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Language Arts Literacy

📚 English Language Arts (ELA) at Speedway

At Speedway Avenue School, ELA is rigorous, engaging, and built for growth from Pre-K through Grade 8. Students read rich, diverse texts; write for real purposes; and speak, listen, and think critically every day.

🎯 Our Approach to Rigor

  • Complex, grade-level texts with scaffolded supports
  • Text-dependent comprehension questions that require evidence and reasoning
  • Close reading & annotation routines (e.g., signposts, noticing patterns, author’s craft)
  • Frequent writing in narrative, informational, and argument modes with rubrics and feedback

Discussion Seminars

  • Socratic/Paideia seminars and literature circles build academic talk, active listening, and respectful debate
  • Students prepare with notes, quotes, and claims and practice using evidence to support ideas

Small-Group Instruction (Every Grade, Every Week)

  • Guided reading (K–5) and strategy groups (6–8) for targeted skill work
  • Conferring for individualized feedback on reading and writing
  • Rotation model: teacher-led table, independent practice, and collaborative literacy stations

Intervention & Teacher Support

  • Academic Interventionists provide push-in support for Tier 2/3 students, co-teach lessons, and lead small groups
  • They partner with teachers on data meetings, progress monitoring, and lesson planning, adding an extra layer of coaching and resources so students—and teachers—both get stronger

 Assessment & Feedback

  • Ongoing checks for understanding, short writes, and performance tasks
  • Clear learning targets and actionable feedback so students know how to improve
  • Periodic district/common assessments to track growth and adjust instruction

💻 Literacy + Technology

  • Chromebooks and vetted platforms for reading, drafting, revising, and publishing
  • Digital citizenship and research skills are embedded across units

🏠 Home Connection

  • Families can support by encouraging daily reading (20 minutes), talking about books, and reviewing writing goals

✨ Result: Confident readers, precise writers, and persuasive speakers who can analyze complex texts and communicate ideas with evidence.

Meet the ELA Coach, Ms. Bonnie Berlin

Berlin

We are proud to have Ms. Berlin serving as our ELA Coach. With more than 25+ years of experience in education, she brings a wealth of knowledge, passion, and dedication to the Speedway community.

Ms. Berlin began her teaching career in 1999 and joined the Newark Public Schools in 2001. Throughout her career, she has taught multiple grade levels and served in a variety of impactful roles, including:

  • Whole School Reform Model Facilitator
  • Interventionist
  • Wilson Reading Teacher
  • Resource Teacher

She earned her Master of Arts in Education from Montclair State University and obtained her Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certification from Relay Graduate School of Education here in Newark, New Jersey.

At Speedway, Ms. Berlin is a strong advocate for students and works closely with our literacy teachers to:

  • Plan engaging, high-quality lessons
  • Differentiate instruction to meet diverse learning needs
  • Use data to guide small-group instruction
  • Support all students in achieving literacy success

This year, Ms. Berlin is also excited to lead and coordinate enriching activities such as Family Literacy Nights, Spelling Bees, Writing Contests, and Author Visits.

“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller

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