ABSTRACT
As an English language arts teacher, your curriculum will likely be shaped by the Common Core State Standards, now adopted by most states. Over the history of instruction in our field a number of different approaches to curriculum and instruction have evolved, including approaches based on reading and writing skills; on knowledge of specific literary works, genres, or forms; on reading and writing processes or strategies; and, most recently, on mastery of literacy practices. Standardsbased curriculum, an increasing part of school reform efforts since the 1980s, can be informed by a variety of approaches. English language arts teachers need to understand how to implement the Common Core State Standards (2010) in the light of the best thinking and research on the teaching of English. While drawing on the whole repertoire of approaches and theories, this book especially emphasizes a literacy
C H A P T E R 1
practices approach-an approach we believe will make implementing the Common Core State Standards effective and meaningful.
