Curriculum

The Learning Force™ curriculum, comprised of Reading Force™ and Math Force™, contains 90 hours of high-quality instruction with ongoing student assessment on targeted foundation skills.

The comprehensive, grade-level curriculum is aligned to state standards. Skills are weighted to state standardized tests, truly connecting them to the learning that is required in the classroom.   

Reading Force

• Lessons present foundation skills using both fiction and informational text. A focus skill is presented first with fiction to provide background information and then the same skill is applied to informational text.
• Vocabulary development is stressed in each lesson and coupled with reading strategies, such as visualization, questioning, and summarizing, to support students with all text they encounter.
• A classroom library with both fiction and non-fiction trade books is used for student modeling of reading strategies, partner reading, and discussion.

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Math Force

• Lessons include real-world problem solving and writing short-answer responses, allowing students to articulate understanding and mirror standardized test requirements.
• Vocabulary is presented and defined at lesson start and referred to throughout the lesson. Students are encouraged to use correct math vocabulary, estimate before computation, and justify answers.
• Grade-level manipulatives support instruction and facilitate group and individual demonstration of skill mastery.

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Program features – curriculum

• Teachers edition – Grade-level lesson plan books contain paced, one-hour lessons using direct, explicit instruction for most effective student skill acquisition. Lessons include activities to reinforce learning and aid teachers in determining to what degree students can apply skills to new situations.
• Student workbook – Individual workbooks allow students to practice and track their skill progress during instruction and later at home when the program has ended.
• Pre- and post-criterion referenced assessments – Pre-assessment provides information on student skill needs at program start. Post-assessment is calibrated to test the same skills at program end to determine student skill gains.
• Individual achievement plans – Student program goals are provided in an easy-to-understand format to teachers, parents, and school. Each child’s skill needs are noted by grade-level learning strand.
• Math manipulatives – Grade-level manipulatives are valuable in lessons for instruction, group demonstration, and individual demonstration of skill mastery.
• Classroom library – Fiction and non-fiction trade books are used for student modeling of reading strategies, partner reading, and discussion.

End-of-program reports – A comprehensive, full program report is provided to the school and district containing grade-level skill growth and satisfaction data from teachers and parents.

Learning Force supports all learners

Every Learning Force lesson contains tools and instructional methods that help all students learn. For example, the program’s differentiated instruction includes modeling scripts for teachers, and engaging activities, games, role plays, puzzles, read-alouds, pantomimes, and graphics to reach out to visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.

In addition, English language learners are provided vocabulary instruction in both reading and math, including practical recommendations for connecting to text.

Grade-level teacher editions guide the one-hour lessons using direct instruction for effective student skill acquisition. Finally, lessons include activities to reinforce concepts and help students apply skills to new situations.

All lessons are thoughtfully paced, and use a common format. Student Workbooks and Teacher Editions work hand in hand to integrate best practices and skill-focused instruction.

• Each lesson begins with Warm-Up, featuring a student engagement activity such as a puzzle, word game or graphic. This motivates students and directs the teacher to determine needed background knowledge.
• The Learn section includes direct instruction and support for teachers to model targeted skills, fix common errors, and help English language learners.
• Sample test items and exercises make up every Practice section, with the teacher edition focused on guided practice support.
• The Do and Do More sections conclude each lesson with independent practice activities that enable students to apply new skills to new situations. These activities are supported by distractor analysis, skills review, and bonus “just for fun” suggestions.

Finally, Reading Force and Math Force scaffolding supports include:

• Questioning Strategies – Questioning scripts provide stimulating questions to help teachers engage students in an active role, creating a student-centered and involved environment.
• Grouping – Effective grouping throughout lessons helps differentiate instruction with whole group, small group, pairs, and independent work.
• Instructional Strategies – Explicit instruction is used for skill acquisition, teacher modeling, reinforcement, and application of learning.