English Language Arts

The elementary English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum aims to provide students with a solid foundation in reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The curriculum is designed to develop students' proficiency in English, enabling them to communicate effectively, think critically, and become lifelong learners.

The goals of the elementary ELA curriculum include:

Reading Comprehension: The curriculum fosters a love for reading and develops strong reading comprehension skills. Students learn to analyze and interpret various types of texts, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and drama. They engage in close reading, identify main ideas, make inferences, and evaluate the author's purpose and point of view.

Vocabulary Development: The curriculum emphasizes the acquisition and application of a wide range of vocabulary. Students learn to expand their word knowledge, understand word relationships, and use context clues to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. They engage in activities that promote vocabulary growth, such as word study, word games, and independent reading.

Writing Proficiency: The curriculum focuses on developing students' writing skills across different genres and formats. Students learn to express their ideas coherently, organize their thoughts, and use appropriate grammar, spelling, and punctuation. They engage in the writing process, which includes prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing their work.

Speaking and Listening Skills: The curriculum aims to enhance students' oral communication abilities. Students learn to express themselves effectively, listen attentively, and participate in collaborative discussions. They engage in activities that promote active listening, respectful dialogue, and effective presentation skills.

Language Conventions: The curriculum emphasizes the understanding and application of language conventions. Students learn grammar rules, sentence structure, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. They develop an awareness of language usage, including formal and informal language, as well as regional and cultural variations.

Media and Information Literacy: The curriculum addresses the increasing importance of media literacy in the digital age. Students learn to evaluate and analyze various forms of media, including online sources, advertisements, and multimedia presentations. They develop critical thinking skills to distinguish between reliable and unreliable information and become responsible digital citizens.

Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills: The curriculum aims to cultivate students' ability to think critically and analytically. They learn to ask questions, make connections, and draw evidence-based conclusions. Students engage in close reading, textual analysis, and critical discussions to develop their ability to think deeply about complex texts.

Overall, the elementary ELA curriculum in Kansas seeks to provide students with the essential skills, strategies, and knowledge needed to become effective communicators, lifelong readers, and critical thinkers in an ever-evolving world. It encourages a love for language and literature, fostering a strong foundation for future academic and personal success.

Instructional Resource:

Core Knowledge Language Arts, 2nd Edition

Publisher: Amplify Education

KSDE Standards for English Language Arts