LANGUAGE ARTS-NEW MEXICO

More on the Common Core Standards

As the public comment period on the Common Core Standards closes tomorrow, it is interesting to see how NCTE has responded to the process and content of the standards.  You can read about NCTE's involvement (or exclusion, in some cases) here.  If you are interested in what others have to say about how the standards will impact their teaching, read comments on the NCTE ning here.  While I often am not sure how to comment on large documents such as this, I do find it helpful to participate in the conversation via reading others' observations.

What is the difference between "scripted" and "guided"?

And when is a workbook not a workbook?  These are questions educators in my community are beginning to discuss given the sweeping adoption of the SpringBoard curriculum for middle school language arts.  A quick google search on SpringBoard turned up lots of references and materials for the College Board, the provider of SpringBoard, and several newspaper articles and blogs from communities where the adoption of the program has been controversial.  All this leads us to wonder--what commercial programs are being implemented in your schools? How many New Mexico schools and districts have turned to outside vendors in an attempt to address the always-looming need to demonstrate AYP?  Post your comments on the role of commercial programs in secondary language arts education.

New NM Language Arts Content Standards Now Available

As you probably know, the New Mexico Language Arts Content Standards have been undergoing revision.  They're now available and ready to be used.  Find them here or, as usual, you can click on the link in the left margin of this page. 

Banned Books Week

This is Banned Books Week.  Read something somebody doesn't want you to.  Here's an interactive map of book banning episodes during 2007-2009.  You may also want to check out Laurie Halse Anderson's blog where she discusses a current incident (involving her books) in Kentucky.