Focus:
Students are introduced to major figures and events in the War of 1812, sometimes called America’s second war for independence. Students learn about James and Dolley Madison, “Old Ironsides,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the Battle of New Orleans, and more, all of which build a foundation for more in-depth study in later grades.
Number of Lessons: 8
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each (Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.)
Additional Search Terms:
nonfiction • Native Americans • Francis Scott Key • Andrew Jackson • presidents • White House
Focus:
Building on the Ancient Greek Civilization domain, students explore several well-known Greek myths and mythical characters, including Prometheus and Pandora, Demeter and Persephone, Arachne the Weaver, Oedipus and the Sphinx, Theseus and the Minotaur, and others. Students learn about common characteristics of myths and examine story elements in the myths.
Number of Lessons: 10
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each (Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.)
Additional Search Terms:
ancient Greece • Icarus and Daedalus • Hercules • Atalanta • Mount Olympus
Focus:
In Unit 7, students continue to learn the advanced code, focusing on spelling alternatives for vowel sounds. In addition, students learn about the use of conjunctions and commas, as well as and noun-verb agreement in sentences. Students practice the writing process by planning, drafting, and editing an informative/explanatory text. The decodable Student Reader for Unit 7 is Kay and Martez. Students are administered a cumulative End-of-Year assessment, the results of which can be shared with second grade teachers via the End-of-Year Summary sheet included in the Student Workbook.
Number of Lessons: 21
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each (Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.)
Additional Search Terms:
reading and writing • decoding • phonics • grammar • listening and speaking
Focus:
In Unit 6, students continue work with several spelling alternatives for consonant sounds. Students review nouns and pronouns and learn to match pronouns to the nouns to which they refer. They plan, draft, and edit a personal narrative. The decodable Student Reader for Unit 6 is Grace.
Number of Lessons: 25
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each. Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.
Additional Search Terms:
reading and writing • decoding • phonics • grammar • listening and speaking
Focus:
In Unit 5, students begin learning spelling alternatives that make up the advanced code. They practice making nouns plural and changing spelling when adding suffixes. In grammar, students identify sentence types (statements, questions, and exclamations) and practice creating longer sentences. They plan, draft, and edit a letter in which they express their opinions to the main character of the decodable Student Reader for Unit 5, Kate’s Book.
Number of Lessons: 22
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each (Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.)
Additional Search Terms:
reading and writing • decoding • phonics • grammar • listening and speaking
Focus:
Unit 4 introduces the most common (or least ambiguous) spellings for /r/-controlled vowel sounds. Students learn the concept of a syllable and practice with two-syllable words. Students are introduced to past-tense verb forms ending with –ed as they continue to work with nouns and verbs in phrases. Students are introduced to adjectives and they practice descriptive writing. The decodable Student Reader for Unit 4 is The Green Fern Zoo.
Number of Lessons: 28
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each (Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.)
Additional Search Terms:
reading and writing • decoding • phonics • grammar • listening and speaking • informational text
Focus:
Unit 3 introduces students to five vowel sounds and the most common spelling for each sound, five new Tricky Words, and the Tricky Spelling “oo.” Grammar exercises focus on identifying verbs and verb tense (regular present, past, and future). Students begin formal instruction in the writing process with a focus on narrative writing.The decodable Student Reader for Unit 3 is Fables.
Number of Lessons: 19
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each (Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.)
Additional Search Terms:
reading and writing • decoding • phonics • grammar • listening and speaking • fiction
Focus:
Unit 2 introduces five vowel sounds and the most common (or least ambiguous) spelling for each sound. Students learn to read and write words with separated digraphs (such as a and e in cake). The unit also includes grammar lessons on nouns (including proper nouns) as well as practice with new Tricky Words. The decodable Student Reader for Unit 2 is Gran.
Number of Lessons: 19
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each (Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.)
Additional Search Terms:
reading and writing • decoding • phonics • grammar • listening and speaking
Focus:
For students who completed the Kindergarten CKLA program, Unit 1 provides a review of the sounds and spellings taught in the CKLA Kindergarten curriculum. Students are introduced to Tricky Spellings (spellings that can be sounded more than one way) and Tricky Words (words that cannot be sounded out using the letter-sound correspondences taught so far). The decodable Student Reader for Unit 1 is Snap Shots.
Number of Lessons: 32
Lesson Time:
60 minutes each (Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.)
Additional Search Terms:
reading and writing • decoding • phonics • grammar • listening and speaking
The following ancillary components are used to support instruction in various units throughout the Grade 1 Skills strand:
Teacher components
- Consonant Code Flip Book
- Vowel Code Flip Book
- Spelling Cards
Student components
