On Location
Developing Essential Reading and Writing
Skills
Thomas Bye
BEGINNING TO INTERMEDIATE
On Location is a
new three-level, four-color “on-ramp” supplementary
reading and writing series for middle and high-school students.
Whereas language arts-based texts start too high and progress
too quickly, On Location starts with and prioritizes the needs of
the language learner.
The series provides a gradual and carefully
scaffolded approach so students can confidently progress from
level to level to handle social studies, science, and other
language arts subject content. Authentic non-fiction and
fiction reading selections transport students to the
“real world” of academic study.
Features
The Student
Books are developed around a
research-based approach:
• Developing
literacy is based on an enrichment approach
• Recognizes
that learning to read and write is developmental—relies
on the acquisition of listening and speaking skills
• Promotes
active student engagement and increased student learning
• Vocabulary
is always developed in context
• Knowledge
of sound/letter relationships are developed within the context
of spelling
• A
single grammar point is presented and practiced in each
unit
• Learning
to write is a constructive reading-writing process,
genre-based, and accomplished through a highly-structured
workshop approach
• Learning
to read authentic reading selections and activities enable
students to read orally with speed, accuracy, and expression
• Embeds
phonics in spelling activities to develop knowledge of
sound/letter relationships
• Provides
strategies to help students construct meaning before, during,
and after reading
• End-of-unit
tests provide students both reading comprehension, oral
language, and writing assessment opportunities
The Phonics
Books:
• Provide
systematic, explicit instruction that helps students hear, say,
read, and write high-frequency words and phrases
• Implement
a “fast-track” approach that enables newcomers to
learn both language and content from day one
• Contain
teaching notes at the bottom of each student page, making On
Location Phonics a self-contained teaching and learning
solution
• Are
cross-referenced to Student Books 1-3 in the series as a
phonics resource
The Assessment
System:
• Includes
an initial placement test, end-of-unit tests, and end-of-level
tests of reading comprehension and writing ability
• Helps
schools and districts track AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)
targets
• Includes
use of rubrics and portfolio assessment.
The Teacher
Training and Staff Development Video:
• Provides
instruction and techniques for teaching reading and writing to
English learners from a language arts perspective.
• Trains
teachers to help students develop strategies for
reading
and writing in social studies, science, and other content
areas.
•
Demonstrates effective use of the On
Location activities and assessment
tools.
Teacher Training/Staff Development Video
