Integrated ELA...it’s, well, integrated!
11/22/2019
Teachers have just completed first trimester progress reports which can be very challenging to compile. One of the main reasons it is challenging has to do with ELA (English Language Arts). From reading for information, to writing notes, to grammar, to reading literature, to speaking and listening, to spelling and punctuation, to research skills, to formatting, to…(the list goes on and on and on), teachers are awash with ELA information from every class! How can we take all that information and address it well in a progress report? The truth is, we can’t always distill every bit of evidence we have, every time. We have to pick and choose the main assessment focus to record for each assignment. For example, during a science test, a student might ask how to spell something, and I will reply, “This is a science test, not a spelling test.” Does this mean that I don’t care about spelling? Absolutely not! This just means that I am assessing the student’s knowledge of the science concepts in this test and will not count off for misspellings. And while I am not “scoring” their misspelling, I am making a mental note to follow up with this student on spelling strategies. This last week, 6th graders planned an investigation in science. They are well aware of the format of a science experiment write-up by now, following the process steps, question - hypothesis - materials - procedure - results - conclusion. Each of these steps has their own format. These are standard science formats that students will see in any science class they take. This is an assignment in which I am seriously looking at formatting, clarity, completeness of thought, punctuation, readability, order, and other ELA type standards. In fact, these write-ups have a final score of 10, but only 4 of those points count toward the science concept being taught. When I looked at the work that was being turned in, and spoke about it with Ms. Ferry, we decided that they needed a further lesson in following written directions (another ELA standard) before I score them. So Ms. Ferry worked with students to ensure that the conclusions they wrote met the assignment that was posted. See what I mean? ELA is everywhere. In fact, your reading and processing of this information further demonstrates the importance of understanding vocabulary, making connections, and relating to perspective. And, if you have made it this far, I will be quite impressed! Bring me a handwritten, signed note by Dec. 3 that says: “ELA is everywhere!” and you will get a gift back from me! Enjoy the photos of all the ELA work middle school students have been doing to move themselves forward! Comments are closed.
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Sarah Mariner
Ms. Mariner earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science from Colorado State University, and was awarded a teaching certificate through the University of Alaska, Southeast. Her varied background includes being an environmental education field instructor in Massachusetts, Colorado, and Baja, Mexico. She also served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Archives
April 2021
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