Revolutionizing Literacy: Curriculum Associates' New Program
Revolutionizing Literacy Programs for Students K-6
Innovative core curriculum builds strong readers by using knowledge-rich texts to integrate writing, oral language, and vocabulary, helping students think critically and communicate confidently.
Building on its successful track record of improving students' reading abilities, Curriculum Associates is expanding its impact with Magnetic Literacy, a core reading curriculum designed for grades K to 6. Many existing programs often restrict instruction to merely decoding and superficial knowledge acquisition, whereas Magnetic Literacy aims to take learning much further.
Addressing Critical Literacy Challenges
The program tackles a significant challenge that educators face: how to enhance foundational literacy skills while moving students beyond rudimentary knowledge to deeper insight, critical thinking, and the expression of ideas through writing and verbal discussion. Research indicates that decoding skills alone do not suffice; students require knowledge-rich experiences to fully grasp what they read. Magnetic Literacy effectively bridges this gap by integrating carefully sequenced text sets with ongoing assessment, thereby allowing students to relate skills to knowledge.
Empowering Critical Thought and Communication
The vision behind the program is clear: nurturing learners who not only possess knowledge but understand it, reason through it, and act with thoughtful insight. Barrie Olson, the vice president of reading curriculum and instruction at Curriculum Associates, emphasizes, "The true purpose of literacy is to cultivate minds that are curious, thoughtful, and empowered to make sense of the world. Magnetic Literacy aims to equip students to read, write, speak, and listen with intention, allowing them to think critically, raise pertinent questions, and approach problems creatively."
Integrated Learning for Lasting Impact
Magnetic Literacy is built upon its predecessor, Magnetic Foundations™, which is the first supplemental foundational skills program to earn outstanding performance scores from EdReports. Its systematic instructional approach has already supported thousands of students in developing early literacy skills. Magnetic Literacy builds upon this success by creating a fully integrated core program that connects literacy skills to knowledge across the entire literacy curriculum.
Unit-Based Structure Enhancing Understanding
Each unit within Magnetic Literacy begins with a clear educational goal, directing students with a thought-provoking question that highlights their learning's trajectory and significance. Throughout their engagement with a set of texts, students expand their knowledge, enhance their literacy skills, and participate in structured discussions, facilitating the connection and organization of their ideas. The culmination of each unit involves authentic writing tasks that leverage everything they have learned, enabling students to practice their skills in context and convey their thoughts effectively.
Magnetic Literacy empowers educators to:
- Build independent readers and thinkers by integrating explicit foundational skills with knowledge-rich texts to deepen understanding and ignite analysis.
- Develop proficient writers and speakers through guided opportunities to express ideas, construct arguments, and communicate using credible evidence.
- Connect every literacy skill through purposeful unit design, where reading, writing, speaking, and language competencies are cohesively taught within sequenced texts.
- Support each learner's growth using targeted instruction informed by data from i-Ready Assessment.
According to Kelly Sia, the chief executive officer at Curriculum Associates, "Literacy transcends skill—it opens doors to remarkable opportunities. We at Curriculum Associates believe every student deserves more than just an education—they should have the opportunity to explore, connect, and derive meaning from their knowledge. Magnetic Literacy is founded on that belief."
Availability for Adoption
Magnetic Literacy is available for review and adoption for the upcoming school year. Educational institutions nationwide can examine how the program facilitates a comprehensive approach to literacy instruction, ensuring students are well-equipped to read, think critically, and communicate with self-assurance.
About Curriculum Associates
Curriculum Associates is a mission-driven organization committed to enhancing classrooms for K-12 students and educators by aligning actionable data insights with high-quality instruction. We collaborate with educators to provide a connected portfolio of i-Ready solutions that encompass adaptive assessments, personalized instruction, and core curriculum in English language arts and mathematics, backed by experienced professional development teams, along with Ellevation for Multilingual Learners and Stile Education for middle school science. With enhancements from our innovation hub, AI Labs, we deploy advanced technologies educators can rely on. Our evaluation of success is based on the positive impact we have on student outcomes, and we feel privileged to support the remarkable efforts of educators dedicated to helping every student succeed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Magnetic Literacy?
Magnetic Literacy is a K-6 reading program by Curriculum Associates, designed to improve literacy skills through integrated teaching methods.
What are the main goals of the program?
The main goals include building independent readers, developing strong writers, and connecting various literacy skills through structured units.
Who can benefit from Magnetic Literacy?
Teachers and students in grades K-6 can benefit, as it supports foundational skills and promotes critical thinking.
When is the program available?
The program is available for review and adoption for the upcoming school year.
How does this program differ from others?
Unlike many programs that focus solely on decoding, Magnetic Literacy integrates deep knowledge and critical thinking skills, preparing students for comprehensive literacy understanding.
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