ELA Curriculum
November 1, 2025
The pilots will run back-to-back between November and March, each lasting between 6-8 weeks. Final recommendations for next steps will be made in early April.
You are invited:
ELA Curriculum Parent Meeting
November 18th, 5-6 pm
Regional Innovation Center
K-6 Pilot Information
1. Benchmark Advance
Benchmark Advance is a comprehensive standards-based literacy program. It provides a cohesive framework for the development of literary skills and content knowledge, supporting high achievement for every student. The program received an all-green rating on EdReports, a Best of 2022 Tech and Learning Award, and an Excellence in Equity Award for its texts. Read more here: https://www.
Parent video link: https://padlet.com/hosnot/ia-
Benchmark Advance: Building Readers and Writers Through Meaningful Learning
In our elementary classrooms, students are diving into Benchmark Advance, a comprehensive English Language Arts program designed to grow confident readers, writers, and thinkers. Each unit centers on a big idea that connects to the world around them—topics that spark curiosity and invite conversation.
Students explore a variety of texts—stories, informational pieces, and poetry—while learning to analyze, discuss, and write about what they read. Through structured routines, they learn how to share ideas with peers, build vocabulary, and strengthen comprehension skills.
Teachers use the program’s resources to tailor instruction to student needs. Built-in supports and visuals help all learners access grade-level content, while guided discussions and writing opportunities encourage deeper understanding.
Benchmark Advance is more than just a reading program—it’s an approach to literacy that blends reading, writing, and critical thinking every day. Families can expect their children to come home talking about what they’ve read, the questions they’ve discussed, and the new ideas they’re forming as readers and authors.
2. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt IntoReading
Discover a proven path to reading and writing success
Grounded in scientifically based best practices and incorporating teacher feedback, HMH Into Reading’s®
structured literacy instructional design centers on literature that spurs knowledge-building connections.
This comprehensive program gives educators access to rich content, streamlined planning, assessments
with actionable data insights, differentiated instruction, and professional learning—all connected on the
HMH Ed™ learning platform. With Into Reading, teachers have what they need, when they need it, and
students not only reach their learning goals, but exceed them.
Explicit, systematic instruction aligned to standards
• A Knowledge Building throughline in each module connects daily lesson elements to the module
topic. Students build knowledge and language within and across grade levels by reading, writing,
and talking about module topics. Each module provides ready-made curated text sets with award-
winning titles and lessons with learning objectives for knowledge and language.
• Foundational Skills content is research-based and aligned to the latest training in early literacy. Each
lesson’s consistent “I Do,” “We Do,” and “You Do” steps and built-in routines ease the learning load
for students, so they can grasp new skills more quickly. In Grades 3–5, students continue building
foundational skills with a focus on multisyllabic words and morphology.
• Comprehension and vocabulary skills are taught in support of the module topic and texts.
Embedded routines and the gradual release model help students learn, practice, and demonstrate
their understanding of words drawn from text sets. Students learn academic vocabulary tied to the
selections they read as well as incorporating scientific academic language.
• Daily writing and purposeful scaffolding support a structured approach to writing that encourages
students to show what they are learning. Daily grammar instruction is integrated, with all examples
relating to the module topic and texts.
7-12 Pilot Information
1. McGraw Hill's Study Sync
Introducing StudySync
StudySync is a comprehensive English Language Arts (ELA) program for secondary students that is designed to bring reading, writing, speaking and listening to life for every learner.
What families should know
- StudySync blends a rich variety of literature (classic and contemporary) and informational texts that engage students in meaningful themes and real-life issues.
- Students work with technology (digital platform) as well as print components, allowing access to multimedia, collaborative conversations and writing projects.
- The program is built around “integrated reading & writing” lessons so that students don’t just read — they reflect, discuss, write, and connect texts to their lives.
- It includes embedded assessments and tools for tracking student growth in reading, writing, and analysis.
- Differentiation and scaffolding are built in so that teachers can support learners at different levels (including students needing additional support).
Why it matters
For families, StudySync means that your student’s ELA experience is dynamic and interactive — not just worksheets and lectures. They’ll explore great texts, write toward real audiences, engage in digital conversations, and build strong literacy habits that prepare them for future success. For more information visit: ttps://www.studysync.com/products/ela
2. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt IntoLiterature.
Into Literature is a comprehensive English Language Arts curriculum developed for secondary students. It’s designed to inspire a love of literature by offering texts and writing opportunities that connect with students’ lives and interests.
What Makes It Different
- Students read high-quality, relevant literature including culturally affirming stories in the “Fresh Lit” collection, with care taken to reflect diverse backgrounds and voices.
- The curriculum blends reading and writing—students use digital tools (like the online platform and writing tool) to draft, revise, peer-review, and publish their work.
- Built-in close-reading routines (e.g., “Notice & Note” signposts) help students dig deeper into texts, think critically, and apply their learning.
- Supports for learners and students who need additional scaffolding are embedded—vocabulary help, writing stems, grammar practice, and peer-coaching videos make the work accessible.
What Families Should Know
With Into Literature, your student won’t just be completing worksheets—they’ll engage with meaningful texts, reflect on themes that matter, and develop strong writing and thinking skills. The program is set up to help them become confident communicators, critical thinkers and prepared for college and career writing. For more information visit:
https://www.hmhco.com/programs/into-literature?srsltid=AfmBOoolwXGchzMKHu_ZwEn7Yb9IbrKasWPyc18j4Ef_FmA4uwBkVwXD