Upper Moreland School District
Planned Course for Literacy
Ninth Grade Language Arts – College Preparatory
Standards:
PA Common Core
RL Reading Standards for Literature
RI Reading Standards for Informational Text
W Writing Standards
SL Speaking and Listening
L Language Standards
PA Language Arts Standards
1.1 Reading Independently
1.2. Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting Text
1.3. Reading, Analyzing, and Interpreting Literature - Fiction and Non-Fiction
1.4. Types of Writing
1.5. Quality of Writing
1.6. Speaking and Listening
1.7. Characteristics and Functions of the English Language
1.8. Research
1.9. Information, Communication, and Technology Literacy
Course Description:
The Comprehensive Literacy program at Upper Moreland Middle and High School
consists of a seven-year, sequential and cumulative program designed to develop 21st
Century readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. Courses emphasize literacy measured
by State and Common Core Standards. As we seek to foster the development of life long
literacy learners, the Upper Moreland School District is dedicated to a research based,
literacy program.
Students will continue to develop strategies for reading, writing, researching, and
communicating (speaking and listening). To provide a firm foundation in reading and
writing at the high school level, the first semester will focus heavily on developing
reading strategies while providing grammar and vocabulary instruction. The second
semester will emphasize writer’s craft and writing in all modes while introducing
students to literary analysis through the reading of classic and contemporary literature.
The program will incorporate Big6 strategies to support effective research.
Specific and measurable objectives directly related to the academic standards to be
achieved by students:
Specific objectives for this course are stated as concepts and competencies for the
standards in the Ninth Grade Scope and Sequence document.
6-12 Literacy Committee
November 2011
Content to be used to reach objectives:
In order to offer a comprehensive 21st century literacy approach, a variety of print and
electronic materials are utilized.
Materials:
Prentice Hall Literature – Gold Level (2005)
Prentice Hall Writing and Grammar (2005)
Core Curriculum Titles:
Romeo and Juliet
Lord of the Flies
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Odyssey
Animal Farm
Contemporary Young Adult Literature Titles:
Romiette and Julio
If You Come Softly
Whale Talk
Killing Mr. Griffin
People of Sparks
Shostak Vocabulary Workshop Level D
Technology
Laptops, Promethean Board, Turnitin.com, Study Island, Reading and Writing Software
Various supplemental materials
Instructional Activities:
A comprehensive 21st century literacy program demands use of a variety of activities to
stimulate creativity and critical thinking. Below is a list of those different activities.
They are defined in the glossary.
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KWL
SQ3R
DRA/DRTA
Vocabulary analysis
Reading aloud
Thinking aloud
Written response
Oral discussion
Inquiry
Graphic organizers
Note taking and note making
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Big 6 Inquiry Process
Modeled Reading
Guided Reading
Independent Reading
Meta-cognitive Reading
Strategies
Vocabulary Mapping
Word Wall
Differentiation for Reading
Reading Workshop
Estimated instructional time to be devoted to achieving objectives:
184 days – full year (48 minutes per day)
6-12 Literacy Committee
November 2011
Procedures for measurement of student progress on the objectives:
Teachers use an assortment of assessments to determine student proficiency.
They include:
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Formative and Summative
Assessments
Whole Class Discussion
Written Response
Oral Response
Online discussions
Group discussions
Group collaboration
Quality of writing in all modes
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Quizzes
Tests
Projects
Video Projects
Audio Projects
Book Talks
Read Aloud
An explanation of how student grades will be determined:
Literacy grades are determined through a variety of measures. Students are evaluated
using formative and summative assessments. Formative assessments included classroom
observations, teacher-student conferences and student work samples. Summative
assessments are administered periodically using quizzes and unit tests, and specific mode
of writing rubrics. Projects and presentations are evaluated using research based
performance assessments. Grades will be determined by a variety of at least five
assessments.
6-12 Literacy Committee
November 2011