Curriculum Support
English Language Arts curriculum must be aligned with the Michigan Grade Level Content Expectations, the Michigan Merit Curriculum and the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy. Expectations should be implemented within and across grade levels to meet or exceed the standards, benchmarks and expectations.
Most importantly, all literacy instruction should have a research-based focus.
Curriculum Coherence and Instruction
Establishing Curriculum Coherence in ELA - This document serves as a guideline for developing schoolwide literacy plans.
Literacy Research at a Glance - This document synthesizes the results of decades of research on literacy instruction.
Textbook Adoption
Use these resources when adopting textbooks:
Tri-State Quality Review Rubric for Lessons & Units
Curriculum Development & Support
Literacy Implementation Guide from the International Reading Association
Michigan Merit Curriculum updated 2017
Michigan Merit Course Requirements for High School
Michigan’s Action Plan for Literacy Excellence
SAMPLE Units of Study
PLEASE NOTE these are sample units intended to supplement a comprehensive literacy program. These examples do not define all that should be done in a balanced literacy curriculum, rather they provide a portrait of the kind of curriculum that is characteristic of a more balanced approach to literacy instruction.
MAISA Units of Study for Literacy - These units of study were developed by Michigan teachers, ISD consultants, instructional specialists, and administrators.
ELA Curriculum Modules from EngageNY - The New York State Grades 3-12 ELA curricula include six modules that focus on reading, writing, listening, and speaking in response to high-quality texts. Each module is intended to last a quarter of a school year; the addition of two extra modules allows for teacher choice throughout the year. The modules will sequence and scaffold content that is aligned to the CCLS for ELA & Literacy.
Odell ELA Units for Grades 6-12 – Odell provides a student-centered ELA program based upon four key literacy proficiencies: reading closely for textual details, making evidence-based claims, researching to deepen understanding, and building evidence-based arguments.
Adolescent Literacy Research
Improving Adolescent Literacy: Effective Classroom and Intervention Practice (grades 4-12)
Guidelines for Teaching Middle and High School Students to Read and Write Well by Dr. Judith Langer
Reading Between the Lines: What the ACT Reveals about College Readiness
Reading Next: A Vision for Action and Research in Middle and High School Literacy
Writing Next: Effective Strategies to Improve Writing of Adolescents in Middle and High School
Writing to Read: Evidence for How Writing Can Improve Reading