Elementary School
Year at a Glance: Elementary ELA
Reading Kindergarten
Kindergarten ELA
- Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: So You Want to be a Scientist?
- Unit 2 - Research Lab: Zoology
- Unit 3 - Research Lab: Ecology
- Unit 4 - Research Lab: Entomology
Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: So You Want to be a Scientist?
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
5 weeks (29 days): 8/27/25 - 10/10/25
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The Literacy Lab unit is designed to provide every student opportunities to engage in reading, listening, and writing activities throughout each day. Every student is actively engaged in reading and learning to read Yellow (emergent-level) books, using sentence stems and pictures. The students will also establish the habits of writing/drawing to communicate every day. Students will practice handwriting and the basic conventions of writing throughout the unit. The students will have multiple opportunities throughout to practice phonological awareness, phonics, and word study skills. |
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 2 - Research Lab: Zoology
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 weeks (50 days): 10/14/25 - 1/9/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction Zoology is the second unit of a comprehensive emergent reader curriculum built on research-based best practices in Science inquiry and Early Literacy. Each lesson plan is built around one key life science concept and an integrated framework of standards in language arts and science inquiry. In this unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 3 - Research Lab: Ecology
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 weeks (51 days): 1/12/26 - 3/27/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction Ecology is the third unit of a comprehensive emergent reader curriculum built on research-based best practices in Science inquiry and Early Literacy. Each lesson plan is built around one key Life Science concept and an integrated framework of standards in Language Arts and Science inquiry. In this unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 4 - Research Lab: Entomology
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 weeks (50 days): 3/30/26 - 6/16/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction Entomology is the fourth unit of a comprehensive emergent reader curriculum built on research-based best practices in Science inquiry and Early Literacy. Each lesson plan is built around one key Life Science concept and an integrated framework of standards in Language Arts and Science inquiry. In this unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Reading 1
First Grade ELA
- Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Mapping My World
- Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Wild & Endangered Animals
- Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: Family Stories
- Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Plants
Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Mapping My World
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
5 Weeks (29 days): 8/27/25 - 10/10/25
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction In the first Unit of ARC Core, students will fall in love with reading through books that are too good to resist, a community of peers who read and talk about books together, and a teacher who believes in them and helps them develop both reading passions and reading skills. In this unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Wild & Endangered Animals
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 Weeks (50 days): 10/14/25 - 1/9/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The second Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines and engagement established in Unit 1 (ARC Literacy Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a Science topic. As the class explores Wild and Endangered Animals, students will become an inquiry research community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: Family Stories
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 Weeks (51 Days): 1/12/26 - 3/27/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The third Unit of ARC Core builds on routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in Units 1 (ARC Literacy Lab) and 2 (Informational Research Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a literacy genre. As the class explores Family Stories, students will continue to embody an inquiry community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Plants
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 Weeks (50 days): 3/30/26 - 6/16/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The fourth Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in previous Units while adding a new layer: constructing research-based opinions, both oral and written. As the class explores Plants, students will become an inquiry research community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Reading 2
Second Grade ELA
- Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Words Change the World
- Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Bugs in their Ecosystems
- Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: Animal Stories & Animals
- Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Jobs in My Community
Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Words Change the World
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
5 weeks (29 days): 8/27/25 - 10/10/25
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction In the first Unit of ARC Core, students will fall in love with reading through books that are too good to resist, a community of peers who read and talk about books together, and a teacher who believes in them and helps them develop both reading passions and reading skills. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Bugs in their Ecosystems
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 Weeks (50 days): 10/14/25 - 1/9/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The second Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines and engagement established in Unit 1 (ARC Literacy Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a Science topic. As the class explores Bugs in Their Ecosystems, students will become an inquiry research community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: Animal Stories & Animals
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 Weeks (51 days): 1/12/26 - 3/27/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The third Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in Units 1 (ARC Literacy Lab) and 2 (Informational Research Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a literary genre. As the class explores Animal Stories, students will continue to embody an inquiry community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Jobs in My Community
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 Weeks (50 days): 3/30/26 - 6/16/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The fourth Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in the previous Units while adding a new layer: constructing research-based opinions, both oral and written. As the class explores Jobs in My Community, students will become an inquiry research community as they read, write, question, debate and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Reading 3
Third Grade ELA
- Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Dinosaurs & Knights
- Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Weather & Climate
- Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: Traditional Tales & World Cultures
- Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Marine Life
Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Dinosaurs & Knights
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
5 weeks (29 days): 8/27/25 - 10/10/25
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction In the first Unit of ARC Core, students will fall in love with reading through books that are too good to resist, a community of peers who read and talk about books together, and a teacher who believes in them and helps them develop both reading passions and reading skills. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Weather & Climate
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 weeks (50 days): 10/14/25 - 1/9/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The second Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines and engagement established in Unit 1 (ARC Literacy Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a Science topic. As the class explores Weather and Climate, students will become an inquiry research community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: Traditional Tales & World Cultures
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 Weeks (51 days): 1/12/26 - 3/27/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The third Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in Units 1 (ARC Literacy Lab) and 2 (Informational Research Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a literary genre. As the class explores Traditional Tales, students will continue to embody an inquiry community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Marine Life
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 weeks (50 days): 3/30/26 - 6/16/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The fourth Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in previous Units while adding a new layer: constructing research-based opinions, both oral and written. As the class explores Marine Life, students will become an inquiry research community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Reading 4
Fourth Grade ELA
- Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Bravery & Your Brain
- Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Animal Adaptations
- Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: American Historical Fiction & American History
- Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Sports & Society
Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Bravery & Your Brain
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
5 weeks (29 days): 8/27/25 - 10/10/25
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction In the first Unit of ARC Core, students will fall in love with reading through books that are too good to resist, a community of peers who read and talk about books together, and a teacher who believes in them and helps them develop both reading passions and reading skills. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Animal Adaptations
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 weeks (50 days): 10/14/25 - 1/9/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The second Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines and engagement established in Unit 1 (ARC Literacy Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a Science topic. As the class explores Animal Adaptations, students will become an inquiry research community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: American Historical Fiction & American History
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
Literature Genre Lab: American Historical Fiction & American History |
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Unit Duration |
9 weeks (51 days): 1/12/26 - 3/27/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The third Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in Units 1 (ARC Literacy Lab) and 2 (Informational Research Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a literary genre. As the class explores American Historical Fiction, students will continue to embody an inquiry community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Sports & Society
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
9 weeks (50 days): 3/30/26 - 6/16/26
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Unit Description / Summary |
Introduction The fourth Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in the previous Units while adding a new layer: constructing research-based opinions, both oral and written. As the class explores Sports and Society, students will become an inquiry research community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. In this Unit, students will…
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Curriculum |
ARC |
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Reading 5
Fifth Grade ELA
- Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Aliens
- Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Ecosystems
- Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: Adventure & Survival
- Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Space
Unit 1 - Literacy Lab: Aliens
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
August 27, 2025 - October 10, 2025 Total School Days: 29 # Lesson Days: 25 # Flex Days: 2 # Benchmark Days: 2 |
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Unit Description / Summary |
The Grade 5 ARC Literacy Lab is a launch unit designed to build a strong foundation for students as readers, writers, and researchers. This unit establishes classroom routines for independent reading, writing, and conferencing while fostering a reading culture through the 100 Book Challenge.
This unit emphasizes student choice, authentic publishing, and individualized coaching through the IRLA framework. It lays the groundwork for the inquiry, research, and writing practices that will continue to develop throughout the year. |
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Curriculum |
American Reading Company (ARC) |
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Unit 2 - Informational Research Lab: Ecosystems
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
October 14, 2025 - January 9, 2026 Total School Days: 50 # Lesson Days: 45 # Flex Days: 4 # Benchmark Days: 1 |
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Unit Description / Summary |
This unit immerses students in the study of diverse ecosystems around the world - from the rainforests of Brazil to the deserts of Africa - through the lens of scientific inquiry and informational writing. Building on foundational reading and writing routines, students work as an inquiry community to explore how organisms survive, interact, and thrive in specific environmental conditions. Each student selects one ecosystem to investigate in depth. Through a series of focused research questions, they examine:
As students develop expertise, they plan, draft, revise, and publish a fully illustrated informational book that demonstrates both scientific understanding and writing craft. Even beginning readers engage meaningfully using visual resources like photos, diagrams, and mentor texts. By the end of the unit, students will not only understand how ecosystems function - they will also take pride in producing a test that contributes to our collective understanding of the natural world and its fragile balance. |
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Curriculum |
American Reading Company (ARC) |
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Unit 3 - Literature Genre Lab: Adventure & Survival
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
January 12, 2026 - March 27, 2026 Total School Days: 51 # Lesson Days: 45 # Flex Days: 3 # Benchmark Days: 3 |
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Unit Description / Summary |
The third Unit of ARC Core builds on the routines for reading, writing, and thematic inquiry established in Units 1 (Literacy Lab) and 2 (Informational Research Lab) while adding a new layer: thematic inquiry into a literary genre. As the class explores Adventure and Survival, students will continue to embody an inquiry community as they read, write, question, debate, and create knowledge together. Students will read stories defined by high-stakes conflict, physical and emotional challenges, and the resilience of compelling protagonists. Through a close study of novels and supporting texts, students learn to analyze plot structure, setting, character development, and theme. They also examine how authors create suspense, convey purpose, and explore moral dilemmas. Students write four constructed responses and a comparative literary essay analyzing multiple adventure texts. In the final weeks, students apply their learning by drafting, revising, and publishing their own original short story or picture book in the adventure genre. |
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Curriculum |
American Reading Company (ARC) |
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Unit 4 - Argument Research Lab: Space
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Unit Overview |
Unit Title |
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Unit Duration |
March 30, 2026 - June 16, 2026 Total School Days: 50 # Lesson Days: 45 # Flex Days: 1 # Benchmark Days: 4 |
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Unit Description / Summary |
In this unit, students become argumentative writers and scientific researchers as they explore the mysteries of space. They will dive into inquiry by selecting an astronomical object - such as a planet, moon, star, or galaxy - and developing a research-based opinion about its value, relevance, or future exploration.
By the end of the unit, students will write and publish a well-reasoned opinion piece that uses evidence and persuasive techniques to support their claim - such as a letter to NASA advocating for future research funding.
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Curriculum |
American Reading Company (ARC) |
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FAQs - Elementary ELA
- Where do I find ELA/SLA Benchmarks for Elementary School?
- What are the ELA Grading Catergories?
- PPSD Instructional Model and ARC Comparison
- Tier 1 Core-Planning Guidance
Where do I find ELA/SLA Benchmarks for Elementary School?
Pre-Writing, Post-Writing, and Final Projects come from the district Blueprint and should already be in your course.
If you are having trouble these benchmarks, please reach out to Canvas@ppsd.org
What are the ELA Grading Catergories?
| Assignment Group/Category | Types of Assignments |
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| Classwork (20%) | Responding to questions, Discussion prompts, Comprehension questions |
| Mid-Point Assignments and Benchmarks (20%) | ARC mid writing, Close Read |
| Problem and Project Based Tasks (20%) | ARC final projects |
| Major Assessments/Summative Assessments (30%) | Standards Mastery Form B, ARC Post Writing |
| Ungraded (0%) | Cooldowns, Homework |
PPSD Instructional Model and ARC Comparison
We are exclusively using the resources from the core curriculum to drive excellent tier 1 instruction in every classroom, every day. Below outlines how the curriculum aligns to the PPSD instructional model.
Instructional Model Component/ Classroom Instructional Routine
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Begin with a Strategic Warm Up- *Set Clear Targets
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Transition to Explicit Teaching of HQIM - *Refine Explicit Instruction to ensure strategic use of small group/ partner discussion and questions to elicit critical thinking.
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Engage with Guided and Individual Practice-*Provide Feedback and Reinforce
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Debrief with Strategic Discussion or Exit Ticket- Includes Feedback Loop
Curriculum alignment/ support
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Teachers will need to use CLEVER and login under “myARC” for digital resources to support core instruction.
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Teachers should select the “myARC”icon on CLEVER to access materials pertaining to daily instruction and ARC Framework
(ex:daily lesson plans, graphic organizers, etc.).
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Teachers should select the “SchoolPace” icon on CLEVER for IRLA /eNIL.
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Students should select the “ARC Bookshelf” icon on CLEVER during Reading Lab, to access books for independent reading.
Tier 1 Core-Planning Guidance
Core Texts & Suggested Texts
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Use Core Texts: The core texts outlined in the ARC curriculum must be utilized during Tier 1 instruction. These texts are carefully selected to align with grade-level standards and are essential for providing a consistent literacy experience for all students.
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Incorporate Suggested Texts: In addition to the core texts, include the suggested texts provided within the curriculum. These resources enhance comprehension and engagement with the content.
Daily Lessons & Standards
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Follow Daily Lessons: The daily lessons provided in the ARC curriculum must be utilized. This ensures that instruction is aligned with the standards and that all students receive the intended content and skills necessary for their literacy development.
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Address Standards: Each lesson must explicitly address the standards outlined in the curriculum. This alignment guarantees that students are being prepared for assessments and achieving grade-level expectations.
Planning Template
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Optional Planning Support: The planning template provided within each unit overview is not mandatory. However, it is a valuable tool to help structure and plan daily instruction effectively. Teachers are encouraged to use it as a guide to streamline lesson preparation and ensure comprehensive coverage of the curriculum.
Station Rotations (Autonomy)
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Flexibility During Stations: Teachers have autonomy during station rotations within the ELA block. This is your opportunity to differentiate instruction, provide targeted support, and incorporate activities that meet the unique needs of your students. While core instruction must follow the curriculum, station time allows for creativity and adaptability.
