While much of early literacy funding focuses on intervention, there is a critical need to support students who are already meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks. In our first-grade classrooms every year, a cohort of students demonstrate strong early literacy skills in Spanish and require intentional, differentiated materials to continue progressing. This project will provide "Paso por paso Ladrillos Plus" Spanish controlled-text series and accompanying teacher materials to support accelerated first-grade students in advancing their Spanish literacy skills so they can continue meeting and exceeding grade-level expectations. Without access to appropriately challenging and engaging texts, students risk stagnation or learning gaps in reading growth, or they may receive instruction that does not align with their readiness level, and engagement and motivation can decline. Ladrillos Plus, based in the Science of Reading, provides a systematic progression of increasingly complex texts to extend decoding, fluency, and comprehension skills. Four boxes of Ladrillos Plus are being requested with this grant, one for each first grade classroom (3 total), and one for students in need in Kinder and/or second grade.
Students will be engaged through appropriately challenging texts, continuous progress, and increased confidence as readers. By preventing reading stagnation, this fosters both academic growth and a strong reading identity. The project ensures that accelerated learners receive instruction that meets their needs, strengthening literacy outcomes and fostering confident, motivated readers. Reading skills are taught in a logical sequence where each level builds upon the last, preventing learning gaps. Students are exposed to Tier 2 and Tier 3 academic terms with this program, which are essential for success in science, social studies, and other content areas.
If the Ladrillos Plus series is acquired through this grant, the primary anticipated outcome is a measurable increase in Spanish literacy proficiency among students transitioning from basic decoding to fluent, academic reading with an increase in mastery in Spanish linguistic structures. Success will be measured through reading assessments, fluency benchmarks, and teacher observations. We will monitor student progress throughout the four levels of the text series. It is expected that by the end of the school year, 80–90% of students will demonstrate growth beyond grade-level expectations.
These materials will be used during flexible, targeted small group instruction for accelerated learners throughout the school year. Teachers will group students based on reading proficiency and provide explicit instruction in complex syllabic patterns, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension strategies while progressing step-by-step through advanced texts with this program. They can be used during our Walk to Learn time period and additionally during reading blocks in Spanish Language Arts in each first grade classroom.
Yes. Funds will be used to purchase materials that will be shared across three first-grade classrooms. Approximately 50-60 first-grade students will benefit annually. Additionally, funds would include a share box for Kindergarten and 2nd grade teachers and students who would meet the criteria to receive instruction via this curriculum.
We received site funds for the partner program (Ladrillos) that meets foundational literacy needs through our site funds, but there are no additional funds for this subsequent program (Ladrillos Plus).