submitted by Lorraine Brownell
Last year New York State transitioned from using Core Curriculum to Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as a framework for instruction. As a result, the academic focus at Hoosick Falls changed significantly. In eighth grade alone, CCSS has altered the way educators are teaching literacy and the experiences they are providing students.
“With these literacy changes in place we are already seeing students make greater connections than ever before,” said one Hoosick Falls Jr. High teacher.
Students today have their academic success measured in many ways. But one constant is through tests – and lots of them. Many of these test are local and given by Hoosick Falls teachers. Yet others are administered by the school, and some are tests required by New York State.
“What we have found is that all of these tests require students to read the questions carefully, identify expectation of questions and infer information from the reading,” said another Hoosick Falls Jr. High teacher. “In essence, every test is a reading test and, as a result, teachers in all subjects have to make sure students can read and comprehend.”
In an effort to support Hoosick Falls students, the CCSS guidelines instituted a literacy requirement for each subject.
Literacy improvement is not a new concept in English Language Arts (ELA) at Hoosick Falls. In fact, ELA students read more than 10 novels both independently and as a class. Students are required to analyze these works for theme, plot, characterization and author’s use of literary techniques. Students also are required to read and analyze literature, short stories and other pieces of fiction.
Teaching literacy, however, means being able to read all forms of text. Therefore, other subjects (social studies, math, science and Spanish) as well as English Language Arts are reading more non-fiction throughout the year.
“One way we have students analyzing more non-fiction is through an interdisciplinary project,” said another Hoosick Falls Jr. High teacher.
For this project students are asked to select an important scientist or mathematician from American history. They research the person they selected through biographies, historical documents, research publications or published journal articles to learn more about his or her contributions to science and math. Student then analyze how the contributions to science and math have shaped American society and our way of life.
Another ELA entwined project includes reading published journal articles to analyze experimental design and scientific inquiry. Students will examine how scientists use experimental design (a systematic way of conducting experiments) to find answers to different questions. They will use these publications as a template for their own investigations.
In Spanish, non-fiction projects can be centered around finding and sharing current events found in newspapers and journals to provide a cultural analysis of Mexico and Spain in Spanish language.
“With the continued efforts by all teachers in eighth grade to improve students’ literacy skills, we are ensuring students will be taught how to use the tools they need to be successful,” said Jr./Sr. High School Principal Stacy Vadney.
“Students will be able to take any written work and read, understand, analyze and infer from that document, article or question. We know that New York State has rigorous and high expectations for Hoosick Falls, but we are empowering our students to meet those high expectations,” added Vadney.