English Language Arts
Elementary
Curriculum
Kindergarten
- Developing motivated, strategic, constructive, fluent, and independent readers, writers, and communicators
- Develop skills for small group and whole group conversations
- Apply foundational skills for reading and writing using and creating a variety of literature and informational texts
2nd Grade
- Developing motivated, strategic, constructive, fluent and independent readers, writers, and communicators
- Continued development of oral language abilities and using reading and writing processes
- Read literature and informational texts and express their thinking both orally and in writing
- Continue to develop inquiry skills to gather, organize, summarize and share information
4th Grade
- Continued development of motivated, strategic, constructive, fluent and independent readers, writers, and communicators
- Extending oral language abilities and the use of reading and writing processes
- Read literature and informational texts
- Share responses, express understandings and support opinions using textual evidence both orally and in writing
- Use research skills and tools to gather, organize, summarize and present information
1st Grade
- Developing motivated, strategic, constructive, fluent and independent readers, writers, and communicators
- Continued development of oral language abilities and exploring reading and writing processes
- Read literature and informational texts and express their understandings both orally and in writing
- Develop inquiry skills to gather, organize and share information
3rd Grade
- Developing motivated, strategic, constructive, fluent and independent readers, writers, and communicators
- Extending oral language abilities and the use of reading and writing processes
- Read literature and informational texts.
- Express thinking and support opinions using textual evidence both orally and in writing
- Use research skills and tools to gather, organize, summarize and share information
5th Grade
- The advancement of motivated, strategic, constructive, fluent and independent readers, writers, and communicators
- Extending oral language abilities and the use of reading and writing processes
- Read literature and informational texts.
- Share responses, express understandings and support opinions using textual evidence both orally and in writing
- Use research skills and tools to gather, organize, summarize and present information
Assessment
Students in K-5 do fall, winter, and spring assessments to determine student reading levels and chart progress. The assessments are also used to group students to provide targeted instruction based on student need.
Students in 3rd Grade take a district end of year common writing assessment.
Students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade take the Colorado Measure of Academic Success (CMAS) ELA test in the spring.
Learning Materials
Dual Language Schools use Pearson Ready Gen, as well as Palabras a su paso for Phonics instruction.
Non-Dual Language Schools use Heinemann, Fountas and Pinnell Classroom, as well as Wilson, Fundations for Phonics instruction.
Learn more about other approved elementary language arts materials here.
Parent Resources
Here are some tools you can use with your student at home.
iReady
Individualized practice in phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, high frequency words and comprehension
Student Login:
Username: network username (check infinite campus)
password: Student Number
Reading Plus (Grades 3-12)
Supports visual processing, silent reading fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, and writing about reading
Student Login:
Username: BVSD username
Password: BVSD + student #
Middle
Curriculum
Note: The below courses can also be taken as Advanced courses. Language Arts electives and Spanish Language Arts courses are also available. Check with your school to learn about these options.
6th Grade Language Arts6th Grade Middle Level English Language Arts focuses on the four academic standards: speaking and listening, reading for all purposes, writing and composition, and research and reasoning. This course builds upon elementary level instruction and demands increased application of skills and intellectual reasoning while reading, writing, speaking and listening. Focus studies include: analyzing literary components, examining text structures, developing vocabulary knowledge through context, organizing and structuring writing for intended audiences and purposes, informative/expository and persuasive writing, and grammar and mechanics of English language.
7th Grade Language Arts
7th Grade Middle Level English Language Arts focuses on the four academic standards: speaking and listening, reading for all purposes, writing and composition, and research and reasoning. This course demands increased application of developing literacy skills and intellectual reasoning. Focus studies include: analyzing literary components, examining text structures, developing vocabulary knowledge through context, organizing and structuring writing for intended audiences and purposes, informative/expository and persuasive writing, grammar and mechanics of English language
Learn more about the 7th grade language Arts curriculum8th Grade Language Arts
8th Grade Middle Level English Language Arts focuses on the four academic standards: speaking and listening, reading for all purposes, writing and composition, and research and reasoning. This course is designed to prepare students for success in all high school course work requiring proficiency in the standards listed above. Focus studies include: reading interpretation and analysis of literary, informational, and persuasive texts through self- monitoring and peer/teacher dialogue; identify and use stylistic devices, such as sensory details, figurative language and tone; identify and organize ideas, supporting details, and transitional phrases within informational and persuasive texts written for a variety of audiences and purposes; employ correct grammar, usage, and mechanics in writing; and the independently navigate the research process.
Assessment
Learning Materials
Parent Resources
iReady
Individualized practice in phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, high frequency words and comprehension
Student Login:
Username: network username (check infinite campus)
password: Student Number
Reading Plus (Grades 3-12)
Supports visual processing, silent reading fluency, vocabulary development, comprehension, and writing about reading
Student Login:
Username: BVSD username
Password: BVSD + student #
High
Curriculum
BVSD provides many course options for high school lanuage arts, including academic support, AP, IB, and debate, and yearbook options.
EXPLORE THE COURSE OPTIONS HERE
Language Arts options may vary by school. Check your school's course catalog to see what is being offered.
Assessment
Learning Materials
Parent Resources
Contact Us for Language Arts
Emily Cosmos
Coordinator of Language Arts and Humanities, Northwest
720-561-3134
Aubrey Yeh
Coordinator of Language Arts and Humanities, East
720-561-5085
Angel Stobaugh
Director of Language Arts and Humanities, Southwest
720-561-5040
Contact Us for Reading
Heather Hansen
Coordinator of Reading, Northwest
720-561-6426
Shannon Gamble
Coordinator of Reading, East
720-561-5130
Michelle Qazi
Director of Reading, Southwest