14. Grade Aligned ELA Workshop

This course offers a comprehensive overview of teaching grade-aligned English Language Arts (ELA) skills to students with significant disabilities. It begins with a historical perspective on literacy instruction for this population, highlighting the traditional focus on sight words and functional reading. The presentation then shifts to contemporary approaches, emphasizing the importance of academic literacy and the potential for students with moderate to severe disabilities to achieve increased independence as readers and lifelong access to literature. Key instructional strategies will be highlighted that include the use of evidence-based practices such as time delay for vocabulary instruction, systematic and least intrusive prompting for comprehension, and graphic organizers for structured writing activities and other skills. The content underscores the need for teachers to design comprehensive ELA instruction that integrates vocabulary, read-aloud, comprehension, writing, and research into thematic units linked to general education standards and content. Additionally, it advocates for facilitating access to grade-level literature through adapted texts and understanding various text structures, ultimately aiming to enhance students' engagement and comprehension.