EdReports.org, an independent nonprofit organization that seeks to improve K-12 education by providing detailed reviews of instructional materials, has released its first round of reviews of English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum materials for Grades K-2. Among the six programs analyzed in this first round of reviews, two meet all criteria for alignment and usability in all grades—ReadyGEN from Pearson, and our own Core Knowledge Language Arts™!
EdReports.org enlists teams of educator reviewers to analyze materials based on clearly defined criteria grouped as three “gateways”:
- Text Quality & Complexity and Alignment to Standards Components
- Building Knowledge with Texts, Vocabulary, and Tasks
- Usability
In its summary of findings on CKLA for grades K-2, EdReports.org notes that “the instructional materials . . . meet expectations for all criteria across Gateways 1, 2, and 3.” EdReports.org also notes that:
- For grades K-2, CKLA materials “include strong foundational skills to support young students’ reading development as they move from learning how to read to comprehending complex texts.”
- CKLA Teacher Guides provide “explicit and comprehensive” support.
- CKLA texts for K-2 “are rich and rigorous, offering students a balance of informational and literary reading.”
- The texts “are organized to support students’ building knowledge of different topics,” with plentiful “opportunities for students to analyze ideas and grow their vocabulary.”
- The program’s design allows for “effective lesson structure and pacing,” and teachers are provided “strategies for meeting the needs of a range of learners.”
In a separate study conducted earlier this year, EdReports.org found that CKLA for grades 3-5 met all criteria for text quality, building knowledge, and usability. For the complete report on CKLA for grades K-5, visit EdReports.org.
A comprehensive program for teaching skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, CKLA also builds students’ knowledge and vocabulary in literature, history, geography, and science. For Preschool to Grade 3, most CKLA materials are available for free download. Professionally printed and packaged CKLA classroom kits are available for purchase from Amplify Education.
I am wondering if I might get samples of CKLA Language Arts and History? My principal has set funds aside to possibly purchase these materials, but I need to show the product to my principal and teachers.
Thank you so much in advance – Sherri Ward LPE 2nd Grade Teacher
Thank you for your question, Sherri. I hope you find following information helpful.
Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA)
Our publishing partner, Amplify, is the sole source of professionally bound CKLA PreK–5 materials. For samples, please contact Amplify. Please note that Amplify is now publishing a revised edition of CKLA. The first edition of CKLA materials for grades PreK-3, as well as a selection from grades 4 and 5, are available for free download through the Core Knowledge Foundation website.
Core Knowledge History and Geography (CKHG)
All CKHG materials are available for free download. Currently we have CKHG Teacher Guides, Student Readers, and Timeline Cards for grades 3–5 (appropriate for young readers from the upper elementary grades through middle school). Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Thank you for this detailed resource.
What about beginner English Language Learners (ELLs)? So much of these wonderful resources assume that the children know oral English. Early beginner ELLs is my area of expertise. There needs to be attention to their abilities so that they are not expected to engage and respond as if they had English skills.