Academy Curriculum

English Language Arts (ELA) in grades K-5 at IDEA is composed of a few different curriculum components: a knowledge-building ELAR curriculum; Direct Instruction- Reading Mastering Transformations; and explicit writing instruction. With these resources combined, IDEA uses our ELA programming to ensure that our Academy students are prepared to be successful college graduates who will be culturally responsive citizens who excel in collaboration, critical and creative thinking, and communication. See below for details for our ELA curriculum:  

• Knowledge-Building Curriculum: K-5 students will engage in knowledge building ELAR curriculum daily. Students are invited to read content-rich and complex texts that build their knowledge of important topics as they master literacy skills. Core texts are wide ranging, varied, and provide a careful balance of literary, informational, and fine art texts. Students engage in deep study of topics to build their knowledge of historical and scientific topics, growing in complexity from year to year. 
• Direct Instruction: Reading Mastery Transformations: IDEA K-2 students will participate in Direct Instruction programming daily. Direct Instruction starts with an intense focus on systematic literacy instruction that includes the foundations of literacy: phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. As a student progresses through these basic concepts, they acquire skills needed to become a transitional reader. By the end of all DI programs, students are exposed to more rigorous literacy and language elements with the goal of becoming a fluent reader.
• Explicit Writing Instruction: IDEA students receive instruction in the essential elements of writing in different genres at their grade level. Students learn to write skillfully, creatively, abundantly, and with motivation in various genres and apply knowledge of grammar and mechanics to extended pieces.