Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you are a new or existing member of our Flock, you probably have some questions. Browse through these FAQs to find answers to commonly asked questions about our Colors of English program. If you cannot find what you are looking for please email us at support@colorsofenglish.com or click below to reach out.
No, our materials are an effective supplementary tool to enhance in-class instruction and engage students in a fun and memorable way. It is a resource that can be implemented within the framework of any existing curriculum in school or at home. Writing, like reading, is an ongoing developmental process that takes years to perfect. We provide both students and teachers with the foundational structure and the metalinguistic tools to discuss how students can make effective choices by expressing themselves creatively.
The Colors of English program is perfect for students of all ages, particularly those in kindergarten through 6th grade. However, our dynamic and flexible curriculum also works well in upper-grade classrooms. Some teachers have even used our materials for ACT/SAT prep in high school!
Learning the parts of speech is crucial for students! It's not just about memorizing categories; it's about understanding how they function within sentences. Many words can serve multiple roles depending on the context. When students grasp the roles of different parts of speech within sentence patterns, they gain the tools to make sense of the English language. This understanding helps them become better writers and readers, especially as they transition from learning to read to reading to learn.
Yes, the Colors of English provides materials for all learning settings, including at home! This program is an excellent way to keep students engaged over the summer, during the school year as a homeschooling program, or year round as an after-school supplement to in-class learning.
We understand that learning is a very indvidual process. In addition to the character based stories related to each Word Bird, we use color-coding, mind maps, and graphic organizers to develop interpersonal learning and vocabulary development. Our hands on and tactile materials used for games and activities include rhythmic and auditory activities as outlined in the instructor’s guide. We have something for everyone! Check our research page to learn more.
We are here to tailor our program to your specific needs. The Colors of English program comes with an easy-to-follow instructional guide, complete with lesson plans for every day of instruction and additional ideas and activities to supplement learning. We also offer targeted professional development programs to provide success in all situations from home-school to district wide implementations.
We focus on birds because they are a universal concept, found everywhere and not limited by geography or politics. This helps students concentrate on the structural and syntactical elements they need to build strong foundational skills. Our Word Birds, with their unique personalities, make complex concepts easier to understand and process. Plus, they're cute, cuddly, and huggable, adding a tactile element that reinforces learning goals.
Color coding offerings amazing benefits. Research indicates associating colors with concepts stimulates different neural pathways than learning in black and white alone. Switching colors also requires students to pause momentarily, helping them focus and solidify their thought process. By stimulating higher attention and involvement, color coding also helps students remember and retain the information.
To integrate the Colors of English materials with other curricula, refer to our instructional guide for detailed guidance. Essentially, words are everywhere, and each word (and picture) offers a chance to explore language. Even pre-readers can use picture books or storybooks to discuss the rhetorical choices of authors and illustrators. For instance, you can have students go on a noun-hunt or create charts tracking the emotional journeys of characters. The possibilities are endless, and we love hearing how teachers and parents use our materials to engage their students.
The Colors of English curriculum is designed to ensure students meet federal and state standards. For more information on our scope and sequence, visit the link here.
Absolutely! You can purchase most items from the Word Bird Box individually. While the box is designed as a comprehensive resource for teachers or home use, we also offer classroom sets of workbooks and Word Birds. Plus, there are many additional resources available for our subscribers or for download. To buy items separately or as a complete program, just get in touch with us.