PHASE II (2008-09)

English Teams

Important themes, charges or concepts emerged in English that are summarized below:

• Need for high school teachers (and students) to have samples of English 101 papers
• Definitions provide the freedom to bring in new texts.
• Must have adequate resources available—writing labs, technology, support systems.
• Focus on competencies and habits of mind.
• Shared habits of mind across curriculum.
• Consider putting habits of mind into categories to make them more useable.
• Critical thinking skills an upward continuum across disciplines.
• Context matters more than specific content.
• Cultural competency is relevant, important in teaching.
• Rhetorical analysis is focus.
• Notion of perseverance—help high school students understand the realities of college.
• Importance of high school teachers’ connections with colleges/universities.
• Visual literacy competency—connect with arts, across curriculum.

 

English pilot teams will take the following into consideration:

• High schools need less literary writing and more contextual writing (non-literature based).
• Teachers value definitions but need support to make changes in curriculum.
• Students have misperceptions of what college is – need to see college-level work and see definitions.
• Literary writing should continue in high school, but non-literary writing should be added.
• Quality of evidence—does writing improve over time?  how does this relate to perseverance?
• High school students experience hit-and-miss with teachers expectations, whereas most English teachers in college are pretty consistent with expectations.
• Focus needs to be on student attributes such as perseverance.

In preparation for June 13-17 institute, the English pilot team will:

• Bring sample assessments of students actual work products to June 13-17 institute.
• Look for ways to bring these samples together with habits of mind activities.
• Develop and conduct a survey instrument to give this year’s students and teachers.
• Use the 5-day institute to create syllabus for first semester unit.

English Team Leader:  Dr. Bill Condon, Professor
Washington State University

English Team 1         
Samantha Bozo, North Central High School, Spokane
Bradley Black, Spokane Falls Community College
Sharon Straub, Gonzaga University

English Team 2         
Frances Guerrero, Eisenhower High School, Yakima
Mark Fuzie, Yakima Valley Community College
Bobby Cummings, Central Washington University