Mirrors & Windows' text-dependent questions build Depth of Knowledge (DOK)

Mirrors & Windows' After Reading critical thinking questions are based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. These text-dependent questions ask students to recall basic facts from the text and then apply higher level reasoning skills. Questions are paired to build from literal questions to interpretation through synthesis. The critical thinking levels directly align with Norman L. Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels as shown in the chart below. 

Webb’s Depth of Knowledge (DOK) levels	Mirrors & Windows After-Reading question levels
Level 1: Recall and Reproduction Recall of facts information, or procedure	Understand (Find meaning)
Level 2: Skills and Concepts Use of information, concept knowledge	Apply (Use information)
Level 3: Strategic Thinking Requires reasoning, developing a plan or sequence of steps	Analyze (Take things apart)
Level 4 Extended Thinking Requires investigation, thinking and processing multiple conditions of problem or task	Evaluate (Make judgments) Create (Bring ideas together)

Students will have the opportunity to practice cognitive skills and processes at all four levels of DOK after reading every selection in the Mirrors & Windows textbook.

How does Mirrors & Windows address CCSS text complexity?

As we all know by now, one of the key requirements of the Common Core State Standards for Reading is that all students must be able to comprehend texts of steadily increasing complexity as they progress through school. The Standards define a three-part model for determining how easy or difficult a particular text is to read, based on qualitative, quantitative, and reader and task considerations, as well as grade-by-grade specifications for text complexity.

• Mirrors & Windows text complexity measures appear in the At a Glance box for each selection on the Before Reading page in the Teachers’ Edition. A reading level of Easy, Moderate, or Challenging, based on a careful evaluation of each text by qualified reading specialists, takes all of the Common Core text complexity measures into account.
  
• Quantitative measures included in the reading levels are based on the standard readability formulas of Dale Chall, Fry, and Lexiles. (All reading scores available by request.)
• Qualitative measures are used to indicate difficulty considerations and ease factors, factors that might make a selection difficult or easy to read, such as the author’s style; length of the selection or length of sentences, words, and paragraphs; difficulty of the vocabulary; and students’ familiarity with the topic or subject matter. These factors help teachers evaluate reader and task considerations to determine whether a text is appropriate for a given student.
• In addition, the quantitative measure of the total word count for each selection is included along with the reading level in the Unit Scope and Sequence Guide in the Teachers’ Edition.

Use Avenue to Assess CCSS Speaking & Listening

Engage students with cutting edge, research based digital technology. Avenue is an innovative video-assessment platform for capturing, reviewing, providing feedback, archiving, and visualizing progress of video-based learner performances in your language arts classroom. Students develop their speaking and listening skills by recording a response to an oral task created by the teacher. Each task is self-evaluated and submitted to the teacher, allowing students to immediately self-reflect and grow.

For instructors, Avenue is simple

1. Record, upload, or search for your media

2. Build customized tasks in minutes

3. Assign tasks to one or all with ease

4. Access with custom scores, video, and text

For students, Avenue is even simpler

1. Complete assigned tasks

2. Self-evaluate your performance

3. Review feedback and progress

Try Avenue today! Visit emcl.com/avenue to request your FREE 30-day demo. 

Flipgrid New Digital Learning Technology

Use EMC's new digital technologies in your classroom to practice and assess Common Core speaking and listening standards. Flipgrid is simple. Teachers create grids of short discussion-style questions that students respond to online through recorded videos. Use the Mirrors & Windows postreading questions in the textbook to engage your students in thought-provoking discussions about the central ideas in the selections they have read. Flipgrid boosts community and social presence in face-to-face, hybrid, and online classrooms. Give your students a voice.  

1. Instructors ask

2. Students respond

3. Everyone shares

A Flipgrid account allows an instructor to create grids (up to 10) for an unlimited number of students. Call 800-328-1452 for more information. We’d love you to Flipgrid. Build your grid today by visiting emcl.com/flipgrid to request your FREE 30-day demo.

EMC Bookshelf features multi-platform eBooks

All student textbook materials will be available in the new EMC Bookshelf. These interactive multi-platform eBooks are compatible with all devices including iPads, Chromebooks, desktop and laptop computers, and smartphones. All student entered data will be stored securely to the cloud and will sync to any device they use to access the books. Students' bookmarks, notes, highlights and more will be available on their school devices and at home using a single sign-on.

Student Text iOS eBook Now Available!

The Mirrors & Windows student text iOS eBook connects students to literature and language arts in and out of the classroom. With a touch of the finder, students access every page of text as well as the audio recording of the reading selections. All eBooks are downloadable to Apple^® mobile devices including the iPad^®, iPhone^®, and iPod Touch^® and are available on the go without an Internet connection. The complete interactive student text is also available as a multi-platform eBook, on CD, and at www.mirrorsandwindows.com. All eBook versions include highlighting, note-taking, and bookmarking features. Get your students connected with great literature 24/7!

EMC authors present at NCTE in Las Vegas on November 17!

Are you attending the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Conference in Las Vegas? EMC's Expository Composition: Discovering Your Voice authors Gary Anderson and Tony Romano are presenting two sessions this weekend.

Here, There, and Everywhere: Professional Development that Starts with You 
Saturday, November 17, 2012
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
MGM Grand: Level Three, Room 308
Do your in-service days leave you uninspired and dreaming of meaningful professional development? Join us to co-discover, learn, and discuss ways newer teachers, veterans, and everyone in between can find and design relevant, affordable, authentic professional development experiences at school, online, and off-site. Connect and ignite your professional development!

Igniting Student Bloggers: Using Creative Nonfiction Techniques to Connect with Online Audiences 
Saturday, November 17, 2012
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM
MGM Grand: Level One, Room 118
When students know their writing will be read by wide audiences, they take their language seriously and make exciting choices. In this interactive session, participants will discover and explore how to use creative nonfiction techniques to launch student blogs alive with powerful ideas, imagery, and intellectual curiosity.

Make sure to stop at EMC’s booth #408 on Friday, November 16 from noon until 6:00pm to meet authors, Gary Anderson and Tony Romano for a book signing! Also, while you are there please sign up to win a $50 American Express gift card courtesy of EMC Publishing.