This course is designed to strengthen the specific reading and vocabulary skills assessed on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments for English Language Arts (NJSLA ELA). Students engage with a wide range of authentic texts—including news articles, informational passages, narratives, and classic literature—to build the analytical skills required for success on the assessment.
Through guided close reading, students learn to identify central ideas, analyze text structure, evaluate an author’s purpose, and synthesize information across multiple sources—core competencies emphasized by the NJSLA. Instruction also focuses on determining the meaning of words and phrases in context and developing academic vocabulary, both of which are essential for navigating grade level complex texts.
Students practice NJSLA style tasks such as responding to evidence based questions, comparing paired texts, and crafting short and extended written responses that require citing textual evidence. By consistently working with current events and rich vocabulary, students build confidence, fluency, and readiness for the Reading and Writing components of the NJSLA ELA.
