This page presents an outline for a middle school literacy instruction handbook (PS, you can use it as a model for elementary literacy, as well, with some additions for phonics, etc.). The process of creating a handbook that your teachers can agree on is just as important as the product itself: in fact, it’s an important step toward ensuring that your school provides high-quality literacy instruction to EVERY student.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions (or materials to donate to the cause!), please contact me at literacycookbook@gmail.com
POLICIES, PROCEDURES, PRACTICES:
Generally Accepted Policies, Procedures, and Practices for Teachers
- Lesson Plans (See sample templates in “Templates for Lessons & Units.”)
- Unit Plans (See sample template, sample overview, and sample unit in “Templates for Lessons & Units.”)
- Sample Classroom Management Plan
- Humanities Dept. Grading Policies (An opportunity to meet and come to consensus)
- Sample Introduction Letter to Parents re: class rules and policies (in the Download Zone below.)
- The “Visible Curriculum”: suggestions for use of wall space, e.g., word walls, student work with rubrics and descriptions of assessments, class rules, inspirational quotes….
CURRICULUM:
Grades 5-8 Scope and Sequence for Literacy (2-3 pages per grade, including essential questions, key unit topics, texts, objectives, assessments, and grammar points emphasized)
Information on Common Core Standards (See "Standards" for "K-12 ELA CCS Tracking Sheet" and "Trajectory Analysis Sheets.")
See the MS English Lessons & Units page for practical resources.
HOW WE TEACH READING:
Provide an overview with reference to “Analyzing Literature,” “Comprehension 101,” and “Connecting Reading, Writing, Test Prep.” See also this TLC Blog post, "Essential Literacy Work Before You Begin Test Prep."
How We Teach Annotation: See “Analyzing Literature” and “Nonfiction Reading Strategies.”
- Sample Rubrics
- Sample Annotated Texts
How We Teach Vocabulary
- Sample Materials (See “Building Robust Vocabulary.”)
- See also “Root of the Week.”
- See also “Idiom Power.”
Guided Reading (See “Guided Reading.”)
Independent Reading (See "Independent Reading.")
- Rationale
- Explanation of Logistics (e.g., HW, Strategic Reading Time, etc.)
- Sample Reading Log
Recommended Reading--See “Recommended Reading” for the following:
- The Book Talk Project
- Recommended Nonfiction
- Recommended Poetry Collections
- Recommended Short Story Collections
Summer Reading (See "Independent Reading.")
- Rationale
- Explanation of Logistics
- Summer Reading Lists
- Sample Summer Reading Assignments
HOW WE TEACH ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
How We Use Socratic Seminars
- Sample Materials (See “Socratic Seminars.”)
How We Teach Public Speaking
- Sample Public Speaking Assignments
- See “Book Talk Project.”
- See “Oral Fluency Rubrics.”
HOW WE TEACH WRITING:
How We Teach Writing (See “Writing 101”)
- See this TLC Blog post, "Essential Literacy Work Before You Begin Test Prep."
- Sample Materials (See “Writing 101" and "Effective Topic Sentences.")
- Explanation of Writers’ Workshop Process (if used, see “Writers' Workshop.”)
Sample Major Writing Assessments in Each Grade
- Project Explanations
- Literary Analysis Writing (See "Literary Response Paper Guide," "Analyzing Literature," and “PARCC Prep.")
- Narrative Writing (See "Narrative Writing" and “PARCC Prep.")
- DBQ Writing/Research Paper Simulation Task (See "History Writing: DBQ Essays" and “PARCC Prep.")
- The Research Paper (See “Research Paper Guide.”)
- Rubrics (See “Writing Rubrics.”)
- Graded Student Samples (all typed)
How We Teach Grammar (See "Grammar.")
HOW WE TEACH TEST PREP:
How We Use Benchmarks/Interim Assessments/DDI
- Philosophy (See “DDI 101.”)
- Logistics: Implementation and Follow-through (For suggestions, see “DDI 101.”)
How We Prepare for PARCC
- See this TLC Blog post, "Essential Literacy Work Before You Begin Test Prep."
- Reading: Strategies are infused in the curriculum.
- Writing: Timed writing needs some specific preparation and review (See “PARCC Prep.")
IN THE DOWNLOAD ZONE for MS Lit Handbook:
