Jeffrey Sautner

Director of Humanities

(631) 912-2160

Welcome to the Commack UFSD English Language Arts Department! English Language Arts (ELA) holds a profound importance in education, echoing Aristotle's timeless wisdom that true education encompasses not only the mind but also the heart. The integration of emotional and intellectual growth is at the core of ELA, fostering personal development that goes beyond mere academic knowledge. The literacy skills developed in ELA serve as a cornerstone for learning in all disciplines. 

The lifelong practices of readers and writers within ELA serve as building blocks for a holistic education. Readers engage in activities that not only enhance literacy but also nurture empathy and understanding. They think, write, speak, and listen to comprehend, selecting diverse texts for multiple purposes, including learning and pleasure. Persevering through challenging materials enriches their language and knowledge while making connections to self, other texts, and various cultures enhances their emotional intelligence.

As writers, our students embark on a lifelong journey that transcends mere technical skills. They intertwine thinking, reading, speaking, and listening to support their writing, experimenting with language, and drawing inspiration from various sources. The analysis of texts becomes a tool for enhancing their craft, and the process of planning, revising, editing, and rewriting refines their ability to communicate effectively.

In preparing students for college and careers, English Language Arts equips them with invaluable skills. Proficiency in reading and writing across diverse formats, coupled with a deep understanding of cultural nuances, fosters effective communication. The ability to think critically and express oneself articulately is indispensable in academic pursuits and professional endeavors. ELA, therefore, becomes not only a medium for acquiring language skills but also a pathway to nurturing compassionate and well-rounded individuals capable of navigating the complexities of the world. Ultimately, ELA serves as the bridge between education of the mind and education of the heart, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning, meaningful interactions, and success in varied pursuits.

Starting in kindergarten and progressing through our Primary and Intermediate schools,  the ELA program prioritizes a foundation for children's learning through rich and developmentally appropriate experiences with a variety of texts. Classrooms are immersed in literature to foster the expansion of reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. In reading, students focus on key ideas and details, building skills such as locating evidence, making logical inferences, determining themes, summarizing texts, and describing characters, settings, or events. The craft and structure of literature are explored through activities that involve determining word meanings, analyzing structural elements, and comparing different points of view.

The integration of knowledge and ideas encourages students to explain claims with relevant evidence, recognize genres, and make connections to diverse texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, and personal events. Phonics and word recognition skills are developed to enhance accurate decoding of unfamiliar words, while fluency is emphasized for effective comprehension. In writing, students are guided to construct compelling arguments with clear reasons and evidence, use dialogue and description to convey experiences, and respond creatively to texts through various mediums.

Research skills are developed, involving recalling information from experiences or multiple sources, note-taking, and categorizing information. The ELA program also addresses language knowledge, conventions, and vocabulary acquisition. In listening and speaking, students engage in collaborative discussions, pose and respond to questions, and evaluate evidence presented by others. They learn to present knowledge and ideas effectively, incorporating digital media and visual displays appropriately. Overall, the program not only develops literacy skills but also nurtures critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication for lifelong learning.

The middle school ELA Program integrates New York State Reading and Writing standards with (Middle Years Programme) MYP Language and Literature curriculum. It emphasizes the fundamental role of language in learning, critical thinking, and communication. The curriculum serves as an intellectual framework that supports conceptual development and plays a central role in fostering international-mindedness, personal growth, cultural identity, and responsible global citizenship. ELA in grades 6, 7, and 8 is designed to equip students with linguistic, analytical, and communication skills across six domains: listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and presenting. This approach includes a study of genres and literary texts, and fosters insights into ethical, social, economic, political, cultural, and environmental aspects. Instructionally, our classes create a learning environment for readers through shared readings, paired readings, and independent readings. The classrooms incorporate a variety of strategies and texts that promote discussion and writing activities to develop language skills, comprehension, and knowledge building. Students at CMS will read both literary and informational texts, including stories, drama, poetry, fiction, myths, nonfiction, biographies, and articles. 

As middle school students develop writing skills, they utilize strategies for planning, revising, and strengthening writing through independent and collaborative activities. Writing tasks encompass multiple purposes and various tools, emphasizing clarity in the use of language for effective communication. Students' academic language skills develop and are enhanced through reading, writing, and peer discussions. This comprehensive approach supports the lifelong writing practices that they learn in our Primary and Intermediate schools. 

Students at Commack Middle School may also elect to take one of the ELA-related Enrichment courses such as Theater or The Writer’s Studio.  

The Commack High School English Department has adopted learning goals aligned with the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards in the domains of reading, writing, listening, speaking, and language processes. These standards serve as benchmarks for all students to achieve. The curriculum emphasizes the exploration of both literary and informational texts, with a particular focus on argumentative and analytical writing. Furthermore, there is a heightened emphasis on developing research and media skills.

To attain these goals, students are expected to engage in close reading of literary and informational texts, facilitating interpretation, critical analysis, and evaluation. Writing plays a crucial role as students use it to assert and defend claims, convey ideas and information, and express either real or imaginative experiences. The development of speaking and listening skills is also prioritized for comprehension and collaboration, with the integration of digital media for effective information presentation.

New York State requires students to complete four credits of English, including a Regents Exam in Grade 11. In 9th and 10th grade, our ELA classes are “Enriched” as they incorporate elements of  IB Language & Literature skills and assessments. Eleventh Grade students will choose to participate in either IB Literature or IB Language & Literature. Both courses prepare students for the Regents Exam and the corresponding IB Exam which students can take in May of their senior year. During their senior year, students can choose to either continue in their IB course, or they may enroll in English 12 or College English (if certain requirements are met).

In all English courses, students are required to demonstrate mastery of the conventions of standard English, comprehend how language operates in diverse contexts, and ascertain the meaning of words and phrases. The curriculum is designed to holistically equip students with the necessary skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening, with an additional emphasis on research and media competencies, aligning with the comprehensive standards outlined by the New York State Next Generation Learning Standards.

High School students also have the opportunity to enroll in English Department elective courses as follows:  

English Department elective courses include: 

IB and College level elective courses include: