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Curriculum & Instruction

Curriculum Overview

INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS AND CURRICULUM

 

Haledon Public School (HPS) strives to ensure the highest levels of learning for all students across grades Pre-K to Grade 8. HPS aims to improve students’ academic performance through high quality, effective, and varied research-based instruction and differentiated educational support. Our comprehensive, standards-based curricula aligns the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS), and our focus on student results and data-driven decision-making supports the District’s Strategic Goals for academic academic achievement and ongoing strengthening of professional practice.

 

 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS (ELA) / LITERACY

 

Amplify CKLA (Kindergarten)

The Amplify CKLA Curriculum is grounded in the Science of Reading, meaning it’s based on research on how children learn to read.  It includes explicit, systematic instruction in foundational skills; like phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension.  Writing instruction is integrated with reading, which supports research that states writing reinforces reading development.  Amplify CKLA also uses a knowledge-building approach, where students learn a variety of topics in history, science, literacy, and the arts to help students develop a deeper understanding of the world.

 

HMH Into Reading (Grades 1-5) & HMH Into Literature (Grades 6-8)

HMH is the core ELA curriculum for Grades 1-8. HMH is grounded in evidence-based research and learning sciences, and offers high-interest, culturally relevant texts and characters. HMH Into Reading (Grades 1-5) helps develop fluent readers and writers by addressing early literacy areas. HMH Into Literature (Grades 6-8) builds confidence and standards mastery. Intuitive assessment and data analysis tools across all grade levels help teachers identify learning gaps, differentiate instruction, and track student growth.

 

LITERACY DEPARTMENT

Our team of certified Reading Specialists provide Tier III intervention for our most challenged readers to remediate skills and enable them to catch up with their grade level expectations in Language Arts.  They work with select students in 1st through 5th grade, utilizing a combination of Orton-Gillingham Multisensory Phonics Instruction and the Leveled Literacy Intervention Guided Reading Program.

 Orton-Gillingham

Kindergarten, first grade, and basic skills teachers at Haledon Public School utilize the Orton Gillingham approach to teaching Phonics.  The Orton-Gillingham methodology focuses on phonetics and emphasizes visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles. Instruction begins by focusing on the structure of language and gradually moves towards reading. This program provides students with immediate feedback and a predictable sequence that integrates reading, writing, and spelling.  This comprehensive approach to reading instruction benefits all students.

 

MATHEMATICS

 

Big Ideas “Math & YOU” (Grades K-8)

Math & YOU is a K–12 curriculum designed to connect mathematics to the real world. It inspires curiosity and motivates students to draw meaningful connections that deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts and their practical applications. By blending a strong conceptual foundation with real-life and career-oriented contexts, the program nurtures engaged learners who are empowered to take ownership of their math education and are well-prepared for future success.

 

SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMS

Our ELA and Math curricula integrate other programs to provide students with further support and practice in reading, writing, grammar, and mathematical operations. Programs include:

  • Reflex (Math Grades K-4): This program is the most effective system for mastering basic math facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Full of games that students love, Reflex takes students at every level and helps them quickly gain math fact automaticity and confidence.
  • IXL (Math/ELA Grades K-8): IXL helps students develop the communication skills needed for success in school. Students master essential skills at their own pace through fun and interactive questions, built in support, and motivating awards. This program helps students gain fluency and confidence in math. Learners can also practice activities from phonics and reading comprehension to writing strategies and more. 
  • Scholastic News Magazine: Scholastic offers age-appropriate science, social studies, and current events texts with built-in questions and assessments that are aligned to state standards. 
  • Raz-Kids/Learning A-Z (ELA Grades K-4): This program provides a collection of standards-aligned texts and activities designed to help differentiate instruction. 
  • NewsELA (ELA Grades K-8): NewsELA offers authentic, real-world content with standards-aligned assessments. Content complements many topics, texts or themes from the core curriculum.