Bringing the
Common Core to Life
An Introduction to the 3-8 NYS ELA Modules
EngageNY.org
Session Learning Targets
• I can describe the key components of the 3-8
ELA Modules.
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Who We Are
 Expeditionary Learning (EL) is a non-profit network of practitioners,
with 165 schools in 30 states, 4,000 teachers and 40,000 students.
 We have been working with schools and teachers for 20 years to
create rigorous classrooms in which develop strong literacy, numeracy,
and critical thinking skills.
 We have a proud history
of working in New York
State and have
engaged teams of
teachers from highperforming classrooms
throughout the state to
help develop our
curriculum modules.
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High Expectations Lead to Achievement
Schools fully implementing the EL model
outperform district averages in reading/ELA.
EL Mentor Schools Compared to Local District on Reading/EnglishLanguage Arts State Assessments (2010-11)
percentage points
20.0
18
15
14
15.0
13
9
10.0
5.0
1
0.0
Black
Hispanic
FRL
SPED
ELL
Total School
In the elementary grades, the average percentage point difference between
an EL mentor school and its local district was 16 percentage points in
Reading/English language arts.
A Deep Partnership

We have always viewed every teacher regardless of subject area, grade or
specialization - as a teacher of readers,
writers, and content. This was a natural
connection for us.

Via intensive collaboration with Student
Achievement Partners (SAP) and with
the input of teachers from across the
country, we have created a curriculum
that engages students and supports
teachers in building students’ capacity to
read, think, talk, and write about complex
texts.
Structure of the EL Curriculum Modules
Module 1
Unit
1
Unit
2
Module 2
Unit
3
Unit
1
8/9 weeks
Unit
2
Module 3
Unit
3
Unit
1
16/19 weeks
Unit
2
Module 4
Unit
3
Unit
1
24/26 weeks
Unit
2
Unit
3
32/34 weeks
 Each module is approximately 8 weeks of linked instruction, comprised of 3
units. 6 modules will be provided so that teachers can make choices.
 Teaching four modules results in deep teaching and assessment of all of the
RL, RI, and W standards in 3-5 and all of the standards in their entirety in 6-8.
 Each module is anchored around one or more central text – books from a
variety of publishers, chosen to be the best for the subject and standards.
These books are complemented by rigorous, authentic informational text
embedded within the curriculum itself.
Each Module Contains Three Units
Module 1
Unit
1
Unit
2
Module 2
Unit
3
Building
Background
Knowledge
(2-2.5 weeks)
Unit
1
Unit
2
Extended
Reading and
Research
(2-2.5 weeks)
Module 3
Unit
3
Unit
1
Unit
2
Module 4
Unit
3
Unit
1
Unit
2
Unit
3
Extended Writing
(2-2.5 weeks)
In addition to instruction linked to the central
text(s), each unit includes a text list of suggested
classroom resources at all levels, which can be
used with students at other times of the day.
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On-demand and Performance Assessment
Module 1
Unit
1
Unit
2
Module 2
Unit
3
Unit
1
Unit
2
Module 3
Unit
3
Unit
1
Unit
2
Module 4
Unit
3
Unit
1
Unit
2
Unit
3
Mid-Unit Assessments
Mid-Unit Assessments
Mid-Unit Assessments
Mid-Unit Assessments
End of Unit
Assessments
End of Unit
Assessments
End of Unit
Assessments
End of Unit
Assessments
Culminating
Performance
Task
Culminating
Performance
Task
Culminating
Performance
Task
Culminating
Performance
Task
 Incorporates multiple modes, or types, of writing (e.g.,
argument, informative / explanatory text, and narrative)
 Always involves writing from sources and citing evidence
 Requires research to build and present knowledge
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The Staircase of Complexity
Reading Closely
Opinions
Gathering Evidence
Supporting Opinions w Evidence
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Which Texts?
Plus all kinds of short text that you access through the curriculum materials…
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Detailed Lesson Plans Designed to Help Teachers Make the Shifts

The curriculum combines high quality, rigorous, standards-aligned
content with effective instructional practice, bringing together the
“what” and the “how” of the Common Core standards.
– Teachers who use these materials are not only ensured that they are
addressing the standards, they are being coached to address the
standards in ways that engage students.
 The curriculum is conceived as a
tool for professional learning, not
as a script, and can be adapted
to the needs of teachers at all
stages of their practice. It can
be used as an exemplar of
Common Core-aligned
instruction for veteran teachers,
or as explicit scaffolding for
teachers who need more
support.
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Alignment to the Shifts
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Helping Students Read Closely
 Link: http://vimeo.com/54007714
 As you’re watching, look for the following:

How is the teacher ensuring that all students have access
to an appropriately challenging text?

How does the teacher ensure that all students “work” the
same challenging text?

How does he engage, support, and hold students
accountable at an individual level?
Module Samplers
• Designed as a “snap shot” of the components
of a module.
• Download these for training or introductory
sessions.
EngageNY.org
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Managed Choice
 The modules include a rich variety of
texts, often pairing a primary source
historical document with literature on the
same topic.
 Module topics are based in part on the
content many teachers already know,
but also include additional authentic
texts needed to craft a coherent learning
progression.
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The Module Overview
• The purpose of this document is to provide an
overview of the entire Module (8 weeks of
instruction). It helps you understand how the texts
and activities progress toward the final performance
task.




Module overviews describe what students will read
and write and the assessments that teachers will use
to measure their progress.
Central texts are the texts that lessons are
specifically designed around.
Alignment to CC Standards is described in the
“English Language Arts Outcomes table.”
Also notice the “Calendared Curriculum Map,” which
provides a sense of pace (about 1 hour per day).
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Module Assessments
 There are assessments
embedded in each unit (mid and
end).
 Excellent potential for grade
level conversation, professional
collaboration.
 Students are practicing
assessment all year long.
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Performance Tasks
 What do you notice about
assessment in the module?
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Unit Overviews
 Each one goes into depth
about the scope of each unit.
 Helps you understand on a
day-to-day basis the learning
targets each lesson will
address.
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Unit Calendars
 The Calendared Curriculum
Map in the unit provides a
day to day scope and
sequence.
 The supporting targets are
meant to be shared with kids
(more on this in the lessons).
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The Structure of a Lesson Plan
The agenda shows the
lesson “at a glance…
…and the teaching
notes provide some
coaching for teachers
as they think about
delivering the lesson.
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Academic and Domain Specific Vocabulary
Work in Every Lesson
Each lesson calls out
vocabulary that should
be explicitly taught as
well as other words
that may arise in the
course of teaching the
content.
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Universal Terms
Each lesson is broken
down into sections:
Opening, Work Time,
and Closing.
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Flex Tasks to Meet Students’ Needs
Each lesson offers
recommendations for
supporting all learners.
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Module Sampler is a Model
• Help your schools/districts provide organized,
clearly delineated materials to teachers.
Organized notebooks, with tabs, are strongly
recommended.
• All module materials are to be accessed (free!)
through EngageNY.
• Take the time to familiarize yourself with the
different levels of material and EngageNY.
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For More Information
Please visit www.elschools.org or
email us at:
commoncoresuccess@
elschools.org
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