English Language Arts

The English Language Arts program in grades K-12 is designed to prepare all students to read, write, speak, listen, and use language effectively in a variety of content areas and to promote the literacy skills and concepts required for college and career readiness in multiple disciplines. The skills and knowledge acquired from the ELA/literacy program are designed to prepare students for life outside the classroom. They include critical-thinking skills and the ability to closely and attentively read texts in a way that will help them understand and enjoy complex works of literature. Students will learn to use cogent reasoning and evidence collection skills that are essential for success in college, career, and life.

Curriculum Overview

Grades K-5 

Reading Street is a research-based, comprehensive language arts program with six units of instruction developed around a concept or big idea related to social studies content area learning. At each grade level, the weekly lesson plans have been organized into a routine of whole group, small group, and independent work. There are three instructional purposes or sections for each literacy block: Get Ready to Read/Content Knowledge, Read and Comprehend/Text-Based Comprehension, and Language Arts/Writing. Writing instruction, like reading instruction, is explicit and systematic. Through the use of mentor texts, mini-lessons, independent writing instruction, guided writing for flexible groups, and ongoing investigations that allow students to explore cross-curricular activities.

Grades 6 - 8

The Jersey City Language Arts 6-8 balanced literacy model consists of a 90-minute block. The block is divided into two sections, which includes a reading and writing workshop. During the reading workshop, instruction is provided to students in whole and small group settings. Additionally, students are given opportunities to practice critical reading skills and strategies independently. The writing workshop begins with a teacher directed mini-lesson followed by independent and/or assisted writing practice and concluding with group reflections.

Grades 9 - 12

The district English Language Arts curricula for grades 9-12 consists of both classic and contemporary literature with an assortment of various genres, cultures, and time periods. The writing discourses support argumentative, informative, analysis, and narrative writing, as well as creative and reflective writing. These tasks are supported with district rubrics that have been implemented to align to the NJSLA student assessment.

District Programs

The core programs in grades K-5 and 6-12 provide explicit instruction on literary genre & elements, writing genre, reading strategies, vocabulary, writing strategies and writing convention within the Reading & Writing Workshop structure. Teachers conduct read/write/think-alouds to model strategic thinking/reading/writing. Teachers work along with students to offer guided practice, and students work independently to practice on their own and to demonstrate understanding.

Student Opportunities 

• Jersey City Public Schools has a partnership  with Dramatic Impact. It is an in-school literacy program, helping  young students become better readers and writers, as well as, socially mature individuals.
• College Board Student Ambassador Program : grades 9-12. Click the link to view the 2018-2019 Jersey City Public Schools District video! Get involved in the College Board Student Ambassador Program at your High School. 
• Poetry Out Loud - National Recitation Contest: grades 9-12. Click the link to view a video of winner , Joseph G. Kim Sexton, from the  2019 contest.
• Poetry Out Loud - National Recitation District Contest : grades 6-8. Get involved at your school.

Resources