Mirrors & Windows 2021

Name: Mirrors & Windows 2021
Brand: EMC School Publishing

by EMC School Publishing

ElaGrades 9–12

About This Curriculum

A literature-based ELA curriculum built on rich, diverse, and timeless writings by renowned authors. The program uses a gradual release of responsibility model and includes integrated instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening, language, grammar, and vocabulary.

What makes it unique: Literature anthology with diverse, canonical and contemporary texts organized around themes and essential questions; includes extensive digital resources (20,000+ pages via EMC E-Library) and audio library for professional reading.

Mirrors & Windows 2021: Literature-Based ELA with Diverse Texts

Mirrors & Windows 2021 is a literature-based ELA curriculum for grades 9-12 that emphasizes diverse and timeless writings by renowned authors. The program uses a gradual release of responsibility model and integrates reading, writing, speaking, listening, language, grammar, and vocabulary instruction.

Best for

High school teachers seeking a literature-based ELA curriculum with diverse texts, though may need supplementation for knowledge building and text complexity

Evaluation Criteria

2 concerns · 3 neutral · 4 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichConcern

EdReports indicates the curriculum only partially meets expectations for building knowledge through texts.

Gateway 2 rating of 'Partially Meets Expectations' for Building Knowledge suggests limited systematic domain knowledge building

Text ComplexityConcern

EdReports indicates the curriculum only partially meets expectations for grade-level text complexity demands.

Gateway 1 rating of 'Partially Meets Expectations' for Text Quality & Complexity suggests concerns with grade-level appropriateness

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum uses a gradual release of responsibility model, which can support explicit instruction but may vary in directness.

Uses 'gradual release of responsibility model' which typically moves from teacher modeling to guided practice to independence

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

The curriculum includes integrated vocabulary instruction as part of its comprehensive approach.

Program description explicitly mentions 'integrated instruction in vocabulary' as a component

Writing InstructionNeutral

Writing instruction is integrated into the curriculum design.

Program includes 'integrated instruction in reading, writing, speaking, listening, language, grammar'

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

No information provided about teacher training or professional development materials.

No mention of teacher guides, background knowledge resources, or professional development in available materials

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

No evidence provided about retrieval practice or spaced review components.

No mention of quizzes, recall exercises, or systematic review in available information

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

Not applicable for grades 9-12 curriculum.

This is a high school curriculum where phonics instruction is not developmentally appropriate

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

The curriculum appears to be literature-based with emphasis on writings by renowned authors, but specific evidence about whole books versus excerpts is not provided.

Described as built on 'rich, diverse, and timeless writings by renowned authors' but no specific mention of complete works

Sources: edreports.org