This year-long MLP (Multilingual Learner Program) course is designed for high school English learners at emerging levels of literacy. It uses the Lift program to develop foundational skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Two groups of learners are served:
Newcomers (in the USA ≤ 1 year with literacy levels < 1.9): Emphasis on Lift Welcome, Intro, and Phonics materials.
Continuing Emergent Learners (in the USA > 1 year or completed the Newcomer curriculum, literacy 1.0–1.9): Focus on Lift Intro & Phonics, with additional supports for fluency and comprehension.
The course integrates phonics, vocabulary development, sentence building, reading strategies, and structured writing tasks to build confidence and academic success in English.
Recognize and produce letter-sound correspondences
Read and write high-frequency words and basic sentences
Use simple grammar structures to communicate in writing and speaking
Participate in basic conversations and classroom discussions
Comprehend and respond to short written and oral texts
Apply decoding and encoding strategies to increase reading fluency
First Quarter: Lift Welcome Units 1–9
Intro to classroom routines and expectations
Basic vocabulary and sentence frames
Phonics introduction (letter-sound awareness)
Interactive practice using visuals and repetition
Weekly writing tasks and speaking routines
Second Quarter: Lift Welcome Units 10–12 + Lift Intro Unit 2 (Learning)
Foundational reading strategies and text comprehension
Building sentences and paragraphs
Listening and responding to oral language
Phonics: CVC patterns and word families
Speaking and writing about personal learning experiences
Third Quarter: Lift Intro Units 4 & 6 (Conflict & Success)
Theme-based vocabulary and grammar structures
Reading selections and comprehension strategies
Developing writing: narratives and responses
Reader's theater, discussion prompts, and speaking practice
Phonics: multi-syllabic words and decoding strategies
Fourth Quarter: Lift Intro Units 7 & 8 (Mystery & New Ideas)
Complex sentence structures
Text analysis and critical thinking
Performance tasks: plan, draft, revise, and publish
Independent reading and vocabulary expansion
Oral presentations and collaborative group projects
Each quarter includes:
Weekly phonics instruction using Lift online
Guided and independent reading
Vocabulary practice through games, digital tools, and writing
Listening, speaking, reading, and writing integration
Homework using Lift Online Practice platform
Lift Welcome and Lift Intro Student Books (annotated with scaffolded vocabulary and comprehension tasks)
Decodable readers from the Lift Phonics program (leveled and theme-based)
Language Companion workbooks (annotated for grammar and writing support)
Thematic Reader’s Theater selections included in Lift
Annotated short texts from Lift Online Practice and bonus reading modules
Pencil and eraser
Composition notebook for writing and vocabulary practice (provided by the school)
A folder with pockets for handouts and homework (provided by the school)
Chromebook (provided by the school)
Headphones (essential for phonics and listening tasks)
Highlighters (optional but helpful for annotation practice)
Bring all materials and be ready to learn each day
Follow routines and actively participate in all class activities
Respect yourself, your classmates, and your learning environment
Use English as much as possible to practice and grow
Ask questions and take responsibility for your learning
Try your best—progress matters more than perfection
Student grades reflect effort, engagement, and progress in English language development. Grades are divided into minor and major categories, with a final exam at the end of the semester.
Minor Grades – 40%
Students will receive 10 minor grades per quarter. These include classwork, participation, homework, and online practice.
Major Grades – 60%
Each quarter includes 5 major grades, which include Lexia progress, quizzes, tests, and performance tasks or projects.
Final Exam – 10%
A comprehensive final exam will be administered at the end of the year. It counts for 10% of the final course grade.
Quarterly Weight
Each quarter counts for 45% of the final grade.
Final Grade Calculation:
Quarter 1: 45%
Quarter 2: 45%
Final Exam: 10%
Students may submit late work within 5 school days of the due date. Up to 10% may be deducted unless extenuating circumstances are communicated and approved.
Please note:
Assignments not submitted will appear as a 0 in the gradebook until they are turned in. This allows students and families to clearly see how missing work affects the overall grade.
One retake is allowed per major assessment. To qualify, the student must first complete a review activity or attend a conference with the teacher. The higher grade will replace the original.
Retakes must be completed outside of regular class time, either before school or after school, by appointment.
Students who are absent are responsible for requesting and completing missed work. Assignments should be submitted within 5 school days of returning to class.