We are excited to share that the Hood Canal School District has officially adopted new English Language Arts (ELA) curricula for grades K-5. Following a comprehensive review process, we have selected Benchmark Advance as our core ELA curriculum, supplemented by Really Great Reading for foundational skills in grades K-2. The materials have arrived, and our teachers have already begun training to ensure a smooth implementation starting this fall.
A Thoughtful Selection Process
The decision to adopt Benchmark Advance and Really Great Reading came after an extensive evaluation by our Curriculum Review Team (CRT) and Instructional Materials Committee (IMC). Our teams followed a rigorous process, including needs assessment, research and review of potential programs, pilot testing in classrooms, and active involvement of stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and administrators.
Our goal was to select a curriculum that not only aligns with state standards but also meets the diverse needs of our students. Benchmark Advance and Really Great Reading stood out for their comprehensive content, differentiated instruction capabilities, and strong support for foundational literacy skills.
Why Change Our Curriculum?
We recognized the need for a change due to several key factors:
Lack of Consistent Curriculum: For some time, we have not had a consistent ELA curriculum across our K-5 grades, which led to gaps in instruction and inconsistencies in student learning experiences.
Inadequate Professional Development: Our teachers lacked the necessary professional development to effectively implement the existing materials, impacting their ability to deliver high-quality instruction.
Ineffective Current Materials: The materials we were using were not meeting the educational needs of our students, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes.
Low Student Achievement: Student achievement in ELA was lower than desired, indicating a need for more effective instructional strategies and resources.
District Goals: Improving literacy is one of our district's four major goals, reflecting our commitment to enhancing student outcomes in this critical area.
Benefits of the New Curriculum
Benchmark Advance is renowned for its well-rounded approach to literacy, covering reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The curriculum is culturally responsive and inclusive, reflecting diverse cultures and perspectives, which helps to engage all students. Additionally, it provides extensive resources for differentiated instruction, catering to the varied learning styles and needs of our students.
Really Great Reading specializes in early literacy skills, particularly phonemic awareness, phonics, and decoding, which are critical for young learners. This program offers a systematic approach to foundational skills, ensuring that students build a strong literacy foundation in their early years.
Preparing for Success
With the arrival of the new materials, our teachers have already started their professional development training. These training sessions are designed to help educators effectively implement the new curricula and make the most of the resources provided.
"We are committed to providing our teachers with the support they need to succeed," said Steven Torres, Principal of Hood Canal School. "The training has been very thorough, and our teachers are excited about the new strategies and tools they will have at their disposal to enhance student learning."
Looking Ahead
The new ELA curriculum will be fully implemented at the start of the fall semester. We are confident that these new resources will significantly enhance the educational experience for our K-5 students, setting them up for success in their academic journeys.
We believe that the combination of Benchmark Advance and Really Great Reading will provide a balanced and comprehensive ELA education for our students. We are excited to see the positive impact these programs will have on our students’ literacy skills and overall academic achievement.
As we look forward to the new school year, we encourage our community to stay engaged and supportive of this important transition. We will continue to provide updates on the implementation and progress of the new ELA curriculum.