English Language Arts
- Overview
- Pre-K
- Kindergarten
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
- Grade 6
- Grade 7
- Grade 8
- Seymour High School
Overview
English/Language Arts Philosophy
In Seymour Public Schools, our approach to literacy instruction ensures a balanced and comprehensive program that includes explicit teaching, dedicated independent reading and writing time, one-on-one conferring, and small group instruction across grades K-12. Whole-group instruction focuses on meeting CCSS-ELA standards, building essential skills, and expanding content knowledge to support the development of all areas of literacy. Daily small group and individualized instruction provides targeted support for students across the curriculum, offering tailored teaching, practice, and feedback in areas such as oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing.
The district is committed to ongoing professional learning to foster a culture of continuous improvement in teaching practices and to meet the evolving needs of all students, preparing them for global citizenship. Professional learning occurs weekly in collaborative teams and during dedicated days for intensive learning experiences. These opportunities include working with national and international experts, studying lessons, units, and professional books. Teachers also engage in regular data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum and its impact on student learning.
Delivery Methods
In Seymour Public Schools, our literacy instruction follows a structured model that combines direct instruction aligned with standards and individualized differentiation. This approach includes explicit teaching, protected independent reading and writing time, one-on-one conferring, and small group instruction. Teachers foster engagement and enjoyment by creating opportunities for inquiry, encouraging rich discussions, and offering student choice in their learning experiences. This ensures that all students are supported and challenged in their literacy development while maintaining a focus on active participation and enthusiasm for learning.
Standards
The Seymour Public Schools ELA curriculum is designed with the district’s priorities outlined in the mission statement and the Vision of a Wildcat, ensuring alignment with the Common Core State Standards. These priorities guide the creation of K-12 Transfer Goals, which are assessed throughout a student’s academic journey in various curricular units. This approach ensures that students develop the essential skills and knowledge necessary for success, both in their educational experience and as active, engaged global citizens.
ELA Reading Transfer Goals
The long-term aim of the PK-12 program in Seymour Public Schools is to ensure that students develop the skills and abilities to use their learning independently across a variety of contexts. By the end of their education, students will be able to:
- Choose and read across genres and texts for specific purposes.
- Approach discussions with well-supported ideas, having asked probing questions and analyzed relevant evidence.
- Use strategies to comprehend and engage with increasingly complex texts, becoming independent, critical, and reflective thinkers.
- Listen, exchange, evaluate, and build upon ideas to contribute meaningfully to discussions.
- Evaluate an author’s message, identify their purpose, and cite text evidence to support conclusions.
- Compare and contrast literary patterns across different texts.
- Analyze both informational and literary texts to identify underlying assumptions, patterns, and relationships, and use this analysis to make inferences.
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Research and identify credible resources to expand knowledge and understanding of a topic or issue.
ELA Writing Transfer Goals
The long-term aim of the PK-12 program in Seymour Public Schools is to equip students with the skills necessary to express themselves effectively through writing. By the end of their education, students will be able to:
- Use the cyclical writing process to produce and publish clear, coherent writing, with development and organization suited to a variety of audiences, purposes, and messages.
- Intentionally select and apply appropriate structures for writing across different genres.
- Present information and ideas using correct grammar, spelling, and vocabulary to clearly convey their message.
- Develop ideas through intentional elaboration and author’s craft techniques to engage the intended audience for a specific purpose.
- Provide clarity and refine ideas to suit a specific audience or purpose (inform, persuade, entertain).
- Use a variety of tools to assess and enhance their personal strengths and writing style.
Vision of a Graduate
Our mission is to prepare graduates with the essential skills and knowledge that empower them to thrive in their personal and professional lives. The Vision of a Graduate team is dedicated to shaping a distinct and identifiable district fingerprint that represents our identity, embodying the core principles and values at the heart of our community.
English/Language Arts Resources