Date Modified: September 17, 2025
Curriculum Overview
The English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum at Legacy Haven Academy is designed to foster proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills for students in grades 5-12. Aligned with the Arizona Department of Education (AZDoE) standards and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), this curriculum emphasizes focus, coherence, and rigor to ensure students develop strong literacy foundations while integrating Arizona-specific contexts, such as real-world applications in diverse cultural and community settings. The purpose is to prepare students for college and career readiness (CCR) by building skills in evidence-based analysis, persuasive communication, and collaborative leadership through inquiry-based and project-oriented learning. Activities encourage critical thinking, cultural awareness, and inclusive practices, with adaptations like audio texts, simplified prompts, or multilingual supports to meet the needs of English language learners as outlined in AZDoE’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards.
The scope covers progressive skill development across grade bands, starting with foundational literacy in grades 5-8 and advancing to sophisticated rhetorical and analytical abilities in grades 9-12. Design considerations draw from CCSS’s emphasis on text complexity, conceptual understanding, and procedural fluency, while incorporating AZDoE’s focus on equity, civic engagement, and career pathways. Key themes include critical thinking through text analysis, collaboration via group discussions and projects, and real-world relevance by connecting literature to Arizona’s historical and contemporary issues, such as indigenous narratives or environmental advocacy. This approach ensures coherence by building on prior knowledge and rigor through challenging, multifaceted tasks that promote independence and lifelong learning.
The pedagogical approach is hands-on and student-centered, featuring project-based activities like debates, multimedia presentations, and research essays that align with AZDoE’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) integrations for practical workforce skills. The curriculum introduces four core strands: Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening, and Language. These strands progress vertically, ensuring conceptual understanding in areas like theme analysis and argument construction, while supporting procedural fluency in grammar and vocabulary. By emphasizing CCR, the curriculum prepares students not only for academic success but also for careers in journalism, education, law, communications, entrepreneurship, and skilled trades, highlighting Arizona’s economic sectors like agribusiness and vocational training.
Overall, this ELA curriculum meets or exceeds AZDoE and CCSS expectations by providing measurable outcomes that foster holistic growth, with built-in supports for diverse learners to achieve proficiency across all standards.
Reading
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text (inspired by CCSS Reading Anchor 1).
- Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas (inspired by CCSS Reading Anchor 2).
- Analyze how and why individuals, events, and ideas develop and interact over the course of a text (inspired by CCSS Reading Anchor 3).
- Interpret words and phrases as they are used in a text, including determining technical, connotative, and figurative meanings, and analyze how specific word choices shape meaning or tone (inspired by CCSS Reading Anchor 4).
- Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences, paragraphs, and larger portions of the text relate to each other and the whole (inspired by CCSS Reading Anchor 5).
- Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text (inspired by CCSS Reading Anchor 6).
- Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words (inspired by CCSS Reading Anchor 7).
Key Topics:
- Literary analysis across genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.
- Comprehension of informational texts, focusing on historical, scientific, and technical content.
- Use of evidence to support inferences and summaries.
- Exploration of cultural perspectives and Arizona-specific themes in literature.
- Fluency and vocabulary development through context and domain-specific terms.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Foundational and intermediate skills emphasize building comprehension through guided analysis of texts, progressing to independent interpretation with projects like visual plot diagrams and group book talks; focus on fluency, vocabulary, and cultural connections aligned to AZDoE progressions for coherence and rigor. Standards of Learning:
- Standard 5.R.1: Quote accurately from a text to explain explicit meanings and draw inferences, supporting comprehension (aligned to AZDoE 5.RL.1, 5.RI.1 and AZELP B-1 for grades 4-5).
- Standard 6.R.2: Determine central ideas in literary and informational texts, analyzing development through details and providing objective summaries (aligned to AZDoE 6.RL.2, 6.RI.2 and AZELP B-1 for grades 6-8).
- Standard 7.R.3: Analyze interactions between elements like characters, settings, and events in stories or informational texts (aligned to AZDoE 7.RL.3, 7.RI.3 and AZELP B-3 for grades 6-8).
- Standard 8.R.4: Determine meanings of words, including figurative and connotative, and analyze their impact on tone (aligned to AZDoE 8.RL.4, 8.RI.4 and AZELP B-4 for grades 6-8).
- Standard 5.R.5: Compare structures of texts and how they contribute to meaning, using multimedia elements (aligned to AZDoE 5.RL.5, 5.RI.5 and AZELP B-2 for grades 4-5; exceeds by incorporating Arizona cultural texts).
- Standard 6.R.6: Explain author’s point of view and its influence on events or ideas (aligned to AZDoE 6.RL.6, 6.RI.6).
- Standard 7.R.7: Integrate information from multiple sources to solve problems or answer questions (aligned to AZDoE 7.RI.7, exceeds with collaborative projects).
- Standard 8.R.8: Evaluate arguments in texts, distinguishing supported claims from unsupported (aligned to AZDoE 8.RI.8).
- Grades 9-12: Advanced integration involves leadership in analyzing complex texts, synthesizing ideas across sources, and applying to real-world Arizona contexts like civic debates; emphasizes synthesis, rhetoric, and ethical considerations. Standards of Learning:
- Standard 9.R.1: Cite strong textual evidence to support analysis of explicit and inferred meanings in complex texts (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.RL.1, 9-10.RI.1 and AZELP B-1 for grades 9-12).
- Standard 10.R.2: Analyze theme development and central ideas across multiple texts, providing objective summaries (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.RL.2, 9-10.RI.2 and AZELP B-3 for grades 9-12).
- Standard 11.R.3: Evaluate author’s choices in developing elements like characters or ideas in literary and informational works (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.RL.3, 11-12.RI.3).
- Standard 12.R.4: Analyze cumulative impact of word choices on meaning, tone, and rhetoric (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.RL.4, 11-12.RI.4 and AZELP B-4 for grades 9-12; exceeds with Arizona-specific vocabulary in agribusiness contexts).
- Standard 9.R.5: Analyze text structures and how they refine ideas or claims (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.RI.5).
- Standard 10.R.6: Determine author’s point of view and rhetorical purpose, analyzing effectiveness (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.RI.6).
- Standard 11.R.7: Integrate multiple sources in diverse formats to address questions or problems (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.RI.7, exceeds with multimedia Arizona history projects).
- Standard 12.R.8: Delineate and evaluate arguments in seminal texts, assessing reasoning and evidence (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.RI.8).
Writing
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence (inspired by CCSS Writing Anchor 1).
- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content (inspired by CCSS Writing Anchor 2).
- Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, well-chosen details, and well-structured event sequences (inspired by CCSS Writing Anchor 3).
- Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience (inspired by CCSS Writing Anchor 4).
- Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach (inspired by CCSS Writing Anchor 5).
- Use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others (inspired by CCSS Writing Anchor 6).
Key Topics:
- Argumentative and persuasive writing with evidence-based claims.
- Informative and explanatory texts using facts, definitions, and examples.
- Narrative writing for creative expression and real-world applications.
- Research processes, including source integration and ethical citation.
- Use of transitions, precise language, and domain-specific vocabulary.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Foundational skills focus on organizing ideas through guided projects like narratives and editorials, progressing to independent tasks with analysis and peer collaboration. Standards of Learning:
- Standard 5.W.1: Write informative texts to examine topics, using facts, details, and transitions (aligned to AZDoE 5.W.2 and AZELP I-1 for grades 4-5).
- Standard 6.W.2: Introduce topics and organize ideas with strategies like comparison/contrast (aligned to AZDoE 6.W.2 and AZELP I-2 for grades 6-8).
- Standard 7.W.3: Develop arguments with claims, reasons, and evidence from credible sources (aligned to AZDoE 7.W.1).
- Standard 8.W.4: Use precise language and vocabulary to explain topics (aligned to AZDoE 8.W.2.d and AZELP I-5 for grades 6-8; exceeds with Arizona CTE writing applications).
- Standard 5.W.5: Produce clear writing appropriate to task and audience, with revisions (aligned to AZDoE 5.W.4).
- Standard 6.W.6: Use technology to produce and publish writing collaboratively (aligned to AZDoE 6.W.6).
- Standard 7.W.7: Conduct short research projects to build knowledge (aligned to AZDoE 7.W.7).
- Standard 8.W.8: Gather information from multiple sources, assessing credibility (aligned to AZDoE 8.W.8).
- Grades 9-12: Advanced skills involve leading complex writing projects like research essays and policy proposals, emphasizing synthesis and real-world Arizona applications. Standards of Learning:
- Standard 9.W.1: Write arguments with precise claims, counterclaims, and logical organization (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.W.1 and AZELP I-1 for grades 9-12).
- Standard 10.W.2: Develop topics with relevant facts, extended definitions, and quotations (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.W.2 and AZELP I-3 for grades 9-12).
- Standard 11.W.3: Write informative texts conveying complex ideas with connections and distinctions (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.W.2).
- Standard 12.W.4: Use precise language to manage topic complexity (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.W.2.d and AZELP I-5 for grades 9-12; exceeds with vocational writing for Arizona trades).
- Standard 9.W.5: Strengthen writing through planning, revising, and editing (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.W.5).
- Standard 10.W.6: Use digital tools to produce, publish, and update writing (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.W.6).
- Standard 11.W.7: Conduct sustained research projects to answer questions (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.W.7).
- Standard 12.W.8: Synthesize multiple sources, avoiding plagiarism (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.W.8).
Speaking and Listening
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Prepare for and participate effectively in a range of conversations and collaborations with diverse partners, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively (inspired by CCSS Speaking and Listening Anchor 1).
- Integrate and evaluate information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally (inspired by CCSS Speaking and Listening Anchor 2).
- Evaluate a speaker’s point of view, reasoning, and use of evidence and rhetoric (inspired by CCSS Speaking and Listening Anchor 3).
- Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience (inspired by CCSS Speaking and Listening Anchor 4).
- Make strategic use of digital media and visual displays of data to express information and enhance understanding of presentations (inspired by CCSS Speaking and Listening Anchor 5).
- Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and communicative tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate (inspired by CCSS Speaking and Listening Anchor 6).
Key Topics:
- Collaborative discussions and debates on Arizona-relevant issues.
- Oral presentations with evidence and multimedia integration.
- Active listening and evaluation of arguments.
- Leadership in group activities and seminars.
- Adaptation for diverse audiences, including ELP supports.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Build skills through guided group talks and presentations, progressing to debates with clear expression and listening. Standards of Learning:
- Standard 5.SL.1: Engage in collaborative discussions, building on others’ ideas (aligned to AZDoE 5.SL.1).
- Standard 6.SL.2: Interpret information from diverse media and formats (aligned to AZDoE 6.SL.2).
- Standard 7.SL.3: Delineate a speaker’s argument and claims (aligned to AZDoE 7.SL.3).
- Standard 8.SL.4: Present claims with relevant evidence and organization (aligned to AZDoE 8.SL.4; exceeds with Arizona civic debates).
- Standard 5.SL.5: Include multimedia in presentations to enhance ideas (aligned to AZDoE 5.SL.5).
- Standard 6.SL.6: Adapt speech to context, demonstrating command of English (aligned to AZDoE 6.SL.6 and AZELP B-2 for grades 6-8).
- Standard 7.SL.7: Evaluate reasoning in presentations (aligned to AZDoE 7.SL.3).
- Standard 8.SL.8: Integrate multiple sources orally (aligned to AZDoE 8.SL.2).
- Grades 9-12: Advanced leadership in seminars and TED-style talks, focusing on rhetoric and audience adaptation. Standards of Learning:
- Standard 9.SL.1: Initiate and participate in discussions, propelling conversations (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.SL.1).
- Standard 10.SL.2: Integrate multiple sources into coherent presentations (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.SL.2).
- Standard 11.SL.3: Evaluate speaker’s rhetoric and point of view (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.SL.3).
- Standard 12.SL.4: Present information with logical organization for audience (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.SL.4; exceeds with professional simulations for Arizona careers).
- Standard 9.SL.5: Use digital media strategically in presentations (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.SL.5).
- Standard 10.SL.6: Adapt speech to tasks, demonstrating formal English (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.SL.6 and AZELP B-2 for grades 9-12).
- Standard 11.SL.7: Respond thoughtfully to diverse perspectives (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.SL.1.d).
- Standard 12.SL.8: Evaluate effectiveness of presentations (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.SL.3).
Language
College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards:
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking (inspired by CCSS Language Anchor 1).
- Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (inspired by CCSS Language Anchor 2).
- Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening (inspired by CCSS Language Anchor 3).
- Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases by using context clues, analyzing meaningful word parts, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate (inspired by CCSS Language Anchor 4).
- Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings (inspired by CCSS Language Anchor 5).
- Acquire and use accurately a range of general academic and domain-specific words and phrases sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge (inspired by CCSS Language Anchor 6).
Key Topics:
- Grammar, punctuation, and spelling in context.
- Vocabulary acquisition, including domain-specific and figurative language.
- Language conventions for clarity and style.
- Word relationships and nuances for precise communication.
- Integration with ELP for multilingual learners.
Progression:
- Grades 5-8: Foundational grammar and vocabulary through projects, progressing to advanced usage in writing and speaking. Standards of Learning:
- Standard 5.L.1: Demonstrate command of grammar and usage in writing/speaking (aligned to AZDoE 5.L.1).
- Standard 6.L.2: Use conventions of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling (aligned to AZDoE 6.L.2).
- Standard 7.L.3: Apply knowledge of language for style and comprehension (aligned to AZDoE 7.L.3).
- Standard 8.L.4: Determine word meanings using context and references (aligned to AZDoE 8.L.4 and AZELP B-4 for grades 6-8).
- Standard 5.L.5: Interpret figurative language and word relationships (aligned to AZDoE 5.L.5).
- Standard 6.L.6: Acquire academic and domain-specific vocabulary (aligned to AZDoE 6.L.6; exceeds with Arizona agribusiness terms).
- Standard 7.L.7: Analyze nuances in word meanings (aligned to AZDoE 7.L.5).
- Standard 8.L.8: Use precise language in varied contexts (aligned to AZDoE 8.L.3).
- Grades 9-12: Advanced rhetorical language and vocabulary for professional applications. Standards of Learning:
- Standard 9.L.1: Demonstrate advanced grammar in complex sentences (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.L.1).
- Standard 10.L.2: Apply conventions in sophisticated writing (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.L.2).
- Standard 11.L.3: Vary syntax for effect and analyze stylistic choices (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.L.3).
- Standard 12.L.4: Clarify complex word meanings using multiple strategies (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.L.4 and AZELP B-4 for grades 9-12).
- Standard 9.L.5: Analyze figurative language and nuances (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.L.5).
- Standard 10.L.6: Acquire precise vocabulary for CCR (aligned to AZDoE 9-10.L.6; exceeds with vocational terminology).
- Standard 11.L.7: Interpret figures of speech in context (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.L.5.a).
- Standard 12.L.8: Use language to enhance persuasion and clarity (aligned to AZDoE 11-12.L.3).
Summary of Topics Learned
- Grades 5-8: Foundational literacy skills in reading comprehension, narrative and informative writing, collaborative speaking, and grammar/vocabulary, emphasizing conceptual understanding and applications per CCSS and AZDoE benchmarks (e.g., phonics, text structures, and ELP supports for fluency).
- Grades 9-12: Advanced mastery in synthesizing texts, producing research-based arguments, leading discussions, and employing rhetorical language, integrating CCSS rigor with AZDoE extensions for civic and career readiness (e.g., evaluating sources, adapting for audiences, and Arizona-specific cultural analyses).
Educational Impact
This ELA curriculum aligns seamlessly with AZDoE standards and CCSS, focusing on college and career readiness through rigorous, coherent skill progressions that exceed expectations by incorporating Arizona-specific real-world applications, such as analyzing local historical texts or debating environmental policies. It fosters independence, critical thinking, and equity, preparing students for postsecondary education while supporting non-college pathways like skilled trades, entrepreneurship, and agribusiness via CTE integrations. Benefits include enhanced communication skills for workforce success, cultural competence for diverse communities, and economic contributions in Arizona’s key sectors, ensuring holistic preparation for life beyond school.
Resources
- Textbooks/software: Literature anthologies, grammar workbooks (e.g., Spectrum series for grades 5-8, Mark Twain Media for grades 4-12).
- Hands-on materials: Journals, visual aids for plot diagrams, multimedia tools for presentations.
- Online tools: Newsela for adaptive reading, CurriculumThatMatters.com for project-based resources, digital platforms like Google Workspace for collaborative writing.
- Exemplars: Student work samples from debates, essays, and portfolios; integrated with CCSS appendices (e.g., text exemplars, glossaries) and AZDoE guides (e.g., implementation crosswalks, professional development for ELP).
- Research support: Evan-Moor and Carson-Dellosa resources for handwriting, comprehension, and interactive notebooks.
Assessment Methods
Legacy Haven Academy’s ELA assessment system monitors student mastery of skills (e.g., summarizing texts in grades 5-6, crafting arguments in grades 7-8, synthesizing complex texts in grades 9-12) through a passive, ongoing, low-pressure evaluation framework. Integrated into daily inquiry-based activities, it uses:
- Observational assessments during discussions and projects to note skills like evidence-based reasoning.
- Digital portfolios to track evolving work, such as essays and presentations, highlighting cross-disciplinary connections.
- Embedded performance checks in tasks like story diagramming or podcast reflections to capture skill snapshots.
- Self-reflection journals to foster metacognition on writing and language growth.
- Peer feedback sessions during collaborative tasks to assess speaking and genre fluency.
- Adaptive digital tools for real-time tracking of grammar and vocabulary proficiency.
This system builds a granular, holistic picture of student progress, aligning with personalized learning and inquiry-based principles. Formal exams (e.g., SAT/ACT, certifications) become low-stakes validations of prior mastery, reducing anxiety, boosting confidence, and providing educators actionable insights for subtle guidance without disrupting learning flow.