This page presents an outline for a middle school literacy instruction handbook (PS, you can use it as a model for elementary literacy, as well, with some additions for phonics, etc.). The process of creating a handbook that your teachers can agree on is just as important as the product itself: in fact, it’s an important step toward ensuring that your school provides high-quality literacy instruction to EVERY student.
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions (or materials to donate to the cause!), please contact me at literacycookbook@gmail.com
POLICIES, PROCEDURES, PRACTICES:
Generally Accepted Policies, Procedures, and Practices for Teachers
- Lesson Plans (See sample templates in “Templates for Lessons & Units.”)
- Unit Plans (See sample template, sample overview, and sample unit in “Templates for Lessons & Units.”)
- Sample Classroom Management Plan
- Humanities Dept. Grading Policies (An opportunity to meet and come to consensus)
- Sample Introduction Letter to Parents re: class rules and policies (in the Download Zone below.)
- The “Visible Curriculum”: suggestions for use of wall space, e.g., word walls, student work with rubrics and descriptions of assessments, class rules, inspirational quotes….
CURRICULUM:
Grades 5-8 Scope and Sequence for Literacy (2-3 pages per grade, including essential questions, key unit topics, texts, objectives, assessments, and grammar points emphasized)
Pacing Guides for Each Grade
Information on Common Core Standards (See "Standards" for "K-12 ELA CCS Tracking Sheet" and "Trajectory Analysis Sheets.")
See the MS English Lessons & Units page for practical resources.
HOW WE TEACH READING:
Provide an overview with reference to “Analyzing Literature,” “Comprehension 101,” and “Connecting Reading, Writing, Test Prep.”
How We Teach Annotation: See “Analyzing Literature” and “Nonfiction Reading Strategies.”
- Sample Rubrics
- Sample Annotated Texts
How We Teach Vocabulary
- Sample Materials (See “Building Robust Vocabulary.”)
- See also “Root of the Week.”
- See also “Idiom Power.”
Independent Reading (See "Independent Reading.")
- Rationale
- Explanation of Logistics (e.g., HW, Strategic Reading Time, etc.)
- Sample Reading Log
Recommended Reading--See “Recommended Reading” for the following:
- The Book Talk Project
- Recommended Nonfiction
- Recommended Poetry Collections
- Recommended Short Story Collections
Summer Reading (See "Independent Reading.")
- Rationale
- Explanation of Logistics
- Summer Reading Lists
- Sample Summer Reading Assignments
HOW WE TEACH ORAL PRESENTATIONS:
How We Use Socratic Seminars
- Sample Materials (See “Socratic Seminars.”)
How We Teach Public Speaking
- Sample Public Speaking Assignments
- See “Book Talk Project.”
- See “Oral Fluency Rubrics.”
HOW WE TEACH WRITING:
How We Teach Writing (See “Writing 101”)
- See "USING GRAMMAR TO IMPROVE WRITING" and the book itself, as well as "Grammar."
- See "Argument vs. Evidence."
- Sample Materials (See “Writing 101" and "Effective Topic Sentences.")
Sample Major Writing Assessments in Each Grade
- Project Explanations
- Narrative Writing (See "Narrative Writing.")
- Literary Analysis Writing (See "Literary Response Paper Guide" and "Analyzing Literature.")
- Persuasive Writing (See "Argument vs. Evidence.")
- DBQ Writing/Research Paper (See "History Writing: DBQ Essays" and “Research Paper Guide.”)
- NJSLA Writing (Narrative, Explanatory, and Persuasive as of 2025: See “NJSLA/NJGPA 2025&ff.")
- Rubrics (See “Writing Rubrics.”)
- Graded Student Samples (all typed) and Exemplars for each assignment
How We Teach Grammar (See "USING GRAMMAR TO IMPROVE WRITING" and the book itself, as well as "Grammar.")
HOW WE TEACH TEST PREP:
How We Use Data to Drive Instruction
- Philosophy
- Logistics: Implementation and Follow-through
How We Prepare for NJSLA
- Reading: Strategies are infused in the curriculum.
- Writing: Timed writing needs some specific preparation and review (See “NJSLA/NJGPA 2025&ff.")
IN THE DOWNLOAD ZONE for MS Lit Handbook:
