By: Kendall Hunt RPD with contributions from the editorial team

What is Kendall Hunt’s Pathways2.0 curriculum?

Pathways2.0 is a comprehensive, easy-to-use elementary reading program with integrated language arts for grades 1-8. It addresses ten key principles: Reading instruction, spiritual growth, reading motivation, writing and expression, selective topics, reading comprehension, phonics skills, assessments, classroom management, and today’s focus spelling instruction.

Across the country, spelling is being de-emphasized in the curriculum or, in some cases, dropped altogether. Although some of the reasons for its demise are valid ones, the truth is that spelling skills have real value for students.

As spelling ability has been shown to be a predictor of reading ability and the improvement of student’s performance in reading fluency and comprehension, Pathways2.0 focuses on emphasizing English roots, rules, and uses.

So how does the Pathways2.0 curriculum incorporate spelling for student success?

Pathways2.0 spelling reinforces a growth mindset. According to reading specialist Susan Jones, “teaching spelling systematically can dispel the myth that spelling is unpredictable and too confusing for all but those with a natural gift for it.” This is why the Pathways2.0 spelling words are centered on spelling patterns. For example, the Grade 5 Social Issues Daily Lesson Guide for Week 1’s spelling words helps students understand the spelling of palindromes. 

Teaching spelling also improves reading comprehension and fluency by reinforcing the connection between letters and sounds. The Pathways2.0 Word Study lessons present Greek and Latin roots to students, offering them tools to connect the meaning of a word to its spelling.

Pathways2.0 spelling is grade-level appropriate and integrated. Pathways2.0 daily Word Study distinguishes between academic vocabulary words (which help students talk about their writing), Anchor Text vocabulary words (which help them understand the Anchor Texts they read), and spelling words (which reinforce specific spelling patterns and boost their confidence with oral and written language) to give students a proper balance between challenge and academic support as an appropriate level.

This integrated spelling practice offers students rich benefits as they develop their language skills and increase their love of reading and writing!