Reading Language Arts

Read Letter to Parents About Amplify

The Duncanville ISD ELAR program adheres to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading (TEKS) which are organized into the following strands:

• Reading
• Writing
• Research
• Listening and Speaking
• Oral and Written Conventions

Reading Language Arts  instruction is presented utilizing the Duncanville ISD Literacy Framework. The foundational literacy beliefs for the framework are as follows:

1.  Foundational Skills - In order to develop and sustain foundational literacy skills, students will engage in explicit, systematic, and data informed instruction. All students will receive appropriately sequenced daily instruction with practice of specific skills in and out of context, including making meaning from what is being read. In the early grades, this instruction will include beginning reading and writing skills encompassing phonological awareness, print concepts, phonics, and morphology. In upper grade levels, students continue to develop oral language skills such as listening, speaking, and academic discourse while focusing on vocabulary acquisition and comprehension skills.
2. Text Complexity  - It is important that all students possess the skills to be effective communicators, readers, and writers. All students will have equitable access to complex, rigorous, and culturally-relevant texts on their grade level allowing them to become analytical thinkers and problem solvers. Texts will be cross-curricular to support and expose students to high-level literacy skills necessary to promote sustainable success. Students will engage with authentic and culturally-relevant grade-level texts and be provided opportunities to self-select texts during independent reading. Using High Quality Instructional Materials, we will focus on creating a literacy community through the use of diverse classroom libraries in order to promote the love and passion for reading.
3. Knowledge Coherence - We believe in effective core literacy instruction that leverages student schema and continues to develop background knowledge and relevant vocabulary for all students. Students will achieve reading comprehension and analytical thinking skills through the use of high-quality, grade-level instructional materials that are culturally diverse, authentic, complex, and cross-curricular. Effective communication develops and continues to grow as vocabulary is strengthened through the building of and expanding on background knowledge. It is our aim that students in Duncanville ISD develop a love for literacy that will be fostered and maintained by providing access to culturally relevant texts that are authentic and self-selected.
4. Text-Based Responses - The application of text based responses will equip students with the ability to express themselves in both speaking and writing across contents. The instruction will be rooted in the students' growing knowledge and exposure to various authentic texts, giving them equitable opportunities to develop higher-level thinking, critical analysis skills, and cultural awareness. By receiving prompt, aligned feedback, students will become proficient readers, writers, and communicators.

   Parents play an important role in the literacy development of their children. Please see below for ways that you can support reading and writing at home.

Parents play an important role in the literacy development of their children. Please see below for ways that you can support reading and writing at home.

• Children imitate adult behaviors. Children who see their parents reading and writing internalize that reading and writing are important life skills.
• Research shows that children's behavior and their academic performance improve when a parent reads and writes with their child.
• Libraries are a fun, FREE resource that can provide endless hours of entertainment.
  • Access your child’s DISD campus library here.
  • Access the Duncanville Public Library here.