Maine Department of Education encourages and supports the continuous learning of all Maine educators. How schools implement the 2020 Maine English language arts (ELA) standards is entirely a local decision, however, the Department offers these professional development resources that educators may find helpful as part of our commitment to Maine's learners. Through in-person and virtual events, and by sharing free and open resources, Maine DOE provides affordable learning opportunities.
Recent Events
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Reading in High School, a four-part series to explore strategies for helping all students engage with complex, grade-appropriate and content necessary texts and resources.
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Presented by the Interdisciplinary Instruction Team featuring Morgan Dunton, Shari Templeton, April Perkins, and Andrea Logan.
Session 1: Slides Document Recording Reading for Understanding Key Findings
Session 2: Slides Document Recording
- Essential Topics in ELA: What, Why, and How
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The Maine ELA standards have been updated. Understand what has changed, why they have changed, and how these changes can impact your practice.
- How Does the Text Work? Close reading and focus on language development
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Close reading strategies that focus on how a text works build the foundations for learning transfer and literacy growth with complex texts.
- Writing in Maine: Understanding the Updated ELA Standards
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Morgan Dunton and Neal Rioux take a deep dive into the updated standards with a focus on how to implement the streamlined writing standards.
Essential Topics in English Language Arts
Standards
Understand the 2020 ELA standards - changes, tools, and instructional resources.
Go to the Standards Support page.
Foundational Literacy Skills
The foundations of reading, writing, and speaking rely on direct instruction and practice with support from everyone.
Go to the Foundational Skills Support page.
Instruction, Assessment, Feedback and Grading
Providing students purposeful feedback to move learning forward is essential to develop effective communication skills.
Go to the Instruction Support page.
Braided ELA Instruction and Interdisciplinary Learning
Implementing the 2020 ELA standards requires an understanding of how the four strands braid together for literacy development and how ELA must interact with all content areas for authentic learning.
Go to the BII Support page.
Equity, Inclusion, and Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
We live and thrive in a global community. Instruction must be welcoming, inclusive, and diverse.
Go to the EICR Support page.
Digital and Media Literacy Development
Developing digital and media literacy skills for effective communication are essential for success in all disciplines.
Go to the DML Support page.
Supporting Students to Develop Literacy in Elementary Grades: A Series for Education Technicians with Dee Saucier
Ed Techs are often on the front line of intervention with elementary students. Develop the vocabulary of literacy instruction and intervention, experience effective strategies, and learn some of the latest research about literacy development. Slides