Language Arts Curriculum
Transitional Kindergarten-Fifth Grade English Language Arts
Our kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms implement the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA-Amplify). CKLA Amplify takes a fundamentally different approach from typical ELA programs, recognizing that teaching students about history, science, art, and literature is essential to their reading successfully in third grade and beyond. CKLA carefully sequences background knowledge, building vocabulary and comprehension while instilling a life-long curiosity for learning.
CKLA contains two strands: the Knowledge Strand and the Skills Strand. The Knowledge Strand provides teachers with complex literary and informational read-alouds carefully chosen and organized to build a staircase of knowledge within and across grade levels. The accompanying instruction helps students develop deep vocabulary through building background knowledge. Teachers engage students in rich, text-based discussions that help them develop important listening and speaking skills even before proficiency in reading and writing. Extension activities foster deeper learning by helping students apply their knowledge of the texts.
The Skills Strand focuses on decoding, encoding, grammar, handwriting, and writing. Using the gradual release model, writing instruction includes genre writing and the writing process. Students learn the code and develop fluency while interacting with unique decodable readers that are organized like chapter books and designed to develop a breadth of literacy skills while bolstering code comprehension.
6th-8th Grade English Language Arts
The Engage NY curriculum for grades 6-8 in English and Language Arts (ELA) is offered through EL Education. The curriculum combines standards-aligned content with effective instructional practice, bringing together the “what” and the “how” of the Common Core standards.
In our curriculum…
- Students get excited about learning through great books, compelling topics and ownership of their own learning.
- Teachers get a vision of the instructional practices that support a Common Core-aligned classroom and the tools to create it.
Four 8-week modules, with 3 units in each, comprise a full year’s curriculum. Each module progresses in a standard sequence: Building Background Knowledge (Unit 1), Extended Reading and Research (Unit 2), and Extended Writing (Unit 3). Modules are linked by “big ideas” and “guiding questions” that speak to both the standards and the content. Each module is anchored by one or more books—not textbooks or anthologies—that have been carefully chosen to take the guesswork out of selecting texts. All students read the same increasingly complex texts, and teachers are given lesson-specific strategies for meeting all students’ needs. Each module has 7 assessments – 3 mid-unit, 3 end-of-unit and one culminating performance task that always involves writing from evidence. Science and Social Studies content reinforces literacy strategies across the disciplines.
Information on the 3-8 curriculum can be found at:
Math Curriculum
Eureka Math: TK-8
Eureka Math — also known as EngageNY — is a complete, Pre-K through 12 curriculum that carefully sequences the mathematical progressions into expertly crafted modules. Eureka Math provides educators with a comprehensive suite of innovative curriculum, in-depth professional development, books, and support materials. Eureka Math, a Common Core-aligned curriculum published by the non-profit Great Minds Inc., equates mathematical concepts to stories, with the aim of developing conceptual understanding. Like Common Core, it encourages students to use various mental strategies to solve problems, and to focus on the process instead of the answer.
Eureka Math in Sync digital suite makes knowledge unstoppable by taking everything you love about Eureka Math and adding short, digestible videos for each lesson. Downloadable, fillable PDFs allow students to show their work and communicate with teachers via annotations and comments.This hybrid learning environment lets teachers and students toggle seamlessly between home and classroom without developing any knowledge gaps. Eureka Math has many parent-friendly features including: Homework Helpers, Parent Tip Sheets in English and Spanish, Curriculum Roadmaps, video tutorials, and parent support. Parents may learn more about Eureka Math through the Great
Minds website: https://greatminds.org/math.
Social Studies Curriculum
Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA): K-1
Social Studies lessons for grades K-1 is integrated within the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) English Language Arts curriculum.
MC3 Social Studies Series: 2-8
The MC3 Curriculum was created by several ISDs and RESAs to assist local school districts in implementing the new social studies content expectations. It provides high quality curriculum materials for free through its website. This program supports our mission of providing a rigorous, academic and cultural program where our children learn to become healthy, responsible citizens, life-long learners, and world leaders. Our use of this program will help bridge the gap for children and families by providing an opportunity for consistency in their educational continuum.
Science Curriculum
TK-1 Mystery Science
Students will learn through discovery and hands-on activities how the world works through this engaging science curriculum. To learn more about Mystery Science, you may visit their link at: https://mysteryscience.com. Science lessons are also incorporated in the CKLA English Language Arts curriculum.
2-8 Foss Science
FOSS (Full Option Science System) is a research-based science curriculum for grades K-8 developed at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley. The best way for students to appreciate the scientific enterprise, learn important scientific and engineering concepts, and develop the ability to think well is to actively participate in scientific practices through their own investigations and analyses. The FOSS Program was created specifically to provide students and teachers with meaningful experiences through engaging with this active participation in scientific practices.