S/O Amplify ELA Curriculum

[Anonymous]

I went to public school not that long ago and we read plenty of novels from 6th to 12th grade. We were assigned reading homework and chapter summaries. Now kids have next to no homework and they barely read anything, let alone entire novels. Why?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One kid of mine reads whatever books I buy, and he can read chapter books by himself at a young age. What novels or book collectiom are worth buying? That is for his summer reading, and he reads for hours when he is bored. He is early ES age, but I am shopping for upper ES kid or early MS kid equivalent reading level as long as it is fun to read.

Look at websites for private schools. They often publish their summer reading books for each grade level.

My DS loves reading and he reread The Lord of the Rings many times. Also talk to the librarian and they often know which books a kid would like based on what they’ve read and liked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One kid of mine reads whatever books I buy, and he can read chapter books by himself at a young age. What novels or book collectiom are worth buying? That is for his summer reading, and he reads for hours when he is bored. He is early ES age, but I am shopping for upper ES kid or early MS kid equivalent reading level as long as it is fun to read.

See the ES age forum. Plenty of books recommendations there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One kid of mine reads whatever books I buy, and he can read chapter books by himself at a young age. What novels or book collectiom are worth buying? That is for his summer reading, and he reads for hours when he is bored. He is early ES age, but I am shopping for upper ES kid or early MS kid equivalent reading level as long as it is fun to read.

See the ES age forum. Plenty of books recommendations there.

Also the pinned post at the top of the MCPS forum.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

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.

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.

The real version of MSND or some
Americanized version?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

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.

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.

The real version of MSND or some
Americanized version?

Looks like the "real" version (if by that you mean that it includes all the old English), with added scaffolds (like scene summaries and vocab words) for students who need them.

https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2751142/CKLA/Volusia/G5%20Readers/G5_U07_RDR_2ndED17-2017-04-14-web.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

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.

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.

The real version of MSND or some
Americanized version?

Looks like the "real" version (if by that you mean that it includes all the old English), with added scaffolds (like scene summaries and vocab words) for students who need them.

https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2751142/CKLA/Volusia/G5%20Readers/G5_U07_RDR_2ndED17-2017-04-14-web.pdf

Looks like it doesn't include act 4, scene 2; it just summarizes it; otherwise, though, it includes the whole play.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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

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.

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.

This is exactly what the point of why the curriculum is being implemented. More rigor and expectation. Now if we can just ensure that all MS implement the advance novel studies and CO makes sure ALL MS ELA go through the entire writing process and read at least one novel per quarter we’ll be on the right track.

[Anonymous]

I work in curriculum and assessment. EdReports is the place to go for curriculum reviews. Here’s a review of the K-5 curriculum.

https://www.edreports.org/reports/overview/core-knowledge-language-arts-ckla-2015

[Anonymous]

How much of the new curriculum is taught in screens? Really feel like kids should be learning to read on something physical they can hold and touch. Not solely on screens.

I’ve heard one main criticism is that Amplify is overly dependent on screens. Is that true? I love core knowledge but not screens.

Does it also include handwriting and spelling?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much of the new curriculum is taught in screens? Really feel like kids should be learning to read on something physical they can hold and touch. Not solely on screens.

I’ve heard one main criticism is that Amplify is overly dependent on screens. Is that true? I love core knowledge but not screens.

Does it also include handwriting and spelling?

Ugh really? My kid's school used screens so much last year- and she was in kindergarten! It was awful. I was very excited about CKLA until you said this, and I hope it's not true.

[Anonymous]

I teach in another state where CKLA is used. It has strengths but a focus on spelling is NOT one of them. Sorry, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work in curriculum and assessment. EdReports is the place to go for curriculum reviews. Here’s a review of the K-5 curriculum.

https://www.edreports.org/reports/overview/core-knowledge-language-arts-ckla-2015

From Grades 3-5: “Teachers may need to incorporate outside resources to support grammar practice out of context. The materials may need supplements to fully engage students in their foundational skills development.”

[Anonymous]

They definitely have consumables — that’s part of what Amplify is providing. It is not all online.

[Anonymous]

I just did my training and kids will have readers and an activity book for each unit. The readers aren't consumable so kids can't write in them but the activity books can be written in. They include all the worksheets, homework pages, and assessments. CKLA has a caregiver hub that will give families a ton of resources to support kids at home.
I didn't see a need for kids to use the digital version of the materials during my training. Our instructor said that they would be more helpful if we were teaching remotely during a snow storm. For me, my students will be using the hard copies of everything.