in and out of class reading self-selected texts from our classroom libraries and beyond. Students develop self-reflection and communication skills by conferring regularly with their classroom teacher about their literary selections.

Oceanside Middle School is a proud partner of Columbia University's Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. Units of study allow students to develop their writing skills and to engage in a focused exploration of literary genres, from dystopian to contemporary classics.

The New York State English Language Arts Assessment is administered annually to all students.  This exam measures students' ability to read and write analytically in response to literature and informational text.  

The Oceanside High School English program is designed to broaden students' appreciation of literature and enhance their love of reading. Through their classroom experiences, students will make text to life connections to improve their understanding their place in the world around them.  

The English Department is dedicated to fostering independent thought through critical analysis.  To this end, new literary selections are continually introduced including high-quality contemporary works, classic American and world literature, and the timeless works from a diverse range of authors.  Such works offer insights into the human condition and serve as models for students’ own thinking and writing. 

All courses are designed to meet New York State Language Arts Standards while developing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in preparation for the New York State English Regents and AP exams in Language and Literature. Through their coursework, students will develop fluency, comprehension, analytic, and communication skills necessary to be on track for college and career readiness.