This information was originally posted on . Please note that the article refers to events from a previous school year.
Ms. Berman has provided the following information in response to questions regarding the foreign language/reading/language arts structure for the coming year:
Much work has been done by the Hauser language arts faculty to ensure that all language arts standards are thoroughly covered and that reading will be supported throughout the new middle school schedule.
The English language arts goals (from the Illinois Learning Standards) include reading, literature, writing, listening and speaking, and research. At the junior high/middle school level, reading is not always a separate course, but can be part of the language arts course. Junior highs/middle schools use a variety of configurations. In fact, in years past at Hauser, students chose between reading and foreign language.
Reading instruction will continue as an important focus at Hauser, although the structure will change in the coming year. Seventh and eighth grade students who elect to study a foreign language (year-long study) will also receive a trimester of intensive reading instruction (not during the same period as foreign language, but during a period shared with Encore courses). Students who do not take a foreign language will be assigned to a year-long reading class. Language arts will continue as an intensive year-long course for all students.
Under the direction of reading specialist, Sarah Clark, and Dr. Limperis, Director of Learning Systems, teachers have created revised courses for language arts and reading next year. Language arts and reading teachers have separated the Illinois English language arts standards into three strands: Reading, language, arts, and other subject areas. Many standards will be addressed in both reading and language arts, but some will be addressed separately. Integration of reading and writing across the curriculum will be a feature of next year’s schedule and is considered to be best practice. Both the language arts (year-long) and reading courses (trimester) will be intensive and will cover all standards and content between them. Gifted instruction in reading will take place during the language arts period for 7th and 8th graders.
Some important features of reading/language arts, such as Wordmaster and AR books/tests, will be assigned to the language arts course in order to provide year-long coverage. This summer and throughout next year, language arts and content area teachers will receive professional development on teaching effectively in the flexible block structure and integrating reading and writing across the curriculum.
In addition to our efforts to provide effective teaching and learning in the “core” part of the day, we will also support reading instruction during the “encore” portion. Although many of our encore courses are arts-related, others are related to core curricula. For example: Students who study Drama will receive an additional trimester of focused reading/language arts instruction; students who take Designing Spaces will receive additional mathematics instruction; and students who take Animal Behavior will receive additional science instruction. Reading and writing will be critical aspects of each of these courses. In fact, there will be greater emphasis on reading informational text (and learning the accompanying strategies) than before.
I am confident that by purposefully addressing all language arts standards (including the goals of reading, literature, writing, listening, speaking, and research) and providing excellent instruction in all subject areas (with an emphasis on integrated reading, writing, and research), our students will thrive. The team structure and academic advisory will support all of our students. The additional opportunities for exploration will contribute to an even more exciting and joyful learning environment than we have now. All of these features are connected in making Hauser the best it can be.
Some students have not turned in their foreign language/encore requests. Our procedure is that 7th grade students who were enrolled in a foreign language will automatically be re-enrolled in 8th grade unless we have received a recommendation to drop from either the parent or teacher.
If you did not request foreign language for your 7th or 8th grader because of questions about the new reading configuration, please contact me if you wish to reconsider. If you would have considered foreign language in the past, it is still recommended that you do so.
Of course, as we venture forth, it will be critically important for parents and students to share feedback from their experiences to help us continue to adjust our programs to better meet students’ needs. Your concerns are more than noted. Our planning has actively addressed those concerns.
Please contact me this summer if you wish to further discuss next year’s program. The best way to reach me during the summer is by email: bermanl@district96.org. - Leslie Berman