The North American Division Elementary English Language Arts Standards (2013) form the basis for the Language Arts program.
Kindergarten
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Kindergarten Stepping Stones: A Journey to Excellence through Discovery is an integrated curriculum that utilizes literature-based themes with strong spiritual connections so children may come to know God better and love him more.
Grades 1–8
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Student Materials
An anchor text is featured in each thematic unit and has been chosen for text complexity, based on Lexile levels and qualitative features. Consideration was also given to the following criteria: global issues, diversity, developmental appropriateness, content knowledge, rich and varied vocabulary, fitting illustrations, and quality writing. Each student will need a copy.
Each school, in consultation with the local conference, should select a Guided Reading program to follow. Reading A-Z is the only leveled reader company on this list that includes a guided reading program (format). The other leveled readers listed may be used in conjunction with the school’s selected program.
Reading A-Z provides a wide range of leveled readers. Order information can be found on the Online Resources page of the Adventist Education Technology website.
A Reason for Reading by The Concerned Group offers nearly 100 leveled books featuring Scripture and Values. Each title has a detailed Teacher Guide. Teachers can preview each page of every book by visiting The Concerned Group website.
Pearson Scott Foresman Online Leveled Readers offers downloadable titles for K-6. There are thousands of downloadable titles in the reading, social studies, and science collections for grades K-6.
Both teachers and students will use the Writer’s Handbook for mini-lessons and as a reference for language, writing, conventions, and other skills. There are handbooks for 1st–2nd grades, 3rd–4th grades, and 5th–8th grades. Each student will need a copy.
Phonemic Awareness and Phonics instruction are included in the Daily Lesson Guides. There is no need to purchase an additional phonics program.
Teacher Materials
A Daily Lesson Guide is provided for each theme. It contains a day-to-day plan for instruction and assessments for teaching each component of the literacy blocks (Word Study, Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop). Each teacher will need a copy of each Daily Lesson Guide.
The Teacher Manual begins with the Adventist worldview and language arts philosophy. It continues with information for successful integration of curriculum, assessment, and instruction. It also adds information on working with diverse learners and the home-school partnership. An appendix provides many resources teachers may utilize. Each teacher will need a copy.
Both teachers and students will use the Writer’s Handbook for mini-lessons and as a reference for language, writing, conventions, and other skills. Handbooks for 1st–2nd grades, 3rd–4th grades, and 5th–8th grades. Each teacher will need a copy.
Phonemic Awareness and Phonics instruction are included in the Daily Lesson Guides. There is no need to purchase an additional phonics program.
Poetry
Poetry is used throughout the themes, thus it is recommended that a copy of the Random House Book of Poetry for Children be provided for each school.
Basic Reading Inventory
Basic Reading Inventory: Pre-primer Through Grade 12 and Early Literacy Assessments, Ninth Edition. This resource by Jerry L. Johns contains informal assessment tools for examining a variety of reading behaviors. This resource, or one with similar assessments, is recommended for Individual Reading Inventory assessment.
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Language Arts Curriculum
Pathways Website →
Pathways 2.0: Journey to Excellence through Literacy is built on the Adventist world view and incorporates appropriately complex texts that will engage the children while incorporating research-based skills and strategies that enable them to become life-long learners. Note that due to their specific developmental needs, first and second graders must be taught at grade level.
Features Include:
- 30% new anchor texts
- Standards-based instruction
- Comprehensive Daily Lesson Guide (DLG) for each anchor text
- Biblically-based essential questions and big ideas that focus on the theme
Also integrated:
- Spiritual Applications that help students make good choices in life as well as in reading content
- Reading Strategies that foster inquiry, systematic instruction and the ability to read, comprehend and apply complex text
- Reading Motivation that helps students develop a lifelong passion for reading
- Writing Instruction that supports and encourages writing practice for different purposes and audiences
- Word Study is embedded in the program though systematic, daily practice in phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary and spelling
- Spelling, Handwriting and Grammar skills that systematically address the specific developmental level of each student
- Variety of Assessment Tools
- Classroom Management that includes whole-class, small group, and individual student activities.Sentences skills—usage, punctuation, and grammar
The scope and sequence at each grade level is organized around five target areas:
- Extended reading and writing
- Comprehending, studying, and evaluating ideas
- Reference skills
- Word study
- Sentences skills—usage, punctuation, and grammar
Pathways instruction focuses on four overlapping instructional components:
- Anchor texts and Daily Lesson Guides
- Word Study
- Reading Workshop
- Writing Workshop
Integrated
Supplementary Materials
Positive, upbeat lessons share the love of God with young children as demonstrated in the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14. Suitable for multi-grades. Developmentally-appropriate two- week curriculum integrates Bible with best practices of a balanced literacy program. Includes NAD standards, two beautifully illustrated children’s books, Teacher's Guide with shared and guided reading lessons, literacy rotations, engaging audio stories, student-created watercolor books, and slides in PowerPoint and Keynote formats.
Engaging, student-friendly two-week supplemental curriculum with tradebook on three different reading levels. Excellent for multi-grades. The story of fourth grader Beth Andrews provides a relevant setting for all students to explore the principles of the three angels’ messages and the moral choices made by those who anticipate His soon return. Through whole group instruction, guided reading, and literacy circles with peers on their own reading level, students gain spiritual insight and learn new tools for becoming more proficient readers and writers. Includes NAD standards, Teacher’s Guide with whole and small group lesson plans, Reading Strategy tool for improving decoding and comprehension skills and slides in PowerPoint and Keynote formats.
Ten faith-building essays on three different reading levels lead students to discover the relevance of the three angels’ messages in this two-week integrated supplemental curriculum. Excellent for multi-grades. Engaging lessons and slides walk students through the steps of effectively using evidence to develop written Christian arguments in response to text-based prompts. Includes NAD standards, Teacher’s Guide with assessment tools, essay booklets, and slides in PowerPoint and Keynote formats.
Two week integrated supplemental curriculum, students develop an urgency to share the three angels’ messages with their world as they study the contrast between the harsh regimes of world leaders and God’s kingdom of righteous, peace, and joy. History and scripture provide a backdrop for students to think critically, make courageous choices, and commit to fully follow all of God’s commandments. Includes NAD standards, Teacher’s Guide with assessment tools, interactive notebooks, project-based learning and slides in PowerPoint and Keynote formats.
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