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Curriculum

EL Education English Language Arts Curriculum:

Welby Community School of the arts uses the EL Education English Language Arts curriculum to cultivate literacy skills in our students. The standards-aligned EL Education K-8 Language Arts curriculum, one of several open educational resources designed for the science of how students learn to read. 

It features embedded social-emotional learning, receives top scores from EdReports.org, and ensures all students have access to complex, culturally affirming topics and texts.

EL Education’s approach to curriculum promotes both challenge and joy in learning. We encourage teachers to use, adapt, or design instruction that allows all students to grapple with demanding, standards-based content and meaningful tasks to produce high-quality work. We believe students learn best when they engage in collaboration, voice, thinking, and reflection and learn in a healthy culture that reflects a commitment to developing character. We empower our students to contribute to a more just and equitable world.

EL Curriculum Framework:

Kindergarten:

  • Module 1: Building Literacy in a Collaborative Classroom: Toys and Play 
    • Unit 1: Engaging in Close Read-Aloud: Learning to Play with Others
    • Unit 2: Speaking and Listening: Becoming Toy Experts
    • Unit 3: Writing to Show Our Learning: Toys Our Classmates Prefer
  • Module 2: Learning through Science and Story: Weather Wonders 
    • Unit 1: Learning to Read and Write Informational Texts: Becoming Meteorologists
    • Unit 2: Reading Narrative Texts: How Weather Affects People
    • Unit 3: Writing Imaginary Narratives: My Weather Story
  • Module 3: Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Trees are Alive
    • Unit 1: Reading to Engage and Build Knowledge: A Study of Living and Nonliving Things
    • Unit 2: Reading as Research: A Study of Trees and the Living Things that Depend on Them
    • Unit 3: Reading to Research and Discuss: A Study of How Living Things Meet Their Needs
  • Module 4: Contributing to Community: Enjoying and Appreciating Trees 
    • Unit 1: Exploring and Analyzing Literature: Stories of Characters Who Enjoy and Appreciate Trees
    • Unit 2: Reading about and Writing Opinions: How Trees Are Important to Communities
    • Unit 3: Taking Action through Literacy and Artwork: Inspiring Others to Appreciate and Enjoy Trees

1st Grade:

  • Module 1: Tools and Work 
    • Unit 1: Learning to Ask and Answer Questions: Getting to Know the Tools Around Us
    • Unit 2: Reading Closely: Learning about Habits of Character
    • Unit 3: Writing to Show Understanding: Creating a Magnificent Thing
  • Module 2: What’s Up in the Sky: A Study of the Sun, Moon, and Stars 
    • Unit 1: Reading Literature and Retelling: Exploring the Sun, Moon, and Stars through Story
    • Unit 2: Reading to Learn and Writing to Understand: A Study of the Patterns of the Sun, Moon, and Stars
    • Unit 3: Writing Narratives: Using Observations of the Sun to Write Narrative Poems
  • Module 3: Growing as Researchers: Birds’ Amazing Bodies 
    • Unit 1: Learning to Read Informational Texts: Building Background Knowledge about Birds
    • Unit 2: Building Research Skills: Birds’ Bodies
    • Unit 3: Writing to Show Our Research: Building Expertise about Birds’ Bodies
  • Module 4: Caring for Birds
    • Unit 1: Analyzing Literature: Stories of Bird Helpers
    • Unit 2: Supporting Opinions: The Story of Pale Male
    • Unit 3: Taking Action through Literacy and Artwork: Caring for Birds

2nd Grade:

  • Module 1: Schools and Community 
    • Unit 1: Building Our Background Knowledge: Schools and Their Importance
    • Unit 2: Reading and Writing Informational Texts: Challenges in Going to School
    • Unit 3: Performance Task: The Most Important Thing about Schools Books
  • Module 2: Learning through Science and Story: Fossils Tell of Earth’s Changes 
    • Unit 1: Listening for Details: Learning about Paleontologists
    • Unit 2: Reading Informational Texts: Studying Fossils Closely
    • Unit 3: Writing Narratives: Becoming Paleontologists
  • Module 3: Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: The Secret World of Pollination 
    • Unit 1: Building Background Knowledge: Learning about Plants
    • Unit 2: Building Research Skills: Researching Pollinators
    • Unit 3: Speaking and Listening: Pollinator Presentations
  • Module 4: Providing for Pollinators
    • Unit 1: Pollinator Characters Who Work Hard to Help Others
    • Unit 2: Reading and Writing Opinions: Helping Pollinators
    • Unit 3: Taking Action Through Literacy and Artwork: Helping Butterflies

3rd Grade:

  • Module 1: Overcoming Learning Challenges Near and Far 
    • Unit 1: Reading Literary Texts: Overcoming Learning Challenges—School and Education
    • Unit 2: Reading and Writing to Inform: Overcoming Learning Challenges—Books
    • Unit 3: Writing to Inform: Overcoming Learning Challenges—Reading
  • Module 2: Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Adaptations and the Wide World of Frogs 
    • Unit 1: Reading and Writing Narratives: Poems and Pourquoi Tales about Frogs
    • Unit 2: Building Background Knowledge: Frogs and the Research Process
    • Unit 3: Using Writing to Inform: Freaky Frog Text
  • Module 3: Exploring Literary Classics
    • Unit 1: Analyzing Author’s Craft: Character Development in Peter Pan
    • Unit 2: Writing Grounded in Evidence: An Opinion of Peter Pan
    • Unit 3: Reading Like a Writer: Revising Scenes from Peter Pan
  • Module 4: Water Around the World 
    • Unit 1: Building Background Knowledge: Water Around the World
    • Unit 2: Developing an Opinion: The Importance of Water Conservation
    • Unit 3: Call to Action: Solutions to Water Issues

4th Grade:

  • Module 1: Poetry, Poets, and Becoming Writers 
    • Unit 1: Reading and Analyzing Poetry: Love That Dog and Famous Poems
    • Unit 2: Writing to Inform: What Inspires Writers to Write Poetry?
    • Unit 3: Writing to Entertain: Poetry
  • Module 2: Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Animal Defense Mechanisms 
    • Unit 1: Building Background Knowledge: Animal Defenses and the Research Process
    • Unit 2: Using Writing to Inform
    • Unit 3: Using Writing to Entertain
  • Module 3: The American Revolution 
    • Unit 1: Perspectives on the American Revolution: Building Background Knowledge
    • Unit 2: Perspectives on the American Revolution: Perspectives in Literature
    • Unit 3: Using Writing to Share an Opinion
  • Module 4: Responding to Inequality: Ratifying the 19th Amendment 
    • Unit 1: Building Background Knowledge: Reading about and Analyzing Events in The Hope Chest
    • Unit 2: Analyzing Characters and How Their Actions Contribute to Theme: Reading and Analyzing The Hope Chest
    • Unit 3: Call to Action: How Can We Make a Difference?

5th Grade:

  • Module 1: Stories of Human Rights 
    • Unit 1: Building Background Knowledge: Human Rights
    • Unit 2: Writing to Inform: Threats to Human Rights in Esperanza Rising
    • Unit 3: Using Writing to Raise Awareness: Human Rights
  • Module 2: Researching to Build Knowledge and Teach Others: Biodiversity in the Rainforest 
    • Unit 1: Building Background Knowledge: Why Scientists Study the Rainforest
    • Unit 2: Using Writing to Inform
    • Unit 3: Using Writing to Entertain
  • Module 3: Athlete Leaders of Social Change 
    • Unit 1: Opportunities to Lead Change: Case Study: Jackie Robinson
    • Unit 2: Opportunities to Lead Change: The Most Important Factors in Jackie Robinson’s Success
    • Unit 3: Opportunities to Lead Change: Common Factors That Contribute to Success in Leading Social Change
  • Module 4: The Impact of Natural Disasters
    • Unit 1: Researching Natural Disasters: Physical Impact
    • Unit 2: Analyzing Literature about Natural Disasters: Human Impact
    • Unit 3: Taking Action: Preparing for Natural Disasters

6th Grade:

  • Module 1: Greek Mythology
    • Unit 1: Build Background Knowledge
      Greek Mythology
    • Unit 2: Write to Inform Compare and Contrast Text and Film of The Lightning Thief
    • Unit 3: Research to Create a New Character and Write a Narrative
  • Module 2: Critical Problems and Design Solutions 
    • Unit 1: Build Background William Kamkwamba and Design Thinking
    • Unit 2: Research to Discover Innovative Designers
    • Unit 3: Write to Inform Problem–Solution Essay
  • Module 3: American Indian Boarding Schools
    • Unit 1: Build Background Knowledge Analyze Points of View toward American Indian Boarding Schools
    • Unit 2: Confront Challenges Characters’ Responses and Emerging Themes
    • Unit 3: Literary Argument Writing
      Gather Evidence and Reflect on Multiple Perspectives
  • Module 4: Remarkable Accomplishments in Space Science 
    • Unit 1: Remarkable Accomplishments of the Space Race
    • Unit 2: Remarkable Accomplishments of the Hidden Figures
    • Unit 3: Remarkable Accomplishments in Space Science

Bridges In Mathematics Curriculum:

The Bridges in Mathematics curriculum is a PK–5 program that helps students develop a deep understanding of math concepts, proficiency with key skills, and the ability to solve complex problems. The curriculum is made up of three components: Problems & Investigations, Work Places, and Number Corner. Here are some features of the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum: 

  • Visual models
    • The curriculum uses visual models and manipulatives to help students represent and interpret numbers, shapes, and patterns. 
  • Active learning
    • The curriculum incorporates familiar mathematical and instructional routines to ensure that each student feels heard.
  • Informal and formal assessments
    • The curriculum includes a variety of assessments, such as tips for teachers, individual and small-group interviews, and paper-and-pencil tasks. 
  • Bridges Intervention
    • An elementary intervention program that uses visual models to promote student thinking and accelerate learning. 
  • Number Corner
    • A complementary K-5 program for daily skills practice and discourse of math concepts. 
  • Bridges Breakout: Number Rack
    • Helps students learn addition and subtraction math facts using the number rack. 

The Bridges in Mathematics curriculum is designed to be linguistically, visually, and kinesthetically rich, and to tap into the intelligence and strengths of all students. 

Bridges Curriculum Framework:

Kindergarten:

  • Unit 1: Numbers to  Five & Ten
  • Unit 2: Numbers to Ten
  • Unit 3: Bikes & Bugs: Double, Add & Subtract
  • Unit 4: Paths to Adding, Subtracting & Measuring
  • Unit 5: Two-Dimensional Geometry
  • Unit 6: Three-Dimensional Shapes & Numbers Beyond Ten
  • Unit 7: Weight & Place Value
  • Unit 8: Computing & Measuring with Frogs & Bugs

1st Grade:

  • Unit 1: Numbers All  Around Us
  • Unit 2: Developing Strategies with Dice & Dominoes
  • Unit 3: Adding, Subtracting, Counting & Comparing
  • Unit 4: Leapfrogs on the Number Line
  • Unit 5: Geometry
  • Unit 6: Figure the Facts with Penguins
  • Unit 7: One Hundred & Beyond
  • Unit 8: Changes, Changes

2nd Grade:

  • Unit 1: Figure the Facts
  • Unit 2: Place Value & Measurement with Jack’s Beanstalks
  • Unit 3: Addition & Subtraction Within 100
  • Unit 4: Measurement
  • Unit 5: Place Value to One Thousand
  • Unit 6: Geometry
  • Unit 7: Measurement, Fractions & Multi-Digit Computation with Hungry Ants
  • Unit 8: Measurement, Data & Multi-Digit Computation with Marble Rolls

3rd Grade:

  • Unit 1: Addition & Subtraction Patterns
  • Unit 2: Introduction to Multiplication
  • Unit 3: Multi-Digit Addition & Subtraction
  • Unit 4: Measurement & Fractions
  • Unit 5: Multiplication, Division & Area
  • Unit 6: Geometry 
  • Unit 7: Extending Multiplication & Fractions
  • Unit 8: Bridge Design & Data Collection & Analysis

4th Grade:

  • Unit 1: Multiplicative Thinking
  • Unit 2: Multi-Digit Multiplication & Early Division
  • Unit 3: Fractions & Decimals
  • Unit 4: Addition, Subtraction & Measurement
  • Unit 5: Geometry & Measurement
  • Unit 6: Multiplication & Division, Data & Fractions
  • Unit 7: Reviewing & Extending Fractions, Decimals & Multi-Digit Multiplication
  • Unit 8: Playground Design

5th Grade:

  • Unit 1: Expressions, Equations & Volume
  • Unit 2: Adding & Subtracting Fractions
  • Unit 3: Place Value & Decimals
  • Unit 4: Multiplying & Dividing Whole Numbers & Decimals
  • Unit 5: Multiplying & Dividing Fractions
  • Unit 6: Graphing, Geometry & Volume
  • Unit 7: Division & Decimals
  • Unit 8: Solar Design

6th Grade: Envisions

  • Unit 1: Use Positive Rational Numbers
  • Unit 2: Integers and Rational Numbers
  • Unit 3: Numeric and Algebraic Expressions
  • Unit 4: Represent and Solve Equations and Inequalities
  • Unit 5: Understand and Use Ratio and Rate
  • Unit 6: Understand and Use Percent
  • Unit 7: Solve Area, Surface Area, and Volume Problems
  • Unit 8: Display, Describe, and Summarize Data