6th-grade ELA teacher struggles with Amplify ELA curriculum due to insufficient schema activation, lack of direct instruction on foundational concepts, boring content, and missing explicit writing instruction, leading to poor state test scores.

Workarounds Described

• Teacher supplements with extra schema activation activities at the start of units
• Teacher does whole-group work instead of independent or partner work due to student difficulty
• Teacher supplements with mini-lessons on foundational ELA concepts
• Teacher uses graphic organizers from Amplify to assist with writing
• Teacher uses ChatGPT to analyze test scores and create a plan

Implied Software Gaps

• Software that provides integrated schema activation and direct instruction materials aligned to the curriculum
• Software that offers engaging, varied content to replace repetitive readings
• Software that includes explicit writing instruction with scaffolds for diverse learners

LitLift: ELA Curriculum Companion

LitLift is an add-on tool for ELA teachers using Amplify or similar curricula. It provides ready-made schema activation activities, scaffolded direct instruction on foundational concepts, engaging supplementary content, and structured writing lessons aligned with the curriculum. Teachers can integrate these seamlessly into their daily lessons without extra planning.

Existing Solutions Mentioned