iteachk2010
Senior Member
Amplify or Core Knowledge Language Arts?
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Is anyone familiar with …
iteachk2010
Senior Member
I am on my district’s committee. We currently have Benchmark Literacy for reading and Reading Horizons for phonics and use Benchmark Writer’s Workshop for writing. We’ve had Benchmark Literacy for over ten years-maybe 13 years. It’s time for a new adoption. It sounded like they want to keep Reading Horizons.
At the first meeting, we were told the adoption could be a comprehensive reading/language arts program, but doesn’t have to be. It needs to align with the science of reading and New Jersey’s Student Learning Standards. Kindergarten teachers felt that what we currently have is lacking in phonemic awareness. Plus we need more decodable books. So we might focus on those.
In the past, we have done K-5 and K-8 adoptions so the curriculum is vertically aligned, but it sounded like they recognize that kindergarten has different needs and we won’t necessarily have to use the same curriculum as the other grades. I think they understand that we are building foundational skills at our level.
At the first meeting, we were told the adoption could be a comprehensive reading/language arts program, but doesn’t have to be. It needs to align with the science of reading and New Jersey’s Student Learning Standards. Kindergarten teachers felt that what we currently have is lacking in phonemic awareness. Plus we need more decodable books. So we might focus on those.
In the past, we have done K-5 and K-8 adoptions so the curriculum is vertically aligned, but it sounded like they recognize that kindergarten has different needs and we won’t necessarily have to use the same curriculum as the other grades. I think they understand that we are building foundational skills at our level.
Sbkangas5
Senior Member
You are very lucky to have some flexibility! I have yet to see a K-5 or K-8 curriculum that's actually good for K. We are definitely our own beast with our own unique needs.
My dream is to have a strong PA curriculum, strong phonics, and then use themes for comprehension - author and artist studies, science units, math units, etc. I doubt it will ever happen, but one can dream, right?
My dream is to have a strong PA curriculum, strong phonics, and then use themes for comprehension - author and artist studies, science units, math units, etc. I doubt it will ever happen, but one can dream, right?
iteachk2010
Senior Member
We also want to be able to do themes. Ideally we would like to create our own program. It is hard to mesh different programs together.
RealisticPreK
Senior Member
Google Tennessee phonemic awareness free
Best for all: sounds first PA program
Best for all: sounds first PA program