Welcome toCKMSCurriculum Night!Jan Formisano1st & 2nd PeriodLanguage Arts

Introductions…A bit about me:

Older than dirt Teaching – 17 years - LOVE it! TOSA – 6 years –coordinating intervention

programs, teaching teachers, trainings Married 38 years to the same man… am I insane or what? 2 daughters – both age 35 – no – not twins! 2 grandkids – light of my life

My Family

And you are?Your nameYour student’s name

Language!Piloted last year and now adopted throughout the District in grades 6 – 12 in Special Education.

Why the need for such a scripted, structured curriculum in the middle and high schools? “One in every four young students

are struggling to read and comprehend grade level textbooks and subject matter materials as they enter middle and high school.” (NAEP)

Our kids have gaps… gaps that won’t be filled unless they get DIRECT INSTRUCTION in the areas they struggle in.

6 Steps in this comprehensive curriculum

Step 1: Phonemic Awareness & Phonics

Step 2: Word Recognition and Spelling

Step 3: Vocabulary & Morphology

Step 4: Grammar and Usage

Step 5: Listening and Reading Comprehension

Step 6: Speaking & Writing

6 units in each book: 10 lessons in each unit

6 levels AB, CD, EF 1st period – mix of 7th & 8th graders who

are all at Level D

2nd period – mix of 6th & 7th graders who are all at Level A

All of our students in these two classes are either one or two years behind their peers in reading or writing or both.

Level A Beginning entry point for those

students who typically 2+ grade levels behind.

Move through each book, building skills each year until they get to benchmark

Gaps vary – might be phonemic awareness, comprehension, word attack, spelling, writing

Level D Entry point into program was at Level C for

this class - they will continue to progress through levels until they reach benchmark in reading and writing or until they can succeed in general education classroom

Gaps vary by students – some have gaps in phonemic awareness, word attack, spelling, vocabulary, reading comprehension, or writing

Fluency and deep comprehension is our goal!

Curriculum specifically designed for struggling readers and writers Spirals …repeats concepts but stepped up to

next level Based on brain research and helps “rewire

the brain” (non-surgical!!) Hands on & participatory Levels of text – Instructional, Independent,

Challenge – blend of fiction and nonfiction Critical Thinking questions and strategies for

comprehension Writing using 6 Traits and Step Up To Writing

Adaptations for specific needs I-Books available for students –

stories can be read to them Pacing depends on needs of

students Spiraling curriculum allows for

deeper concept internalization Co-Writer available on netbooks Netbooks for writing

Grading 30% = classroom

participation and daily work

50% = assessments during the unit, end of unit, end of book

20% = homework – either VocabJourney or

reading at home

Mrs. Maralack is your child’s Case Manager She will do IEPs with my input and I

will be at IEP meetings. I am happy to meet with you with any

questions regarding language arts. My contact number is 831-8424 at

District Office or email me at formisanoj@svsd410.org

Sharepoint site http://sharepoint.snoqualmie.k12.wa.us/ckms/formisanoj/default.aspx

Questions for me?

Thanks so much for coming tonight. I look forward to our partnership!