English Language Arts
We want our students to develop strong reading comprehension and writing skills that broaden their minds, stimulate intellectual curiosity, and deepen their appreciation for the English language.
Our goal is for students to think independently, analyze ideas critically, and express their own voices clearly, intentionally, and confidently. Through reading, writing, speaking, and listening, students learn not only how language works, but how ideas shape the world around them.
Reading
Reading fluency and comprehension are foundational to all English Language Arts instruction.
Students read a wide range of literary and informational texts in order to:
- Build vocabulary and background knowledge
- Develop comprehension and analytical skills
- Learn literary elements and language concepts
Students are expected to think critically about what they read by asking questions, analyzing author choices, and using direct textual evidence to support their ideas. This approach helps students move beyond surface-level understanding and develop deeper connections to texts and ideas.
Active Reading
Active reading is an expectation across grade levels and subject areas.
Unless otherwise
specified, students are expected to annotate all texts they read. Annotation supports comprehension, discussion, and writing.
- Respond to the text
- Make personal and text-based connections
- Draw inferences and conclusionsCompare ideas across texts, topics, and real-world events
Active reading prepares students to engage thoughtfully in discussion and to write with clarity and purpose.
Writing
Writing is how students demonstrate understanding and communicate thinking.
Through both literary and informational texts, students learn to process ideas deeply and express them clearly. Writing instruction emphasizes:
- Clear organization
- Logical reasoning
- Accurate grammar, syntax, and punctuation
Younger students are introduced to structured response models such as R.A.C.E. (Respond, Answer, Cite, Explain). As students progress, they are challenged to expand their thinking into well-developed paragraphs and multi-paragraph essays for a variety of purposes.
By the time students leave Discovery, they are expected to:
- Support ideas with textual evidence
- Make inferences connected directly to cited evidence
- Write coherent, logical, and purposeful responses
Students engage in both informational and creative writing, ensuring they are prepared to write effectively in academic, professional, and real-world settings.
Themes & Multidisciplinary Units
English Language Arts skills are taught through thematic, multidisciplinary units that help students connect reading and writing to meaningful real-world ideas.
Through these units, students read both fiction and nonfiction texts connected by shared themes. Instruction focuses on building literacy skills such as:
- Theme and central idea
- Story structure and character development
- Author’s purpose and point of view
- Argument and evidence-based writing
Recent units have explored themes such as:
- The American Dream
- Democracy and voting
- Social justice and change-makers
- Environmental responsibility
- The relationship between individuals and society
These units are designed to spark curiosity, challenge assumptions, and keep students engaged as thoughtful readers and writers.
Supporting All Learners
Supporting students is a shared responsibility across the ELA program.
In addition to accommodations outlined in student IEPs, instructional support includes:
- Adjusting reading and writing demands based on assessment data
- Small-group and one-on-one instruction
- Flexible grouping and co-teaching models
- Ongoing review of student progress and needs
Instruction is continually refined to ensure that all students are supported, challenged, and able to grow as readers and writers.
Connecting ELA to Our Curriculum
Our ELA program provides the foundation for all English Language Arts units. Each unit reflects these instructional practices and builds toward clear outcomes, including evidence-based writing, critical thinking, and meaningful discussion.
Families and students can explore individual units to see how these skills are applied in context.