• Overview


    Our kindergarten through fifth-grade classroom instruction includes interactive read-alouds, literature discussions, phonics, spelling, word study, grammar, vocabulary strategies, independent reading, small group instruction, oral communication, technological communication, and writing.  Our sixth through eighth-grade language arts classroom instruction includes interactive read-alouds, literature discussions, close reading, spelling, grammar, vocabulary strategies, independent reading, small group instruction, oral communication, technological communication, and writing. Students in all grades are exposed to a range of increasingly complex literature and informational texts and tasks.

  • Standards


    Illinois adopted the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts in 2010, which are now referred to as the Illinois Learning Standards.  District 25 schools have successfully aligned the Illinois Learning Standards into their curricula and continue to refine instructional practices to improve student achievement and prepare students for lifelong success.

    The Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts establish clear and coherent expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level. The Illinois Learning Standards for English Language Arts ensures students are provided a comprehensive understanding of key concepts.

  • Instruction


    District 25 reading instruction is designed to develop students' ability to:

    • Identify key ideas, themes, and topics in text;
    • Ask and answer questions as they interact with text and construct meaning;
    • Use prior knowledge and textual information to draw conclusions, make predictions, and form interpretations;
    • Synthesize important textual information with existing knowledge to summarize what was read and form new ideas and opinions;
    • Find the meaning of unfamiliar words and broaden their range of academic and curriculum specific vocabulary;
    • Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support research, analysis, and reflection;
    • Use various text and genre features to identify important information and construct meaning; and;
    • Read closely from a wide range of texts in order to gain deeper understanding of meaning, and/ or knowledge.

    District 25 writing instruction is designed to develop students' ability to:

      • Identify and experiment with various forms and purposes for writing;
      • Use their own experiences and areas of interest to generate ideas for writing
      • Conduct research using several sources;
      • Elaborate on ideas and develop topics with relevant facts and details;
      • Draft a well-organized piece of writing that follows clear structure and employs technical features;
      • Read like a writer, analyzing text structures, features, and craft elements;
      • Strengthen writing through revising and editing techniques; and;
      • Collaborate with peers, share ideas, and support one another as writers.

  • Kindergarten

  • 1st Grade

  • 2nd Grade

  • 3rd Grade

  • 4th Grade

  • 5th Grade

  • 6th Grade

  • 7th Grade

  • 8th Grade

  • Literacy Interventions

    Each building in District 25 has a literacy interventionist to support struggling readers and writers.   Students who participate in literacy intervention are identified using district assessment criteria. They participate in small group instruction using engaging leveled books.  Systematically designed lessons empower students as they work toward attaining reading and writing proficiency.   

    Advanced Language Arts

    We identify students for Advanced Language Arts in the spring of fifth grade.  Advanced Language Arts classes are offered in sixth through eighth grade. For additional information on the advanced language arts placement process, please select the Advanced Language Arts Placement page.