English Language Arts

The Common Core asks students to read stories and literature, as well as more complex texts that provide facts and background knowledge in students other subject areas. SMFCSD students are to be challenged and ask questions that push them to refer back to what they’ve read. This reinforces critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills that are required for success in college, career, and life.

ELA Common Core Standards

Our English Language Arts Curricula

TK-8th Curriculum

TK-8th Curriculum

"The development of language is part of the development of the personality, for words are the natural means of expressing thoughts and establishing understanding between people." ~Maria Montessori

The primary and elementary classrooms immerse students in language. Montessori classrooms focus on phonics and writing before reading. Students start by learning the letter sounds and matching them with objects. They then progress into learning to write with the movable alphabet. Three Parts Cards or teacher-guided Three-period Lessons are used for vocabulary development. Once students are reading, they engage in word study to learn the parts of speech and how words, phrases, and sentences are created.

At Parkside, we support language development with traditional Montessori materials along with the programs below.

Primary and lower elementary classrooms use the following phonics and reading programs:

All elementary and adolescent students receive reading and writing instruction using a workshop model and units from Teacher’s College published by Heinemann.

All upper elementary students use grammar materials from ETC.