Colorado Academic Standards - Language Arts
At all three grade levels we address both the Common Core Standards and the Colorado Academic Standards for English Language Arts, including reading, writing, research & reasoning, and speaking & listening. Our reading and writing instruction incorporates the district adopted Lucy Calkins Units of Study (UoS). Additionally, we embed silent independent choice reading time and IXL Language Arts practice in each of our classes and expect students to read at least 20 minutes a day.
Throughout all of our work, we focus on building critical thinking skills and incorporating 21st century skills. All students have a variety of differentiated options in mini-lessons, class activities, and assessments--from IXL language arts, choice reading material,
warm up questions, reading notes, and reading, writing, research, and speaking assessments. We believe differentiation in this way provides a rigorous, equitable learning experience for all students.
After reviewing this website, if you still have questions, please email Language Arts Department Chair Monica Jankow: mojankow@psdschools.org.
6-8 Language Arts Course Units (subject to change as needed)
6th Grade Language Arts Units:
- Place and Space
- Combo of personal narrative and Up the Ladder (UoS)
- Deep Study of Character (UoS)
- Tapping the Power of Nonfiction (UoS)
- Research Based Informational Writing - Bend 1 (UoS): Partnership with E402 at CSU
- Social/Emotional Literary Essay
- Research Based Informational Writing - Bend 2 (UoS)
- Social Issues Book Clubs (UoS)
- Hidden and erased stories: Partnership with E402 at CSU
- Music and Culture Unit - Narrative (UoS)
- Preserving Humanities
7th Grade Language Arts Units:
- Identity Snapshot
- Mythology - Plot, character, setting, plot vs. theme
- Writing Realistic Fiction (UoS)
- Civil Rights - book clubs and research project (UoS imbedded)
- Breaking Barriers Essay
- Argumentative Writing (UoS)
- Poetry - study of literary devices
- Novel study - The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
8th Grade Language Arts Units:
- Short Stories - Literary Essay (UoS embedded)
- Narrative Writing
- Dystopian Book Clubs (UoS)
- Position Papers (UoS)
- Short, Nonfiction Texts
- Historical Literature Book Clubs (UoS)
- Novel study - Night by Eli Weisel
- Investigative Journalism (UoS)
IXL Language Arts
From phonics and reading comprehension to writing strategies and more, IXL helps ALL learners develop the communication skills needed for success in school, college, and career. In ELA classes, students are assigned skills every two weeks based on current unit and skills levels. Students are given time in class at least two times a week to complete their assigned IXL Language Arts skills.
Click HERE to learn more about IXL and see why Blevins uses it in language arts AND math.
