Language Arts/Reading Program Adoption Proposal

1. Language Arts/Reading Program Adoption Proposal Susan S. Silver Director of Curriculum and Instruction Monday, April 15, 2013

2. UMASD K-6 LA/Reading Program Pilot • One teacher per grade level per elementary building = 20 • Two 5th grade and two 6th grade teachers = 4 • Reading Specialists = 5 • Full day of professional development - February • Implementation began March 4th

3. Current LA/Reading ProgramK-6 • Houghton-Mifflin Series 2001 • Writers Workshop • Sitton Spelling • Fundations - phonics Writing Comprehension Spelling Phonics

4. District Data: K-6 Reading Student Achievement • Student achievement data indicates achieving yearly annual progress (AYP) for whole group • Disaggregated groups such as English Language Learners (ELL) and Special Education not making AYP • Reading PSSA scores for proficient and advanced: Performance Goal for 2012 – 81% Performance Goal for 2013 – 91% Performance Goal for 2014 – 100%

5. Why Wonders? • Need a series: 1. aligned to the Common Core standards. 2. teaches to 21st century learning skills 3. addresses the ever present achievement gap 4. differentiates for a broader range of students, ESL, Special Education, Gifted

6. McGraw- Hill Reading Wonders

7. Common Core Standards • Reading Wonders is the first and only reading program designed specifically for the Common Core State Standards for Reading/Language Arts. Combining research-based instruction with new tools to meet today’s challenges, every component and every lesson is designed for effective and efficient CCSS instruction.

8. 21st Century Learning Skills • Building a strong reading foundation • Accessing complex text • Finding and using text evidence • Engaging in collaborative conversations • Writing to sources

9. Components of the Wonders Program Reading/Writing Workshop • “The Key” to the CCSS • Provides all core lessons in one place • Answers every teacher’s question, "What do I have to teach?" • The key to all instruction • A book of short reads to teach/model close reading • First guided, collaborative practice of key skills

10. Literature Anthology • Provides application of close reading • Builds reading stamina • Connects reading and writing

11. Leveled Readers Differentiate and Accelerate Four Levels: ELL, Approaching, On-Level, and Beyond 1. Built-in Acceleration Plan • Stretch students to the next level • A plan for leveling up • Resources designed for scaffolding • Opportunities for writing with every leveled reader

12. Leveled Readers 2. Literary Text • Same topic • Same vocabulary and comprehension skill • Paired selection on the same topic for reading across texts 3. Informational Text • Same content, different complexity levels • Science/social studies content • Paired selection on the same topic for reading across texts

13. Foundation Skills • Phonics • Daily, explicit, and systematic instruction • Phonological and Phonemic Awareness • Phonics • High-Frequency Words • Practice and Application • Engaging selections to practice skills in a connected text • Digital and print resources for every phonics lesson! • Sound spelling songs • Word sort activities • Phonics/spelling practice • Phonics games • Word study game

14. Connect Reading to Writing • Write About Reading • Write to deepen understanding • Develop analytical writing skills • Write to sources and research • Write about reading every week, with every text • Grammar and Spelling • Develop mastery of grammar and language convention • Weekly instruction • Integrated into writing instruction

15. Assessments • Weekly Assessment • Assess skills taught during the week • Leveled weekly assessments provided • Fresh reads to assess skills taught • Multiple choice and constructed response items included • Fluency Assessment (DIBELS) • Uses fluency norms based on Hasbrouck and Tindal research • Leveled passages included • Goals and accuracy rates provided • Suggested testing schedule provided for different groups

16. Assessments • Unit Assessment • Assess skills taught in the unit • Assess CCSS • Includes multiple choice and constructed response • Pencil-and-paper or online administration available • Benchmark Assessment • Assess achievement toward year-end goals • Assess CCSS • Includes multiple choice and constructed response • Provides item analysis

17. Print and Digital • Print-minded? • Support your print program with digital content. • Digital savvy? • Support your digital program with print materials . • Digital genius? • Teach the entire program completely digitally.

18. Wonders at work… • video

19. Testimony • Teachers • Students • Parents

20. Thank you! • Questions or Comments