Teaching Language Arts

Teaching Language Arts

Teaching Tip: Pathways helps you

lesson. You can then give differentiated

assignments and requirements.

combine subjects and concepts into one

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The Multigrade Classroom

“Let us tenderly and kindly cherish, therefore, the means of knowledge.  Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.”  —John Adams

Language Arts in the
Multigrade Classroom

Introducing Pathways 2.0: A Journey to Excellence Through Literacy! This program provides instruction in “cherishing the means of knowledge” through reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Ellen White states our responsibility as learners in Christ’s Object Lessons.

“In making a profession of faith in Christ we pledge ourselves to become all that it is possible for us to be as workers for the Master, and we should cultivate every faculty to the highest degree of perfection, that we may do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable.”  (White 2003, 330)

This biblically-based curriculum is built on the Adventist worldview and the belief that Christ is the model teacher. Pathways 2.0 recognizes the responsibility of nurturing excellence and service to others. The lessons found in each unit provide rigorous academic quality aligned with standards of proficiency in literacy.

Recognition and respect for the diversity in our world is seen through the choice of anchor texts and instructional lessons throughout the program. By exploring big ideas and varying answers to essential questions, students are led to understand that the Bible is the standard for learning and living a life of faith.

Grades 1-2

Curriculum does not cycle due to the developmental nature of the content.

Grades 3-4

2019-2020

Grade 4

Grades 5-6

2019-2020

Grade 6

Grades 7-8

2019-2020

Grade 8

In multigrade classrooms that include kindergarten, teachers have the option of using the kindergarten level of the NAD adopted textbooks or Kindergarten Stepping Stones which is the NAD integrated kindergarten curriculum.

K-2 BRIDGE is an integrated curriculum for K-1 or K-2 multigrade classrooms. Some units are currently available while others are in development.

Standards in education are a statement of what students should know (content knowledge) and be able to do (applicable skills) upon completing a course of study. Standards state in clear, concise terms what students are expected to learn. Standards identify the students’ learning destination, but much more is required to complete the educational journey. As goals for student learning, standards inform the development of curriculum, the implementation of instruction, and assessment for learning.

Just as standards for student learning do not describe in full the students’ learning journey, they also do not alone give meaning to student learning. The big ideas and essential questions of life are developed from many sources. Beyond the classroom, family and significant others in a young person’s life influence the student’s personal beliefs and values. A personal worldview is formed by students when they integrate the knowledge learned at school and from other sources into a coherent understanding of the learner’s world. A worldview also gives the learner a vision for how to use the skills acquired to participate in their community and improve themselves. Ultimately, a meaningful, productive life depends on a student’s core beliefs and values from an emerging worldview equipping them to assess the authenticity and relevance of their learning, and to intelligently utilize the knowledge and skills learned.

NAD Adopted Textbooks and Multigrade Organizational Resources

Kindergarten Stepping Stones (2011) | K

Kindergarten Stepping Stones is a complete curriculum for kindergarten that covers all subject areas.

Pathways 2.0 (2021) | Grades 1-8

For more assistance in using this curriculum in a multigrade setting, please visit the Pathways 2.0 website.

You will find practical training videos, classroom management tips, reading and writing strategies, and more!

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Pathways 2.0 Anchor Texts (2019)

A listing of anchor texts, organized by grade level and Pathways 2.0 themes, can be found on the new Pathways site.

K-2 BRIDGE (2017+) | grades k-2

is an integrated curriculum currently in development for K-1 or K-2 multigrade classrooms. This curriculum uses Stepping Stones and Pathways , and embeds all other subjects. Units 1–10 are now available. As other units are completed, they will also be available online.

Pathways (2006) | Grades 1-8

The content on this website may be used in a transitional period while moving towards Pathways 2.0.

Union Created Resources

Atlantic Union Conference

Teacher Bulletin (2000–2015)

Pacific union conference

PREP Pathway Resources for Easy Planning (2010)

Annotated Glossary

NAD Integrated Language Arts Program published by Kendall Hunt for grades 1-8.

K-2 BRIDGE is an option for K-1 or K-2 multigrade teachers trying to teach Pathways 1–2 and the new Kindergarten Stepping Stones .

A Daily Lesson Guide (DLG) is provided for each theme. It contains a day-to-day plan for instruction and assessments for teaching each component of the literacy blocks: Word Study, Reading Workshop, Writing Workshop.

This is no longer a part of Pathways.

Both teachers and students will use the Writer’s Handbook for mini-lessons and as a reference for language, writing, conventions, and other skills. There are handbooks for 1st–2nd, 3rd–4th, and 5th–8th grades.

An anchor text is featured in each thematic unit which have been chosen for text complexity, based on Lexile levels and qualitative features. Consideration was also given to the following criteria: global issues, diversity, developmental appropriateness, content knowledge, rich and varied vocabulary, fitting illustrations, and quality writing.

The Teacher's Manual begins with the Adventist worldview and language arts philosophy. It continues with information for successful integration of curriculum, assessment, and instruction. It also adds information on working with diverse learners and the home-school partnership. An appendix provides many resources teachers may utilize.

Small group instruction where a teacher works with small groups of readers at their instructional level. The readers use instructional strategies to read text. It is recommended that each school select an guided reading format, such as Reading A-Z.

Pathways 2.0

BRIDGE

DLG



DOL

Writer's Handbook



Anchor Texts





Pathways 2.0 Teacher’s Manual




Guided Reading

Dusty Shelf

This curriculum is outdated and/or no longer in print. It is not on the approved NAD Textbook list and should not be used.

Life Reading Series (1983)

NAD

HBJ Language Medallion Edition (1993) | grades 1-8

Harcourt Brace & Co.

Houghton Mifflin English, (2004) | Grades 1–8

Houghton Mifflin 2004

Join the Adventist Multigrade Facebook group.