Contact: Tricia Bridges, Ph.D., 601.408.0449 or tbridges@jbhm.com

English

The English Standards Based Instruction (SBI) program combines creativity with content- aligned instruction to develop the student’s ability to use language accurately and confidently in various situations for communication, personal fulfillment, and continuous learning. Used in conjunction with job-embedded teacher mentoring, the English SBI offers guidance to teachers through comprehensive lessons developed by a team of JBHM Education Group specialists. The lessons are designed to provide engaging research-based instructional strategies to enable students to master the objectives of the Mississippi Subject Area Test in English.  However, the English program goes beyond traditional test preparation to provide in-depth lessons developed around state and national (NAEP) standards.

Since language arts expertise is essential for developing relationships, broadening experience, and participating in various aspects of society, the English program emphasizes the development of thinking processes to successfully complete learning tasks and transfer skills to real-world applications.  The English SBI offers completely developed lessons that are 100% aligned to state standards and the state test level of difficulty, comprehensive exams (4 per grading period), and 4 end of term exams.  Research-based instructional strategies that emphasize thinking processes are an essential component of each lesson.  Strategies include framing the learning, comparing and contrasting, generating thought models and using graphic organizers, working in cooperative learning groups, generating theories and making inferences, summarizing and synthesizing the learning, transferring through practice and application, using reading thinking processes, and differentiating content, process, or product based on readiness or interest.

Each lesson begins with a background section that summarizes the content, instructional strategies, lesson process, state objectives, and relevant connections. Bell Ringers, in the format and level of difficulty of the state test, are provided along with answers and rationale.  To motivate students and frame the learning, lessons are introduced using specific activities designed to engage students, activate prior knowledge, set purpose, and establish relevance. The instruction process offers in-depth steps, from introduction to closure, and includes teacher notes and strategies for struggling learners. To promote transfer, varied practice methods are given, including hands-on, student-centered activities and questions in a format and level of difficulty that replicate the state test.

The English SBI offers a variety of reading materials that allow students to share in the experiences of different people, places, times, and events; it also promotes critical thinking connections through questions that guide students to make text-reader-world connections. The English SBI manuals are supplemented by the following materials:

• Student notebooks for each grading period
• Recommended leveled novels for classroom reading and practice

Sample Lesson from English
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For more information on the Ed Group's Standards-Based Instruction services,
contact your state director.