Elementary Literacy Curriculum

We have two English Language Arts (ELA) curricula that are designed to work alongside one another. In K-6, teachers and students will experience Wit & Wisdom, which builds knowledge while developing reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. We have also adopted a new Foundational Skills curriculum for grades TK-2 to complement Wit & Wisdom and round out students’ reading instruction. Fundations materials allow K–3 teachers to present a carefully structured reading, spelling, and handwriting curriculum using engaging, multisensory techniques. As we embark on this new journey together, we want to emphasize the importance of collaboration between the school and home as an essential partnership to support our students’ success. We firmly believe that by working together, we can provide the best possible learning experience for our students. 

At the heart of Santa Barbara Unified School District’s vision statement, “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day”, lies the unwavering commitment to providing each and every student with the opportunity to achieve greatness through building strong and positive relationships and providing High Quality Tier 1 Instruction. We believe that every child has unique potential and deserves the chance to flourish academically and personally. 

Both curricula are designed to challenge and uplift our students in a positive and nurturing environment. Through Wit & Wisdom, K-6 students will not only develop essential English Language Arts skills but also gain a deeper understanding of the world around them. Students read authentic, complex texts while practicing reading, writing, speaking and listening, and vocabulary together to build knowledge of the world in topics related to science, history, and the arts. Students will apply their new knowledge and skills by engaging in lively discourse, writing detailed responses rich in evidence, and honing their critical-thinking skills to ultimately become successful readers, exceptional writers, and effective communicators. In Fundations lessons, teachers will develop TK-3 students’ knowledge of phonics, fluency, handwriting, and spelling in a way that aligns with what we know works best for instructing all of our youngest readers. All of this is accomplished in a fun, hands-on, engaging way.

If you have any questions or would like more information about either curriculum, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or school principal. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We look forward to a successful and fulfilling academic year!

Welcome to the start of the 2023-24 school year! This year, McKinley Elementary has a new curriculum, Amplify Caminos for our Dual Language Immersion program in grades K-2 and Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) for English instructed grades 3-6. 

As we embark on this new journey together, we want to emphasize the importance of collaboration between the school and home as an essential partnership to support our students’ success. We firmly believe that by working together, we can provide the best possible learning experience for our students. 

At the heart of Santa Barbara Unified School District’s vision statement, “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day”, lies the unwavering commitment to providing each and every student with the opportunity to achieve greatness through building strong and positive relationships and providing High Quality Tier 1 Instruction.

We firmly believe that every child has unique potential and deserves the chance to flourish academically and personally. 
Amplify Caminos is an authentic elementary Spanish language arts program for Grades K–5, grounded in the Science of Reading and built from the ground up for the Spanish language.

Amplify Caminos features complex interactive Read-Alouds and authentic Spanish literature to develop reading and writing skills and build bridges across Spanish and English. More than just a translation, it includes transadaptations and authentic texts written by Latin American and Spanish authors across diverse topics and genres. Students will get hands-on experience with close-reading a variety of Spanish literature.

Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) sequences deep content knowledge with research-based foundational skills. With new digital features and multimedia resources, it’s now more engaging and flexible than ever. Amplify CKLA K–5 literacy curriculum equips students with rich knowledge that intentionally builds to inspire curiosity and drive results. 

We firmly believe that education is a collaborative effort, and you, as families and caregivers, play an integral role in your child's academic success. To support your involvement, we suggest the following resources: 

• SBUnified Family Guides to Grade Level/End of Course Expectations
• Amplify Caminos & Amplify CKLA Curriculum Overview Page
• Units & Domains at a Glance 
  • Kindergarten DLI
  • First Grade DLI
  • Second Grade DLI
  • Third Grade English Instructed 
  • Fourth Grade English Instructed 
  • Fifth Grade English Instructed 
  • Sixth Grade English Instructed 

If you have any questions or would like more information about the curriculum, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher or school principal. Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s education. We look forward to a successful and fulfilling academic year!