EL Education 6–8 Language Arts

Name: EL Education 6–8 Language Arts
Brand: Open Up Resources

by Open Up Resources

ElaGrades 6–8

About This Curriculum

A nationally acclaimed content-based language arts curriculum that engages students in compelling science and social studies topics while building reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills alongside knowledge development.

What makes it unique: Content-based literacy instruction integrating authentic texts on real-world topics with embedded social-emotional learning, research-based ELL/MLL supports (Language Dives, Conversation Cues), and development of habits of character and executive functioning.

EL Education 6–8 Language Arts: Project-Based Content Integration

EL Education 6–8 Language Arts is a project-based curriculum published by Open Up Resources that integrates language arts instruction with compelling science and social studies content. The program aims to build reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills while simultaneously developing students' knowledge across disciplines.

Best for

Middle grade teachers seeking a content-rich ELA curriculum that integrates science and social studies topics through project-based learning approaches

Evaluation Criteria

3 strengths · 1 concern · 2 neutral · 3 insufficient evidence

Knowledge RichStrength

The curriculum demonstrates a strong commitment to knowledge-building through content integration across disciplines.

EdReports rates the curriculum as 'Meets Expectations' for building knowledge through texts, and the curriculum explicitly integrates science and social studies topics to develop domain knowledge alongside literacy skills

Text ComplexityStrength

The curriculum demonstrates appropriate attention to grade-level text complexity.

EdReports rates the curriculum as 'Meets Expectations' for text quality and complexity, indicating alignment to grade-level text demands

Teacher TrainingStrength

The curriculum provides adequate teacher support materials and usability features.

EdReports rates the curriculum as 'Meets Expectations' for usability, which includes teacher support, assessment, and differentiation materials

Direct InstructionConcern

Evidence suggests a project-based approach that may emphasize discovery over explicit instruction.

The curriculum is described as project-based with a focus on engaging students in compelling topics, which typically involves less direct instruction than traditional approaches

Systematic PhonicsNeutral

Phonics instruction is not applicable for this middle grades curriculum.

As a grades 6-8 ELA curriculum, systematic phonics instruction is not expected or evaluated at this level

Writing InstructionNeutral

The curriculum includes writing instruction as part of its integrated approach to language arts skills.

The curriculum description explicitly mentions building writing skills alongside reading, speaking, and listening, though specific instructional methods are not detailed

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

Evidence is insufficient to determine the curriculum's use of retrieval practice and spaced review.

EdReports ratings and curriculum description do not provide information about retrieval practice or review strategies

Vocabulary BuildingInsufficient Evidence

Evidence is insufficient to assess the curriculum's vocabulary instruction approach.

EdReports gateway ratings do not provide specific details about vocabulary building strategies or implementation

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsInsufficient Evidence

Evidence is insufficient to determine the curriculum's approach to whole books versus excerpts.

EdReports provides gateway ratings but does not specify the balance between complete texts and excerpted materials

Sources: edreports.org