HPS Elementary (K-5) English Language Arts Curriculum Framework
The Howell Public Schools Elementary Language Arts program offers a planned, sequential, explicit reading, writing, and phonics program, with instruction that gives students repeated opportunities to build their skills, apply their strategies, and receive explicit feedback at frequent intervals. Children will learn that if they apply strategies, work hard, revise their first understandings, and get help, their skills will get visibly and dramatically better.
Our Elementary Language Arts program is aligned to the Essential Instructional Practices in Literacy.
In grades K-3:
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Deliberate, research-informed efforts to foster literacy motivation and engagement within and across lessons
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Read alouds of age-appropriate books and other materials, print or digital
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Small group and individual instruction, using a variety of grouping strategies, most often with flexible groups formed and instruction targeted to children’s observed and assessed needs in specific aspects of literacy development
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Activities that build phonological awareness
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Explicit instruction in letter-sound relationships
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Research- and standards-aligned writing instruction
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Intentional and ambitious efforts to build vocabulary and content knowledge
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Abundant reading material and reading opportunities in the classroom
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Ongoing observation and assessment of children’s language and literacy development that informs their education
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Collaboration with families in promoting literacy
In grades 4-5:
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Deliberate, research-informed efforts to foster motivation and engagement within and across lessons
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Intentional, research-informed instruction using increasingly complex texts and tasks that build comprehension, knowledge, and strategic reading activity
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Small group instruction, using a variety of grouping strategies, most often with flexible groups formed and instruction targeted to children’s observed and assessed needs in specific aspects of literacy development
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Activities that build reading fluency and stamina with increasingly complex text
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Discussion of the ideas in texts and how to construct text meaning across texts and disciplines
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Research-informed and standards-aligned writing instruction
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Intentional and ambitious efforts to build vocabulary, academic language, and content knowledge
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Abundant and diverse reading material, including digital texts, and opportunities to read in the classroom
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Ongoing observation of children’s language and literacy development that informs small group and individual instruction
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Collaboration with families in promoting literacy
(Adapted from Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators
General Education Leadership Network Early Literacy Task Force. “Essential instructional practices in literacy.” Lansing, MI, 2016. Link)
HPS Language Arts Scope & Sequence (please click on the individual grades to view the scope and sequence and Classroom libraries for each grade)
The titles listed represent the initial set of classroom reading books purchased by the District to support the Elementary Language Arts curriculum adopted in 2019-20. Schools and classrooms are continuously seeking additional reading materials for students. Please contact the building Principal if you would like to support our reading programs or have questions about any curriculum materials.
HPS Middle School (6-8) English Language Arts Curriculum Framework
The Howell Public Schools Middle School English Language Arts program is based on the Collections program published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Collections is a literature textbook series that is a comprehensive resource for addressing all expectations of Michigan’s state standards. Rich, engaging, and complex texts are the program’s anchor - challenging and supporting all students to become critical and close readers. The program fosters success in writing across varied genres through models of effective writing and provides ample opportunities for speaking and writing about texts.
(Adapted from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, “A Research-Based Approach,” Collections. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013. Link)
Middle School
High School
Resources:
Parents who wish to help their younger children develop literacy skills may refer to the District’s Read-At-Home website at HowellSchools.com/readathome