English Language Arts
English Language Arts (K-5)
In District 97, the Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts guide what students learn and the skills they develop as readers, writers, speakers, and listeners. Our literacy instruction is grounded in evidence-based practices and aligned with the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan, which emphasizes the development of strong skills in oracy, phonological awareness, word recognition, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing. Through high-quality curriculum, rich texts, meaningful conversations, and purposeful opportunities to read and write, students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to become thoughtful, engaged, and lifelong learners.
Mission Statement (K-5):
Elementary students in D97 will engage in hands-on, student-centered learning experiences that are authentic, meaningful and extend beyond the classroom. Our students will become reflective communicators, readers and writers through standards-aligned curriculum and instruction that includes phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, grammar, fluency, oracy, comprehension and writing. Students will be immersed in diverse texts that allow them to see themselves as well as the perspectives of others.
Curricular Resources (K-5):
- Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts & Amplify Caminos (Primary Resource)
- Heggerty Phonemic Awareness (Supplemental Resource)
- University of Florida Literacy Institute Foundations Toolbox (Supplemental Resource
English Language Arts (6-8)
In District 97, the skills and knowledge captured in the Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts (ELA) are embedded in the middle school ELA units creating a supportive and engaging learning environment while also implementing the components of the Illinois Comprehensive Literacy Plan and the three key shifts in the focus of ELA standards and literacy instruction as outlined in the Illinois Learning Standards:
- Building knowledge through content-rich nonfiction and informational texts
- Reading, writing and speaking grounded in evidence from literary and informational text
- Regular practice with complex text and its academic language
The units focus on tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, incorporating student text choice and voice and preparing students for life outside the classroom.
Mission Statement (6-8)
District 97 Middle School graduates will be able to read increasingly challenging texts and to communicate effectively for a variety of purposes, in a variety of mediums, in order to think critically about complex concepts that arise in our diverse and changing society. District 97 English Language Arts Middle School teachers will embrace student curiosity and work to develop reflective lifelong learners who understand that listening to different perspectives can add value to their own.
ELA Learning (6-8)
The skills and knowledge captured in the Illinois Learning Standards for ELA are embedded in the middle school ELA units creating a supportive and engaging learning environment while also implementing the three key shifts in the focus of ELA standards and literacy instruction:
- Building knowledge through content-rich nonfiction and informational texts
- Reading, writing and speaking grounded in evidence from literary and informational text
- Regular practice with complex text and its academic language
The units focus on tailoring instruction to meet the diverse needs of learners, incorporating student text choice and voice and preparing students for life outside the classroom.