A number of updates have been made to Atlas Rubicon based on teacher feedback:

  • To find ELA core curriculum go to the Search drop down menu, then filter by school (select 2013-2014 CS ELA Curriculum) and grade level taught. Teachers copy units from courses indicated as master (M) and these suggested units follow the Concept scope and sequence for mastery of standard.
  • The ELA template look has been changed to make more explicit how to use the tool for unit planning and weekly lessons:
  • Color coding system

Black - Suggested content and materials
Blue - Process directions for using the unit and creating weekly lesson plans
Green - Recommended Resources
When the links appear as red, there are materials attached.

  • Essential Question - There is one question for each unit with a link to how to create your own questions so if a teacher prefers can create his/her own question to focus lesson.
  • I Can Statements – Teachers must select I can’s from a drop down menu and match them to the standards indicated for their weekly lesson plan.
  • Academic vocabulary – Each unit has academic vocabulary and an explanation on how to select words from readings attached as a link.
  • Assessments – A reminder is built into the grey bar to think about the level of mastery of the standard, and to be tracking reading progress using DIBELS, etc.
  • Lesson Plans/Activities/Strategies– An explanation has been added to the grey bar that delineates what should be in the weekly lesson plan and where it should be put in Atlas. In addition, a detailed list of possible activities and explanation of possible strategies and possible assessments are attachedin a link.
  • Resources – This list includes suggested texts, CCSS exemplars, and writing materials.
  • Links – For each of the K-5 units there is a link for: Essential Question Chart, Academic Vocabulary PowerPoint, How to Choose Reading Assessments, Sample Activities, Targeted Strategy Explanations (K-5), Pacing Guides for K-2nd grade, The Six T’s of Elementary Literacy Instruction, 10 Research Based Ways to Build a Child’s Vocabulary, Common Core Exemplars by Grade Level, Traits Writing Overview/Mentor Text Lists, and Kolb’s Model of Experiential Learning.
  • Links – For each of the 6-8 units there is a link for: Essential Question Chart, Academic Vocabulary PowerPoint, How to Choose Reading Assessments, Sample CCSS Question Stems and Lexiles, Sample Activities, Targeted Strategy Explanations (6-8), Common Core Exemplars by Grade Level, Traits Writing Overview/Mentor List, and Kolb’s Model of Experiential Learning.
  • Links – For each of the 9-12 units there is a link for: Essential Question Chart, Academic Vocabulary PowerPoint, How to Choose Reading Assessments, Sample CCSS Question Stems and Lexiles, Sample Activities, Targeted Strategy Explanations (9-12), Common Core Exemplars by Grade Level, Writing Ideas and Explanations, and Kolb’s Model of Experiential Learning.

NOTE: Unit 1 and 2 for 9th Grade Writing and Reading Workshop is in Atlas, 12th Grade College and Career Composition and ACT Overviews done ( and APideas by August 15th.