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Clifton Public Schools

A Community of Learners

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English / Language Arts

English / Language Arts

Clifton Public Schools engages in high-quality, research based practices in literacy to develop strong foundational reading, writing, and communication skills for all students. In Grades K-5, students follow a balanced literacy framework for instruction.  This instructional framework is comprised of shared reading/writing, guided reading/writing, independent reading/writing through readers and writers workshop as well as word study through Fundations/Orton Gillingham methods (K-3), spelling, vocabulary, language conventions, handwriting and listening and speaking.  Instructional pacing units in K-5 are thematic and targeted to include the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS). Instruction is further supported with the use of technology applications to differentiate learner’s diverse needs and to provide at-home reinforcement. These applications include; Raz Kids, Accelerated Reader 360, MyOn Reader and the G Suite for Education.  

In Grades 6-8, students work in novel and thematic units around the anchor New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS); Narrative, Explanatory/Expository, Literary and Argumentative, and Opinion.  Vocabulary acquisition through the teaching of context clues, Greek and Latin roots and figurative language is embedded in the units along with cross-curricular connections to Visual and Performing Arts, Reading History/Science and College and Career Readiness.  Student learning experiences are varied using technology; G Suite for Education, Accelerated Reader 360 and MyOn Reader. Instruction is also supported with the use of choice boards, stations and collaborative projects.

  • From Kindergarten to twelfth grade, the Clifton Media Centers address a variety of skills.  First and foremost, each Media Center is full of a variety of texts to serve every reader and every reading level.  The shelves contain non-fiction and fiction titles designed to be high interest levels for all types of readers. The Media Centers also address STEM topics with centers set up for students to work on different projects to improve their skills in those areas.  The Media Centers are also up to date with technology and have computer centers where students can visit to do independent research, writing or take time with assignments.

  • Students work in novel and thematic units around the anchor New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS); Narrative, Explanatory/Expository, Literary and Argumentative, and Opinion.  Vocabulary acquisition through the teaching of context clues, Greek and Latin roots and figurative language is embedded in the units along with cross-curricular connections to Visual and Performing Arts, Reading History/Science and College and Career Readiness.  Student learning experiences are varied using technology; G Suite for Education, Accelerated Reader 360 and MyOn Reader. Instruction is also supported with the use of choice boards, stations and collaborative projects.

  • English I will provide students with an in-depth reading and writing experience placing special emphasis on reading comprehension and writing skills. Students will read between 6-10 significant pieces of literature (mostly novels), and a collection of plays, poems, short stories and essays. Students will create at least two major writing tasks per marking period using the MLA format, and the writing-as-a-process protocols, and develop their speaking, listening, viewing and vocabulary skills. 

    English II allows students to choose the content they would like to student while still aligning with New Jersey state standards.  English II offers a choice of content such as Edge of Your Seat Thrillers, Science Fiction, Literature through Film, Service Learning Through Literature, Short Stories and Contemporary Trends in English Literature. Students will write two major writing tasks per marking period in the MLA format, fully utilizing the writing-as-a-process protocols, and focus on vocabulary. 

    This full year course for English III continues giving students choices. There are classes on Pop Culture, American Literature, Sports Literature, and Law, Ethics and Morality. In addition to giving the students a knowledge of these topics, emphasis is placed upon improving the students’ writing, speaking, listening and viewing skills, and immersing them in a vocabulary program 

    English IV courses are just as varied. Students can choose to study Literature on the Stage, Renaissance Lit, Power in Literature, and Media in Literature.  Emphasis will be placed on the study of vocabulary and the development of reading, writing, speaking, viewing, and listening skills. 

    All of these courses are also offered at the Honors level as well. English III – AP is offered with a focus on composition and non-fiction.  In English IV AP, the focus is on Literature. The English Department also offers elective courses in Creative Writing and Literature through Film. Career readiness and awareness is an emphasis in all English courses.

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