The Secondary Language Arts Classroom

Principal Walk-Through Form

Teachers will:

Students will:

Environment reflects:

  • design and deliver writing instruction that focuses on writing as a recursive process

  • provide numerous effective models of diverse text, including literary works from other cultures and teacher's own writing

  • furnish strategic reading instruction in order to develop a repertoire of strategies for reading comprehension.

  • Provide appropriate time for reading in class at a student's independent reading level.

  • Frequently hold student/teacher writing conferences as well as peer conferences. 

  • design learning experiences involving a variety of language structures, usage, and conventions as well as providing opportunities for student choice in reading

  • Teach the conventions of writing within the context of writing and not in isolation.

  • vary content to include literature and writing, vocabulary and grammar in order to make the connection that writing and reading are related

  • establish interconnectedness of all 6 literacies: reading and writing, listening and speaking, viewing and representing (using art, music, drama, poetry, etc.)

  • incorporate real-world reading and writing experiences such as business and technical writing, newspapers and magazines, reports and proposals, letters, e-mail, and the Internet

  • provide a variety of ways students can demonstrate a broad range of language skills including word walls.

  • employ varied classroom structures, which may include individual and small group activities, reflective assessment, writing workshops

  • engage in vertical planning

  • integrate tools of technology where appropriate and meaningful

  • participate in writing as a process-- planning, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing

  • practice reading within a reader's workshop model

  • express ideas articulately and concisely on a variety of topics for varied audiences

  • communicate messages in a variety of forms and technologies

  • read numerous forms of expression such as novels, essays, speeches, electronic texts and other media

  • interact with texts from different cultures and time periods

  • apply knowledge of grammatical structures, usage, and conventions of language

  • recognize literary characteristics of various forms

  • evaluate their own and others= products

  • research, synthesize, and evaluate information from a variety of sources

  • develop their own forms of expression to communicate ideas

  • select reading material to gain knowledge and discover, to develop skills and problem solve, to understand and take action, to appreciate and enjoy

  • read self selected text for pleasure

Learning

  • student choice, i.e., writing topics, literature, modes of assessments

  • discussion of ideas and concepts as well as facts

  • acceptance of risk-taking

  • acceptance of mistakes as part of learning

  • factual support for opinions and ideas

  • spirit of helpfulness in order to problem solve

  • diversity honored

  • reflection and evaluation honored

  • validation of sound thinking

  • frequent open-ended questions

  • positive outlets for emotions such as debates, role play, skits

  • focus on student work

  • spirit of adventure and humor as facets of learning

 

Physical environment

  • space for individual and group presentations and displays

  • adequate equipment and materials for student use

  • available technology

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