The Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum is a unique and comprehensive program designed to help students master essential reading and literacy skills while building a strong foundation of knowledge across multiple subjects. Developed by the Core Knowledge Foundation, CKLA is a two-strand approach that focuses on phonics and decoding skills, as well as vocabulary development, comprehension, and subject-area knowledge in history, science, and the arts.
In this article, the experts at Booksource explore the structure and benefits of the CKLA curriculum and compare it to other programs we offer. We’ll highlight what makes CKLA stand out, especially its integration of content knowledge with literacy instruction, and provide best practices for teachers looking to implement CKLA in their classrooms.
The Amplify CKLA curriculum is a comprehensive, research-based reading program designed to teach students essential literacy skills while also broadening their understanding of the world through knowledge-rich content. Developed by the Core Knowledge Foundation, CKLA is structured around two distinct sequences: the Skills Sequence and the Knowledge Sequence, which work together to promote both phonics development and building students’ background knowledge.
The Skills Sequence focuses on the building blocks of reading, including phonics, phonemic awareness, decoding, and reading fluency. This sequence is particularly important for teaching students how to read and spell through a systematic approach. The lessons follow a structured sequence that helps students develop their decoding abilities and read with increasing fluency and accuracy.
On the other hand, the Knowledge Sequence is unique in its focus on content-rich instruction, where students engage with texts related to history, science, literature, and the arts. This sequence emphasizes building vocabulary and comprehension through exposure to a wide range of topics, helping students develop background knowledge while reinforcing literacy skills. The goal is not just to teach students how to read but also to help them make sense of what they’re reading by drawing connections between the content and the world around them.
CKLA is one of the early, comprehensive programs to align closely with Science of Reading research. The program is designed for students from preschool through grade 5, with curriculum scaffolding reading development at each grade level. At the younger levels, the focus is on phonemic awareness, sound-symbol relationships, and early reading skills. As students progress, they explore more advanced decoding and comprehension strategies, building both their reading proficiency and their knowledge of key academic subjects. By balancing the Skills and Knowledge Sequences, CKLA creates a holistic approach that prepares students to read well and understand and engage with the material they’re reading. This dual approach—teaching both the “how” and the why” of reading—makes CKLA an especially powerful tool for comprehensive literacy instruction.
While CKLA shares similarities with other Science of Reading programs, such as its emphasis on explicit instruction, it also introduces unique features that set it apart. Understanding these similarities and differences can help educators choose the right program for their students’ needs.
One of the main similarities between CKLA and other Science of Reading programs is its commitment to systematic, explicit instruction. Like many programs offered by Booksource, CKLA follows a clear progression that introduces phonics and literacy skills in a logical sequence. This ensures that students are equipped with the foundational skills they need to read accurately and fluently. The Skills Sequence, which focuses on phonics, phonemic awareness, and decoding, is aligned with the research-based principles found in many other Science of Reading programs.
CKLA also provides explicit instruction in key phonics skills such as letter-sound relationships, phonemic awareness, and word decoding. This ensures that students develop the phonological foundation they need to become proficient readers. Plus, like other programs, CKLA provides support for diverse learners, including struggling readers, with carefully sequenced lessons that scaffold learning for all students.
CKLA goes beyond traditional phonics programs by integrating a broader focus on knowledge-building content. Most programs concentrate solely on teaching students how to read through a focus on phonics and decoding, while CKLA takes this further by embedding rich content from subjects like history, science, and the arts through its Knowledge Sequence. This not only enhances reading comprehension but also fosters background knowledge and critical thinking.
CKLA’s dual approach—teaching both foundational reading skills and subject-area knowledge—is what truly sets it apart. While most Science of Reading programs are focused only on decoding and fluency, CKLA uses engaging, content-rich texts that cover various topics to help students build knowledge as they develop literacy skills. By weaving subjects like history, literature, and science into the reading curriculum, CKLA offers a more holistic approach to literacy education. This helps students make connections between what they read and the world around them, supporting deeper comprehension and critical thinking.
The Amplify CKLA curriculum stands out among Science of Reading programs due to its integrated approach, combining strong phonics instruction with content-rich knowledge building. CKLA offers a few unique benefits that make it a powerful tool for educators looking to enhance their students’ literacy and understanding of the world.
One of the most significant advantages of CKLA as a core literacy program is its focus on both literacy skills and broad knowledge acquisition. While many programs emphasize decoding and phonemic awareness, CKLA goes a step further by integrating content across subjects like history, science, and the arts. This multidisciplinary approach not only helps students develop reading fluency but also builds their background knowledge, which is crucial for long-term reading comprehension.
This dual focus allows students to connect what they are reading with the world around them, improving critical thinking skills and fostering a deeper understanding of complex concepts. By the time students complete the CKLA program, they have not only learned how to read proficiently but also gained valuable knowledge in various academic disciplines, making them well-rounded learners.
CKLA is grounded in research on how children learn to read and how they build knowledge. Studies have shown that the development of reading comprehension relies heavily on background knowledge. CKLA addresses this by incorporating content-rich texts into its curriculum, helping students improve their comprehension by connecting new reading material to what they already know. This approach is backed by decades of cognitive science research, which underscores the importance of both phonics and knowledge-building for reading success.
The Knowledge Sequence in CKLA introduces students to engaging, real-world content through stories and texts on a wide range of subjects. By connecting reading instruction to subjects like history, literature, and science, CKLA keeps students motivated and interested in the learning process. This approach fosters curiosity and ensures that students are not only learning how to decode words but are also excited to discover new concepts and ideas.
For example, while learning to read, students might explore topics like ancient civilizations, human anatomy, or famous historical figures. This integration of content and literacy helps students make meaningful connections, making the reading experience more engaging and relevant to their lives.
While CKLA builds phonics and decoding skills through its Skills Sequence, it also places a strong emphasis on expanding vocabulary and improving comprehension. The Knowledge Sequence exposes students to more complex vocabulary than they might encounter in a traditional phonics program, helping them develop a rich and varied vocabulary over time. This robust vocabulary development, combined with comprehension exercises, ensures that students can understand and analyze texts at increasingly higher levels as they progress through the program.
By fostering word recognition and comprehension skills, CKLA ensures that students are not just reading words on a page but can make sense of and engage with the content they encounter. This approach to reading instruction balances skills and knowledge, helping create consistency and cohesive instruction for both teachers and students.
Successfully implementing the CKLA curriculum in the classroom requires thoughtful planning and a balance between the Skills and Knowledge Sequences. Below, Booksource outlines the best practices for teachers to maximize the effectiveness of CKLA and create a comprehensive learning environment for their students.
To ensure that students develop strong foundational reading skills, it is essential to dedicate time each day to the CKLA Skills Sequence. This portion of the curriculum focuses on phonemic awareness, decoding, and fluency, which are vital components of early reading success. Teachers should follow the structured sequence of lessons to build students’ skills progressively and provide ample opportunities for practice through decodable texts. Consistency is key—students need regular, explicit instruction in these core areas to solidify their phonics knowledge.
While phonics instruction is crucial, it’s equally important to weave the content-rich Knowledge Sequence into daily instruction. This sequence introduces students to engaging topics in history, science, and the arts, helping them build the background knowledge that is critical for reading comprehension. By integrating these subjects into literacy instruction, teachers can create a more dynamic and engaging learning experience. Consider connecting new vocabulary and concepts from the Knowledge Sequence to students’ lives, making the material more relatable and easier to comprehend.
The CKLA curriculum is most effective when teachers find a balance between the Skills and Knowledge Sequences, as both strands play an important role in supporting students’ reading development. While both are important, it’s essential to align the Sequences to support students’ reading development. While the Skills Sequence focuses on decoding and phonics, the Knowledge Sequence builds vocabulary and background knowledge through content-rich texts. This integrated approach ensures that students not only strengthen their phonics skills but also apply what they learn in meaningful and engaging contexts, fostering both reading proficiency and comprehension.
Amplify CKLA has a list of recommended books for knowledge building, and Booksource has taken these recommendations and created a curated collection of CKLA-aligned books for easy purchase. These resources can help reinforce the phonics lessons taught in the Skills Sequence and provide engaging content for the Knowledge Sequence. Teachers can use our collections to ensure that their classroom libraries are fully equipped to support the CKLA method. Consult with Booksource’s literacy experts for personalized assistance in selecting materials that meet the needs of your students and align with the CKLA curriculum.
CKLA thrives in classrooms where students are actively engaged in discussions, particularly during the Knowledge Sequence. Encourage your students to ask questions, share their thoughts, and make connections between the material they are learning and their own experiences. This not only fosters a deeper understanding of the content but also helps students build critical thinking and communication skills.
The CKLA curriculum offers a comprehensive approach to literacy that goes beyond phonics instruction, blending it with rich content across subjects like history, science, and the arts. By combining the Skills Sequence’s focus on phonics, decoding, and fluency with the Knowledge Sequence’s emphasis on building vocabulary and comprehension, CKLA provides students with the tools they need to become confident and capable readers.
Booksource carefully curates collections to align with the CKLA reading curriculum, ensuring that teachers in preschool through 5th grade classrooms have the resources they need to implement this research-based program effectively. Whether you’re just starting with CKLA or looking to enhance your current curriculum, we’re here to help guide your students toward reading success. Contact us today to create a custom classroom library or explore our CKLA collections to get started today.