Important aspects for our models curriculum is the focus on academic language as well as attention to the 5 pillars of literacy (Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Fluency, Vocabulary and Comprehension), making sure to draw connections between the students L1 and English, while also pointing out inherent differences.
Beyond this our program also focuses on the 5 WIDA ELD Standards, paying close attention to the 4 language domains (Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing). These 5 standards are:
Standard 1: Social and Instructional Language
Standard 2: The Language of Language Arts
Standard 3: The Language of Mathematics
Standard 4: The Language of Science
Standard 5: The Language of Social Studies
On top of these key components of our programs curriculum, we also have Imagine Learning Math curriculum which meets kids where their needs are and helps advance their skills at their pace, while also catching them up to their grade level peers. Our district has also invested in a newcomer program called Get Ready! from Vista Higher Learning and follows WIDA's ELD (English Language Development) standards.
Further importance is placed on the language of school and the classroom as well as how to traverse a westernized school system. Survival phrases are taught from day one, and students have these written down in both their L1 and English to use as needed throughout the day. Other topics focused on in the first few weeks of school are emotions, greetings, months, dates, time, weather, classroom and household objects, money and numeracy.