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High School ELA is Awesome

At Canyons School District we exist as allies to relentlessly learn, innovate, and sustain the pursuit of equity in education. Some of our guiding principles are that:

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

You can submit a novel for approval by completing the application in the Novel Database (login required).  Please review these step-by-step directions for support. 

We recommend that you:

  • review the application questions before starting the application.  The application times out, so if you have the answers prepared beforehand you will be able to copy and paste the answers into the correct fields. 
  • review the pages in the instructional guides about text complexity – quantitative and qualitative measures. 

The committee meets 6x per year: September, October, January, February, April, and May.  If you submit your application before the first of the month, the book will be reviewed at the next meeting.  If the committee decides the book needs further review, they may take an additional meeting to determine approval status.  You will receive emails letting you know the status of your application throughout the process. 

Below are some of the books we have studied in the past as a district or that we recommend and reference.  Please contact Scott or Lesli to see if we have any additional copies that we can give you.

Burke, Jim. The 6 Academic Writing Assignments: Designing the User’s Journey. Heinemann, 2019.

Dean, Deborah. What Works in Writing Instruction: Research and Practice. 2nd Edition. NCTE, 2021.

Early, Jessica Singer. Next Generation Genres: Teaching Writing for Civic and Academic Engagement. Norton Professional Books, 2023.

Fisher, Douglas and Nancy Frey. Text-Dependent Questions: Pathways to Close and Critical Reading, Grades 6-12. Corwin Literacy, 2015.

Fisher, Douglas, Nancy Frey, and John Hattie. Visible Learning for Literacy: Implementing the Practices That Work Best to Accelerate Student Learning, Grades K-12. Corwin Literacy, 2016.

Gallagher, Kelly, and Penny Kittle. 180 Days: Two Teachers and the Quest to Engage and Empower Adolescents. Heinemann, 2018.

Kittle, Penny. Write Beside Them: Risk, Voice, and Clarity in High School Writing. Heinemann, 2008.

 

 

Currently Happening

The Reading Inventory Testing window opens April 22-May 17.

  • The Reading Inventory is not a timed exam but does adapt to student responses.  This may mean that some students finish in 20 minutes, while other students take much longer.  Students who are in Literacy (Reading) or ELD should take the RI in those classes, rather than ELA.
  • Attached are the Reading Inventory Student Directions to read for students before testing
  • Reading Inventory Accommodations are also attached. 
  • Friday, April 26th
  • We will be meeting at Hillcrest High School at 1:45 pm in the Presentation room.  Please bring your printed instructional guides.  Our new Content Leads (Yay! We have funding for them!) will be leading discussions in your grade level teams.
  • Link to Slides

Recently Approved Novels

Check these out ...

Secondary ELA Team

Lucie Chamberlain

Alta View Elementary

If a movie about super teachers were ever made, Lucie Chamberlain would be a prime candidate for a leading role. Fortunately for her kindergarten students at Alta View Elementary, she already thrives in a supporting role for them. Parents thank her for being a “super teacher.” She is also described as an “amazing colleague.” Whether students need help in the classroom or from home while sick, Lucie goes above and beyond to help them learn, overcome fears, and feel important and cared for. Lucie is the reason a number of kids went from hating school to loving it, according to parents. The way she exudes patience, sweetness, positive energy, and love for her students with special needs melts is appreciated and admired. One parent noted: “Both my kids wish she could be their teacher forever.” Another added:  “She treats every student like their learning and their feelings are her priority.” Super teacher, indeed!

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