Philosophy: The Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools recognize that being literate in contemporary society means being active, critical, and creative users of not only print and spoken language but also of the visual language of film, visual art, and more. Any definition of the English language arts must therefore include helping students learn how to accomplish successfully the many functions of written and spoken language. Since our mission is “to do whatever it takes for all students to acquire the knowledge and skills to become productive, responsible citizens,” we have developed district academic standards in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. We believe these standards are essential for our students to gain success in a highly technological society.
MNPS READING INTERVENTION:
For MNPS students needing additional help in developing literacy skills between grades 4-12, Language! provides systematic, research-based reading instruction. The essential components of literacy, including phonemic awareness, vocabulary, grammar, listening, writing, and reading comprehension are explicitly taught using a multi-sensory approach. Achievement in literacy acquisition is monitored as students progress toward grade-level reading comprehension. For more information, visit www.teachlanguage.com.
Contact Information
Gary Cowan – Coordinator of English Language Arts
Gary.Cowan@mnps.org
Phone # - 615-259-8652
Fax # - 615-214-8651
Virginia Wall – Language Arts Secretary
Virginia.Wall@mnps.org
Phone # - 615-259-8652
Fax - 615-214-8651
Fran Hewston Gregory – Curriculum Program Assistant
Frances.Hewston@mnps.org
Phone # - 615-259-8628
Fax - 615-214-8651
Jill Bates – Language! Mentor Specialist
Jill.Bates@mnps.org
Phone # - 615-259-8546
Fax - 615-214-8651
Bobbie Williams – English Mentor Specialist
Bobbie.Williams@mnps.org
Phone # - 615-259-8629
Fax - 615-214-8651
ACADEMIC CONTEST OPPORTUNITIES:
Metro-Kathryn C. Mitchell Spelling Bee
The Metro-Kathryn C. Mitchell Spelling Bee for MNPS students in grades 5-6 will be conducted on January 30 (Snow date: February 6) in the Kresge Resource Center at Meharry Medical College. Schools must be registered by December 7 if students are to participate. The winner and runner-up advance to the Davidson County Spelling Bee.
Davidson County Spelling Bee
The Davidson County Spelling Bee for MNPS students in grades 7-8 will be conducted on February 12 (Snow date: February 19) in the Towers Annex Auditorium at Trevecca University. Some major changes have occurred in this event due to changes mandated by Scripps-Howard, sponsor of the National Spelling Bee. There are two levels of participation this year. Schools have received information and students must be registered by December 7 if the school is to participate. The winner and runner-up from the Level I participation category will advance to the Middle Tennessee Regional Spelling Bee conducted on March 7 at Belmont University. The winner of the Regional Spelling Bee will be eligible to participate as the contestant from Middle Tennessee in the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee to be conducted in Washington, D. C. in May. The Tennessean will award the champion speller an all-expense paid trip to the National Spelling Bee. For additional information about the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee, visit their website at www.spellingbee.com.
The Pencil Foundation - Student Writers Showcase Essay Contest
(Contest Entry Deadline: March 7, 2008)
The Pencil Foundation Student Writers Showcase is a writing competition for students in grades 3-12 in Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. It is designed to encourage creativity, promote the importance of good communication skills, and complement and support the MNPS language arts writing standards. Teachers enter original student works in twelve competition categories which will be judged by professional writers and educators. Student finalists in grades 3-12, their families, and their teachers are invited to an awards day presentation in May. First place entries are published on the PENCIL website at www.pencilfd.org . For additional information, please visit the PENCIL website or contact Nikki Troutman at (615) 242-3167 x 231.
English Language Arts Education Information
Community Resources