English Language Arts

The Common Core asks students to read stories and literature, as well as more complex texts that provide facts and background knowledge in students other subject areas. SMFCSD students are to be challenged and ask questions that push them to refer back to what they’ve read. This reinforces critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are required for success in college, career, and life.

ELA Common Core Standards

Our English Language Arts Curricula

K - 2 Reading Programs

PAF Reading Program Logo

PAF is a multisensory phonics-based program in which reading, spelling, and handwriting are taught as one unified lesson.s. PAF contains all the critical elements of a comprehensive reading program for primary grades: phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, word recognition, vocabulary, spelling, handwriting, and comprehension strategies. All these vital components of reading are taught simultaneously in integrated lessons, each subject reinforcing and strengthening the others. Read the brochure for more information.

PAF Reading Program

Aprendo Leyendo is used for the Spanish Dual-Immersion Program at Fiesta Gardens

Aprendo Leyendo Logo

Aprendo Leyendo is a multisensory phonic-based Spanish program, in which reading, spelling, and handwriting are taught as one unified lesson. AL contains all the critical elements of a comprehensive, culturally relevant, reading program for K-2 grades: phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, word recognition, vocabulary, spelling, handwriting, and comprehension strategies. All these components of reading are taught simultaneously in integrated lessons, each subject reinforcing and strengthening the others.

Aprendo Leyendo

K - 5 Benchmark Advance/Adelante

3 Shift in the CCSS

Benchmark Advance/Adelante is a California Standards-based English Language Arts/English Language Development program. Topics and texts, based on science and social studies topics, allow students to begin each grade with essential background information, and then expand their standards-aligned knowledge and vocabulary each year. Text sets develop content knowledge while engaging students in the analysis of texts and identifying text evidence while annotating. As a knowledge-based curriculum, students engage daily in the Three Key Shifts in the Common Core: Reading Complex Text, Evidence-based Writing, and Academic Discussion.

Benchmark Advance/Adelante Logo Benchmark Advance/Adelante

6 - 8 Spring Board/Common Lit

Spring Board

Through SpringBoard, students read and analyze a wide range of texts in genres including poetry, novels, plays, biographies, nonfiction narratives, speeches, and films. They also learn to write in forms including essays, personal narratives, and argumentative texts such as editorials and research papers. Each grade level uses complex texts that allow students to examine an idea from multiple points of view while working with a variety of genres.

SpringBoard Curriculum

CommonLit Logo

CommonLit is an open-source comprehensive curriculum that deepens knowledge through interconnected skills. Throughout each lesson, students read, write, and speak to deepen their understanding. Students write for different audiences and purposes, and demonstrate content proficiency through culminating writing tasks. Each lesson includes purposeful scaffolding to engage English Language Learners and those reading below grade level in productive struggle with complex texts and content.

CommonLit Lessons