Elementary ELA Curriculum
Welcome to Our Elementary Literacy Corner!
East Lyme Public Schools is committed to fostering a love of reading and ensuring that every student becomes a proficient reader. We are excited to introduce our new literacy compendium, which includes Wit & Wisdom, Heggerty, Geodes, and Fundations. These programs are carefully chosen to align with Scarborough's Rope model and the latest research in the science of reading.
The Science of Reading
Our literacy programs are grounded in the science of reading, ensuring explicit instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This research-based approach helps students develop both foundational skills and higher-level language abilities.
Understanding Scarborough's Rope Model
Scarborough's Rope breaks down reading into two main components: Language Comprehension and Word Recognition. These strands intertwine to create skilled reading.
Image courtesy of Dr. Hollis Scarborough, 2001.
Our Elementary Literacy Programs
The programs outlined below work in conerct with one another to address all of the components highlighted in Scarborough's Rope. These programs have been approved by the CT State Department of Education as approved reading curriucula under the CT Right to Read Act.
Wit & Wisdom
Language Comprehension
- Background Knowledge: Engages students with diverse topics to broaden their understanding.
- Vocabulary Development: Introduces new words through varied and rich texts.
- Language Structures & Verbal Reasoning: Helps students analyze complex sentences and develop interpretive skills.
Heggerty
Word Recognition
- Phonological Awareness: Daily lessons on rhyming, blending, segmenting, and manipulating sounds.
- Decoding: Enhances decoding skills through systematic and explicit phonemic instruction.
Geodes
Word Recognition and Language Comprehension
- Decoding & Sight Recognition: Provides decodable texts for practicing phonics skills and recognizing familiar words.
- Vocabulary & Background Knowledge: Builds knowledge and vocabulary with engaging, content-rich stories.
Fundations
Word Recognition
- Phonological Awareness & Decoding: Structured lessons on sound-letter relationships to improve decoding.
- Sight Recognition: Frequent practice with high-frequency words for better word recognition.
Join Us on the Journey to Literacy Success!
We are dedicated to providing the best possible education for your child. Our comprehensive literacy programs are designed to inspire a love of reading and equip students with the skills they need for lifelong learning.
For more information about these programs and how they support your child's reading journey, please contact your child's classroom teacher.