English Language Arts
Grades 3 - 8 Adopted by the Westbrook Board of Education in December of 2023.
Thereafter, the rest of the K-8 ELA revision project was completed on October 16, 2024, with Board of Education adopting all curricula in March of 2025. Please see the individual disclaimers below for more information.
The English Language Arts program prepares Westbrook Public School students with the ability to communicate their thoughts and ideas effectively. Like other core subjects, it is an essential skill for success in life and work.
K-5 English Language Arts
Disclaimer: The Connecticut State Department of Education required all districts to submit their K–3 ELA curriculum for approval, ensuring its use through June 30, 2027. In response, the curriculum team used a backward design model to revise and align the K–5 ELA curriculum. This work was completed in the summer of 2024, with final revisions concluded on August 13, 2025, marking the successful completion of the project.
If you have any questions about this initiative, please reach out to the Director of Teaching and Learning at asaba@westbrookctschools.org. Thank you!
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Disclaimer about Amplify's Connections: The graphic provided below is a conceptual representation of the connections within and across grades in the Amplify curriculum. It aims to illustrate how various educational elements are integrated to develop coherence and progression in student learning. The information and connections depicted are not exhaustive and may vary depending on specific educational contexts or curriculum adaptations. The graphic should be used for general understanding and not as a detailed, definitive framework.
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6-8 English Language Arts
Disclaimer: The ELA curricula for grades 7 and 8 were completed on August 25, 2023, with revisions finalized on August 23, 2024. The curriculum map for grade 6 was completed on on June 26, 2025. For any inquiries regarding this work, please reach out to the Director of Teaching and Learning at asaba@westbrookctschools.org. Thank you!
WMS Elective Writing Course Disclaimer: The Elective Writing course provides each student with a composition notebook, in preparation for them learning about the twelve rules of grammar. As an elective course, no homework will be assigned, unless a student is absent and/or not doing work in class. Below you will find curriculum maps that contains all lessons of WMS' Elective Writing Course for each grade, a project that was completed on August 11, 2023.
Grades 5 and 6 WMS Elective Writing Course Curriculum Map
Grade 7 WMS Elective Writing Course Curriculum Map
Grade 8 WMS Elective Writing Course Curriculum Map
Discovery Project Disclaimer:
The Discovery Project at Westbrook Middle School was developed as part of the Portrait of a Graduate initiative. The objective is to ensure all WMS students engage in a meaningful Discovery Project experience, working through the six Westbrook Portrait of a Graduate (POG) attributes. Each Wednesday session includes a clear objective, a structured task, and an exit slip. Every lesson is designed to highlight one POG attribute that aligns best with the session's learning goals. All Discovery Project documents are translated into Portuguese and Spanish and shared with staff, along with relevant supporting materials. A new curriculum map for the Discovery Project was completed on August 30, 2025, and reflects the most current structure and lesson sequence.
Discovery / Knights Talk Project Curriculum Map
Discovery Project Disclaimer:
The Logic Block curriculum supports student growth in problem-solving, reasoning, and collaboration through hands-on activities and strategic thinking tasks. This map was developed to complement the Portrait of a Graduate attributes and to build foundational skills in logic and communication. While the bulk of the Logic Block lessons and materials have already been developed, they are reviewed and updated annually to ensure they remain fresh, engaging, and aligned with current instructional goals. Lessons may also be modified when funding allows for the integration of upgraded materials or to replace activities previously used in other grade levels. A new Logic Block curriculum map was completed on August 30, 2025.
High School English
Disclaimer: All high school English Language Arts curricula for grades nine through twelve were originally completed in 2018, with minor revisions and updates since that time. Most recently, the ELA SAT Prep curriculum map was completed in August 2024, followed by the completion of the Grade 10 Modified ELA curriculum on August 22, 2025.
Additionally, the Senior Seminar curriculum was completed on August 22, 2025, and will be taught by the English Department during the 2025–2026 school year. As a result, it is housed within the ELA section of the curriculum website. For any inquiries regarding high school English Language Arts content, please contact the Director of Teaching and Learning at asaba@westbrookctschools.org. Thank you!
Grade 9
Grade 9 Introduction to Literature
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
Advanced Placement Courses
AP English Language and Composition Syllabus
AP English Literature and Composition Syllabus
Electives
