Parent Guide EL Curriculum Grades 3-5

What is EL? El or Expeditionary Learning is a tier 1 curriculum that is redefining education across America.  It focuses on courage compassion and teamwork and in the academic rigor of Harvard Graduate School of Education.  EL provides an uncompromising comprehensive framework of student achievement and teacher development.

How does EL compare to the previous ELA curriculum? EL is a tier 1 curriculum that focuses on grade level appropriately complex texts.  Although the previous curriculum contained some appropriately complex texts, it did not build knowledge around a topic in a way that was supportive of a student’s academic growth throughout their educational continuum.  Therefore, SCS is transitioning to EL in order to support our currently adopted curriculum.

Why did we choose the EL curriculum? The 2016 TNReady ELA results indicate the need to include high interest, tier 1 instruction that contains appropriately complex texts across all grade levels.  When students and teachers are engaged in work that is challenging, adventurous and meaningful, learning and achievement flourish.  Supplementing the current curriculum with EL aligns with the district’s Destination 2025 goals.  As we raise expectations of our students, innovative and varied practices are needed in the classroom to provide students with learning experiences that will prepare them for life after graduation.

What is the timeline for transition? In grades 3rd-5th classrooms across the district will transition to a new curriculum known as EL.  3rd-5th grade will begin with Module 1.  Classrooms will engage with this module from the period of November 6, 2017-February 16, 2018 .  The second module for 3rd-5th grade will be experienced beginning February 19, 2018 through May 23, 2017.

What can parents expect as it regards the EL curriculum? Parents can expect students to be required to show mastery in a body of knowledge and skills that builds from grade to grade, transfer knowledge and skills to meaningful task, analyze, evaluate and synthesize complex ideas, and write, speak and present ideas effectively in a variety of ways.

What are some highlights and data regarding the merits of the EL curriculum? The data shows that schools implementing EL out perform their peers on state test and see gains for all groups/demographics of students.  For more information access    https://eleducation.org/impact/by-the-numbers