How to Teach Elementary School English

There may be no higher calling than teaching reading and writing skills to children.

There may be no higher calling than that of teaching young children to find confidence in their ability to read and write. Proficient reading and writing skills are the cornerstone of a lifelong learner. Teaching elementary English takes patience, a good amount of research and a sense of literary adventure. Take children around the world, span the centuries and learn about exciting new cultures by reading quality literature. Teach children to express themselves by communicating through written language. Help children develop a love for well-spoken language.

Things You'll Need

• State language arts content standards
• National language arts content standards
• Published language arts curricula

Instructions

1. 

   Quality curriculum creation starts with the standards.

   Study a copy of your state and national content standards for English language arts. Locate each strand, including reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing. Read each standard thoroughly and benchmark for the elementary age being taught. Develop a plan of study to create a yearly scope and sequence for the curriculum. Be sure to include a review of the standards after they have been taught.

2. 

   Assessments must be written before the units of study and lessons are planned.

   Write quality assessments based on the state and national standards. These assessments will be used to determine the growth of the students, the effectiveness of the teaching methods and the quality of the curriculum. Quality assessments are written at the independent reading level of the examinees. Be sure the level of difficulty is challenging but not frustrating or you will receive faulty assessment feedback.

3. 

   Many publishers offer curriculum samples when asked.

   Contact publishers of English/language arts curricula and arrange for review of many programs. Inspect each program carefully. A quality program will include lessons that support all standards; provide opportunity for intervention, review and extension; and incorporate all learning styles and value technology in the classroom. There are many resources to explore to help teach the grade-level expectations. Combine the best of the resources you find.

4. 

   Let your love of literature shine through each of your units and lessons.

   Bring your own voice, love of literature, excitement and sense of adventure to every lesson. Motivate children to find their natural love of reading, telling and writing stories by using a wide variety of teaching styles. Foster language confidence in every learner.

References

• Oakland Unified School District: OUSD Curriculum in Focus, Our Work

Resources

• National Council of Teachers of English: Elementary Section
• US Department of Education: Federal Resources for Educational Excellence
• Home School Curriculum Advisor: Which Complete Home School Curriculum Should You Choose?
• State of Michigan: English Language Arts Grade Level Content Expectations