ELA/Literacy Department Resources
For Caregivers
SY 2023-2024
ELA/Literacy Department: Vision
Cambridge Public Schools scholars are empowered to use literacy as a tool for communication, self-expression, access and agency. Instruction is research-based, joyful, rigorous and relevant, building a wealth of vocabulary and content knowledge through rich texts and media. Scholars develop their voice and independence as critically conscious readers, writers, speakers and learners through materials that are inclusive of diverse authors, genres, cultures and perspectives. Scholars are empowered with the knowledge and skills to live choice-filled lives that positively impact the world around them.
Dear CPS Caregivers,
The ELA/Literacy department continues to strengthen districtwide instructional practices, curriculum, screeners and professional learning opportunities to deepen cohesion and alignment of research-based, culturally responsive practices across the district. Our goal is to ensure all students - across all demographic groups - are empowered as critical thinkers, readers and writers, who are able to use literacy as a tool for communication, advocacy and self expression.
Caregivers can learn more about our department's priorities and initiatives, and access grade-specific resources on this site! Please don't hesitate to reach out to our department or your school's principal, literacy coach and teachers with any questions or concerns!
In Partnership,
Emily Bryan
Director, JK-12 ELA/Literacy Department
How Has Literacy Instruction Changed?
The MA Literacy Guide highlights 4 key shifts from outdated to evidence-based practices for early literacy. In the fall of 2022, CPS adopted these shifts to practice across all classrooms and grade-levels. View our Priority Literacy Practices here.
How Is CPS Literacy Curriculum & Instruction Changing?
In September 2022, Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms adopted the Focus on K curriculum. This curriculum incorporates educational principles that enhance the overall growth and autonomy of young learners, integrating research-backed instructional methodologies while aligning to the Massachusetts and Common Core Curriculum Frameworks. The Focus curriculum's activities are designed to nurture students' emerging independence as both learners and responsible members of society, fostering connection, communication and collaboration skills. The framework was crafted to ensure synergy among its components, promoting students' proficiency in literacy and language, science and engineering, social studies, the arts, and social-emotional development. Literary and informational texts take center stage in each unit, serving as catalysts for conceptual learning, vocabulary enrichment, and the cultivation of critical thinking skills. Each unit incorporates dedicated Writing, in addition to integrating Social Studies and Science standards that are complemented by the CPS Science and S.S. units. Beyond this enriching curriculum, all elementary students participate in explicit, daily, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness and phonics, ensuring their mastery of foundational literacy skills and domains.
In September 2023, all Upper School ELA classrooms adopted the Fishtank curriculum. The Fishtank ELA curriculum guides students in acquiring knowledge, nurtures social-emotional skills, and builds pertinent vocabulary from carefully chosen texts that gradually increase in complexity. Each unit encourages students to expand their understanding of themselves, the surrounding world, and their capacity to instigate change. The selected texts facilitate discussions and writing activities that contribute to the development of students' agency, empathy, and ability to connect with diverse experiences. Essential Questions within each unit challenge students to think critically about the world from various perspectives, grapple with and explore pertinent social justice issues, learn about experiences different from their own, and reflect on their beliefs about the world. Fishtank's methodology aligns with the Science of Reading, emphasizing the gradual enhancement of students' knowledge and vocabulary through texts rather than focusing on isolated skill-based instruction. As students accumulate knowledge from the core texts and supplementary materials, they gain the capacity to independently engage and respond (both orally and in writing), with diverse and intricate media and literature. The Fishtank curriculum is rigorous, research-based and culturally responsive, and was designed around the following principles:
Build knowledge to nurture critical thinking
Center diverse, relevant, and rigorous texts
Prioritizing student voices and ideas to build agency
Learn to write, and write to learn
Intellectual Preparation of Teachers
In September 2024, 1st through 5th grade classrooms will adopt the 2nd Edition of Amplify's CKLA Curriculum across all elementary schools. This rigorous, research-based, knowledge-building curriculum was reviewed and revised by an interdisciplinary team of educators and district leaders to ensure all students have access to high quality, culturally responsive materials and practices. Caregivers can learn more about the adoption process and the components of the program here. Additional details will be added to the grade-level tabs on this website prior to September, 2024.
K-12 Research-Based Priority Practices:
CPS ELALiteracy Priorities Infographic.pdfThe above, research-based priority practices are critical to ensuring equitable instruction and outcomes. They align to the MA standards for ELA, which are divided into four strands: Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening, and Language. Language within each of the priorities was updated Fall, 2023 Learn more about these strands.
K-12 Instructional Focus: Close Reading
2. Close Reading- The Six Essential Practices.pdfA significant body of research shows that when students who start the year well-behind their peers have greater access to rigorous, grade-appropriate instruction, they are able to significantly close outcome gaps. This is where the 6 Essential Close Reading Practices come in. Close Reading builds students’ capacity to grapple and independently succeed with rigorous content.