December 6, 2018
The High School Language Arts Materials Selection Committee reconvened on December 6, 2018. During this meeting, the committee continued screening available instructional materials and selected finalist materials to field test in at each grade level. Materials selected for field testing included Bedford’s Language and Literature series (9th, 10th, 11th grades), Pearson’s “Writing America” (11th grade), Perfection Learning’s “A Multicultural Reader” (10th grade) and Houghton Mifflin’s “Into Literature” (9th grade). Teams also narrowed literature selection for whole-class novel instruction and continued to work on themes and novel selections for book clubs. By the next meeting, all novel selections will be read and reviewed by two readers.
November 7, 2018
A committee meeting comprised of teachers representing 9th & 11th grade as well as ELL, Special Services, and Instructional Technology representatives was held on November 7, 2018 to deepen review of materials relevant to 9th and 11th grade curriculum. The group explored novels and comprehensive published materials using the parameters established by the full committee. Teachers explored the technological components and differentiated supports of the published materials and discussed the scope of the course. Teachers also explored potential thematic connections and essential questions to help focus materials selection.
November 1, 2018 - 10th Grade Breakout Meeting
A committee meeting comprised of teachers representing 10th grade as well as ELL, Special Services, and Instructional Technology representatives was held on November 1, 2018 to deepen review of materials relevant to 10th grade curriculum. The group explored novels and comprehensive published materials using the parameters established by the full committee. Teachers explored the technological components and differentiated supports of the published materials and discussed the scope of the course. Teachers also explored potential thematic connections and essential questions to help focus materials selection.
October 26, 2018
The High School Language Arts Adoption Committee reconvened on October 26, 2018. During this meeting the committee reviewed available instructional materials and began to screen materials for the quality of teacher resources, organization and content, format, culturally responsive practices, diversity of perspective, and how stereotyping is addressed. Materials reviewed included comprehensive Language Arts curriculum, anthologies, novels, and other teacher instructional resource materials.
May 9, 2018
The committee learned about cultural competency to inform the screening tool that will be used to support equity and diversity in the selection of curriculum materials. The committee reviewed the Middle School Scope and Sequence, discussed transition to ELA in high school, and addressed integrating Digital Citizenship into the ELA curriculum. Grade level teams met to outline curriculum structures for each level, including types of units and resources needed.
March 28, 2018
A committee made up of representatives from all three Issaquah School District High Schools met for the first time on March 28, 2018. The group reviewed the state standards for ELA, research and articles from literacy experts, parent, teacher and student survey results, and student achievement data. The committee developed parameters to guide decisions on choosing materials. A preview of materials was initiated. Committee members will continue to explore curriculum materials at the next meeting on May 9, 2018.