This page provides descriptions of the English Language Arts curriculum as well as links to district resources, teacher/parent resources and learning websites that provide quality activities for students. The information is presented below by grade levels.
/ Pre-Kindergarten / Kindergarten - 5th Grade / 6th - 8th Grade / 9th-12th Grade /
District Teacher Trainers
Pre-Kindergarten
Union pre-kindergarten teachers embed language arts into their daily classroom centers and routines. Research shows that learning through play is essential for young children. Pre-kindergarten students are exposed to literacy as they play in centers of choice. Literacy may be included in centers in some of the following ways:
- Dramatic play area – Students “cook” with letters in the kitchen, students are exposed to print through the use of menus. Students also have notepads and pencils for making lists. Books on cooking, home and family are available throughout.
- Office play area – Students have post-its and pens for making notes. A keyboard allows for pretend “typing” on a computer.
- Sand table – Letters are buried in the sand for discovery.
- Blocks – Books on building and architecture are in the block center. Letter-shaped blocks are included for playing and building.
- Library book nook – books of all kinds are available for looking at pictures and reading. After the teacher reads a book to the class, it goes into the library nook for continued enjoyment.
- Retelling center – Puppets and props are available for retelling and acting out stories.
- Read along center – Students who choose this center can listen to recorded stories and follow along.
- Book-making – Students love to have paper, pencils and drawing materials for making books and stories.
Resources for Parents and Teachers
Learning Websites for Students
Kindergarten – 5th grade
In Union Public Schools, strong readers are developed by implementing the Balanced Literacy Model in every elementary K-5th classroom. Students receive explicit instruction in whole group, small group and individual settings. In whole group lessons, the teacher explicitly teaches and models strategies or skills students need for independent reading and writing.
During independent reading, students read for large blocks of time in self-selected texts on their appropriate reading level. Reading levels are determined by individual reading assessments. During independent writing, students have an extended time to write from personal experience focusing on the current unit of study in writing.
Individual student conferring occurs while students are independently reading and writing. When conferring, the teacher sits with a student to provide support, teach strategies, and assess progress in reading and writing. Small group instruction occurs when the teacher meets with a small group of students to provide instruction on a particular skill or strategy in reading or writing. In word study, students learn to spell by practicing word patterns, word families, and word meaning on their appropriate spelling level. Spelling levels are determined by individual spelling assessments.
District Resources
Resources for Parents and Teachers
Learning Websites for Students
6th - 8th Grade
In Union Public Schools, teachers develop strong readers by implementing the Balanced Literacy Model. Students receive explicit instruction in whole group, small group and individual settings. In whole group lessons, the teacher explicitly teaches and models strategies or skills students need for independent reading and writing. During independent reading, students read for large blocks of time in self-selected texts on their appropriate reading level. Reading levels are determined by individual reading assessments.
During independent writing, students have an extended time to write from personal experience, focusing on the current unit of study in writing. Teachers conduct individual student conferences while students are independently reading and writing. When conferring, the teacher sits with a student to provide support, teach strategies, and assess progress in reading and writing. Small group instruction occurs when the teacher meets with a small group of students to provide instruction on a particular skill or strategy in reading or writing. Students study grammar by examining skills as they appear in short texts or excerpts, then practicing them in their own writing.
Curriculum Maps
All maps are subject to change in order to reflect new expectations in the transition to CCSS.
District Resources
Resources for Parents and Teachers
Learning Websites for 6-8th Grade Students
9th - 12th Grade
Language Arts students in grades 9-12 study a variety of literature. Content includes, but is not limited to, world literature in 10th grade, American literature in 11th grade, and British literature in 12th grade. Ninth grade students read a variety of selections from all areas. Students in grades 9-12 create both short and extended pieces of writing including personal responses, journal entries, arguments, expository essays, and narratives, and arguments.
Curriculum Maps
All maps are subject to change in order to reflect new expectations in the transition to CCSS.
District Resources
Resources for Parents and Teachers
Learning Websites for Students -- Grades 6-12th
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