Above, Medomak Middle School teacher Peggy Lincoln works with other teachers during an English Language Arts curriculum workshop. Photo by Leanne M. Robicheau

Figuring out what students should learn 

By Susan Jackson

MSAD #40 Director of Instruction

“If we believe all children can learn, what is it we expect them to learn?  How will we know when they have learned it?”  (Richard and Rebecca DuFour, 2009 Professional Learning Communities Conference)

These are the questions that a dedicated team of teachers representing MSAD #40 English Language Arts instructors in grades K through 12 have spent many hours answering.  Their goal:  To articulate a comprehensive, systematic language arts curriculum for our district that is embedded in best practices and research.

Eleven teachers and two administrators met over a five-and-a-half day period, beginning on December 10, 2009, to identify Essential Learnings in reading, writing, speaking, and listening for each grade level.  The purpose of the work was to help all teachers provide powerful instruction for all MSAD #40 students.  By focusing instruction on Essential Learnings and Standards, our students’ needs could be better met, leading to improved student achievement.

The articulated curriculum, while helpful to teachers as they plan and assess their instruction, will also help students to better focus their learning efforts.  Students will be able to answer their own set of questions:  Where do I need to go?  Where am I in reference to where I need to go?  What do I need to do next to move toward where I need to go?

The next steps of the English Language Arts Curriculum team include getting final input from their fellow teachers, presenting the finished product to the Board of Directors Curriculum Committee, and developing a plan to support teachers as they implement the curriculum.  The team plans to meet regularly over the next several school years to monitor the implementation and make any revisions needed to ensure high quality instruction and increased student achievement in the language arts areas.

Team members included:  Sheila Mullin (Friendship Village School kindergarten teacher), Patricia Smith (Miller School first-grade teacher), Kelley Splaine (Union Elementary School interventionist), Susan Hoxie (Warren Community School third-grade teacher), Len Lewis (Prescott Memorial School fourth-grade teacher), Gigi Hynd (Friendship Village School fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade teacher), Peggy Lincoln (Medomak Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade teacher), Beth Ahlholm (Medomak Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade teacher), Heather Webster (Medomak Middle School interventionist and ELA teacher at Medomak Valley High School), Sue Campagna (ELA Department Head at Medomak Valley High School), Ann Hassett (District Titles Coordinator and Assistant Principal at Medomak Valley High School), and Susan Jackson (MSAD #40 director of instruction).

Warren Community School third-grade teacher Susan Hoxie and Prescott Memorial School fourth-grade teacher Len Lewis work at a recent English Language Arts curriculum workshop. Photo by Leanne M. Robicheau

Kelley Splaine, an interventionist at Union Elementary School, at the curriculum workshop. Photo by Leanne M. Robicheau

Medomak Valley High School Assistant Principal and NCLB Coordinator Ann Hassett discusses the language arts curriculum with teachers. Photo by Leanne M. Robicheau

Friendship Village School kindergarten teacher Sheila Mullin, left, works with Union Elementary School Interventionist Kelley Splaine during the curriculum workshop. Photo by Leanne M. Robicheau

Warren Community School teachers Laurie Johnson, left, fifth grade, and Susan Hoxie, third grade, focus on answering questions regarding teaching English Language Arts in grades K-12. Photo by Leanne M. Robicheau