Mission Statement
To provide a comprehensive curriculum that embodies the interconnected nature of listening, speaking, reading, writing and thinking in a way that maximizes students' capabilities and helps them reach their full potential as proficient readers, writers, communicators, and thinkers in a global society.
Reading and Language Arts Graduate Profile
Lamar Consolidated ISD is committed to providing a reading and language arts education so that, as graduates, students will maximize their capabilities and achieve full potential to participate in the future social, economic, and educational opportunities.
Upon graduation, our students will:
- Read and understand a wide variety of literary and informational texts. (Reading)
- Compose a variety of written texts with a clear controlling idea, coherent organization, and sufficient detail. (Writing)
- Use oral and written conventions of the English language in speaking and writing. (Oral and Written Conventions)
- Locate a range of relevant sources and evaluate, synthesize and present ideas and information. (Research)
- Listen and respond to the ideas of others while contributing their own ideas in conversations and in groups. (Listening and Speaking)
Components
Curriculum
The LCISD Reading and Language Arts Curriculum is aligned to the state mandated curriculum found in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the College and Career Readiness Standards.
Balanced Literacy The district is involved in a long-term professional development program designed to provide a comprehensive, school-wide approach to literacy for the elementary grades. Teachers provide direct, research-based instruction to guide students in acquiring strategies for maintaining fluency, text comprehension, and vocabulary development. The instruction provides many opportunities for reading and writing across the curriculum.
Differentiated Instruction Teachers strive to reach all learners in their classrooms through the use of best practices such as effective questioning, small group instruction, and hands-on activities.
English Language Proficiency Standards As stated in Chapter 74 of the education code, English Language Learners (ELLs) "must acquire both social and academic language proficiency in English". The specialists will work with teachers to guide a full and successful implementation of all the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS).
College and Career Readiness Standards The College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS) are designed to represent a full range of knowledge and skills that students need to succeed in entry-level college courses, as well as in a wide range of careers. The specialist will work with teachers in the full and successful implementation of these standards.
Initiatives
- Writing
- Unwrapping the TEKS
- Close Reading
- Deep Practice
Staff Development
Reading and Language Arts staff development supports the District's and the Curriculum Department's vision by providing teachers with training based on best practices and provides follow-up support to ensure implementation with fidelity.