The Postville Community School District implemented the K-8, Algebra Illustrative Mathematics curriculum beginning the 2024-2025 school year. This problem-based approach makes rigorous math accessible for all learners.

What is a problem-based curriculum? In this curriculum, students work through carefully designed problems in class. Teachers guide discussions, ask questions, and ensure students understand the key concepts. This method helps students develop a deeper understanding of math, apply it in new situations, and collaborate with classmates to share and critique ideas.

How can my student succeed? Each lesson includes a summary of key concepts, practice problems, and learning targets to help students track their progress. Family support materials are also available to help you stay informed and engaged.

Tips for students:

  • If you're unsure about a problem, take a guess or draw a diagram.
  • Share your rough ideas—even if you’re not confident. It's part of the learning process.
  • Compare your thinking with classmates and ask about their ideas.
  • Review the lesson summary and learning targets to see if you understand the material. If not, jot down questions to ask for help.

We are excited to support your student as they learn and enjoy math!

PK-5 English Language Arts Curriculum

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The Postville Community School District implemented the Amplify CKLA English Language Arts curriculum (PreK-5) beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

Amplify Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) is a comprehensive English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum. It is grounded in the Science of Reading and combines explicit, systematic foundational skills instruction with a rich, sequenced approach to building students' background knowledge. The core philosophy of Amplify CKLA is that strong reading comprehension is built on two pillars: the ability to decode text fluently and a robust foundation of background knowledge and vocabulary.

Parents can support Amplify CKLA by reading aloud daily, engaging in phonics activities at home, and completing the “Take-Home” materials sent by classroom teachers. These activities offer meaningful ways for parents to reinforce learning at home while gaining insight into what their child is learning in the classroom.

Family Engagement Activities:

  • Read aloud daily:
    • Even 15 minutes a day can significantly impact a child's literacy skills. Read together, with you reading with expression and your child reading back to you.
      • After reading ask questions such as:
        • What was your favorite part?
        • Why do you think that happened?
        • What did you learn from this story?
  • Talk and share stories:
    • Discuss stories and ask questions to help your child build background knowledge and vocabulary, as well as encouraging them to share personal stories
  • Sound-Spelling Patterns:
    • Kindergarten-2nd grade students will be focusing on the foundational skills of learning how to read. Caregivers can practice the sound spelling patterns by reviewing the focus sound(s) of the week (for example, sh, ai, or th). Have your child find words around the house, in books, or on signs that use those sounds

6-8 English Language Arts Curriculum

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The Postville Community School District implemented the StudySync English Language (Grades 6-8) Arts curriculum beginning the 2025-2026 school year.

StudySync is a comprehensive English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum designed to meet the rigorous academic standards and diverse learning needs of today’s classrooms. Available in both print and digital formats, it offers flexibility and accessibility for all learners. StudySync combines engaging, contemporary content with research-based instructional practices to support reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills. Its rich library of literary and informational texts, multimedia lessons, and collaborative activities ensures that every student—regardless of background, ability, or learning style—has equal opportunity to succeed and thrive in the classroom.

Supporting StudySync at Home

  1. Ask your student to show you what StudySync online looks like, how they engage in reading and responding to literature, how they capture their thoughts in writing, and how they are building critical background information and research opportunities through BLASTS.
  2. Ask your student how they submit assignments and receive feedback.
  3. Ask your student what they’re currently reading for fun and why they chose that book.
  4. Demonstrate your own enthusiasm for reading.