Elementary language arts instruction aims to improve early literacy outcomes for Hampton’s young learners by providing methods and materials aligned with science-based reading research and provides evidenced-based literacy instruction to students in kindergarten through grade five.

 

The ELA instructional block includes all literacy components and is divided into whole group reading, whole group writing, and differentiated small group instruction.  

 

Elementary ELA Team Chart

 

A model is provided indicating the breakdown of minutes for each grade level:

• Kindergarten

• First Grade

• Second Grade

• Third Grade

• Fourth/Fifth Grade

Additional evidence-based literacy instruction and practice on a specific literacy skill (i.e., phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing) occurs in small groups based on individual student data.

 

VLA 1 pager

VLP family resource link

K-3 Literacy Resources

 

Secondary English Tier 1 Curriculum is based on the 2024 Standards of Learning and includes high quality instructional materials and evidence-based instructional strategies. English instruction emphasizes developing fluent reading, building comprehension, and using evidence to support claims and conclusions. Students build vocabulary through reading literary and informational texts. Literary text skills focus on themes, characterization, setting, plot, author’s craft and style, and how context is created based on the text’s historical, cultural, and/or social function. Informational text skills include author’s purpose, craft, and style, interpreting data and information in a variety of maps, charts, and graphs, and comparing and evaluating viewpoints of varying perspectives. Students write in a variety of forms including expository, analytical, persuasive, and argumentative. Some writing tasks require students to conduct research, analyze a variety of sources, and demonstrate ethical use of the internet. The writing process includes planning, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing. Students learn and use grammar and mechanics conventions of standard English. Activities and projects throughout the year develop effective oral communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.

 

English 12 Senior Capstone Project: During the 12th grade year, students reflect on the question “What impact do I want to make?” in regard to their chosen Academy or future career field. Students identify an industry problem and propose a possible solution. The project has five phases: 

• Phase 1: Generating Ideas: With the help of English teachers and Academy coaches, students will define “capstone” and explore an industry of interest and the potential impacts they could make in that field.

• Phase 2: Research: Students will use credible sources to determine the possible problems associated with their Academy and/or career field.

• Phase 3: Development/Implementation: Teachers will provide multiple learning frames to guide the development and implementation of the Capstone project. Each learning frame produces a different kind of project. For example, the “case study” learning frame guides students through a deep analysis of the industry problem and prompts students to determine recommended next steps. The “advocacy/awareness” campaign prompts students to create a media product that informs the audience of the problem and urges them to take action. The “service learning” learning frame guides students through creating a community service solution to a noticeable problem.

• Phase 4: Reflection: This stage of the project asks students to reflect on the process, honestly evaluate their work, and propose revisions.

• Phase 5: Demonstration: Students will create and deliver a multimodal presentation that includes their problem, research, learning frame, and reflection.

Reading Intervention

 

Middle School courses: 

Reading and Writing Exploration (RWE) is an elective for grades 6-8 that uses HMH’s Read 180 curriculum, which focuses on building students’ knowledge of comprehension strategies throughout each themed Workshop. Read 180 integrates researched-based instructional practices, adaptive technology, and scaffolded support for reading independently. Students actively participating in the learning process can raise their reading level by two grade levels in one school year.

Reading and Writing Discovery (RWD) is an elective for grades 6-8 that uses HMH’s Read 180 CODE curriculum. Students receive systematic, explicit instruction and practice of foundational literacy skills to develop their fluency, expand vocabulary and strengthen comprehension skills to become proficient, skillful readers. Read 180 integrates researched-based instructional practices, adaptive technology, and scaffolded support for reading independently. Students actively participating in the learning process can raise their reading level by two grade levels in one school year.

High School course: 

 

Literacy Acceleration

Literacy Acceleration uses HMH’s Read 180 curriculum, which is a program that focuses on spelling, writing, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. Each day students receive whole group instruction, participate in small group learning, apply their learning independently, and read independently. Students actively participating in the learning process can raise their reading level by two grade levels in one school year.

Assessements

Throughout the quarter, teachers administer unit assessments to determine student 

mastery of unit Standards of Learning. Students in grades 6-12 take an end-of-quarter 

benchmark assessment, the Critical Skills Assessment (CSA). 

VDOE English Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests

Grades 6-8 Reading SOL Test (May)

Grade 8 Integrated Reading and Writing SOL Test (April)

Grade 10 End-of-Course Writing SOL Test (March) 

Grade 11 End-of-Course Reading SOL Test (May)fa

Consult the Course Offerings site and your schools’ counseling department to find out which Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment, and English elective courses are available at your school. 

Virginia Literacy Partnerships: To support your child’s needs at home, please visit Resources for Families.

 

The Virginia Literacy Act ensures that:

 

Division Literacy Plan

Hampton City Schools created a plan to ensure all components of the Virginia Literacy Act are intentionally addressed. Take a look at the Hampton City Schools Division Literacy Plan.

 

Core Literacy Instruction

Hampton City Schools adopted HMH Into Reading for K-5 Language Arts instruction. This program is based on evidence based practices and the principles of the Science of Reading.

 

Intervention 

Hampton City Schools uses Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Sight Words (SIPPS) for K-3 students that have instructional needs. 

Lexia is an online platform that focuses on all literacy components for K-8th grade students (grammar, word study, comprehension). The program is computer adaptive and gives students practice based on their strengths and weaknesses. 

Read 180 Universal is used in middle schools as an elective course for students that need intensive literacy support.

 

Reading Specialists

Reading specialists are housed in each elementary school and literacy support is also present in middle schools. 

Reading Specialist Job Description 

Reading Specialists by School, Contact Information

 

Lexia Core 5 (K-5) Resources

Resources that are aligned with the online program students use during the school day. 

Lexia Power Up Read At Home Newsletter

Virginia Literacy Partnerships

Great information and resources that are tied to all components of literacy

Virginia Department of Education

Resources that are aligned with the standards set by the state for daily instruction

Family Literacy Webinars

Informative presentations to support literacy and learning at home

Florida Center for Reading Research

Resources to help work on reading skills for all levels at home. 

There are also other helpful sites that are linked for easy access.