What the science says: "It is well-founded that knowledge is the best predictor of reading comprehension," (Dewitz, 2017).
The sequence of the units in the program represent an intentional progression of background knowledge and scaffolding. Therefore, we recommend teaching units in numerical order.
Units explicitly teach genres including:
- Fantasy - Talking Animals & Epic Fantasy
- Realistic Fiction,
- Realistic Fiction - Adventure & Mystery,
- Legend,
- Historical Fiction,
- Science Fiction,
- Biography/Autobiography/Memoir,
- Narrative/Historical Nonfiction; and
- Information Nonfiction.
Units introduce themes and topics:
Third Grade:
- Theme: Conflict - at home, at school, and in the world.
- Topics: Communities & The Civil Rights Movement.
Fourth Grade:
- Themes: Journeys (personal & literal), and the pioneering spirit.
- Topics: Westward expansion - Lewis and Clark, Klondike Gold Rush, Transcontinental Railway.
Fifth Grade:
- Theme: Survival.
- Topics: Natural disasters, human rights, Revolutionary War, slavery.
Sixth Grade:
- Theme: Immigration & the American Dream.
- Topics: The push and pull factors that cause people to move & Great Depression to early WWII.
If you are considering teaching the units in a different order, keep in mind that you may have to fill in some knowledge gaps for your students. You may also find students need more or less scaffolding.
We are happy to help you make planning decisions! Please reach out to us if you'd like some advice! 😀