English Language Arts
- Primrose Elementary (Grades K-1)
- Somers Intermediate School (Grade 2-5)
- Somers Middle School (Grades 6-8)
- Somers High School (Grades 9-12)
Primrose Elementary (Grades K-1)
LANGUAGE ARTS
Our Balanced Literacy approach to the development of the English Language Arts recognizes that reading, writing, listening and speaking are an integral part of learning in all the content areas. Teachers are skilled at assessment of students and provide large and small group instruction that targets the needs of the whole class as well as the individual child. Children are honored as readers, writers, listeners and speakers from the moment they enter our school. A developmental continuum of K-5 reading and writing standards, which is based on New York State’s ELA standards and has been molded to meet the needs of Somers students by our Language Arts Committee, spells out what students should know and be able to do in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Authentic, performance-based assessment tasks are administered throughout the year in order to gather common examples of student work and to evaluate the student’s progress and inform instruction. Teacher modeling of appropriate reading, writing, listening and speaking behaviors is an important part of instruction. Scaffolded or supported lessons allow students the opportunity to interact with the teacher while reading and writing.
Eventually, students work in a guided setting where instruction is targeted to each child’s level and needs. Children are given ample opportunity for independent practice in all Language Arts areas in order to firm up their skills as they continue to make progress.
Somers Intermediate School (Grade 2-5)
LANGUAGE ARTS
SIS offers at least eighty minutes of language arts instruction daily for each grade level. This time is devoted to reading, writing, listening and speaking through a balanced literacy approach. The language arts program at SIS emphasizes both “learning to read” and “reading to learn.” Through reading, as well as analyzing fiction and nonfiction material, our program teaches students to become actively engaged in making sense of important concepts, issues, and attitudes within a text. We expect students to think critically as they explore interests, clarify values, solve problems, and resolve conflicts. Setting goals, making predictions, generating new ideas, synthesizing, and applying information in response to material they read and write are emphasized in our language arts instruction. A major common core standard emphasized across all genres read is finding evidence in the text to support one's thinking.
Browse and view our District’s Curriculum Maps.
(Note: Since curriculum is currently being revised to reflect Common Core Learning Standards and adoption of new resource materials, the Writing Curriculum maps are not visible at this time)
Mrs. Carroll can be reached at: DCarroll@somersschools.org.
Mrs. Rosario can be reached at: srosario@somersschools.org.
Somers Middle School (Grades 6-8)
The English Language Arts curriculum at Somers Middle School integrates the rigorous standards of the New York State Next Generation Standards for English Language Arts with the framework of the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Designed for grades 6 through 8, the curriculum aims to cultivate a deep understanding of literature, language, and communication skills while promoting global awareness and critical thinking. Students engage in reading a variety of literary genres, exploring themes, character development, and narrative structures. They analyze texts through the lenses of the IB MYP's global contexts, fostering connections between literature and real-world issues.
Emphasis is placed on developing proficient writing skills across different forms, including narrative, expository, argumentative, and reflective writing. Students learn to express ideas coherently and persuasively, integrating IB MYP approaches to learning (ATL) such as communication and self-management skills.
Assessment practices include both formative and summative assessments aligned with the IB MYP criteria and NY State standards. These assessments provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their understanding and growth while receiving constructive feedback to support their development. Throughout the curriculum, students engage in ATL skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and reflection. These skills are explicitly taught, preparing students to become lifelong learners and responsible global citizens.
Somers High School (Grades 9-12)
English Language Arts
In keeping with current research in language arts and the New York State language arts curriculum, the English Department believes that the essential purpose of language study is to enable the student to make meaning from and through spoken and written communication. Further, we believe that students become skilled in reading, writing, speaking, and listening through the integrated practice of these activities in a literate environment, and that skills are best acquired and developed through a process approach.
Although we recognize that the teaching of discrete skills will not necessarily add up to effective writing or reading, we do not believe that the converse is true. Writers do need to know and utilize the rules of correct, effective writing, and readers read more efficiently if they understand and utilize a wide range of reading skills.
Students in all required English classes are expected to complete assigned summer reading prior to the first day of the class. The summer reading is the first required reading of the course, and students will be responsible for quizzes, discussion, essays and tests on these books in much the same way that they are responsible for other material assigned during the course itself.