ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS RESOURCES

INTRODUCTION

The 1999 version of the North Carolina English Language Arts Standard Course of Study (SCoS) marks a significant change to English Language Arts education in North Carolina. While previous versions of the SCoS have included general communication skills standards for all students, the 1999 revision specifies grade-by-grade standards for students in grades K-12. Additionally, the 1999 SCoS emphasizes the need for students to understand diverse print and non-print texts and use language effectively for different purposes, to different audiences, and in different contexts.

While all of these changes present challenges to high school English Language Arts teachers across the state, the SCoS has been well-received . Educators feel that it more directly addresses the needs of all students whether they are preparing for additional studies or for entering the workforce after graduation. As our society becomes increasingly media-oriented and culturally diverse, the inclusion of different types of texts and products meets student interests as well. In general, teachers feel that the new state standards are moving us in the right direction (hence the title for this handbook).

As a complement to the SCoS, In the Right Direction is intended to help teachers understand and implement the SCoS. Teachers approaching the implementation of the state standards, perhaps in conjunction with their local standards, will face many decisions about what and how to teach students most effectively. While not comprehensive or prescriptive, this document should help teachers make thoughtful decisions by suggesting and encouraging sound pedagogy, instructional practices, and models.

In the Right Direction will be published as a series of documents as each section is developed. The first two installments are described below:

Volume I: Planning and Unit Samples

This section addresses yearly planning guides and unit development. Teacher-designed units and planning guides are included as models for the integration of goals and the addressing of student needs. A list of works commonly taught in North Carolina high school English Language Arts classes is included as an appendix.

Volume II: Activity Plans

This document includes sample plans for activities in each course. Again, the activities are neither comprehensive nor prescriptive; they are intended to offer suggestions for approaches to the teaching and learning of the standards. Written by North Carolina teachers, these activities have been developed to highlight both the integration of objectives within the classroom and the use of sound instructional practices.

Many thanks go to the teachers who have served on the development committee for the first two volumes of In the Right Direction:

Tonya Aiken, Davidson County

Yvonne Anderson, Wake County

Peter Bobbe, Yancey County

Jude Deitz, Pender County

Anne Harkins, Wayne County

Don Lourcey, Statesville-Iredell Schools

Michelle Lourcey, Statesville-Iredell Schools

Jimmy Marion, Surry County

Nan Massengill, Johnston County

Joe Rispole, Durham Public Schools

Michelle Roberts, Greene County

Vickie Smith, Wake County

Jennifer Smyth, Tyrrell County