Curriculum and Instruction - English Language Arts K-8

Overview

At Eastport-South Manor, our approach to literacy development for K-8 students is rooted in a deep commitment to their growth as lifelong readers and writers. We use Units of Study in Reading and Writing, which are designed to support engagement in a variety of fiction and nonfiction genres. The skills taught in each genre are spiraled vertically (K-8) and aligned with the learning progressions that increase in sophistication and build on skills previously taught. The units are taught through a workshop model, a dynamic and engaging educational framework that immerses students in an active learning environment. Our students are exposed to real-world reading materials and writing tasks that mirror the experiences they may encounter beyond the classroom. This approach encourages them to explore various genres, express their thoughts through writing, and collaborate with peers, ultimately nurturing a profound appreciation for the power of words.

We wholeheartedly recognize that comprehensive literacy education encompasses more than just fostering a love for reading—it necessitates a profound mastery of the mechanics that underlie proficient reading. To ensure a solid foundation, students receive comprehensive phonics instruction and decodable texts are woven into our curriculum. This deliberate integration equips our students with the essential skills to decipher words, understand the structure of language, and independently navigate a wide range of texts. The fusion of systematic phonics and purposefully designed decodable texts into our curriculum stands as a deliberate effort, equipping students with the indispensable tools to decode words, comprehend intricate language structures, and independently navigate an expansive spectrum of texts—a direct alignment with the Foundational Skills section of the standards.

New York State Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards

The Next Generation English Language Arts (ELA) Standards serve as a comprehensive framework designed to guide English language arts education and literacy development in students. These standards outline the essential knowledge, skills, and competencies that students should attain at various grade levels, from kindergarten through grade 12. The purpose of the Next Generation ELA Standards is to provide clear and consistent expectations for what students should learn and be able to do in the realm of English language arts.

The ELA standards are developed within the context of the Lifelong Practices of Readers and Writers. The practices also indicate that teachers should expect students to read often and widely from a range of and diverse texts, in terms of content, language, origin, medium, and text type.

Our Curriculum Resources (Include But Not Limited To)

Teachers College Reading Units of Study: These units are the cornerstone of our reading instruction for grades K-8. They provide our educators with the essential tools for conducting impactful reading mini-lessons that address various aspects of reading comprehension and literary analysis.

Fundations: Serving as the primary resource for phonics instruction in grades K-2, Fundations guides students through letter sounds, sound blending, segmenting words, and sight-word mastery. This resource sets a strong foundation for language and reading development.

Heggerty: Designed for grades K-2, Heggerty supports phonological awareness, helping students develop the ability to hear and manipulate sounds in spoken words. This skill serves as a precursor to their understanding of printed words.

Fountas and Pinnell Guided Reading: This resource facilitates small-group instruction through leveled books aligned with the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmarking system. It allows teachers to tailor instruction to each student's reading level while working with a shared text in the small group setting.

Jump Rope Readers/Geodes: These high-interest decodable book series introduce beginning readers to letter-sound correspondences and high-frequency words. These engaging books gradually build foundational reading skills and introduce literary elements.

myON Online Platform: Personalizing reading for grades 3-6, myON recommends books based on students' interests, reading level, and preferences. This online platform enhances their reading experiences by connecting them with suitable materials.

iReady: An adaptive online program, iReady offers additional phonics and comprehension practice for students in K-6. It tailors exercises to each student's proficiency level, providing targeted practice to strengthen their literacy skills.

IXL: Catering to grades 7-8, IXL serves as an online adaptive program offering phonics and comprehension practice. Just like iReady, it customizes content based on students' individual proficiency levels.

Content Overview

Kindergarten

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Grade 4

Grade 5

Grade 6

Grade 7

Grade 8