Mirrors & Windows 2020

by EMC School Publishing

ElaGrades 6–8

About This Curriculum

A comprehensive literature-based ELA curriculum featuring diverse, high-quality texts that help students make connections between themselves and the world through the mirrors-and-windows framework—texts that reflect students' own experiences and texts that provide windows into others' experiences.

What makes it unique: Based on the mirrors-and-windows metaphor (where mirrors help students reflect on their world and windows lead them into new worlds), using a gradual release of responsibility model and featuring a diverse selection of literary, informational, and primary-source texts aligned to Common Core State Standards.

Mirrors & Windows 2020: Literature-Based ELA with Diverse Texts

Mirrors & Windows 2020 is a comprehensive literature-based ELA curriculum for grades 6-8 that uses diverse, high-quality texts within a framework where some texts serve as 'mirrors' reflecting students' experiences and others as 'windows' into different perspectives. The curriculum aims to help students make connections between themselves and the broader world through literary exploration.

Best for

Middle grade teachers seeking a literature-based ELA curriculum with diverse texts, though additional supplementation may be needed for knowledge building and text complexity

Evaluation Criteria

2 concerns · 1 neutral · 6 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichConcern

The curriculum shows limitations in systematically building knowledge through texts across domains.

EdReports Gateway 2 rating of 'Partially Meets Expectations' for 'Building Knowledge — whether the curriculum builds knowledge through texts'

Text ComplexityConcern

The curriculum shows some limitations in meeting grade-level text complexity demands.

EdReports Gateway 1 rating of 'Partially Meets Expectations' for 'Text Quality & Complexity — alignment to grade-level text demands'

Systematic PhonicsNeutral

Phonics instruction is not applicable for this middle grades curriculum focused on grades 6-8.

Curriculum targets grades 6-8, beyond the typical phonics instruction years of K-2

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

Information about teacher professional development or training materials is not provided in available reviews.

Review materials do not mention teacher guides, professional development components, or instructional support resources

Direct InstructionInsufficient Evidence

The curriculum's instructional approach and level of explicit instruction are not clearly detailed in reviews.

Available materials describe the literature-based framework but do not specify instructional methodologies or teacher guidance

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

Information about retrieval practice and spaced review components is not available in the review materials.

EdReports evaluation does not address specific learning techniques like retrieval practice or spaced review

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Specific approaches to vocabulary instruction are not detailed in the available review evidence.

EdReports evaluation does not provide specific information about vocabulary building strategies or implementation

Writing InstructionInsufficient Evidence

The extent and quality of writing instruction components are not specified in available reviews.

Review materials do not detail the curriculum's approach to writing instruction or its integration with reading

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

The curriculum appears to use a mix of texts, though specific information about whole books versus excerpts is not detailed in available reviews.

EdReports notes 'range and quality of texts' but doesn't specify the balance between complete works and excerpted materials

Sources: edreports.org

Review Sources

edreports

EdReports Panel

Gateway 1 Alignment:Partially Meets Expectations
Gateway 2 Alignment:Partially Meets Expectations
Key Facts
GradesGrades 6–8
SubjectEla
PedagogyLiterature Based
Faith-BasedNo
FormatDigital + Physical

Looking for something different?

If none of these options feel right, explore a non-traditional approach. Pallas Center offers a unique curriculum, or design your own with Palladay.

Data sources: edreports