All students must have the opportunities and resources to develop the language and communication skills they need to pursue life's goals and to participate fully as informed, productive, and responsive members in an information-rich society. In addition, we give children the opportunity to explore reading and writing as enjoyable lifelong processes. Strategic and explicit teaching of the language arts curriculum ensures students develop these skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The articulation of a Language-Arts curriculum should be done within and between grade levels and courses, to ensure that teachers can draw on students' shared literacy background.

 

Dialogue and reflection are necessary to remain knowledgeable and accountable for teaching students reading, writing and speaking skills in all content areas, therefore it is imperative that all teachers engage in on-going professional development. Teachers will differentiate to meet the range of literacy and language skills of all students. The following principles allow for innovation and creativity, realizing that curriculum and instruction are interrelated and should be considered as a whole.