HANC middle school adopts hi-tech language program

Collections, a new new language arts program, will be used by all students in the Middle School of the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County starting this fall.

Newly developed to meet the increased rigor of new state standards, collections of topically linked, complex texts — including informational texts and literary nonfiction — drive instruction in critical analysis. Students practice writing to sources with tasks that require analysis, synthesis and evidence. Collections is a multi-modal program that includes both print content for instruction and application , as well as all the tools necessary for a transition to the future of digital learning.

All components of ELA will be covered using Collections. Below are some of the exciting points of this program.

•Students will have access to the Student eBook to use on our school computers and Ipads as well as on their home devices. The Student eBook includes Digital Collections which provide comprehensive instruction in writing, speaking, and listening. Of course, all texts we read are also in this eBook.

•In addition, the media resources such as History, Lifetime, A&E, and Bio are seamlessly integrated into the digital offering.

•Digital tools within the eBook enable students to annotate the texts they are reading, save their notes and annotations to myNotebook, and then use those notes in the development of compositions or Performance Tasks.

•The digital writing tool, myWriteSmart, provides word processing for each stage of the writing process and allows for teacher and student feedback to the writer. With a special focus on writing growth, highly interactive Digital Collections lessons engage students in writing to sources (i.e.: government officials, scientists), creating their own texts, and analyzing and critiquing the writing of their peers in a collaborative online setting.

•The program allows for total differentiation so each student can work on his/her proper instructional level while receiving all the necessary support to continually advance.

“We look forward to embarking on this cutting edge journey along with our students, teachers and parents,” HANC said. “We have no doubt Collections will resonate with the students and allow complete integration of reading, listening, speaking and media to advance literacy skills and assure college and career readiness.”