Reading/English Language Arts
Calvert County Public Schools utilizes the Maryland College and Career Readiness Standards for Reading, Writing, Language, Speaking and Listening as the foundation for Reading/English Language Arts instruction. Students advancing through the grades are expected to meet each year's grade-specific standards and retain or further develop skills and understandings mastered in preceding grades.
Contact Information
Elementary
Secondary
Elementary Curriculum
The Elementary English Language Arts framework consists of the teaching and learning in the areas of reading, writing, language, and speaking & listening. Each component is a complex, integrated network requiring equal attention to fully develop a student's capacities to become a literate individual. The ELA integrated literacy framework considers the incorporation of systematic, explicit instruction, assessment for and of learning, responsible use of technology and uses evidence based best practices. The integrated literacy classroom is child centered, developmentally appropriate, promotes thinking based learning, and ensures access for all. The integrated literacy teacher models lifelong learning, makes informed professional decisions and strives to build positive relationships.
Secondary Curriculum
Philosophy
Literacy in the 21st century requires that students be critical readers, fluent writers, and strategic thinkers who make use of multiple media to connect, interpret, and express ideas. The Secondary English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop the skills necessary to be productive leaders and citizens in tomorrow’s world.
The CCPS Secondary ELA curriculum is based on the philosophy that students learn best when content and processes are taught together (National Council of Teachers of English/International Reading Association Standard 3).
The curriculum integrates the processes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and viewing with the contents of language and literature. Because these five language processes begin and continue to develop in conjunction with each other, the process approach to teaching ELA fosters a natural and balanced integration of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and viewing. Integrating language processes within a context encourages students to transfer the knowledge and skills learned to everyday situations in and out of school.
Sequence of Learning
Learning Goals
Quarter 1
Students will understand the purposes and characteristics of narrative types including poems, short stories, and personal essays. Understanding will be demonstrated through the writing of a personal essay, poem, and short story.
Quarter 2
Students will understand the purposes and characteristics of narrative types including poems, short stories, and personal essays. Understanding will be demonstrated through analysis and comparison of the construction of narrative texts.
Quarter 3
Students will understand the purposes and characteristics of informational writing types including articles, essays, and reviews. Understanding will be demonstrated through analysis and composition of information text types.
Quarter 4
Students will understand the purposes and characteristics of argument writing. Understanding will be developed and demonstrated through analysis and composition of arguments.
Maryland Career and Career Readiness Standards Vertical Progressions
Calvert Writes!
An exhibit featuring students' writing is displayed at Calvert Writes! each spring.