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Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS)
S/O Amplify ELA Curriculum
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Anonymous
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Pulling this out of the other thread. MCPS is moving to Amplify next year (https://amplify.com/programs/amplify-core-knowledge-language-arts/). I’m familiar with science of reading and such but I’m wondering what folks have heard about this curriculum in particular, especially for kids who are already strong readers.
I have a rising third grader who was separated into an advanced readers group last year under Benchmark. Their spelling is awful though and I’m hoping Amplify has more of a direct focus on that…. And less boring magazine readers |
Anonymous
Good luck with your advanced reader in third grade. Take a look at the materials for CKLA https://amplify.com/programs/amplify-core-knowledge-language-arts/whats-included-3-5/. Notice what's missing? Actual books! No novels only readers and activity books. |
Anonymous
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I was on the review committee for two years. In each RFP, Amplify CKLA was my top choice.
Amplify is the publisher that packages CKLA for schools. The free curriculum that PP linked to is the older version, but it'll give you a sense of what is covered. Much more rigorous than Benchmark. |
Anonymous
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Our private school used Amplify in elementary. I really liked it because the readings were content-rich which led to lots of extension opportunities.
You can easily align fiction or non-fiction novels related to the science and social studies topics for readers who are ready for those. |
Anonymous
CKLA has books. In 3rd, they read the Wind in the Willows. https://amplify.com/pdf/uploads/2021/03/CKLA_G3_Scope_and_Sequence.pdf In 4th, they read Treasure Island. https://amplify.com/pdf/uploads/2021/03/CKLA_G3_Scope_and_Sequence.pdf In 5th, they read a Midsummer Night's Dream. https://amplify.com/pdf/uploads/2021/03/CKLA_G5_Scope_and_Sequence.pdf Regardless, MCPS can add on to it. The StudySync ELA curriculum in MS has no books, but MCPS has added on one novel per quarter in whole group, plus teachers can add lit circles. The challenge with CKLA is that it is going to be much more rigorous than what MCPS has been doing. This will require a shift for both teachers and students. I imagine next year is going to be rough for both. Much higher expectations. |
Anonymous
| ^^ 5th also has the Adventures of Don Quixote. |
Anonymous
Amplify CKLa and StudySync both have books. Studysync even has novel studies. MCPS has also created 6-8 novel studies. |
Anonymous
I’m the OP of this post and this is exciting and also makes me wonder how this is actually going to be implemented. My kid is definitely ready to do novels like the Wind and the Willows but many of their classmates are not. There was a clear divide between the advanced and nonadvanced readers (I was really grateful the school formed the advanced group and had another teacher come in to support that group). |
Anonymous
It sounds like it will be a similar challenge to Eureka. The higher schools will say the program is too easy while the focus/Title 1 schools will drown with the rigor. One program really doesn’t fit all… |
Anonymous
They have been training ES teachers in Science of Reading over the last two years and this will continue. The are doing PD from the vendor on the new curriculum over summer. Coaches in staff are supposed to push in to schools to help support implementation. Teachers and Parents can look at the free CoreKnowledge curriculum at anytime to help become more familiar. |
Anonymous
It's going to be a rough transition after Benchmark. Some kids and teachers are going to struggle. It will be much better for students in lower grades starting with the new curriculum next year, as they'll be able to gradually build the content knowledge and skills necessary to be able to have the more challenging content in grades 3-5. |
Anonymous
What novel studies are included in Study Sync? I am only aware of the ones that MCPS added on. |
Anonymous
| Can someone list some books for rising 3rd graders to read for this new curriculum? My kid is a strong reader even though he prefers comic books. |
Anonymous
The entire scope and sequence was posted above. |
Anonymous
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The curriculum is solid. The transition might be a little rough around the edges for sone of the lower-performing students.
Also, at least some variation from one teacher to another, or from one school to another, will happen, and is somewhat unavoidable in any large school system. |