Growing Curious Minds and Confident Readers

At Cogito Academy, we believe that strong readers are built through both knowledge and skills. That's why we use Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA), a research-based curriculum grounded in the Science of Reading.

📖 Knowledge

The Knowledge strand helps students explore the world through rich texts and engaging topics in science, social studies, literature, and the arts. As students build their knowledge, they expand their vocabulary, strengthen listening and reading comprehension, and develop the background knowledge that supports lifelong learning.

🔤 Skills

The Skills strand provides explicit, systematic instruction in reading and writing. Students learn phonics, spelling, grammar, handwriting, fluency, and comprehension through carefully sequenced lessons that build confidence and independence as readers.

Together, these two strands work hand in hand to help students become thoughtful readers, effective communicators, and lifelong learners. We encourage families to continue reading together at home, ask questions about what your child is learning, and celebrate the joy of discovering something new every day.

We're excited to partner with your family! Click the buttons below to explore the CKLA Caregiver Hub, view your child's grade-level Scope & Sequence, and learn more about the Science of Reading. Together, these resources provide helpful information about what your child is learning and simple ways you can support reading success at home.

Supporting Learning at Home

At Cogito Academy, we believe children learn best when school and home work together. While we are a no-homework school, there are many simple, enjoyable ways to reinforce learning as part of your everyday routine. These moments don't have to feel like school—they're opportunities to talk, explore, and grow together.

Supporting the Knowledge Strands

The Knowledge strands helps students build background knowledge, vocabulary, and comprehension by exploring topics in science, history, literature, geography, and the arts.

Try these simple ideas:

Read together each day and talk about the story.
Ask your child what they learned at school and encourage them to teach you something new.
Visit your local library and let your child choose books that interest them.
Explore museums, parks, nature trails, or community events together.
Watch educational programs or documentaries and discuss what you learned.
Introduce new vocabulary naturally during conversations.
Encourage curiosity by asking questions like:
- What surprised you today?
- What was the most interesting thing you learned?
- How does that connect to something you've experienced?

Supporting the Skills Strands

The Skills strands help students become confident readers and writers through explicit instruction in phonics, spelling, handwriting, fluency, grammar, and comprehension.

You can support your child by:

Reading aloud together every day, even after your child can read independently.
Letting your child read books, signs, recipes, menus, or magazines aloud to you.
Talking about new words you encounter and what they mean.
Encouraging your child to write for real purposes, such as making lists, writing notes, drawing and labeling pictures, or keeping a journal.
Celebrating your child's effort and growth rather than focusing on perfection.
Making reading a fun and enjoyable part of your family's daily routine.

💜 Every Little Moment Matters

Learning doesn't only happen in the classroom. Conversations during dinner, reading a bedtime story, visiting the library, cooking together, or exploring the outdoors all help strengthen your child's vocabulary, knowledge, and confidence. By encouraging curiosity and a love of learning, you're helping your child build skills that will last a lifetime.