Curriculum

= **Our Curriculum:** = //**Est.**// **//2.16.10//**

**Vision Statement:**  //"Centennial Public Schools has a clearly defined, effective, and usable scope and sequence for writing through all grades... [and will] efficiently develop student writers who can successfully use strategies and skills independently in a variety of writing tasks."//

Most Current Draft: [|Centennial Writing Curriculum 11.8.11 DRAFT.docx] (This version includes the revisions to #4 in grades K-3 and #5 K-12.)

Previous Drafts:
 * [|Centennial Writing Curriculum 10.20.11 DRAFT.docx]
 * [|Centennial Writing Curriculum 3.28.11 DRAFT.docx]
 * [|Centennial Writing Curriculum 2.17.11 DRAFT.docx]
 * [|Centennial Writing Curriculum 10.28.10 DRAFT.docx]
 * [|Centennial Writing Curriculum DRAFT.docx] (layout by grade, 10.12.10)


 * Big Idea: //Writing Process//**

(Potential) Enduring Understandings:
 * Audience and purpose (e.g., to inform, persuade, entertain) influence the use of literary techniques (e.g., word choice, tone, syntax).
 * Writers do not always say what they mean. Indirect forms of expression (e.g., satire, irony) require readers to read between the lines to find the intended meaning.
 * Punctuation marks and grammar rules guide readers through the text to help avoid confusion and misunderstanding.
 * A writer selects a form based on his/her purpose.
 * A writer's point of view is influenced by his/her experience.
 * The purposeful use (or nonuse) of language conventions help readers understand what is being communicated.
 * A writer's word choice and syntax are characteristics of voice which help to personalize text.
 * Writers generally use a process of prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing/reflecting.
 * Audience and purpose influence the way the writer organizes ideas and information.

(Potential) Essential Questions:
 * Why write? (What if writing didn't exist? Why share personal experiences in writing?)
 * How is written language different from spoken language? What makes writing worth reading?
 * How do writers express their thoughts and feelings? Where do ideas for writing come from?
 * How do effective writers hook and hold their readers? What makes writing easy to follow? How do effective writers begin, end, and order their ideas?
 * Why am I writing? For whom? What am I trying to achieve through my writing? Who will read my writing? What will work best for my audience?
 * What is the relationship between the reader and writer?
 * To what extent do the conventions of language impact communication?
 * What is voice? What are some characteristics of my voice as a writer?
 * Why do we need grammar and conventions of language?
 * How can I apply the writing process to different contexts?

The committee members were asked to read the Common Core Standards for their closely and mark each writing and language conventions indicator according to the extent it is an essential item for all students to master. (Key: yellow - essential to teach/master, orange - worthy to teach/master, pink - nice to teach/master). The [|Centennial CCS Writing Essentials.pdf] document includes the perceptions of the grades represented (K, 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12).
 * April 15, 2010**



**Resources:**
 * [|NE Language Arts Standards]
 * [|Common Core Standards (draft released for public review, March 2010)]
 * [|NE Standards in S&S view.xls]

**Sample Curricula (just for reference):**
 * GIPS Pacing Guides: [|09-10_LA_Pacing_Gr5.pdf] & [|09-10_WS Pacing_Gr 2.pdf]
 * [|Isaac School District Kindergarten Writing Map & Pacing Guide] (organized by quarter and month according to standard, student outcome, resource, and assessment)
 * Lancaster, PA Writing Scope and Sequence Guide: [] (406--organized by standard, objective, and grade with levels of instruction--introduce, focus, sustain)
 * GIPS K-12 Curriculum Framework & Maps: [] & [] (organized by unit; includes essential questions and essential understandings, resources, etc.)
 * Reading / Language Arts Standards for Florida (K-12): []
 * Reading / Language Arts Framework for California Public Schools (K-12): [|www.cde.] [|**ca**] [|.gov/CI/cr/cf/documents/rlafw.pdf]