Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) is a comprehensive, preschool through fifth grade program for teaching reading, writing, listening, and speaking while also building students' vocabulary and knowledge across essential
domains in literature, global and American history, and the sciences. In the early grades, CKLA focuses on oral language development through carefully sequenced read-alouds as well as systematic instruction in reading and writing skills. In later grades, CKLA continues to advance students' knowledge and vocabulary through read-alouds and in-depth discussions while also immersing students in complex texts and advanced writing assignments that draw on the academic content they've been engaged in since preschool
Core Knowledge Language Arts is structured with two strands: the Listening and Learning Strand and the Skills Strand. The Listening and Learning Strand was developed to support much of the specific content in the Core Knowledge Sequence in science, social studies and literature. Additionally, we know from research that students' listening comprehension outpaces their reading comprehension throughout elementary school. In other words, students can understand what is read to them before they can actually read and understand the same material independently. Moreover, once students begin reading independently, they need to fully comprehend what they are reading, which is highly dependent on content knowledge, language and vocabulary. It is through the listening and learning strand that students build this essential knowledge and vocabulary, not to mention that it is interesting and engaging too!
The Skills Strand ensures that reading and writing are taught in tandem. Much like the Riggs program that we've used in the past, the students practice blending (reading) and segmenting (spelling) the sound spellings that they've learned. The Skills Strand also teaches handwriting, the writing process, and grammar. Toward the end of second grade and into third grade, the Skills Strand and Listening and Learning Strand become very integrated in that the science and social studies content are embedded in nearly everything, including the texts that students read.
We are looking forward to the wealth of knowledge that your child will gain from this new program. It has always been our goal, as outlined in our mission statement, that our students achieve educational excellence through a broad, well-rounded curriculum. We are confident that our implementation of the Core Knowledge Language Arts Program will help our students reach high academic goals. Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education.