Amplify/CKLA

[Anonymous]

Any thoughts so far on the new elementary ELA curriculum (Amplify CKLA)?

[Anonymous]

So far I’m liking what I see (third grade parent). There seems to be a good focus on vocab and spelling and engaging readings (Alice in Wonderland was the latest). I do kind of wish there were actual books (I remember reading Number the Stars in 3rd grade growing up which was my first exposure to the Holocaust.) but it seems better than what they had last year. I can imagine kids who aren’t good readers may be struggling more though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So far I’m liking what I see (third grade parent). There seems to be a good focus on vocab and spelling and engaging readings (Alice in Wonderland was the latest). I do kind of wish there were actual books (I remember reading Number the Stars in 3rd grade growing up which was my first exposure to the Holocaust.) but it seems better than what they had last year. I can imagine kids who aren’t good readers may be struggling more though

The third grade reading of Wind in the Willows was more or less the "actual" book. They cut a couple chapters (Piper at Gates of Dawn and Wayfarers All, I believe) but not much.

Looking ahead, I wish there was more of that in later units which are mostly of non-fiction, science or social studies, rather than literature. We've cut science and social studies so much, though, that I guess it's good to get it anywhere you can.

[Anonymous]

My second grader is not doing great with the program. They don't send home copies of all of the stories but then want you to discuss them with your child.

[Anonymous]

Oh and they send home these handouts to discuss what the stories were about or informational texts were about and many details. Plus a spelling list to study every night. This is on top of the daily eureka math homework!

[Anonymous]

My first grader loves it. He is currently talking all about different oragans in the body, what they do, how they work, what body systems they connect to. He also liked the fables they did before.

[Anonymous]

I'm jealous my 5th grader didn't get this curriculum. I'm having to teach my child spelling so she doesn't look uneducated when she writes. Thanks Benchmark and mcps!

[Anonymous]

The spelling program in grades 3-5 isn't good at all because it's under the impression that every student is on grade-level. RGR would still be a good supplement in grades 3-5 for struggling readers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh and they send home these handouts to discuss what the stories were about or informational texts were about and many details. Plus a spelling list to study every night. This is on top of the daily eureka math homework!

This doesn’t sound bad. Are you not able to discuss a book with your kid unless you’ve read it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The spelling program in grades 3-5 isn't good at all because it's under the impression that every student is on grade-level. RGR would still be a good supplement in grades 3-5 for struggling readers.

RGR is still available as an intervention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm jealous my 5th grader didn't get this curriculum. I'm having to teach my child spelling so she doesn't look uneducated when she writes. Thanks Benchmark and mcps!

At least your fifth grader is spared studying corn for a month.

[Anonymous]

My 3rd grader is really enjoying it. It sounds like the teacher reads the stories and then they do comprehension packets. I wish stuff got sent home though. My daughter just brings home a ripped out piece of paper from a book 1x a week that we complete but nothing else. I would have liked to go over the stories with her. The sheets she has brought home looked like they would be difficult if you weren't on grade level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 3rd grader is really enjoying it. It sounds like the teacher reads the stories and then they do comprehension packets. I wish stuff got sent home though. My daughter just brings home a ripped out piece of paper from a book 1x a week that we complete but nothing else. I would have liked to go over the stories with her. The sheets she has brought home looked like they would be difficult if you weren't on grade level.

The free version of the curriculum should have most of what she is studying. Are they on unit 2? If so, here its he link to the full curriculum: https://www.coreknowledge.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CKLA_G3_Classification-of-Animals.zip

[Anonymous]

My first grader came home the first or second week and told me about the story of the day. It was about a girl milking cows to earn money. I asked why she wanted to earn the money. Apparently it was so she could buy a beautiful dress that would make the other girls jealous and get a boy’s attention.
I didn’t want to email the teacher to confirm as it seems like small potatoes the first month of school. But I will definitely find a way to ask about it at some point this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first grader came home the first or second week and told me about the story of the day. It was about a girl milking cows to earn money. I asked why she wanted to earn the money. Apparently it was so she could buy a beautiful dress that would make the other girls jealous and get a boy’s attention.
I didn’t want to email the teacher to confirm as it seems like small potatoes the first month of school. But I will definitely find a way to ask about it at some point this year.

Sounds like a true story