Reach for a Book Program

Elementary Principals—The Karl Mecklenburg REACH Foundation is sponsoring the Reach for a Book program, which allows students to track their reading on a scorecard and awards prizes at the classroom, school, and district levels. Each school's top reader will be invited to a Champions Luncheon at INVESCO Field with Karl Mecklenburg, Mayor Hickenlooper, Superintendent Michael Bennet, and Dr. Jaime Aquino. To join, simply fill in the flyer (PDF or Word) and return it to karen_simmons@dpsk12.org.

Participation certificate are now available in PDF or Word.

Welcome to the Elementary Literacy Program

NEW! Core Matters Overview (PowerPoint or PDF)
Updated! Information About DRA2 and EDL2 Assessments
Reading Advantage Correlated Reading Levels (PDF or Word)
Elementary Instructional Planning Guides 2006–2007
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)—Elementary Literacy
Planning Guide Materials (K–9) (Excel)
Skills Block Classroom Sets
Mainstream and ELA-E K-5 (PDF or Word)
ELA-S K-5 (PDF or Word)
Skills Block Week at a Glance Models
Kindergarten (PDF or Word)
Kindergarten—ELA-S Classrooms (PDF or Word)
Kindergarten Template (PDF or Word)
Grades 1–2 (PDF or Word)
Grades 1–2—ELA-S Classrooms (PDF or Word)
Grades 3 –5 (PDF or Word)

The Elementary Literacy Program supports the reading and writing development of ECE–fifth grade students in Denver Public Schools. It is a three- to three-and-half-hour block that includes reading workshop, writing workshop, skills block, and English-language development for second-language learners.

Each instructional block is organized in a workshop format with time for whole group instruction, small group support for guided practice, and independent work time. Each block has rituals and routines, artifacts, and resources to support classroom practices.

The Web site offers support and resources for teachers, coaches, and administrators on instructional practices for reading and writing, literacy assessments, professional development opportunities, and general information and resources for the Elementary Literacy Program.

Elementary Principals Institute Keynote, August 8, 2005 (PowerPoint)
A Second Grade Class' Description of the Literacy Block
Pages 1–8 (PDF or Word)
Pages 9–16 (PDF or Word)
Whole Book (PDF or Word)
Elementary Parent Brochure
English (PDF)
Español (PDF)