Mathematicians, scientists, historians, economists, poets, and novelists all use and produce texts in different ways.  Their purposes for writing vary, as do the language and grammar conventions they use to convey meaning.  Content area literacy instruction in school introduces students to these practices as a part of the process of teaching and exploring content.  In this framework, content area literacy instruction does not compete with or impede content instruction–it is an integral part of content instruction.  Students learn content as they read, write, and produce texts and other representations of important concepts in every academic domain.

Content Area Literacy work is directly informed by the Common Core State Standards, which include literacy practices across the curriculum.  These standards focus heavily on inferential and analytical reading across a range of texts, argumentation and the use of evidence, and research processes.  Oakland Schools actively supports Oakland County schools as they transition to meet these standards and develop curriculum in this area.

Content Area Literacy services at Oakland Schools support educators as they work to integrate these important practices into their instruction.  Professional learning opportunities target understanding reading and writing processes, pedagogical approaches that help students use texts to learn and become critical readers and writers across the grade-levels, and exploring opportunities and challenges for students as they use and produce texts in the content areas.