May 21, 2024 9:01 am
Teachers spend a lot of their own time finding the right resources to connect with every student. We know it’s a time-consuming task, especially with everything else on their plates. High-quality instructional materials (HQIM) lighten the load, helping ensure consistent, engaging lessons while giving teachers back some much-needed time.
As educators and districts recognize the critical role curriculum plays alongside effective teaching, the focus on HQIM has intensified nationally. A growing body of research points to one thing: instructional materials directly impact student outcomes (Kane et al., 2016). But the reality is, not all teachers have access to HQIM or the professional development and support to implement these resources effectively.
But what are HQIM? Generally, HQIM are recognized as materials that are aligned to state standards and include evidence-based strategies, inclusive practices, and embedded teacher support.
It’s undeniable that reading and writing proficiency is essential in today’s world. But over the last few years, a growing body of research has indicated that students across the U.S. are struggling, with one-third of fourth-graders and a quarter of eighth-graders unable to read at a basic level as of 2019. Since then, results have declined further, and whether a result of post-pandemic learning loss or other factors, it’s clear that if results are to increase, something needs to change.
Study after study shows that the answer may lie in curriculum materials, because students don’t just learn from their teachers, content matters too. In ELA, the use of HQIM is evidenced to accelerate student learning, and when given access to such materials, teachers are less likely to source and create their own materials — a practice that can lead to inconsistent learning across classrooms. But how do districts, schools, and teachers identify HQIM? At Imagine Learning, all of our core programs are designed to deliver key benchmarks for HQIM.
Definitions of HQIM vary, but at their core they share vital components. At Imagine Learning, all of our core programs are designed to deliver key benchmarks for HQIM.
Giving educators access to a comprehensive, standards-aligned literacy curriculum is essential for delivering consistent, high-quality instruction. Grounded in the science of reading, Dragonfly addresses the full breadth of K–5 standards, including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language, through integrated instruction that builds knowledge alongside critical foundational skills.
A literacy curriculum rooted in best-practice pedagogy, which involves teaching methods that are shown by research to be effective, is essential for enhancing literacy outcomes. Dragonfly brings research-informed literacy practices built on the science of reading into a cohesive K–5 curriculum. Knowledge-building instruction works alongside explicit, systematic foundational skills to strengthen every aspect of skilled reading and help students engage successfully with increasingly complex texts.
With our science-backed approach, literacy looks like:
There’s no doubt about it, literacy is the thread that binds all disciplines together. It’s a crucial skill for success in any discipline or career. That’s why our curriculum is crafted with inclusive practices at its core — so that every student has the tools to thrive.
Experience a literacy program that:
Dragonfly is designed to make strong literacy instruction feel both manageable for teachers and meaningful for students. Consistent lesson structures and embedded support help teachers move confidently from planning to instruction, while still giving them the flexibility to respond to the learners in front of them.
For students, that consistency creates the conditions for deeper engagement. Rich texts, purposeful discussion, and active learning experiences help them build knowledge, strengthen literacy skills, and take an increasingly active role in their learning.
Assessment serves a dual purpose: empowering and motivating students while ensuring they meet rigorous learning standards. In Dragonfly, assessment is embedded throughout instruction, giving teachers ongoing insight into student progress and helping them adjust instruction as needs emerge.
Dragonfly features:
Strong implementation starts with educators who feel prepared and supported. Imagine Learning’s professional learning opportunities help teachers build confidence with the curriculum, strengthen literacy instruction, and apply effective practices in the classroom.
These include: