A new English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum is allowing Menands students to start a new chapter on literacy while also gaining volumes of knowledge in the sciences.
The American Reading Company curriculum was implemented at the start of the 2024-25 school year, and school officials say they are already seeing results.
“Our students have done some pretty amazing writing recently, some of which has even been featured at the Menands Public Library,” said Menands Superintendent Jennifer Cannavo.
The curriculum ensures that students in every grade level read and write daily and that they have the opportunity to go into the library and read actual books and research, said Keonda Adih, a literacy coach with the AmericanReading Company.
Each grade level has a different topic students focus on, but all the topics are based in the sciences.
For example, second grade students are reading about, writing about and learning about bugs, while students in another grade level have focused on the climate and weather.
Principal Kathleen Wylie said the school’s ELA team of faculty and administrators chose the curriculum because it was focused on real books and on knowledge-building.
“One of the things that drove us to the curriculum is the knowledge-building.[The curriculum] is also very rigorous when it comes to writing, and the kids are actually looking at real books. A lot of other curriculums looked at [composite books], which are a lot of stories put into one book,” Wylie said.
“We wanted kids to pick up and read books and see the writing and the beautiful pictures and artwork,” the principal added.
Adih visits Menands once a month and meets with teachers, as well as students to see how the curriculum is being implemented and to provide any assistance necessary.
Students said they liked the new learning style.
“I think ELA is a lot of fun because I love writing,” said second grade student Jizelle Roco.