LANGUAGE! The Comprehensive Literacy Curriculum

Welcome to Intensive Reading!
FCAT / Intensive Reading
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The state of Florida requires students who
are not working at the standard on the FCAT
to be enrolled in Intensive Reading classes.
The curriculum used in Intensive Reading
classes, called LANGUAGE!, was designed to
fill the gaps by focusing on all aspects of the
reading process.
It can help students make rapid progress in
reading achievement.
LANGUAGE! Levels
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LANGUAGE!
comes in three
levels: A-B, C-D,
and E-F
E-F
C-D
A-B E-F
A-B
Reading Placement 2008-09
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Students in IR 07-08 school year and score
level 1 or 2, 2007 FCAT, move to next
developmental level
 Level A/B 07-08
C/D 08-09
 Level C/D 07-08
E/F 08-09
 Level E/F 07-08
appropriate instructional
level
single-period intensive
reading class
The 90-minute reading block
It takes time…
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Decreases the amount of interruptions
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Increases the amount of time students are
involved in instructional activities
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Improves student performance
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Creates opportunities for academic
success
LANGUAGE! embraces all
aspects of literacy:
Daily Lessons: 6 Steps
90 minutes instruction daily (10 Lessons per Unit)
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Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
Step
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
Phonemic Awareness and Phonics
Word Recognition and Spelling
Vocabulary and Morphology
Grammar and Usage
Listening and Reading Comprehension
Speaking and Writing
Step 1: Phonemic Awareness
10 minutes daily (Phonemic/Phonics Lesson)
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Phonemic awareness- the ability to identify and
manipulate the speech sounds, or phonemes, in
spoken words.
Phonemic awareness is strictly auditory
Phonemic awareness is an essential skill in successful
reading
Tasks include segmenting, blending, substituting,
categorizing, isolating, dividing syllables, word
fluency checks, listening for stressed syllables, etc.
Step 2: Word Recognition
and Spelling
10 minutes daily (Word Recognition/Spelling Lesson)
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Essential Words- automatic sight word recognition
Spelling- ability to use knowledge of sound/symbol
association and sight word vocabulary to spell words
Fluency- speed, accuracy, and prosody
(expression;voice) in reading
Fluency checks measure WPM (words per minute),
minus errors, which translates to words read
correctly per minute.
Tasks include decoding and encoding activities,
spelling tests, fluency checks, etc.
Step 3: Vocabulary and
Morphology
15 minutes daily (Vocabulary/Morphology Lesson)
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Vocabulary- study of word meaning
Morphology- study of the structure and form of word
parts, or morphemes. Morphemes are word parts
that hold meaning; prefixes, roots, suffixes.
Unit Vocabulary and morphology, idioms,
expressions, and signal words
Tasks include word study, context-based strategies
(form and function), classifying, exploring words,
multiple meaning maps, etc.
Step 4: Grammar and Usage
15 minutes daily (Grammar/Usage Lesson)
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Grammar- parts of speech (form)
Usage- function of words in sentences and
syntax (grammatical arrangement of words in
sentences)
Strategies to build sentences, to show the
function of words in sentences, and the
impact of word order on meaning.
Tasks include Masterpiece sentences,
diagramming, grammar sorts, etc.
Step 5: Listening and Reading
Comprehension
20 minutes daily (Listening/Reading Comprehension Lesson)
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Each unit includes Decodable/Independent Text,
Instructional Text, and Challenge Text.
Decodable/Independent Text- written at a level that
students can handle; selections provide some
background and vocabulary for higher levels.
Instructional Text- text written at levels that allow
students to practice multiple strategies taught in
lessons.
Challenge Text- written at a high readability level for
teacher read-alouds, listening comprehension, higher
vocabulary, and higher- order thinking skills.
Step 6: Speaking and Writing
20 minutes daily (Speaking/Writing Lesson)
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Includes explicit instruction in the writing process.
Paragraph types include classification, time sequence,
reasons, compare/contrast, narrative, and persuasive.
Encourages use of outlines and graphic organizers.
Incorporates “Six Traits of Effective Writing” rubric.
Integrates all steps in the writing process.
Provides opportunities for oral expression.
Assessment
Where do we go from here?
Assessments are built into the LANGUAGE! curriculum:
 Language Placement tests for placement in program
(Levels A/B, C/D, E/F)
 Content Mastery Assessments test students for mastery of
each unit
 Weekly fluency and spelling tests
 Summative Assessment after each book- Semester Exams
On the Way to Success…
Each step of the way, students find:
high goals & expectations
clear, systematic instruction
on-going assessment
pride in their progress

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