The English language arts curriculum promotes the literacy experiences students need in order to grow intellectually and socially-emotionally. A balanced literacy approach, which integrates reading, writing, speaking, and listening, is employed. English language arts instruction is designed to foster critical and creative thinking. The standards-aligned curriculum provides the skills and strategies students need to be successful academically and to become independent learners throughout their lives. Additionally, the satisfaction and joy that comes from reading literature in various genres and communicating well in speech and writing is developed.