In Chicago Public Schools (CPS), elementary instruction places major emphasis on reading, writing, and math, the core academic pillars that lay the foundation for all future learning. These subjects are approached systematically from kindergarten through grade 5, with skills building on one another each year to prepare students for middle school and beyond.
“Mastery of literacy and numeracy in the early grades is not just about test scores,” says Dr. Jessica Rivera, a Chicago‑based education consultant. “It’s about equipping students with the tools to think, communicate, and solve problems across subjects and in real‑world contexts.”
Teachers use methods rooted in research and aligned with Illinois Learning Standards, making classrooms places where reading, writing, and math are connected to meaning and application rather than rote memorization.
Core Academic Focus in CPS Elementary Schools: Overview
| Academic Area | Key Skills Emphasized | Typical Grade Span Focus | How It’s Taught in CPS | Parent Support Strategies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Phonics, fluency, comprehension, vocabulary | K–5 (progressively advanced) | Guided reading, independent reading, text discussion | Read daily, ask comprehension questions, diverse texts |
| Writing | Sentence structure, paragraph organization, genre writing | K–5 (with increasing complexity) | Writing workshops, process writing, feedback cycles | Journaling, discuss writing topics, review drafts |
| Math | Number sense, operations, fractions/decimals, problem solving | K–5 (stepwise progression) | Hands‑on learning, visual models, word problems | Everyday math in context, manipulatives, math discussion |
Core Focus in Reading
Kindergarten Through Grade 2: Foundations and Fluency
In the earliest years, the emphasis is on building foundational reading skills:
- Phonics & Decoding: Connecting letters to sounds and recognizing word patterns
- Fluency: Reading with accuracy, appropriate pace, and expression
- Comprehension: Understanding what is read and recalling details
- Vocabulary: Learning word meanings in context
Teachers employ guided reading groups, read‑alouds, shared reading, and independent reading time to support development. These instructional routines help students transition from learning to read to reading to learn.
“Fluency isn’t simply speed,” explains Dr. Rivera. “It’s the ability to read in a way that allows students to focus on meaning. That’s what comprehension builds on.”
Grades 3–5: Analysis and Critical Thinking
As students advance, reading instruction shifts toward deeper comprehension and critical thinking:
- Identifying main ideas and themes
- Comparing texts
- Making inferences
- Evaluating arguments in informational texts
Teachers use text sets, discussion protocols, and performance tasks to build analytical skills. Reading across genres—fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama, helps expand vocabulary and world knowledge.
Parent Tip: Encourage children to read a variety of materials and ask questions such as:
- “What is the main idea?”
- “How are these characters alike or different?”
- “What evidence from the text supports that idea?”
Core Focus in Writing
Writing instruction in CPS is designed to help students express ideas clearly, with purpose and structure, across genres.
Early Grades: Expression and Mechanics
In kindergarten and grade 1, students focus on:
- Writing letters and words
- Forming sentences
- Using phonetic spelling as an early strategy
Teachers provide interactive writing opportunities, modeled sentences, and scaffolded support to help students get comfortable with written expression.
Upper Elementary: Structure and Purpose
From grades 2–5, writing takes on greater complexity:
- Narrative Writing: Stories with clear sequence and descriptive details
- Opinion/Argument Writing: Expressing a viewpoint with reasons and examples
- Informative/Explanatory Writing: Conveying information clearly with evidence
Students learn to plan, draft, revise, and edit, the stages of the writing process that improve clarity and purpose. Writing workshops and peer feedback sessions help students refine their work.
As Dr. Emily Sanders, Professor of Urban Education at DePaul University, puts it, “Writing instruction in elementary grades teaches students that their ideas matter and that structure helps make those ideas clear to others.”
Parent Tip: Encourage children to keep a journal, write letters or short stories, and review drafts together. Celebrate effort and progress rather than perfection.
Core Focus in Mathematics
Math instruction in CPS unfolds in a logical progression that emphasizes conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, and problem solving.
Early Grades: Number Sense and Basic Operations
In kindergarten and grades 1–2, the focus is on:
- Number recognition and counting
- Basic addition and subtraction
- Place value understanding
- Introduction to problem situations
Teachers use manipulatives, visual models, and interactive games to make math accessible and meaningful.
Middle Elementary: Multiplication, Fractions, and Multi-Step Problems
By grade 3 and grade 4, students learn:
- Multiplication and division facts
- Basics of fractions
- Measurement concepts
- Multi‑step word problems
These concepts help students move from concrete arithmetic to mathematical reasoning, a bridge to upper grades and pre‑algebra.
Upper Elementary: Decimals, Geometry, and Data Interpretation
In grade 5, instruction expands to include:
- Decimals and operations with fractions
- Volume and geometry
- Data analysis and interpretation
Problem solving is central: students explore real‑world scenarios, organize information, and justify solutions.
Michael Thompson explains, “Math progression in CPS is about understanding why procedures work, not just memorizing steps. That deeper understanding enables success in middle school math and beyond.”
Parent Tip: Bring math into daily life: measure ingredients when cooking, compare prices while shopping, and discuss patterns in nature or schedules.
How CPS Connects the Three Domains?
While reading, writing, and math are often discussed separately, CPS curriculum integrates them meaningfully:
- Reading comprehension supports understanding math word problems.
- Writing tasks are used in science and social studies to explain reasoning.
- Math discussions require clear communication and reasoning.
This cross‑disciplinary approach helps students transfer skills across contexts and see learning as connected rather than isolated.
Dr. Jessica Rivera highlights, “When reading, writing, and math are taught in ways that students see connections such as explaining a math solution in writing or reading to gather information for a science project, students deepen their understanding and retain skills longer.”
Impact & Implications
Understanding the focus of reading, writing, and math in CPS elementary schools helps parents and caregivers:
- Set clear expectations about what students are learning and why it matters
- Support learning intentionally at home rather than reacting only to homework
- Communicate effectively with teachers about progress and areas of need
- Celebrate academic growth and set meaningful goals for improvement
Well‑supported learning in these core areas also correlates with improved performance in middle school and higher academic engagement overall.
Principal Linda Chen of Rogers Elementary notes, “Parents who understand what teachers are looking for and how skills build over time can reinforce learning at home and celebrate progress meaningfully.”
How Parents Can Support at Home?
Parents can reinforce CPS learning in simple, effective ways:
- Read Together Daily: Choose books that match your child’s interests and challenge comprehension.
- Discuss Writing: Ask your child to explain their writing, focusing on ideas and organization.
- Practice Math in Context: Use everyday situations, such as shopping, budgeting, and cooking, to apply math.
- Ask Open‑Ended Questions: Prompt thinking with “Why do you think…?” or “How did you solve that?”
- Celebrate Effort as Well as Success: Praise persistence and improvement, not just correct answers.
Dr. Emily Sanders adds, “Assessment in these domains is not just a test score. CPS teachers use daily observations, student work samples, discussions, and performance tasks to understand where a student is and what they need next.”
Why These Subjects Matter?
Reading, writing, and math are universally considered the most critical academic domains in elementary education. They serve as gateways to success across subjects: reading and writing are fundamental for understanding social studies and science content, while mathematical reasoning supports logic and analytical thinking in countless contexts.
According to Michael Thompson, senior researcher at the University of Chicago Urban Education Lab, “Students who exit elementary school with strong literacy and math skills are more likely to be engaged in learning, perform well in higher grades, and navigate complex academic demands with confidence.”
CPS aligns instruction with state frameworks and local priorities, ensuring consistent skill development while allowing teachers flexibility to meet students where they are.
FAQs
What skills do CPS elementary students focus on most?
Reading comprehension, structured writing, and conceptual math problem‑solving across grades K–5.
How does CPS teach reading and writing?
Through guided reading, writing workshops, discussion groups, and performance tasks aligned to Illinois standards.
What is the focus of math instruction in elementary grades?
Foundational number sense in early grades, progressing to fractions, decimals, geometry, and multi‑step problem solving.
How can I support my child’s learning at home?
Read together, provide writing opportunities, apply math to real life, and ask thoughtful questions.
Why is cross‑subject learning important?
It helps students use skills in new contexts, deepening understanding and preparing them for future challenges.
