English Language Arts Advantage believes that a succesful curriculum requires strong, research-based programs that teach basic skills and relevant content. The program also teaches basic reasoning concepts at the lower levels. Students learn problem-solving strategies and reading for information across content areas. The Junior Great Books program compliments the Direct Instruction reading curriculum in the elementary grades. The program is designed to allow students to apply and sharpen their reading skills, while learning to interpret and discuss literature.
Lessons build around vibrant, exciting stories and other reading selections.
Such is not the case at Advantage. At the higher elementary levels, students develop their literary skills as they read from a wide range of classic and contemporary literature, including complete novels such as Tom Sawyer and The Wizard of Oz, short stories, poems, factual articles, biographies, and plays. Students learn how to analyze characters, settings, plots, and themes, and how to interpret figurative language, analyze arguments, and complete writing assignments. They also learn reference skills necessary for effective studying. The Junior Great Books program is used to compliment the Direct Instruction reading curriculum in the elementary grades, introducing students to a rich array of classic stories, fairy tales, fables, and legends.