The Massachusetts English Language Arts (ELA) Framework is built around ten principles. These principles should guide the construction and evaluation of English Language curricula in the DYS System.
An Effective English Language Arts curriculum:
- Develops thinking & language together through interactive learning.
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Develops students’ oral language and literacy through appropriately challenging learning.
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Draws on literature from many genres, time periods, and cultures, featuring works that reflect our common literary heritage.
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Emphasizes writing as an essential way to develop, clarify and communicate ideas in persuasive, expository, narrative and expressive discourse.
- Provides for literacy in all forms of media.
- Provides explicit skill instruction in reading & writing.
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Teaches the strategies necessary for acquiring academic knowledge, achieving common academic standards and attaining independence in learning.
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Builds on the language, experience and interests that students bring to school.
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Develops each student’s distinctive writing or speaking voice.
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Nurtures students’ sense of their common ground as present or future American citizens in order to prepare them for responsible participation in our schools and in civic life, while encouraging respect for differences in home backgrounds.