Literacy

Raytown C-2 School District is committed to providing evidence-based reading instruction and practices to all students PreK-12. Raytown’s literacy instruction uses high quality materials that are evidence-based in the Science of Reading.

Universal Principles for the Implementation of Science of Reading:

Learning to read proficiently requires both word recognition and language comprehension.
Reading is not natural and must be taught systematically and explicitly.
Background knowledge and vocabulary are as critical to comprehension as decoding skills.
Foundation skills and instruction must be systematic, explicit, and engaging, using multiple modes and senses.
Universal screening and progress monitoring are critical to ensure all students receive the right instruction.
Science-based reading instruction reduces the need for intervention and allows children to move forward as capable, confident readers.
Science-based reading instruction is a matter of equity.

Essential Elements of Effective Reading Instruction

Phonemic Awareness	Phonics	Fluency	Vocabulary	Comprehension
Ability to identify language sounds	Ability to recognize relationships between letters and the sounds they represent	Ability to read with speed, accuracy, and proper expression	Ability to build, store, and retrieve words and background knowledge	Ability to acquire meaning from text

Daily Foundational Literacy Instruction in K-2:

Raytown C-2 School District uses Amplify CKLA, a foundational skills curriculum founded in the Science of Reading and is aligned to the ELA Missouri Learning Standards.

The Skills Strand of CKLA provides a comprehensive instructional focus in the foundational literacy skills, such as phonological awareness, phonics, and word recognition; language skills that include conventions of English, spelling, and grammar; reading comprehension; and writing instruction to develop skilled readers. The Skills Strand is designed to be 60 minutes of daily instruction.

The Knowledge Strand of CKLA is centered around complex read-aloud texts, narrative and informational and focuses on building background knowledge and vocabulary acquisition, analysis of complex text, and speaking and listening skills that enable students to develop reading and writing skills. The Knowledge Strand is designed to be 60 minutes of daily instruction.

Daily Foundational Literacy Instruction in 3-5

Raytown C-2 School District has an integrated literacy block for grades three-five grounded in the Science of Reading and aligned to the ELA Missouri Learning Standards. The ELA block is an evidence-based approach to applying foundation skills within the daily lessons.

The literacy block moves students fluidly between reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language activities. These activities provide students to continue to build background knowledge, with an increased emphasis on small groups and independent reading with complex text. Students receive 120 minutes of ELA instruction in third grade, and 90 minutes of instruction in fourth and fifth grade.

Daily Literacy Instruction in 6-12

Raytown C-2 School District has an integrated literacy block for grades sixth through twelfth. Pedagogical approach: