English Department

2 ways to

improve

scores

West Jefferson High School

Spring 2011 GEE 21 Results

Subgroup

Standard 1

Read,

comprehend

and respond

Standard 2:

Write

competently

Standard 3:

Use

conventions

of language

Standard 5:

Locate,

select, and

synthesize

information

Standard 6:

Read,

analyze and

respond to

literature

Standard 7:

Apply

reasoning

and

problem-

solving skills

Black 57% 66% 58% 59% 40% 53%

LEP 33% 46% 39% 39% 25% 32%

SpEd 52% 63% 45% 57% 30% 42%

Standard in Red indicate areas of weakness. These are areas that should be the

focus of instructional interventions.

Standard in Yellow indicate areas of possible strength. These areas should be

reinforced to support each subgroup.

How can we

raise test

scores?

Integration

Of Literacy Strategies

Instruction that integrates reading

and writing content and skills

with other core subjects

to increase knowledge

in both areas

Action Plan

What?

• Schoolwide implementation of Literacy

Strategies. Outlined with explanations

and examples on the wiki.

When?

• Strategies can be taught monthly or bi-

weekly

How?

• PLC meetings and wiki can be used to

share and discuss strategies uses.

Our School Goal is to increase

test scores for ALL students.

Why Integrate

Reading and

Writing Skills?

Raise achievement

Narrow achievement gaps

Boost attendance and engagement

Augment teacher effectiveness

Improve school climate

Build community support

Working Across the Curriculum will…

Will work best when we • Share the “Big Idea” with our students

• Use real-world content

• Collaborate and share with one another

• Use standards-based Instruction

To be used

• GISTing

• RAFT writing

• Split Page Notebook

• RAGE+C writing

GISTing

• The ability to summarize is perhaps the most

important subskill involved in comprehension.

• But it is a difficult skill to teach. Students are

prone to say too little or too much in their

summaries.

• GISTing is an excellent strategy for helping

students paraphrase and summarize essential

information. It requires them to limit the gist of a

paragraph to a set number of words.

RAFT writing

• Once students have acquired new content

information and concepts they need

opportunities to rework, apply, and extend

their understandings.

• RAFT writing gives students the freedom to

project themselves into unique roles and look

at content from unique perspectives.

• RAFT writing can be used to explain

processes, describe a point of view, envision

a potential job or assignment, or solve a

problem.

Split Page Notebook

• Notetaking is an essential skill students

must develop in order to be effective

readers and learners in the content areas.

• Draw a straight line from top to bottom of

a piece of paper so that the page will be

split into one-third/two-thirds.

• In the left column write big ideas, key

dates, names, etc. and supporting

information is written in the right column.

RAGE+C

• Restate the Question as an Answer

• Give Evidence (context, quote, citation)

• Explain how the context, quote, or

citation proves your answer

• Conclude your thoughts (make a

connection to what you have read to

other things: books, movies, personal

experiences, etc.)

Obstacles

and

Challenges ?

•Find authentic connections •Empower classroom teachers •Provide and promote professional development •Collaboration

Final Thoughts