Language Arts 4 A

In this course, the student will learn, practice, and apply the skills and strategies intrinsic to becoming a stronger, more fluent reader and writer. The course presents reading, writing, and language instruction in close alignment with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Throughout the course, the student will engage in activities that promote critical thinking, explore increasingly complex conceptual relationships, and encourage them to be curious about the world they live in and explore ways to test and apply their ideas. In daily core reading instruction, the student will have the opportunity to read texts in a variety of literary and nonfiction genres. Instruction is presented in two modes: Peer Model, in which the student will view a video of a peer learning how to use and apply the target skill, and 21st Century, in which the student will gain proficiency in the skills, knowledge, and expertise they must master to succeed in work and life. Throughout the core reading block, engaging and thought-provoking activities allow the student to master a variety of related disciplines, including fluency, vocabulary, and speaking and listening. The course also provides the student with a thorough understanding of the writing process, from planning to drafting to revision, editing, and publishing, and includes instruction in developing narrative and explanatory texts. The focus on reading and writing is supplemented with instruction in grammar, spelling, and handwriting—skill areas vital to the student’s overall development as a reader, writer, and communicator.