Our Annual
Sponge years
Your little one is in the sponge years—the magical time when their brains soak up language, sounds, and stories like never before. It’s the perfect time to nurture a love for reading, writing, and self-expression.
As they grow toward kindergarten, your child is building the essential literacy skills that will support them for life. From sounding out simple words to recognizing letters on their favorite book, every little moment counts. Sharing stories, drawing pictures, and even chatting about their day are all powerful ways they're developing communication skills they’ll use every single day.
Kindergarten is a big step, and early exposure to language arts gives kids a confident head start. They’ll begin exploring letters and sounds, blending words, understanding simple sentences, and expressing big ideas through talking, writing, and drawing. The stronger these early skills, the easier it becomes to grow into a joyful, confident reader and communicator.
Miacademy makes it fun and easy to support your child’s literacy journey. With playful, interactive lessons, engaging activities, and colorful quizzes, your child can build essential reading and writing skills—all while having a blast.
Sponge years Syllabus
5 months - 3 years old
📚 Learning Goals
By the end of the year, students will:
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Recognize and name all uppercase and lowercase letters
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Understand basic letter sounds and begin phonics
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Blend sounds to form simple words (CVC: cat, dog, sun)
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Begin reading simple sentences and sight words
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Develop fine motor skills for writing letters and short words
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Express thoughts and stories through drawing and speaking
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Practice listening and speaking with confidence
✏️ Monthly Themes & Focus
Month 1–6 : Alphabet Adventure
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Identify all 26 letters (uppercase & lowercase)
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Match letters to sounds (phonics intro)
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Practice letter formation (with fun tracing activities)
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Sing ABC songs and play alphabet games
Month 7-10: Sounds & Rhymes
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Identify beginning sounds in words (e.g. “B” for ball)
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Play rhyming games (cat/hat, dog/log)
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Listen to and recite nursery rhymes
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Explore books with repetition and rhyme
Month 11- 12: Sight Words & Simple Reading
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Introduce first 10–15 sight words (I, am, the, see, like…)
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Read short repetitive sentences
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Use picture clues and word patterns to build reading confidence
Month 13- 15: Writing Basics
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Practice writing letters and own name
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Draw and label pictures (“This is my dog”)
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Begin writing simple words and short phrases
Month 16-18: Storytelling & Speaking
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Retell stories in their own words (with props or drawings)
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Practice “first, next, last” in sequencing
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Begin speaking in full sentences to express ideas
Month 19-21: Building Reading Fluency
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Recognize and read more sight words
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Read short stories aloud with support
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Use punctuation (periods, question marks) when reading aloud
Month 22: Celebrate & Showcase
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Create a class “My First Book” with student drawings and writing
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Perform a short class story or rhyme
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Review key skills through fun activities and games
📖 Materials & Tools
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Picture books and read-alouds
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Alphabet flashcards
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Tracing sheets & journals
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Storytime corner
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Letter tiles and phonics games
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Songs and videos for phonics and rhymes
🤸 Teaching Style
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Play-based and hands-on
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Daily reading aloud and interactive storytelling
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Small group and one-on-one reading support
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Positive reinforcement and lots of movement breaks
Kindergarten Language Arts (ELA) Curriculum
In kindergarten, students begin building the essential literacy skills that form the foundation for a lifetime of learning. Whether they’re sounding out words while reading aloud, identifying letters on a book cover, or sharing a story with a friend, they’re developing the reading, writing, and communication abilities they’ll use every day.
Kindergarten language arts lays the groundwork for strong literacy development. At this stage, children explore key concepts such as recognizing letters and their sounds, blending sounds to form words, understanding simple sentences, and expressing ideas through speaking, writing, and drawing. Gaining confidence in these early skills leads to future success in reading comprehension, writing, and clear communication.
Gifted makes learning to read and write fun and engaging! Through interactive lessons, quizzes, and hands-on activities, kids build essential literacy skills while enjoying the learning process.
Kindergarten Syllabus
3- 5 year old
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of the year, students will:
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Read grade-level texts with fluency and comprehension
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Recognize and use common sight words and phonics patterns
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Write complete sentences using correct capitalization and punctuation
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Begin writing short stories, opinions, and descriptive texts
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Use speaking and listening skills to share ideas and respond to others
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Develop vocabulary and language awareness through reading and conversation
📆 Monthly Breakdown
Month 1–2: Phonics & Foundations
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Review alphabet and sounds (short/long vowels)
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Practice blending and segmenting words
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Learn consonant blends and digraphs (sh, ch, th, etc.)
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Read and write CVC and CVCC words (cat, ship, jump)
Month 3: Sight Words & Fluency
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Learn 25–30 high-frequency sight words (I, like, said, the, they…)
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Begin reading short leveled readers
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Practice reading with expression
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Read aloud daily in small groups or pairs
Month 4: Sentence Builders
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Identify sentence structure (capital letter, subject, verb, punctuation)
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Write simple sentences independently
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Begin using adjectives and verbs to expand ideas
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Practice proofreading and editing
Month 5: Storytime Fun
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Retell stories using “beginning, middle, end”
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Identify characters, setting, and problem/solution
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Write short stories with pictures and sentences
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Explore fiction vs. nonfiction
Month 6: Descriptive Writing
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Write about personal experiences and favorite things
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Use sensory words to describe (how things look, sound, feel)
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Create simple poems and rhymes
Month 7: Opinion & Persuasion
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Share opinions verbally and in writing (“I like dogs because…”)
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Use sentence starters: "I think," "I feel," "My favorite…"
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Participate in classroom discussions and debates
Month 8: Research & Inform
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Read informational texts on fun topics (animals, seasons, community helpers)
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Write simple facts or reports using headings and diagrams
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Present a short project to the class
Month 9: Review & Celebrate
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Review sight words, phonics patterns, and writing skills
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Read aloud a favorite book to the class
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Create a “My First Writing Journal” to showcase growth
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Class reading party or publishing celebration
📚 Core Resources
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Leveled readers and picture books
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Sight word flashcards
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Word family charts
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Writing journals and drawing paper
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Anchor charts for sentence writing and storytelling
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Audio stories and phonics games
👩🏫 Teaching Approach
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Interactive read-alouds and storytelling
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Group phonics and word work
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Daily writing practice (journals, centers, prompts)
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Speaking and listening circles
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Encouragement through praise and growth mindset
Grade 1 Language Arts Curriculum
The Grade 1 Language Arts curriculum focuses on building foundational literacy skills through reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students begin to develop fluency in reading by recognizing sight words, decoding simple words, and understanding basic sentence structure. They explore a variety of texts, including stories and informational books, to improve comprehension and vocabulary. Writing activities encourage students to express ideas using complete sentences and proper punctuation, while also introducing basic grammar concepts. Oral communication skills are nurtured through class discussions, storytelling, and presentations, helping students become confident and effective communicators. Overall, the curriculum lays the groundwork for lifelong literacy and a love of language.
Grade 1 Syllabus
5 -7 year old
Month 1–2: Strengthening Phonics & Vocabulary
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Review vowel teams, digraphs, and blends
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Learn new sight words and vocabulary in context
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Practice decoding multisyllabic words
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Build fluency through repeated reading
Month 3: Understanding Stories
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Explore story elements: characters, setting, plot, conflict, resolution
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Retell stories in sequence
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Make predictions and inferences while reading
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Begin short reading responses (written and verbal)
Month 4: Grammar & Sentence Power
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Review parts of speech: nouns, verbs, adjectives
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Learn about subject-verb agreement
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Expand sentences with details (who, what, where, when, why)
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Practice proper punctuation and capitalization
Month 5: Writing with Purpose
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Begin writing structured paragraphs with clear topics
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Learn to organize ideas: beginning, middle, end
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Write personal narratives and opinion pieces
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Use writing prompts to inspire creativity
Month 6: Exploring Nonfiction
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Read nonfiction texts: animals, space, biographies, etc.
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Identify text features: headings, captions, charts
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Write fact-based reports or “All About” books
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Begin light research projects using books or safe digital tools
Month 7: Poetry & Creative Writing
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Read and write different types of poems (acrostic, rhyming, free verse)
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Play with rhythm, rhyme, and descriptive language
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Create short fictional stories with dialogue and illustrations
Month 8: Speaking & Listening
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Share written work aloud with peers
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Practice active listening and asking thoughtful questions
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Participate in class discussions and partner sharing
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Begin small group or solo presentations
Month 9: Year-End Review & Celebration
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Review key concepts in reading, writing, and grammar
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Create a portfolio of favorite written pieces
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Host a “Young Author” celebration or reading showcase
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Reflect on personal growth as a reader and writer
📚 Learning Materials
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Leveled readers and chapter books
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Word walls and vocabulary journals
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Writer’s notebooks
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Graphic organizers (story maps, Venn diagrams, etc.)
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Grammar games and sentence-building tools
👩🏫 Teaching Approach
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Balanced literacy model: read-alouds, guided reading, independent reading
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Writing workshop with mini-lessons and peer sharing
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Differentiated instruction to meet diverse reading levels
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Encouraging creativity, curiosity, and confidence in communication
Grade 2 Language Arts Curriculum
The Grade 2 Language Arts curriculum builds upon the foundational skills developed in Grade 1, with a stronger emphasis on reading comprehension, writing structure, and vocabulary development. Students read a wider range of texts, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, to enhance their understanding and analytical thinking. They begin to identify main ideas, make inferences, and discuss story elements such as characters, setting, and plot. Writing tasks grow more detailed, focusing on organizing ideas into paragraphs and using correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Students also engage in creative and informative writing, as well as simple research projects. Speaking and listening skills continue to be developed through group discussions, oral presentations, and collaborative activities, fostering clear communication and critical thinking
Grade 2 Syllabus
7-8 year old
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of the school year, students will be able to:
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Read and understand grade-level fiction and nonfiction texts with fluency
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Summarize stories, identify themes, and analyze characters and plot
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Use context clues to define unfamiliar words
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Write clear paragraphs and multi-paragraph pieces with structure and purpose
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Apply grammar rules including proper verb tenses, punctuation, and sentence structure
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Present ideas clearly through speaking and listening activities
📅 Monthly Curriculum Breakdown
Month 1–2: Reading Fluency & Vocabulary Boost
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Strengthen fluency through daily reading
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Introduce vocabulary strategies (context clues, word roots, synonyms/antonyms)
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Use reading journals to respond to texts
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Learn reading strategies: predicting, questioning, visualizing
Month 3: Story Elements & Comprehension
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Analyze story elements: character, setting, conflict, resolution, theme
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Compare and contrast characters or stories
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Begin writing reading responses with supporting evidence
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Identify author’s purpose and point of view
Month 4: Sentence & Paragraph Writing
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Write strong topic sentences and supporting details
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Use transition words (first, then, next, finally)
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Edit for grammar, spelling, and punctuation
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Practice descriptive writing using sensory language
Month 5: Grammar & Mechanics
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Identify nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions
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Use correct verb tenses (past, present, future)
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Practice contractions, possessives, and punctuation
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Apply grammar in writing and speaking
Month 6: Opinion & Persuasive Writing
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Write opinion essays with clear reasons and examples
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Use persuasive language and sentence starters ("I believe...", "One reason is...")
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Present written opinions verbally in class
Month 7: Nonfiction & Informational Texts
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Read biographies, articles, and informational books
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Identify main idea and supporting details
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Create reports and short research projects with organized facts
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Use text features: captions, glossaries, charts, headings
Month 8: Poetry & Creative Writing
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Read and write different styles of poetry
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Focus on rhythm, imagery, and emotion
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Write short stories with strong characters, settings, and dialogue
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Encourage creative voice and expression
Month 9: Review & Showcase
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Review grammar, vocabulary, reading strategies, and writing skills
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Final writing projects and portfolio completion
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Oral presentations or author’s chair celebration
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Reflect on personal growth and set goals for next year
📚 Core Materials & Tools
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Leveled fiction and nonfiction texts
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Writer’s notebook and reading journals
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Graphic organizers for comprehension and planning
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Word walls and personal dictionaries
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Online resources (optional): Epic!, Raz-Kids, Grammarly for Education, Seesaw
👩🏫 Teaching Style
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Blended approach: whole group, small group, independent work
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Daily read-aloud and shared reading
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Writing workshops with mini-lessons and peer feedback
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Encouragement of curiosity, creativity, and respectful conversation
Grade 3 Language Arts Curriculum
The Grade 3 Language Arts curriculum emphasizes deeper reading comprehension, more structured writing, and refined communication skills. Students explore a variety of literary genres and informational texts, learning to summarize, identify themes, compare texts, and draw conclusions using evidence. Vocabulary development is strengthened through context clues and word analysis strategies. Writing assignments become more complex, with students crafting narratives, opinion pieces, and informative texts that include clear introductions, supporting details, and conclusions. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are taught more systematically to support effective writing. In addition, students participate in discussions, presentations, and collaborative projects that build confidence and fluency in speaking and listening, preparing them for more advanced literacy tasks.
Grade 3 Syllabus
8-9 year old
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of the school year, students will:
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Read and comprehend a variety of complex texts (fiction, nonfiction, poetry)
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Analyze themes, characters, and plot developments
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Summarize texts and identify main ideas with supporting details
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Write structured multi-paragraph compositions across genres (narrative, informative, opinion)
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Apply advanced grammar, punctuation, and editing skills
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Build oral presentation and listening abilities
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Develop a rich vocabulary through context and word study
📅 Monthly Curriculum Breakdown
Month 1–2: Reading Strategies & Vocabulary Building
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Practice reading fluency and expression
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Identify and use context clues to understand vocabulary
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Apply comprehension strategies: predicting, questioning, summarizing
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Begin independent reading logs and reading response journals
Month 3: Story Structure & Literary Elements
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Analyze characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution
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Identify theme and moral of the story
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Compare and contrast story elements across texts
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Write reading reflections using evidence from the text
Month 4: Paragraph & Essay Writing
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Write strong topic sentences and use paragraphs to organize ideas
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Learn to plan, draft, revise, and edit writing
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Introduce essay writing (3-paragraph format: intro, body, conclusion)
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Practice using transition words and clear sequencing
Month 5: Grammar & Sentence Structure
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Master types of sentences (declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, imperative)
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Use compound and complex sentences in writing
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Apply correct punctuation: commas, quotation marks, apostrophes
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Learn subject-verb agreement and verb tense consistency
Month 6: Opinion & Persuasive Writing
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Write opinion essays with clear reasons and strong arguments
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Use persuasive techniques and linking words
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Engage in class debates and practice persuasive speaking
Month 7: Nonfiction & Research Skills
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Read nonfiction texts: biographies, articles, how-to guides
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Identify main idea, supporting details, and text features
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Conduct a short research project and write a report
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Use citations and organize information logically
Month 8: Poetry & Creative Writing
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Read various forms of poetry (haiku, acrostic, free verse)
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Write original poems using figurative language (similes, metaphors)
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Explore storytelling with descriptive details and dialogue
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Encourage creative voice and style
Month 9: Review & Celebration
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Review grammar, writing, and reading strategies
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Final writing projects: publish a class book or personal anthology
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Oral presentations of favorite written pieces
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Reflect on learning growth and set goals for Grade 5
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📚 Materials & Tools
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Variety of books (fiction, nonfiction, poetry)
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Reading comprehension worksheets and graphic organizers
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Writer’s notebooks and editing checklists
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Word study and vocabulary activities
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Digital resources (optional): Google Docs, ReadWorks, Epic!, Seesaw, Grammarly
👩🏫 Teaching Approach
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Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop model
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Differentiated instruction to meet all reading levels
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Daily independent reading and writing time
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Emphasis on collaboration, discussion, and creative thinking
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Regular feedback and positive reinforcement
Grade 4 Language Arts Curriculum
The Grade 4 Language Arts curriculum focuses on enhancing critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing proficiency. Students read a wide range of complex texts, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, analyzing themes, character development, and text structure. They learn to make inferences, draw conclusions, and cite evidence to support their ideas. Writing becomes more sophisticated, with an emphasis on organizing multi-paragraph essays, developing strong thesis statements, and using descriptive language and transitional phrases. Grammar, punctuation, and spelling instruction continue to support clear and effective communication. Students also engage in speaking and listening activities that promote collaboration, presentation skills, and respectful discussion, preparing them for more independent and analytical literacy tasks.
Grade 4 Syllabus
10 year old
🎯 General Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Read and analyze a variety of complex texts including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama
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Interpret themes, character development, figurative language, and author’s purpose
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Write essays, narratives, reports, and responses with clear organization and style
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Use proper grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure
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Expand vocabulary through reading, context clues, and direct study
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Communicate ideas clearly through speaking and active listening
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Develop research and citation skills appropriate to grade level
📅 Monthly Curriculum Breakdown
Month 1: Reading Comprehension & Literary Elements
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Identify and analyze plot, setting, characters, and conflict
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Explore theme and author’s message
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Practice summarizing, predicting, and inferring
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Write structured reading responses using textual evidence
Month 2: Narrative Writing
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Develop story elements: characters, setting, conflict, and resolution
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Use dialogue, pacing, and sensory detail
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Practice drafting, peer feedback, revising, and publishing
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Write short stories or personal narratives
Month 3: Grammar & Sentence Fluency
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Review parts of speech (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, conjunctions)
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Master sentence types (simple, compound, complex)
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Correct punctuation, capitalization, and usage errors
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Apply grammar skills in writing and editing exercises
Month 4: Poetry & Figurative Language
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Read and analyze poems for mood, tone, and literary devices
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Explore figurative language: similes, metaphors, personification, alliteration
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Write original poems and participate in a poetry reading or journal
Month 5: Informational & Expository Writing
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Read nonfiction articles and essays
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Identify main ideas, supporting details, and structure
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Write informative essays and how-to guides
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Use text features: headings, bullet points, diagrams
Month 6: Opinion & Argumentative Writing
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Construct clear thesis statements and claims
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Support arguments with reasoning, evidence, and examples
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Use persuasive techniques and rhetorical devices
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Engage in classroom debates or write editorials
Month 7: Research Skills & Projects
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Conduct research using books, articles, and safe online sources
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Take notes, paraphrase, and organize information
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Learn to cite sources (MLA/APA basics for middle grades)
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Present a research report or digital presentation
Month 8: Drama & Public Speaking
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Read a short play or dramatic excerpt
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Practice script reading, voice expression, and stage directions
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Write short skits or speeches
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Perform monologues, group scenes, or spoken word
Month 9: Review & Portfolio Showcase
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Review reading strategies, writing techniques, grammar, and vocabulary
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Final portfolio: choose best writing samples and reflect on growth
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Class presentations of final projects or literary reflections
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Prepare for next year’s reading/writing expectations
📚 Core Materials
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Age-appropriate novels, short stories, nonfiction articles
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Poetry anthologies and plays (Shakespeare excerpts, modern works)
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Writer’s notebook or digital writing portfolio
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Vocabulary workbook or word study lists
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Graphic organizers and rubrics for writing
🧠 Skills Progression by Age/Grade
AgeGradeFocus
10–11Grade 5Reading fluency, writing paragraphs, grammar basics, story elements
11–12Grade 6Text analysis, structured essays, research intro, narrative depth
12–13Grade 7Argumentative writing, complex texts, figurative language
13–14Grade 8Critical reading, literary analysis, multi-source research
14–15Grade 9Analytical essays, citation formatting, theme analysis, public speaking
👩🏫 Teaching Style
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Blended learning: individual, small group, and whole-class instruction
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Writing workshops and reading circles
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Discussions, peer review, and student-led projects
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Creative expression and performance-based activities
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Regular feedback and student reflection