The Massachusetts English Language Arts and Literacy Framework (2017) is used to construct the K-3 Belmont Public Schools Literacy Programming.  The PreK-5 standards are divided into four strands of literacy development: reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language.  Reflective of the research that states “students need to acquire a wide-ranging knowledge of the world through a well-balanced curriculum”, these four strands are applicable across a range of subject areas.  The Framework also includes eleven Guiding Principles (pp. 15-16) to support schools in their design and evaluation of literacy programs.  In addition to the Framework, BPS draws on the guidance of the Mass Literacy Guide (2020) to ensure that our programming is aligned with state expectations.

In the 2024-2025 school year, BPS engaged in a comprehensive curriculum review of our early literacy programming in Grades K-3.  As a result of this process, BPS will be adopting Fishtank Plus ELA for our language comprehension curriculum in Grades K-3.  Our transition to this curriculum begins with our pioneer teachers (14 teachers across K-3) in the fall of 2025.  All grade levels (K-3) will be using Fishtank by the 2027-2028 school year.