Wonders
2023

Wonders

Publisher
McGraw-Hill Education
Subject
ELA
Grades
K-5
Report Release
04/01/2023
Review Tool Version
v1.5
Format
Core: Comprehensive

EdReports reviews determine if a program meets, partially meets, or does not meet expectations for alignment to college and career-ready standards. This rating reflects the overall series average.

Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Meets Expectations

Materials must meet expectations for standards alignment in order to be reviewed for usability. This rating reflects the overall series average.

Usability (Gateway 3)
Meets Expectations
Key areas of interest

This score is the sum of all points available for all foundational skills components across all grades covered in the program.

The maximum available points depends on the review tool used and the number of grades covered.

Foundational Skills
108/112

This score represents an average across grade levels reviewed for: integrated reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language, and promotion of mastery of grade-level standards by the end of the year.

Building Knowledge
144/144
Our Review Process

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About This Report

Report for 3rd Grade

Alignment Summary

The Wonders Grade 3 materials meet the expectations of alignment to the Common Core ELA Standards. Materials include instruction, practice, and authentic application of reading, writing, speaking and listening, and language work that is engaging and at an appropriate level of rigor for the grade.

3rd Grade
Alignment (Gateway 1 & 2)
Meets Expectations
Gateway 3

Usability

23/25
0
15
22
25
Usability (Gateway 3)
Meets Expectations
Overview of Gateway 1

Text Quality and Complexity and Alignment to the Standards with Tasks and Questions Grounded in Evidence

Texts are of publishable quality featuring engaging characters and universal themes that should appeal to students. Grade-appropriate informational and literary anchor texts cover a range of topics and themes, build knowledge, and can be used repeatedly for multiple purposes. Materials reflect a balance of literary and informational texts across the school year. Overall, the instructional materials include a variety of literary and informational texts to build student knowledge on numerous topics. The overall text complexity increases slightly across the year to support students’ increased literacy skills. The quantitative text complexity provides students access to increasingly rigorous texts over the course of the school year. While the complexity of the associated tasks ranges from slightly complex to moderately complex throughout the year, students are expected to show increased independence as the year progresses. Instructional materials provide multiple opportunities and support for students to engage in a range and volume of reading various text types and genres. Units are organized around three text sets. Resources in the Teacher Tools section provide recommendations for allotting additional time for daily independent reading, an independent reading log, sample lesson plans, and a parent letter. Materials provide numerous and consistent opportunities across the year for students to engage in text-specific and text-dependent tasks, including a variety of activities such as written responses, class discussions, partner discussions, and class-created anchor charts. Instructional materials provide frequent protocols and opportunities for students to engage in partner and small group evidence-based discussions across the year. The instructional materials include multiple opportunities for students to engage in speaking and listening tasks with varied support protocols.The instructional materials provide multiple writing opportunities daily across the year for students to respond to texts. These on-demand writing tasks require students to make claims supported by text evidence. Instructional materials provide numerous opportunities for students to engage in a variety of writing types across the year. Writing prompts connected to anchor texts require students to gather evidence over the course of study using graphic organizers, anchor charts, and notes for support. Instructional materials include a cohesive year-long plan and guidance for teachers to facilitate student interaction with key vocabulary in texts and build knowledge. The Teacher Manual outlines various vocabulary-teaching routines for teachers to use with students and multiple opportunities for students to engage with vocabulary words numerous times within a given text set. Materials include explicit instruction of all grade-level grammar and usage standards through the use of anchor texts as well as example sentences and paragraphs. Materials include explicit instruction of phonics, word recognition, and word analysis through phonics lessons, structural analysis lessons, vocabulary lessons, and spelling lessons consistently over the course of the year. Assessment opportunities are provided over the course of the year to inform instructional adjustments of phonics, word recognition, and word analysis to help students make progress toward mastery. Multiple and variedopportunities are provided over the course of the year in core materials for students to learn, practice, and apply phonics, word analysis, and word recognition skills in connected texts and tasks.Materials include multiple opportunities over the course of the year for students to demonstrate sufficient accuracy and fluency in oral and silent reading and include multiple fluency assessments to support data collection and instructional decision-making to progress monitor students’ fluency development throughout the school year.

Criterion 1.1: Text Quality and Complexity

16/18

Texts are worthy of students’ time and attention: texts are of quality and are rigorous, meeting the text complexity criteria for each grade.

Materials support students’ advancing toward independent reading.

Texts are of publishable quality featuring engaging characters and universal themes that should appeal to students. Grade-appropriate informational and literary anchor texts cover a range of topics and themes, build knowledge, and can be used repeatedly for multiple purposes. Materials reflect a balance of literary and informational texts across the school year with a distribution of 56% literary texts and 44% informational texts. Within the literary category, a variety of sub-genres are represented, including fable, fantasy, folktale, legend, myth, realistic fiction, and poetry. Informational texts span a wide variety of topics in the area of science and social studies as well as biographies. Overall, the instructional materials include a variety of literary and informational texts to build student knowledge on numerous topics. Throughout the materials, the majority of texts have an appropriate level of complexity. Texts lower on the Lexile grade band have higher qualitative measures or more complex associated tasks. In each text set, there is an “Explore the Text” document which provides qualitative and quantitative ratings as well as specific reader and task considerations related to the text. Additional documentation explaining each text can be found in the “Build Knowledge Through Text Sets” document, which describes how each text is used to explore the unit’s essential question; however, the materials do not include a rationale for educational purpose and placement in the grade level. The overall text complexity increases slightly across the year to support students’ increased literacy skills. Anchor texts, Shared Reads, and texts in the Interactive Read Aloud vary in complexity levels appropriate within the grade band and include instructional support for those higher in the band. The quantitative text complexity provides students access to increasingly rigorous texts over the course of the school year. While the complexity of the associated tasks ranges from slightly complex to moderately complex throughout the year, students are expected to show increased independence as the year progresses. Instructional materials provide multiple opportunities and support for students to engage in a range and volume of reading various text types and genres. Units are organized around three text sets. Each two-week cycle is focused on a genre study with an essential question. During small group instruction, students complete independent work, including self-selected reading tasks. Resources in the Teacher Tools section provide recommendations for allotting additional time for daily independent reading, an independent reading log, sample lesson plans, and a parent letter.

Indicator 1A
04/04

Anchor texts are of high quality, worthy of careful reading, and consider a range of student interests.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1a. 

Texts are of publishable quality featuring engaging characters and universal themes that should appeal to students. Across the year, anchor texts feature rich language and vivid illustrations representing characters from multiple cultures. Grade-appropriate informational and literary anchor texts cover a range of topics and themes, build knowledge, and can be used repeatedly for multiple purposes. Most anchor texts are written by well-known authors. Some texts are written by well-known publishers such as TIME for Kids

Anchor texts are of high quality and consider a range of student interests, are well-crafted, content-rich, and engage students at their grade level. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 1, Lessons 3–5, students read Gary the Dreamer by Gary Soto. This memoir by a well-known author contains engaging pictures, relatable school experiences, and references to Mexican-American culture. 

  • In Unit 3, Week 5, Lesson 3, students read a TIME for Kids article titled “Birth of an Anthem.” The text includes themes such as struggles for freedom and topics of collective patriotism and the fragility of war. Illustrations support the meaning, and graphics, tables, and charts add to the text complexity. 

  • In Unit 4, Week 2, Lesson 6, students read an excerpt titled “The Talented Clementine” by Sara Pennpacker, a humorous story of a third grader and her family. Students should find this tale engaging, and it may facilitate an interest in other text adventures with this character. 

  • In Unit 5, Week 3, Lessons 3–5, students read Clever Jack Takes the Cake by Candace Fleming. This fairy tale connects to the essential question, “How do we get what we need?” The anchor text includes images, dialogue between characters, and vocabulary that supports the genre and story. 

  • In Unit 6, Week 2, Lesson 6, students read Looking Up to Ellen Ochoa by Liane B. Onish. This biography connects to the essential question, “Why are goals important?” The anchor text includes images that support the content and should engage student interests.

Indicator 1B
04/04

Materials reflect the distribution of text types and genres required by the standards at each grade level.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1b. 

Materials reflect a balance of literary and informational texts across the school year with a distribution of 56% literary texts and 44% informational texts. Within the literary category, a variety of sub-genres are represented, including fable, fantasy, folktale, legend, myth, realistic fiction, and poetry. Informational texts span a wide variety of topics in the area of science and social studies as well as biographies. Overall, the instructional materials include a variety of literary and informational texts to build student knowledge on numerous topics. 

Materials reflect the distribution of text types/genres required by the grade-level standards. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Students read several narrative nonfiction texts, such as “Faith Ringgold: Telling Stories Through Art” (author not cited) in Unit 1, Week 1 and Gary the Dreamer by Gary Soto in Unit 1, Week 2.

  • Students read several historical fiction texts, including The Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller and “Sailing to America” (author not cited) in Unit 2, Week 3.

  • In Unit 3, Week 5, students read a historical informational text, “Moving American Forward” (author not cited).

  • Students read several informational texts, including  Amazing Wildlife of the Mojave by Laurence Pringle in Unit 4, Week 3, and “Mae Jemison, Astronaut” (author not cited) in Unit 5, Week 1.

  • Students read several myths, such as “Athena and Arachne” (author not cited) and “Pandora Finds a Box” (author not cited) in Unit 6, Week 3.

Materials reflect a 50/50 balance of informational and literary texts. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Across the year, materials represent a 56% literary text and 44% informational text balance. 

    • In Unit 1, students read or listen to 11 core texts, three (27%) of which are literary and eight (73%) of which are informational texts.

    • In Unit 2, students read or listen to 16 core texts, 11 (69%) of which are literary and five (31%) of which are informational texts.

    • In Unit 3, students read or listen to 12 core texts, four (33%) of which are literary and eight (67%) of which are informational texts.

    • In Unit 4, students read or listen to 17 core texts, 14 (82%) of which are literary and three (18%) of which are informational texts.

    • In Unit 5, students read or listen to 12 core texts, three (25%) of which are literary and nine (75%) of which are informational texts.

    • In Unit 6, students read or listen to 13 core texts, 10 (77%) of which are literary and three (23%) of which are informational texts.

Indicator 1C
02/04

Core/Anchor texts have the appropriate level of complexity for the grade according to documented quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and relationship to their associated student task. Documentation should also include a rationale for educational purpose and placement in the grade level.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3  partially meet the criteria for Indicator 1c. 

Throughout the materials, the majority of texts have an appropriate level of complexity. Texts lower on the Lexile grade band have higher qualitative measures or more complex associated tasks. In each text set, there is an “Explore the Text” document which provides qualitative and quantitative ratings as well as specific reader and task considerations related to the text. Additional documentation explaining each text can be found in the “Build Knowledge Through Text Sets” document, which describes how each text is used to explore the unit’s essential question; however, the materials do not include a rationale for educational purpose and placement in the grade level. 

Anchor/core texts have the appropriate level of complexity for the grade according to quantitative and qualitative analysis and relationship to their associated student task. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 3, Lesson 3, students read Yoon and the Jade Bracelet by Helen Recorvits, which has a Lexile level of 480 and falls within the grade level Lexile band. The text has a qualitative complexity that is slightly complex and does not require any specific content knowledge. The associated task is appropriately rigorous, considering the quantitative and qualitative complexity of the text and  grade-level standards. Students examine character development by recording information about character development at the beginning, middle, and end of the text on a graphic organizer.

  • In Unit 2, Week 3, Lesson 3, students read The Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller, which has a Lexile level of 730. The text is slightly complex, and the associated task meet grade-level standards for complexity, as students use the text to analyze themes and collect details from the text to support the theme. 

  • In Unit 3, Week 1, Lesson 3, students read Earth, an expository text by Jeffrey Zuehlke. This text has a Lexile of 630, falling within the 420–820 Lexile stretch band. Language, knowledge demands, and meaning/purpose fall in the moderate complexity range, while the structure is high complexity. Students write to describe the relationship between Earth, the Moon, and their neighboring planets. A sentence starter is provided.

  • In Unit 4, Week 2, Lesson 8, students read an excerpt from The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. The text has a Lexile Level of 660 and falls within the grade level stretch band of 420-820. Qualitatively, the meaning/purpose, structure, and knowledge demands are moderately complex. In the associated task, students compare how the plot and setting are alike and different from a previous text.

  • In Unit 5, Week 1, Lesson 3, students read Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote, a biography by Tanya Lee Stone. The text has a Lexile of 700, falling within the 420–820 Lexile stretch band. This text has an overall moderate complexity qualitative rating. The associated task is complex. Students analyze a series of claims and find text evidence that supports these claims. They answer questions such as, “How does the author use what Elizabeth says and does to help you understand her personality?” 

  • In Unit 6, Week 5, Lesson 3, students read “Ollie’s Escape,” a poem (author not cited). Multiple levels of meaning and figurative language contribute to making this a complex text. In the associated task, students respond to the prompt, “Why do you think ‘Ollie’s Escape’ is funny?”

Core/Anchor texts have the appropriate level of complexity for the grade according to documented quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, and relationship to their associated student task. Documentation does not include a rationale for educational purpose and placement in the grade level. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • “Explore the Text” is a document that lists all of the anchor/core texts and series of texts connected to them along with qualitative and quantitative information for each.

  • “Build Knowledge Through Text Sets” is a document in the Teacher Edition Unit Overview that outlines how each text set supports the essential question for each unit. The “Build Knowledge” section of this document briefly describes how each text aligns with the essential question.

  • The Teacher Edition provides an overview of the texts that are selected in the Wonders and Science of Reading section. It explains that the lessons are “built around a high-quality collection of complex literary and information texts, focused on both the natural and social worlds.” However, there is no information about the educational purpose and placement of the individual texts. 

  • The accuracy of the provided quantitative measures was verified using MetaMetrics or determined using the Lexile Text Analyzer on The Lexile Framework for Reading site. The accuracy of the provided qualitative measures was verified using literary and informational text rubrics. The accuracy of the provided associated task measures was verified using grade-level standards.

Indicator 1D
04/04

Series of texts should be at a variety of complexity levels appropriate for the grade band to support students’ literacy growth over the course of the school year.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1d. 

The overall text complexity increases slightly across the year to support students’ increased literacy skills. Anchor texts, Shared Reads, and texts in the Interactive Read Aloud vary in complexity levels appropriate within the grade band and include instructional support for those higher in the band. The quantitative text complexity provides students access to increasingly rigorous texts over the course of the school year. At the beginning of the year, texts range in quantitative complexity from 490L–860L and grow to 600L–860L by the end of the year. While the complexity of the associated tasks ranges from slightly complex to moderately complex throughout the year, students are expected to show increased independence as the year progresses. The Teacher Edition provides suggestions for teacher prompts and appropriate scaffolds to build background knowledge and facilitate depth of knowledge.

The complexity of anchor texts students read provides an opportunity for students’ literacy skills to increase across the year, encompassing an entire year’s worth of growth. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 5, Lesson 3, students read “Protecting our Parks,” a TIME for Kids article, which has a Lexile of 690L and a qualitative complexity of slightly complex. Students complete a graphic organizer to determine the central idea and details of one of the claims made in the article. They focus on the heading “Allow All Access” and read a short paragraph, discuss with a partner, then fill out the graphic organizer with the central idea and supporting details. Later, in Unit 3, Week 5, Lesson 3, students read “Birth of an Anthem” from TIME for Kids, which has a Lexile of 700L and is moderately complex qualitatively. Students write a passage explaining why the “Star Spangled Banner” became the national anthem. This time, they do not create a graphic organizer with the main idea and details of the text. Instead, they are provided with sentence starters such as, “Francis Scott Key was inspired by….” and “The Star Spangled Banner is the National Anthem because…” In Unit 6, Week 1, Lesson 3, students read “Looking up to Ellen Ochoa” by Liane B. Onish, which has a Lexile of 860 and is moderately complex qualitatively. Students fill out a graphic organizer with the main idea and details of the second paragraph. This time, they start by determining some important details in the paragraph and use those to infer the central idea and respond to the prompt, “What do these details say about Ochoa?” Students continue to read the text and complete additional graphic organizers with central ideas and details at several points in the text.

  • In Unit 2, Week 3, Lesson 3, students read The Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller, which has a Lexile of 730L and is moderately complex om qualitative measures. Students learn that things characters say and do can help determine themes. Students determine themes by answering a series of questions during stopping points in the text to identify important elements and key details. They then use this information to complete a chart showing the events in the text in sequential order. After completing the reading of the text, students determine a theme of the text. In Unit 3, Week 3, Lesson 1, students read “Anansi Learns a Lesson” (author not cited), which has a Lexile of 560L and is slightly complex on qualitative measures. During the course of the story, students answer questions about what Anansi is supposed to learn and if he is learning it. Students then determine the theme of the text at the end of the story. In Unit 4, Week 4, Lesson 7, students read a fable, “Little Half Chick” (author not cited), which has a Lexile of 690L and is slightly complex on qualitative mesaures. Students answer questions about the motivations of the character before determining if the events support the lesson stated at the end of the story. In Unit 5, Week 3, Lesson 1, students read the Shared Read, “Juanita and the Beanstalk” (author not cited), which has a Lexile of 610L and is  moderately complex qualitatively. Students answer prompted questions throughout the reading to determine why Juanita will sell her goat and if she ends up happy. During Lesson 2, students discuss the story’s events to determine the theme. Advanced students identify the events that helped them determine the theme. In Unit 6, Week 4, Lesson 6, students read King Midas and the Golden Touch by Margaret H. Lippert, which does not have a Lexile range but is moderately complex on qualitative measures. Students answer questions about why King Midas wanted everything to turn to gold, then determine the theme of the text. 

As texts become more complex, appropriate scaffolds and/or materials are provided in Teacher Edition (i.e., spending more time on texts, more questions, repeated readings). Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Teacher’s Manual, boxes are included throughout the units to help teachers make complex texts accessible to students. The Access Complex Text boxes include scaffolded instruction for seven elements that may make a text complex. 

  • In the Teacher’s Manual, the materials indicate to the teacher when to use the Scaffolded Shared Read routine, though the routine remains the same throughout the year. 

  • The Close Reading Routine remains the same throughout the year to help students access complex texts, though students are expected to show more independence as the year progresses. The routine begins with reading the text, identifying important ideas and details, and retelling. Then students reread and discuss craft and structure. Lastly, students make text-to-text connections and engage in a Show Your Knowledge task.

Indicator 1E
02/02

Materials provide opportunities for students to engage in a range and volume of reading to support their reading at grade level by the end of the school year, including accountability structures for independent reading.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1e.

Instructional materials provide multiple opportunities and support for students to engage in a range and volume of reading various text types and genres. Both literary and informational texts support building reading skills throughout the year. Literary texts include fable, fantasy, folktale, legend, myth, poetry as well as realistic fiction. Informational texts include biography and autobiography and span a wide range of topics in Science, History, and Social Studies. Units are organized around three text sets. Set 1 covers weeks one and two, Set 2 covers weeks three and four, and Set 3 is completed in week five. Each two-week cycle is focused on a genre study with an essential question. During small group instruction, students complete independent work, including self-selected reading tasks. Resources in the Teacher Tools section provide recommendations for allotting additional time for daily independent reading, an independent reading log, sample lesson plans, and a parent letter. Teacher resources provide instruction to help students develop skills to monitor learning and check progress.  

Instructional materials clearly identify opportunities and supports for students to engage in reading a variety of text types and genres. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, students read and listen to a variety of informational and narrative nonfiction texts through interactive read-alouds, anchor texts, paired selections, and leveled readers. For example, in Week 2, Lesson 6, students read Gary the Dreamer by Gary Soto and discuss chronological text structure and how it organizes events in a story. 

  • In Unit 3, students read and listen to a variety of informational and literary texts, including folktales and fables through interactive read-alouds, anchor texts, paired selections, and leveled readers. For example, in Week 3, Lesson 3, students read Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, a folktale retold by Carmen Agra Deedy. Students summarize story events and respond to the prompt: “Why it might be tricky for Martina to pick a husband?”

  • In Unit 5, students read and listen to a variety of informational and literary texts, including biographies, argumentative and expository pieces, and a fairy tale through interactive read-alouds, anchor texts, paired selections, and leveled readers. For example, in Week 5, students read the argumentative anchor text, It’s All in the Wind, and a paired text, “Power for All,” and respond to the prompt, “How do the painting below and the text features in It’s All about the Wind and “Power for All” help you understand different kinds of energy?”

Instructional materials clearly identify opportunities and supports for students to engage in a volume of reading.

  • In Unit 1, there are three text sets, which include 11 core texts, spanning 30 lessons. Throughout each text set, students engage with an interactive read-aloud, shared read, paired selection, and anchor text. Small group lessons include leveled readers about the same topic. There are additional texts that the teacher could use for read-aloud or for the students to read independently that align to the essential question or are by the same authors.

  • In Unit 3, there are three text sets, which include 12 core texts, spanning 30 lessons. Throughout each text set, students engage with an interactive read-aloud, shared read, paired selection, and anchor text. Small group lessons include leveled readers about the same topic. There are additional texts that the teacher could use for read-aloud or for the students to read independently that align to the essential question or are by the same authors.

  • In Unit 5, students read three text sets, including 12 core texts, spanning 30 lessons. Throughout each text set, students engage with an interactive read-aloud, shared read, paired selection, and anchor text. Small group lessons include leveled readers about the same topic. There are additional texts that the teacher could use for read-aloud or for the students to read independently that align to the essential question or are by the same authors.

There is sufficient teacher guidance to foster independence for all readers (e.g., independent reading procedures, proposed schedule, tracking system for independent reading).

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook includes guidance for teachers to support students in independent reading practices. Located under the heading “How Does Wonders Teach Close Reading?” are components utilized in teaching students to read. In the “Encourage Independent Reading” section, students can choose books for 30–40 minutes of daily independent reading and respond in their writer’s notebook. Students choose books from the Classroom Library and bonus Leveled Readers. Two classroom library books are available in each unit. 

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook includes a teacher guidance section on Independent Reading that provides a detailed definition of materials to consider for independent reading, why it is necessary for student proficiency in reading, and specific guidance on implementing the Wonders approach to teaching independent reading. The materials include selections from anchor texts and paired texts not used in the genre studies. Students are taught to preview books to determine which one to read. Routines are established to foster student independent reading and to assist in the assessment of student needs. The Independent reading routine consists of selecting a book, reading the book daily during independent reading time, thinking about what is being read, keeping a record of what is being read, sharing their opinion of the text when done, and selecting a new book.

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, Independent Reading, Teacher-Student Guidance Routine, specific steps are available to conduct independent reading conferences to ensure students are reading and to provide support and guidance for setting reading goals. The materials provide conference forms for teacher use.

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, reading logs are provided for students to track their independent reading. The log contains areas for students to list the title, genre, their opinion of the text, how much is read daily, rate their difficulty with the text, and if they will finish the text. 

  • In Unit 1, Text Set 1, the materials include narrative nonfiction independent reading texts, Lion Dancer: Ernie Wan’s Chinese New Year, and Family Pictures. Teachers “have students self-select independent reading texts about different cultures and the contributions people make to their communities.” There are additional texts in the Online Leveled Reader Library and the literature anthropology. Students use Center Activity cards to complete tasks related to their reading and complete a blackline master worksheet called “My Independent Work.”

Criterion 1.2: Tasks and Questions

16/16

Materials provide opportunities for rich and rigorous evidence-based discussions and writing about texts to build strong literacy skills.

Materials provide numerous and consistent opportunities across the year for students to engage in text-specific and text-dependent tasks. Students are required to support their responses by citing explicit and inferred information from texts. Tasks include a variety of activities such as written responses, class discussions, partner discussions, and class-created anchor charts. Lesson plans for both ELA and Shared Reading Blocks contain Teaching Tips and Discussion Guides to support instruction. Instructional materials provide frequent protocols and opportunities for students to engage in partner and small group evidence-based discussions across the year. Teacher Resources provide guidance to establish and monitor collaborative conversations. The materials also include videos and Instructional Routines to aid teachers in facilitating these conversations throughout each unit. The instructional materials include multiple opportunities for students to engage in speaking and listening tasks with varied support protocols. Students engage in whole group, small group, and partner collaborative conversations focused on texts and writing. Students are required to cite text evidence to support their verbal and written responses. The instructional materials provide multiple writing opportunities daily across the year for students to respond to texts. These on-demand writing tasks require students to make claims supported by text evidence. Each unit includes process writing as part of the genre study. Students read texts to obtain information, plan, draft, engage in peer editing, and present their writings. Instructional guidance encourages the integration of online and digital resources when relevant and appropriate. Instructional materials provide numerous opportunities for students to engage in a variety of writing types across the year. Each unit contains a writing focus where students engage in daily writing culminating in process writing assignments. Students examine and analyze model writings to learn how individual aspects of each genre are integrated into meaningful writing. Students respond to both on-demand and process writing tasks involving text evidence. Writing prompts connected to anchor texts require students to gather evidence over the course of study using graphic organizers, anchor charts, and notes for support. Varied writing formats include summaries, analysis of text, co-creation of class anchor charts, and claim-based writings. Each type requires students to refer back to texts and use information gathered from their reading. Instructional materials include a cohesive year-long plan and guidance for teachers to facilitate student interaction with key vocabulary in texts and build knowledge. The Teacher Manual outlines various vocabulary-teaching routines for teachers to use with students and multiple opportunities for students to engage with vocabulary words numerous times within a given text set. Materials include explicit instruction of all grade-level grammar and usage standards through the use of anchor texts as well as example sentences and paragraphs. Students practice correcting and creating sentences using newly acquired grammar skills. Students have opportunities over the course of the year to apply newly learned skills both in and out of context using the Practice Book, Language Transfer Handbook, and Online Activities.

Indicator 1F
02/02

Most questions, tasks, and assignments are text-specific and/or text-dependent, requiring students to engage with the text directly (drawing on textual evidence to support both what is explicit as well as valid inferences from the text).

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1f. 

The instructional materials provide numerous and consistent opportunities across the year for students to engage in text-specific and text-dependent tasks. Students are required to support their responses by citing explicit and inferred information from texts. Tasks include a variety of activities such as written responses, class discussions, partner discussions, and class-created anchor charts. Lesson plans for both ELA and Shared Reading Blocks contain Teaching Tips and Discussion Guides to support instruction. These resources help the teacher determine what to look for in student responses and offer suggestions for scaffolding the task. The Instructional Strategy book contains guidance for using text-dependent questions during the close reading process, including a routine for teaching students how to locate and use text evidence to support their answers.

 Text-specific and text-dependent questions and tasks support students in making meaning of the core understandings of the texts being studied. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 2, Lesson 8, students engage with the Paired Selection, “Sharing Cultures” (author not cited), by rereading and underlining text evidence to show ways the author helped them understand how Pat Mora feels about books. Students read, talk with a partner, and circle text evidence showing how the author shared her culture. Students continue this pattern as they read, marking the text as they go. Students complete a graphic organizer to show “what words and phrases help you picture how people share their cultures.” 

  • In Unit 2, Week 5, Lesson 2, students read the Shared Read, “Empanada Day” by George Santiago, and answer text-specific questions, “What does Abuelita do with the dough first?,” “What does she do next?,” “What is the next step?,” and “What is the last step?” Students build an understanding of time order words and how the author helps the reader understand how empanadas are made. Students reread “Cold Feet” (author not cited) and answer, “What does the poet compare feet to?” and “What does the poet compare toes to?” Students use these questions to determine how the author uses figurative language within the poem. 

  • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 3, students read the anchor text Amazing Wildlife of the Mojave by Laurence Pringle. Students compare and contrast animal adaptations from the text using a Venn diagram while reading. Questions include, “How does the author use words and phrases to help you visualize how the chuckwalla protects itself?”, “How does the author help you understand how light-colored and dark-colored animals survive in the desert?”, and “How does the author feel about the iguana’s ability to change color?” Students use a graphic organizer to write text evidence that supports their response to each question.

  • In Unit 6, Week 4, Lesson 6, students read King Midas and the Golden Touch by Margaret H. Lippert and analyze text evidence to determine the theme and summarize the text. Questions include, “How does Midas feel about gold and about his daughter, Marigold?”, “What does this say about Midas’ values?”, “How does the traveler repay the kindness of King Midas?”, “What does Midas wish for?”, and “What does that tell you about Midas?” Students also analyze character development using text evidence to answer, “How does the author show that King Midas is not only interested in gold?” and “How does the author contrast Midas’s love of gold and his caring for other people?”

Teacher materials provide support for planning and implementation of text-based questions and tasks. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook are step-by-step instructions for the Close Reading Routine stating, “Model how to take notes, find text evidence, and answer text-dependent questions. At the end of the first read, help students summarize the selection.” The Finding Text Evidence Routine outlines a four-step process to explain, model, and practice the routine. There is a script for the teacher to use as a Think Aloud as they model the process. Corrective feedback guidance describes how teachers can help students determine if the evidence is strong or not strong.

  • In Unit 2, Week 3, Lesson 1, “Sailing to America” (author not cited), the focus is to increase depth of knowledge. The teacher asks, “What did Uncle Sean do when he first got to America?” and students are prompted to predict how Uncle Sean might help Da when he gets to America. The teacher asks, “How do Nora and Danny feel about Da moving to America?” and prompts students to find text evidence to show how Nora helps Danny feel better.

  • In Unit 3, Week 3, Lesson 1, teachers read aloud “Anansi Learns a Lesson” (author not cited) and pose the text-specific question, “How does Turtle feel when he first sees Anansi?” Teachers use Think Alouds such as “I read in the second paragraph that Turtle is hungry. He wants to eat some of Anansi’s bananas. But I read in the third paragraph that Anansi doesn’t want to share his lunch. Now I understand that Turtle wants to eat, but Anansi doesn’t want to share his food.” Students find text evidence that helps them identify how Turtle feels in the text.

Indicator 1G
02/02

Materials provide frequent opportunities and protocols for evidence-based discussions.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1g. 

Instructional materials provide frequent protocols and opportunities for students to engage in partner and small group evidence-based discussions across the year. Teacher Resources provide guidance to establish and monitor collaborative conversations. The materials also include videos and Instructional Routines to aid teachers in facilitating these conversations throughout each unit. 

Materials provide varied protocols to support students’ developing speaking and listening skills across the whole year’s scope of instructional materials. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, there is a protocol called Collaborative Conversations, which are “rich, structured conversations around grade-level topics and texts.” Collaborative conversations occur at the beginning of the week when the essential question is introduced, every time students engage in the Close Reading Routine, during guided and independent practice, when students respond to texts they are reading, and when students write about text.

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, the steps for the Collaborative Conversation Routine are to introduce the focus of the conversation, review relevant guidelines to support student participation, provide specific information so students know exactly what to do, monitor student conversations, provide corrective feedback as necessary, and close the conversation. A nine-point student checklist is provided for students to monitor conversations. 

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, the “Peer Conferences” protocol calls for students share to the book title, the “Thinking Code” (funny part, confusing part, important part, etc.), the page number related to the code, and their thoughts. Each step includes a sentence starter to help students complete the process.

  • In the Oral Language Sentence Frames document, there are numerous sentence frames for a variety of text-based conversations, such as “Exchange/Express Information and Ideas,” “Asking and Answering Questions,” “Affirming Others,” “Adding Relevant Information/Building on Responses,” and “Offering Opinions/Persuading Others.”

  • The Collaborative Conversation, “Take Turns Talking,” encourages students to wait for a person to finish before speaking, raise their hand to let others know they would like a turn, and ask others in the group to share their opinions so that all have a chance to share.

Speaking and listening instruction includes facilitation, monitoring, and instructional support for teachers.

  • There is a Collaborative Conversations logo in the Teacher’s Edition each time a collaborative conversation is recommended. There is instructional support on the “Talk About It” page at the start of each genre study or week and on the Peer Conferencing pages.

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, there is a section that explains what successful Collaborative Conversations look like including being “able to make statements and ask questions related to the focus.” 

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, there are additional strategies for teaching collaborative conversations including role-playing a collaborative conversation to model the routine. There are also sentence starters such as “I’m wondering” and “Can you point to text evidence that shows?”

  • There is a Collaborative Conversations Video to help with the facilitation. The handbook suggests that the teacher stop at certain points and use a checklist to discuss how the teacher helps the group prepare for their collaborative conversation. At the end of the video, the students work with a partner and discuss what they see students doing and what they could be doing better. 

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, there is an anchor chart for the teacher to display on “How to Have a Collaborative Conversation.”

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, there is a section on how to provide corrective feedback during discussions. Teachers are encouraged to point out what students are doing right, redirect discussions that may have gotten off track by suggesting statements or questions that will refocus the discussion, and encourage students to build on one another’s exchanges.

Indicator 1H
02/02

Materials support students’ listening and speaking about what they are reading and researching (including presentation opportunities) with relevant follow-up questions and evidence.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1h. 

The instructional materials include multiple opportunities for students to engage in speaking and listening tasks with varied support protocols. Students engage in whole group, small group, and partner collaborative conversations focused on texts and writing. Students are required to cite text evidence to support their verbal and written responses. During writing conferences, students offer specific feedback and ask questions to clarify meaning. Following shared reads, students participate in evidence-based discussions, which involve restating and making inferences based on what they read. The use of sentence starters helps students respond to each other and provide feedback.

Students have multiple opportunities over the school year to demonstrate what they are reading through varied speaking and listening opportunities. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Come to discussions prepared, having read or studied required material; explicitly draw on that preparation and other information known about the topic to explore ideas under discussion. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • In Unit 3, Week 6, Lesson 5, the teacher writes the Big Idea question on the board, “Why are individual qualities important?” Students work in groups to answer this question using the Collaborative Conversations protocol. Students are encouraged to compare information from all of the unit’s selections.

    • In Unit 4, Week 1, Lesson 1, as a whole group, students preview the story “The Impossible Pet Show,” make a prediction, and complete the Read prompts.

  • Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion). Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • The Instructional Routines Handbook contains a checklist for the Collaborative Conversation routine. The checklist states: “listen to the person speaking, ask questions if you don’t understand something, try to stay on topic, take turns speaking, respect each other’s feelings and ideas, come to the discussion prepared, ask and answer questions about what others are saying about the text, find text evidence to answer questions, [and] express your ideas clearly.”

    • In Unit 3, Week 5, Lesson 1, the Think Aloud protocol is used while the teacher reads the text “The California Gold Rush” (author not cited) aloud. The teacher pauses and points while reading and thinking aloud to model close reading strategies. The teacher asks students to “think along” by posing a discussion question. For example, “Careful describes how the Native Americans used the land’s resources. In what ways might they have been careful as they hunted, fished, and gathered plants? Discuss this question with a partner.”

    • In Unit 4, Week 1, Lesson 1, Build Knowledge, Reading/Writing Companion section in the lesson, students engage in collaborative conversations. As students begin conversations, the teacher reminds students of the following conversation guidelines, “ask relevant questions to clarify answers they do not understand, wait a few seconds after asking a question to give others a chance to think before responding, and answer questions with complete ideas, not one-word answers.” 

  • Create engaging audio recordings of stories or poems that demonstrate fluid reading at an understandable pace; add visual displays when appropriate to emphasize or enhance certain facts or details. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • In Unit 3, Week 3, Lesson 2, students research and present research on animal life cycles. Students are encouraged to include vivid illustrations of each phase of the animal’s life cycle, including posters and digital slide shows.

    • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 1, students engage in a Shared Read of “Gray Wolf! Red Fox!” (author not cited). In Lesson 2, students engage in a phonics lesson to create audio recordings of themselves to demonstrate a fluid reading of the text. Students practice reading with proper intonation. Students listen to their recordings and are provided feedback as needed. 

    • In the Teacher Resource Library, Adding the Finishing Touch: Design Your Presentation, an animated tutorial offers students ideas on ways to liven up their presentation using assorted visual and audio aids. 

Speaking and listening work requires students to utilize, apply, and incorporate evidence from texts and/or sources. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Ask questions to check understanding of information presented, stay on topic, and link their comments to the remarks of others. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, the Collaborative Conversations guidance includes sentence starters to help students disagree respectfully, clarify ideas, and make connections. These include, “I’m wondering…,” “Can you point to text evidence that shows…?,” and “I’m confused. Please tell me more about…”

    • In Unit 4, Week 1, Lesson 2, students read “The Impossible Pet Show” (author not cited) and check their comprehension by asking themselves questions about the texts. Students work with a partner to find details in the text to ask questions about and develop answers to each other’s questions. If students do not know the answer, they go back to the text. 

    • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 4, students read “Amazing Wildlife of the Mojave Desert” by Laurence Pringle. The lesson provides guidance for the Ask and Answer Questions protocol, including “Generate questions of your own about the text and discuss them with a partner. For example, how would we want to dress if we were going to spend a day in the desert? (in light colors) What colors would help us blend in with the desert? (tan, gray, light brown).”

  • Explain their own ideas and understanding in light of the discussion. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • At the end of Unit 3, students are presented with choices to share their understanding of topics from the unit. These choices include Reader’s Theater, sharing research and inquiry projects, giving multimodal presentations, and publishing celebrations. The teacher explains to students that when presenting to a large audience, they need to rehearse the presentation, speak slowly and clearly, make appropriate eye contact, and use hand gestures when appropriate. 

    • In the Writing Companion, Unit 1, Writing Project 1, students engage in peer conferencing to review their narrative writings. Students listen to peers read their writings aloud and tell what they like about the writing, ask a question about the order of events, and give suggestions for adding descriptive details and using different types of sentences.

  • Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • In Unit 3, Week 1, Lesson 1, students listen to the read-aloud, Our Home in the Solar System (author not cited), and answer, “What important details help me understand what this passage is about?” and “What is the article mostly about?” Next, students summarize the passage to a partner.

    • In Unit 4, Week 1, Lesson 1, students read, “Dancing La Raspa” (author not cited) and determine the theme and important events of the story. Students summarize the story in their own words to enhance comprehension.

    • In Unit 4, Week 2, Lesson 1, students listen to the read-aloud “African Lions” (author not cited) and summarize the story and determine the central idea in their own words. 

  • Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 1, students read “Gray Wolf! Red Fox!” (author not cited). In the Reading and Writing Companion, students are prompted to “Identify Sources: Ask questions about your animal that you can answer through research. Find books and reliable websites with relevant or related information to answer your questions.”

    • In Unit 4, Week 6, Lesson 5, students present to the class. Teachers remind students that during this time, they will be listening to other presentations and reviewing the Listening Checklist. In the “During the Presentation” criteria, students write one question or comment they have for the speaker. In the “After the Presentation” criteria, students tell why they liked the presentation, tie their comments to others that are similar, ask the speaker to elaborate, and ask an appropriate and detailed question.

  • Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • At the end of Unit 3, students are presented with choices to share their understanding of topics from the unit. These choices include Reader’s Theater, sharing research and inquiry projects, giving multimodal presentations, and publishing celebrations. The teacher explains to students that when presenting to a large audience, they need to rehearse the presentation, speak slowly and clearly, make appropriate eye contact, and use hand gestures when appropriate. 

Indicator 1I
02/02

Materials include a mix of on-demand and process writing (e.g., multiple drafts, revisions over time) and short, focused projects, incorporating digital resources where appropriate.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1i. 

The instructional materials provide multiple writing opportunities daily across the year for students to respond to texts. These on-demand writing tasks require students to make claims supported by text evidence. Students regularly engage in completing note-catchers and graphic organizers and respond to questions about texts in both short answers and paragraphs. Each unit includes process writing as part of the genre study. Students read texts to obtain information, plan, draft, engage in peer editing, and present their writings. Instructional guidance encourages the integration of online and digital resources when relevant and appropriate. Teacher guidance suggests students use digital resources to research, format, and share their writing when appropriate.

Materials include on-demand writing opportunities that cover a year’s worth of instruction. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 2, Lesson 6, students read “Vote!” by Eileen Christelow and are prompted to write a response to the question, “Why do American citizens hold elections to choose their government officials?” A sentence starter is provided to help organize text evidence, “American citizens hold elections because….” and “Voting and elections are important because…”

  • In Unit 3, Week 5, Lesson 3, students read “Birth of an Anthem” from TIME for Kids and respond in writing to the prompt, “Why do you think the Star Spangled Banner became the National Anthem?”

  • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 3, students read “Amazing Wildlife of the Mojave” by Laura Pringle. Students collect evidence as they analyze the text and respond to  the writing prompt, “How does the author help you understand how he feels about wildlife in the Mojave?” Sentence starters to guide students are provided in the margin of the student Reading/Writing Companion, including “The author says that living in the desert is…”

Materials include process writing opportunities that cover a year’s worth of instruction. Opportunities for students to revise and edit are provided.

  • In Unit 2, students write a realistic fiction story. Lessons span from Week 1 through Week 4. Interactive guidance is provided in the student Reading/Writing Companion. In Week 1, Lesson 4, students analyze an expert model and answer questions about the text, such as, “How does the author help you understand how Yoon feels at the beginning of the story?” In Week 1, Lesson 2, students plan by choosing a topic and answer questions such as, “What is your purpose for writing your story?” and “Who will read your realistic fiction story?” In Week 2, Lesson 7, students plan their sequence of events and answer the questions, “What is your character’s problem?” and “How will your character solve it?” In Week 2, Lesson 7, students write a draft using their writer’s notebook. In Week 3, Lesson 5, students revise their draft looking for places to add dialogue and descriptive details. Students circle two sentences in their draft so that they can make changes. In Week 4, Lesson 7, students participate in peer conferencing. Guidance for partner feedback and a revising checklist is provided to support the process. In Week 4, Lesson 8, students edit and proofread their stories using an editing checklist. In Week 4, Lesson 10, students publish, present, and evaluate their work. Students select a print or digital format for publishing. A presenting checklist and story rubric are provided for student self-evaluation.

  • In Unit 3, Week 2, Lesson 8, students read “Why The Sun Is Red?” (author not cited) and respond to the question, “As you draft and revise your own writing, think of how you can give a human action, such as dancing, leaping, or smiling, to an object or idea.”

  • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 1, students use the Analyze the Prompt routine to evaluate the prompt, “Write an expository essay to explain to your class how the special abilities and animals are being used to help people.” Students read a guided model to determine what traits make a successful expository essay. In Lesson 2, students collect information for their essays by reading unit texts and taking notes. In Lesson 5, students synthesize their information and plan their essays by organizing their notes and identifying a central idea and supporting details. In Lesson 7, students create a draft using the model essay as a guide. In Lesson 9, students engage in peer conferencing to clarify any confusing parts of their essays and provide feedback. Students use the feedback to reflect on their writing. In Week 5, Lesson 2, students analyze the writing rubric to help revise their essays. 

Materials include digital resources where appropriate.

  • In Unit 1, Week 4, Lesson 10, students publish their writing. Students can publish using print or digital means. 

  • In Unit 2, Week 6, Lesson 5, students prepare to present their poems. Teacher guidance states for the final presentation of their poem, students can choose a format for publishing, either print or digital.

  • In Unit 3, Week 3, Lesson 2, students research animal rescue groups. As part of their research, students search websites to find information. Part of the lesson involves learning how to determine if a website is trustworthy. 

  • Inquiry Space is a digitally focused, student-centered, multi-step guided research project. It is self-paced and organized as a game. Students navigate through the process of completing an informative performance task that results in a research paper and presentation. Projects include “Investigate Floods,” “Take a Stand: Overfishing,” and “Write About Frogs.” The program guides students to analyze the task, create a research plan, evaluate sources provided within the program, take notes, write an outline and draft, revise and edit, then publish and present.

Indicator 1J
02/02

Materials provide opportunities for students to address different text types of writing that reflect the distribution required by the standards.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1j. 

Instructional materials provide numerous opportunities for students to engage in a variety of writing types across the year. Each unit contains a writing focus where students engage in daily writing culminating in process writing assignments. Students examine and analyze model writings to learn how individual aspects of each genre are integrated into meaningful writing. Individual lessons provide practice tasks to build writing skills using text-connected prompts. Process writing prompts are connected to an anchor text and/or additional texts associated with the unit’s Essential Question. Text sources are available for argumentative and expository writing prompts.

Materials provide multiple opportunities across the school year for students to learn, practice, and apply different genres/modes/types of writing that reflect the distribution required by the standards. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Percentage or number of opportunities for opinion writing: 

    • Five out of twelve (42%) writing opportunities are opinion in nature.

  • Percentage or number of opportunities for informative/explanatory writing: 

    • Four out of twelve (33%) writing opportunities are informative/explanatory in nature.

  • Percentage or number of opportunities for narrative writing: 

    • Three out of twelve (25%) of writing opportunities are narrative in nature.

  • Explicit instruction in opinion writing:

    • In Unit 3, Weeks 1–4, students write an opinion essay on whether people or robots should explore space. Lessons include explicit instruction as students work in their Reading/Writing Companion to analyze the writing rubric and student model, including analyzing the prompt by determining audience and setting a purpose for writing. The teacher models how to read texts on the topic and look for evidence noting transitional phrases and supporting details. A graphic organizer is provided to help students organize their claims and reasons, as well as relevant evidence from each source. The teacher then guides students to draft their essays and participate in peer conferences. Each of these steps is outlined in the Reading/Writing companion. Students use the Argumentative Writing Rubric to evaluate their essays. 

  • Explicit instruction in informative/explanatory writing:

    • In Unit 6, Weeks 1–4, students write an Expository Essay to explain the importance of different experts in space. In week 1, the teacher guides students to analyze the writing rubric, learn about using academic language, and begin to analyze the student model. In Week 2, students continue to analyze the student model as the teacher guides them to look at how the student model uses the sources to find information to support the central idea. In Week 3, the teacher takes students through the Analyze the Prompt Routine in the teacher edition. Students analyze and gather notes from the sources through work in the Reading/Writing Companion. In Week 3, Lesson 5, students complete a graphic organizer to plan and organize ideas. In Week 4, students draft their essays, then revise them, followed by peer conferencing. A peer conferencing checklist is provided. Students use the Expository Writing Rubric to evaluate their essays.

  • Explicit instruction in narrative writing: 

    • In Unit 1, Weeks 1–4, students write a Personal Narrative about a time they tried their hardest to do something. In Week 1, Lesson 4, the teacher guides students as they analyze the expert model. In Lesson 5, the teacher models how to answer questions to help students choose a topic. In Week 2, Lessons 7 and 8, students follow the guidance in their Reading/Writing Companion to plan their sequence of events. In Lessons 9 and 10, students follow prompts and teacher instruction to begin their draft. In Week 3, Lesson 5, students revise their drafts by focusing on sentence fluency provided by the teacher and expert model. In Week 4, Lessons 6 through 10, students conduct peer conferencing using checklists in their Reading/Writing Companion, edit and proofread, publish, and present their narratives. Students evaluate their work with a presenting checklist.

Different genres/modes/types of writing are distributed throughout the school year. 

  • Students have opportunities to engage in opinion writing. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: 

    • Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 1, Week 5, Lesson 4, students begin an opinion writing piece on national parks after reading “Preserve and Protect” and “Protecting Our Parks” from TIME for Kids. Students work with a partner to brainstorm a list of national parks and landmarks. Students consider how visiting these parks could help them learn about the country. Students select a park to write about and convince readers that it is an important place to visit. Sentence starters are provided to help students introduce their topic, such as “ I will write about” and “The reason I am writing about this topic is.” 

      • In Unit 3, Week 4, Lesson 7, students begin an opinion essay on whether people or robots should explore space by writing their introduction. Students write an introduction that states their opinion about the topic in an interesting way. 

      • In Unit 5, Week 3, Lesson 5, students organize their information for an opinion essay on whether or not students should be required to do community service. Students use information from a graphic organizer, such as identifying the main ideas and specific details to support their ideas.

    • Provide reasons that support the opinion. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 1, Week 5, Lesson 5, students create a draft of their opinion writing supporting their selection of a national park or landmark that would be a good place to learn about the country. Students create a graphic organizer to collect evidence to support their claims. 

      • In Unit 3, Week 3, Lesson 5, students organize evidence to support their claim of whether or not people should explore space using a graphic organizer in their Reading/Writing Companion. Students collect information that is directly related to the topic from three sources. 

      • In Unit 5, Week 1, Lesson 4, students analyze a model essay to answer the question, “How does the writer clearly state his opinion?” Students develop their opinions with reasons that are supported by details from multiple sources and elaborate to make their essays stronger. In Week 2, Lesson 7, students draft their essays focusing on writing a strong introduction with a clearly stated central idea, including relevant evidence to support the central idea. 

    • Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 3, Week 4, Lesson 7, students draft an opinion essay. One of the Quick Tip suggestions is to “include transition words to connect your ideas in a clear way. Use words and phrases such as however, next, as a result, and finally.”

      • In Unit 5, ELL Small Group Guide, students work with a partner and collaborate “to describe transitional strategies and how they make writing stronger.”

    • Provide a concluding statement or section. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 2, Reading/Writing Companion, students revise their drafts to include a strong conclusion. The guidance states, “It’s time to revise your writing. Read your draft and look for places where you might add dialogue and descriptive details and make your conclusion stronger. Circle two sentences in your draft that you can change. Revise and write them here.”

      • In Unit 3, Week 4, Lesson 7, students analyze a conclusion from a sample essay. Students discuss with a partner how the conclusion summarizes the opinion and supporting claims. Students draft a conclusion for their essay in their writer’s notebook. Students are reminded in the Quick Tip to use facts, details, and definitions related to their topic. 

  • Students have opportunities to engage in informative/explanatory writing. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful to aid comprehension. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 2, Week 1, Lesson 5, students use the Reading/Writing Companion to “Choose from your ideas to write a realistic fiction story about a character who speaks to a government leader.” Students select a topic by mapping information, responding to the writing prompt, determining their purpose and audience, and using a chart to sequence events.

      • In Unit 4, Week 1, Lesson 3, students analyze the expository writing rubric focusing on the second bullet, which says, “states the central idea in a clear way.” In Week 4, Lessons 2, 3, and 4, students gather details from three sources to answer the prompt. In Lesson 5, students organize their notes using a graphic organizer to support their central idea. 

      • In Unit 6, Week 5, Lesson 5, students complete a graphic organizer to group information for their essay by central ideas. Students identify each main point and supporting details that support their ideas. 

    • Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 4, Week 4,  Lesson 7, students draft their essays using information from their graphic organizer to support their central idea. 

      • In Unit 4, Week 5, Lesson 3, students analyze a model essay and identify where the author used specific evidence to support their points. 

      • In Unit 6, Week 1, Lesson 5, students analyze a model essay and identify where the author used relevant evidence to support the central idea. Students look for examples of elaboration used by the author to make the writing more interesting and to prove her claim. 

    • Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but) to connect ideas within categories of information. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 4, Week 4, students write an expository essay. Student materials include the Quick Tip to use linking words. The tip states that linking words “connect your ideas in a clear way. Use words and phrases such as also, for example, but, and finally.”

    • Provide a concluding statement or section. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 4, Reading/Writing Companion, students notice how the writer restates the central idea and rewrite the conclusion paragraph in their own words, restating the central idea in a different way.

      • In Unit 6, Week 6, Lesson 3, students draft their expository essays. As part of their writing, students are reminded to include a strong conclusion that will repeat their central idea in a way different from  the introduction. 

  • Students have opportunities to engage in narrative writing. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

    • Establish a situation and introduce a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 1, Week 2, Lesson 6, students choose a memory of a time when they worked hard to achieve something to write a  personal narrative. Students describe the memory in their writer’s notebook. 

    • Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings to develop experiences and events or show the response of characters to situations. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 1, Week 2, Lesson 9, students write a draft of their personal memory narrative. After discussing how authors use descriptive details, students write a draft using “precise words, descriptive language, and imagery to help readers picture the events.”

    • Use temporal words and phrases to signal event order. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 1, Week 2, Lesson 7, students work on a narrative they started about a personal memory. Teachers remind students that stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end to help readers understand what happens and why writers use signal words. Students find examples in “Room to Grow” (author not cited) by circling signal words on a given page. Students then practice sharing the memory they will write about with their partner in sequence and complete a Sequence of Events in their writer’s notebook using signal words. 

      • In Unit 2, Week 3, Lesson 5, students revise their drafts, focusing on conclusions. Students are encouraged to check that the events of their story are in sequential order and character development is represented.  

    • Provide a sense of closure. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

      • In Unit 2, Week 4, Lesson 6, students are directed to use the Reading/Writing Companion to provide strong conclusions to their narrative essays. After reading the excerpt from “The Dream Catcher” (author not cited), partners discuss the author’s conclusion, write responses, and share them with the class. Next, students revise their drafts, focusing on conclusions.

    • Where appropriate, writing opportunities are connected to texts and/or text sets (either as prompts, models, anchors, or supports).

      • In Unit 1, Week 1, Lesson 5, students use Gary the Dreamer by Gary Soto to brainstorm a list of Gary’s memories. Students use this as a model to think of a time when they tried to do something. Sentence starters are provided to aid in their discussion and selecting one of their memories to write about. Students write a story to describe the memory. 

      • In Unit 3, Week 3, Lesson 1, students read “Space is the Place” (author not cited). Over the next seven lessons, students engage in opinion writing on whether or not robots or people should explore space.

Indicator 1K
02/02

Materials include frequent opportunities for evidence-based writing to support careful analyses, well-defended claims, and clear information.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1k. 

Instructional materials include frequent opportunities for students to write regularly using evidence across the year. Students respond to both on-demand and process writing tasks involving text evidence. Writing prompts connected to anchor texts require students to gather evidence over the course of study using graphic organizers, anchor charts, and notes for support. The Reading/Writing Companion offers weekly opportunities for students to respond in writing to questions about what they are reading using text evidence. In the Shared Reading section, students write answers to questions after noting evidence from the text. Varied writing formats include summaries, analysis of text, co-creation of class anchor charts, and claim-based writings. Each type requires students to refer back to texts and use information gathered from their reading.

Materials provide frequent opportunities across the school year for students to learn, practice, and apply writing using evidence. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 3, Lesson 1, students read “The Dream Catcher” (author not cited) and review and discuss the story’s content. The teacher guides students in summarizing the story in their reader’s notebooks, including key details of the story using specific evidence to summarize the main events. 

  • In Unit 2, Week 3, Lesson 3, students read, The Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller and, with a partner, answer the question, “How does the author show how Julie’s grandmother and grandfather are different?” The teacher guides students to reread the last paragraph to find clues that help them recognize character differences. The teacher then directs students collect and write text evidence in a graphic organizer. Teachers can provide sentence starters for support, which are available in the margin. 

  • In Unit 3, Week 1, Lesson 2, students read and analyze “Earth and Its Neighbors” (author not cited). The teacher guides students to respond to the prompt in writing using text evidence, “Why do scientists want to find new and better ways to explore Earth and its neighbors?” Students determine the central idea and supporting details in the text. 

  • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 3, students read Amazing Wildlife of the Mojave by Laurence Pringle. The teacher guides students to integrate information by using an anchor chart to respond to the question, “How do animals adapt to challenges in their habitats?” 

  • In Unit 6, Week 1, Lesson 2, students read “Rocketing into Space” (author not cited). Students respond in writing to the prompt, “Why was having goals important to James Lovell’s success?” The teacher prompted students to use text evidence in their responses, and sentence starters are provided in the margin for support.

Writing opportunities are focused around students’ recall of information to develop opinions from reading closely and working with evidence from texts and sources.

  • In Unit 2, Week 1, Lesson 2, students read and analyze the author’s claim in “Every Vote Counts!” (author not cited). Students respond by writing to the prompt, “Why should everyone exercise their right to vote?” Teachers guide students to use their notes and evidence from the text. Sentence starters are provided for support as students cite reasons supporting their opinion.

  • In Unit 3, Week 2, Lesson 10, Show Your Knowledge, students write an Astronaut’s Journal by responding to the question, “Why do you think it’s important for humans to explore space and learn about the solar system?” Students are prompted to refer to their Build Knowledge notes in their Reader’s Notebook and use text evidence to support their ideas. The teacher states, “Describe what you might see and experience in space. Include some ideas about why learning about space is important. Use some of the new vocabulary words you learned in your writing.”

  • In Unit 4, Week 1, Lesson 2, students read “The Impossible Pet Show” (author not cited). Students use their notes and evidence from the text when writing responses to the question, “Why do you think Daniel develops, or changes, from the beginning of the story to the end?” In Week 4, Lesson 10, students focus on the texts they have read and write a response to the question, “What do the texts inspire you to do?” Students write about ways they are inspired to help animals. 

  • In Unit 6, Week 2, Lesson 6, students read “Looking Up to Ellen Ochoa” by Liane B. Onish and respond by writing to the on-demand prompt, “Why do you think Ellen Ochoa was successful in reaching her goals?” Students use text evidence to support their opinion. Sentence starters, such as “Some things Ellen Ochoa did to reach her goals were,” are provided to guide students to use text evidence.

Indicator 1L
02/02

Materials include explicit instruction of the grade-level grammar and usage standards, with opportunities for application in context.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the expectations of Indicator 1l.

Materials include explicit instruction of all grade-level grammar and usage standards through the use of anchor texts as well as example sentences and paragraphs. Students practice correcting and creating sentences using newly acquired grammar skills. Students have opportunities over the course of the year to apply newly learned skills both in and out of context using the Practice Book, Language Transfer Handbook, and Online Activities.

Materials include explicit instruction of all grammar and usage standards for the grade level.

  • Explain the function of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs in general and their functions in particular sentences.

    • In Unit 2, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher explains that a noun is a person, place, or thing. The teacher explains that a common noun names any person, place, or thing and uses teacher, schoolhouse, and chalk as examples. The teacher also explains that a proper noun names a special person, place, or thing and begins with a capital letter. The teacher shares examples of proper nouns. Students complete Practice Book page 61 or the online activity.

    • In Unit 3, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher explains that a complete sentence has a subject and a predicate and provides examples of both. The teacher explains that a verb is a word that tells what the subject does or is and provides examples. Students complete Practice Book page 121 or the online activity. 

    • In Unit 5, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher introduces pronouns. The teacher defines singular pronouns, personal pronouns, and indefinite pronouns, providing examples of each. Students complete Practice Book page 214 or the online activity.

    • In Unit 6, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher introduces adjectives and defines them by providing examples. Students complete Practice Book page 301 or the online activity.

    • In Unit 6, Week 3, Day 1, the teacher introduces adverbs that tell how. The teacher explains that an adverb describes an action verb. The teacher provides examples. Students complete Practice Book page 325 or the online activity.

  • Form and use regular and irregular plural nouns.

    • In Unit 2, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher writes the following sentences on the board and underlines the nouns: “They reread stories about candidates. Families discuss their ideas and make decisions. The teacher points to the -s at the end of the plural words and tells students that it means “more than one.” The teacher shares that some nouns have a spelling change when you add -s or -es. For example, words that end in a consonant plus -y, like story, need to have they changed to an i and then add -es. Students name the other plural noun that ends with -ies, then copy and label the nouns as singular or plural in their notebooks. Pairs of students work together to write sentences about the text, including plural nouns. The teacher has students add plural nouns from the sentences to their notebooks. 

    • In Unit 2, Week 3, Day 1, the teacher shares that some nouns have special plural forms. They do not add -s or -es to form a plural. The teacher gives the following examples: “Men, women, and children are the irregular plural noun forms of man, woman, and child. Mice is the irregular plural of the noun mouse. The teacher shares that collective nouns name groups of people, places, or things and gives examples: band, family, crowd, swarm, herd. Students use Practice Book page 85 or the online activity and the Language Transfers Handbook page 16 for follow-up and practice of the skill and concept.

  • Use abstract nouns (e.g., childhood).

    • In Unit 2, Week 1, Day 2, the teacher reviews nouns and then shares that a concrete noun names a person, place, or thing that can be seen or identified with any of the five senses and gives the following examples: star, flower, music, sign, horn, wind, salt. The teacher explains that an abstract noun names something that cannot be seen with the five senses and that abstract nouns usually name ideas. The teacher gives the following examples: peace, honor, courage, friendship, and honesty. The students use Practice Book page 62 for follow-up and practice of the skills/concept.

  • Form and use regular and irregular verbs.

    • In Unit 3, Week 2, Day 6, the teacher shares that a verb’s tense tells when the action takes place. Present tense verbs tell what happens now. The teacher gives the following examples: “The cat drinks from the bowl. A breeze blows softly.” The teacher explains that you add -s to most present-tense verbs with singular subjects, and you add nothing to present-tense verbs with plural subjects, and a verb must agree in number with its subject. The teacher provides examples, including “She cheers for the home team. They cheer for the home team.” The teacher guides students to conjugate a regular verb in the present tense using examples: “Singular: I look, you look, she looks, Plural: we look, you look, they look.” The students use Practice Book page 133 or the online activity for follow-up and practice activities of the skill/concept.

    • In Unit 4, Week 5, Day 1, the teacher introduces irregular verbs. The teacher tells students that “not all verbs add -ed to form the past tense” and uses saw and went as an example. The teacher tells students, “irregular verbs have a special spelling for the past tense” and provides examples: come/came, do/did, say/said, go/went, eat/ate, and sing/sang. Students complete Practice Book page 229 and the Grammar: Irregular Verbs online activity selecting the correct past tense forms of irregular verbs to complete sentences.

  • Form and use the simple (e.g., I walked; I walk; I will walk) verb tenses.

    • In Unit 3, Week 3, Day 1, the teacher explains that a past-tense verb tells about an action that has happened. The teacher tells students, “Add -ed to form the past tense of most verbs: touch + -ed = touched and jump + -ed = jumped. Drop the e and add -ed to regular verbs that end in e: whistle – e = whistl + ed = whistled; exercise – e = exercise + ed = exercised.” The teacher gives the following examples: “I whistled.; They exercised. The students use Practice Book page 145 and the online activity to form and use simple verb tenses. 

    • In Unit 3, Week 4, Day 6, the teacher explains that verbs can show actions that happen in the present or the past. They can also show action in the future. The teacher provides the following examples: “They see the shore. They saw the shore. They will see the shore. The teacher explains that a future-tense verb describes an action that is going to happen and provides the following examples: “Hank will speak to her. Suzanne will win the award.” The teacher uses the special verb will to write about the future. The students use Practice Book page 157 and the online activity for follow-up to practice the skill/concept.

  • Ensure subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement.

    • In Unit 3, Week 2, Day 6, the teacher introduces present tense verbs by first defining what verb tenses mean. The teacher tells students that they should add -s to most present tense verbs with singular subjects and add nothing to present tense verbs with plural subjects. A verb must agree in number with the subject. The teacher models different sentences, guiding students to conjugate a regular verb in the present tenses. Students complete Practice Book page 133 or the online activity. 

    • In Unit 5, Week 1, Day 2, the teacher reviews pronouns and explains how pronouns differ from nouns. The teacher tells students a plural pronoun must match the word/words it replaces and provides examples. The teacher tells students, “the pronoun must agree with the word or words it represents, or its antecedent, in both number and gender.” Students complete Practice Book page 242. 

  • Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs, and choose between them depending on what is to be modified.

    • In Unit 6, Week 2, Day 6, the teacher introduces adjectives that compare. The teacher reviews what an adjective is and uses comparative adjectives to compare two nouns. The teacher tells students that superlatives compare more than two nouns. The teacher provides examples of both. Students complete Practice Book page 313 or the online activity for follow-up and practice on the skill /concept.

    • In Unit 6, Week 2, Day 8, the teacher explains that some adjectives that compare do not add -er or -est. The teacher shares the following examples: “The comparative form of good is better, and the superlative form is best. The comparative form of bad is worse, and the superlative form is worst. Many is an adjective that refers to more than one thing. The adjective more compares two things. Most compares more than two.” The students use Practice Book page 315 or the online activity for follow-up and practice on the skill /concept.

    • In Unit 6, Week 4, Day 6, the teacher introduces adverbs that compare. The teacher tells students that “adverbs can be used to compare two or more actions. To compare using most one-syllable adverbs, add -er or -est. More and most are used with adverbs with two more syllables. When using more or most, do not change adverbs endings to make comparisons.” Students complete Practice Book page 337 or the online activity for follow-up and practice on the skill /concept.

  • Use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

    • In Unit 2, Week 4, Day 6, the teacher introduces combining sentences. The teacher models combining sentences by joining two nouns in the subject. The teacher tells students they can use coordinating conjunction and to join the nouns and form a compound subject. The teacher tells students to leave out words that repeat and make subjects and verbs agree. Students complete Practice Book page 97 or the online activity for follow-up and practice on the skill /concept.

    • In Unit 4, Week 4, Day 6, the teacher explains that a simple sentence has one main, or independent, clause and can stand alone. The teacher shares the following example: “We hiked to the top of the hill.” The teacher shares that a compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and then shares the following example: “Grandpa drove us home, and we ate dinner together.” The teacher explains that complex sentences include an independent clause and one or more subordinate, or dependent, clauses. A dependent clause cannot stand alone and often begins with words such as after, before, or when. Students use Practice Book page 217 or the online activity for follow-up and practice on the skill/concept.

  • Produce simple, compound, and complex sentences.

    • In Unit 1, Week 5, Day 1, the teacher explains that a simple sentence expresses a complete thought. Simple sentences must include a subject and a predicate. The teacher explains that you combine simple sentences to add variety to writing by using a comma and the coordinating conjunctions and, or, or but. The teacher shares examples: “I like to play softball, and my sister likes to play soccer. We can play outside before dinner, or we can color.” The students use Practice Book page 49 or the online activity to practice the skill/concept.

    • In Unit 4, Week 4, Day 7, the teacher asks students to write a simple, compound, and complex sentence. The teacher explains dependent clauses cannot stand alone as a sentence and are introduced by subordinating conjunctions. The teacher explains that some subordinating conjunctions are after, because, if, unless, while, until, when, and before then shares examples, including “Our friends searched the back of the house while we searched the front. If you are late, you will miss the parade.” Then students use Practice Book page 218 to follow up and practice the skill/concept.

  • Capitalize appropriate words in titles.

    • In Unit 2, Week 1, Day 3, the teacher explains that proper nouns such as names, holidays, days of the week, brands, company names, product names, titles of books, historical periods, events, official titles of people, initials, geographic names, and places begin with a capital letter. Capitalize the important words in proper nouns. Short words, such as of and and, are usually not capitalized. Holidays (Independence Day), titles of books (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), special events (Olympics), geographic names (Pacific Ocean) are. Students use the Practice Book page 63 or the online activity as follow-up to practice the skill/concept.

    • In Unit 3, Week 4, Day 8, the teacher tells students that the important words in a book or magazine title are always capitalized. The teacher provides examples and shares that the words the, and, in, and a are not capitalized in a title unless they are the first word. The teacher models underlining all the words in a book or magazine. Students complete Practice Book page 159. 

  • Use commas in addresses.

    • In Unit 3, Week 5, Day 3, the teacher introduces punctuation in formal letters, dates, addresses, and locations. The teacher models placing a comma between the day and year, street address and city/town and state; place a colon between the greeting of a formal letter, and a comma after the closing of a letter.

  • Use commas and quotation marks in dialogue.

    • In Unit 4, Week 3, Day 3, the teacher explains that quotation marks “are used to show that someone is speaking. They come at the beginning and end of the speaker’s exact words.” The teacher shares that a quotation begins with a capital letter, and commas and periods appear inside quotation marks. The teacher also shares that if a sentence continues after a quotation, use a comma to close. Students complete Practice Book page 207 or the online activity.

  • Form and use possessive.

    • In Unit 2, Week 3, Day 2, the teacher explains that a noun can be used to show possession: a child’s toy. A singular possessive noun is formed by adding an apostrophe and an -s. The teacher shares the following examples: a pig’s tail, a man’s hat, a book’s page. The teacher tells students a plural possessive noun is formed by adding only an apostrophe if the plural noun ends in -s. The teacher shares the following example: the dogs’ bowls. The teacher tells the students a plural noun does not end in -s, the possessive is formed by adding an apostrophe and an -s

    • In Unit 5, Week 4, Day 7, the teacher and students discuss the difference between possessive, reflexive, and relative pronouns. Students identify the correct possessive pronoun to use in given sentences and choose the correct reflexive pronouns in other given sentences. Finally, students write about something they created and explain why they are proud of it. When finished, students proofread their work, ensuring they used possessive and reflexive pronouns correctly on Practice Book page 278. 

  • Use conventional spelling for high-frequency and other studied words and for adding suffixes to base words (e.g., sitting, smiled, cries, happiness).

    • In Unit 2, Week 3, Day 1, the teacher reviews high-frequency words. The teacher uses High-Frequency Word Cards 61-80, displaying one word at a time, and follows this routine: display the word, read the word, and spell the word. Students state the word and spell the word. The teacher models using the word in a sentence. Students say the word and spell the word independently. 

    • In Unit 6, Week 5, Day 1, the teacher displays the spelling words, reading them aloud and drawing out the suffixes -ful, -less, and -ly while reviewing their meanings. The teacher points out the spelling pattern in wisely, drawing a line between syllables and noting the last syllable is a suffix. The teacher sorts spelling words by suffixes, with the headings -ful, -less, and -ly. The teacher sorts a few words by identifying the suffix by pointing out that sometimes spelling changes occur when adding suffixes. 

  • Use spelling patterns and generalizations (e.g., word families, position-based spellings, syllable patterns, ending rules, meaningful word parts) in writing words.

    • In Unit 1, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher displays the spelling words, reading them aloud and drawing out the short a and i vowel sound in each word. The teacher points out the spelling patterns in camp and grin, drawing students’ attention to the words with short a and i vowel sounds, letting students know they usually have the CVC pattern but may also have CCVC or CVCC patterns. The teacher demonstrates sorting the words by pattern. 

    • In Unit 3, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher displays the spelling words and models for students how to spell the word nurse. The teacher segments the word sound by sound and then attaches a spelling to each sound. The teacher points out the r-controlled vowel spelling ur. The teacher demonstrates sorting the spelling words by pattern under key words herds, nurse, and third and models sorting a few words. The teacher points out that the r in r-controlled vowels affects the way the vowels sound in many ways. The teacher uses the Dictation Sentences from Day 5 to give the pretest and says the underlined word, reads the sentence and repeats the word. Students write the words. Students use Practice Book page 126 for a pretest.

  • Consult reference materials, including beginning dictionaries, as needed to check and correct spellings.

    • In Unit 2, Week 2, Day 7, the teacher models how to use a print and online dictionary to look up the meaning, syllabication, and pronunciation of the word candidate. The teacher reminds students that the words in a dictionary are in alphabetical order and models how to use the guide words at the top of each page to find the right page. Students practice using a dictionary to look up the meaning, pronunciation, and syllabication of the word election. Students complete Practice Book page 83. 

    • In Unit 3, Week 2, Day 7, the teacher reminds students to use a print or digital dictionary to look up words they do not know. They can use the dictionary entry to learn the meaning, syllable breaks, and pronunciation of the unfamiliar word. Students use a dictionary to find the meaning, syllable breaks, and pronunciation of the words asteroids and kilometers. Students complete Practice Book page 143. 

  • Choose words and phrases for effect.

    • In Unit 2, Week 5, Day 1, the teacher reviews the features of poetry, identifying examples with students. The teacher reviews line, stanza, rhyme, alliteration, and other types of figurative language, such as metaphor, personification, and onomatopoeia. The teacher models how to use rhythm and rhyme when writing a poem.

    • In Unit 2, Week 5, Day 6, the teacher discusses how writers organize poems into lines and stanzas and explains to students that poems also use rhyming words and alliteration to create rhythmic patterns that make a poem fun to read. Students explain rhyming words, rhythm, and alliteration and give examples. Students reread the lines from “Empanada Day” on page 178 of the Reading/Writing Companion and identify the rhyming words, rhythm, and alliteration in the poem. The teacher tells students that they might use lines from the poem as a model for writing lines of their own poem about an invention or something they figured out.

  • Recognize and observe differences between the conventions of spoken and written standard English.

    • In Unit 2, Week 2, Day 9, the students begin drafting a realistic fiction story. The teacher discusses how writers use dialogue to show the ways different characters communicate with each other, explaining that dialogue is the actual words that characters in a story speak. The teacher says, “Dialogue can show characters’ responses to situations, their feelings and emotions, or their thoughts about characters or events in a story.” The teacher points out that dialogue sounds the way people speak and discusses with students the differences between spoken and written English. 

  • Materials include authentic opportunities for students to demonstrate application of skills in context, including applying grammar and convention skills to writing.

    • In Unit 2, Week 2, Day 10, students draft a realistic fiction story and apply their learning of using quotation marks for dialogue. The teacher reminds the students “that all lines of dialogue should be in quotation marks. They should identify who is speaking and begin each new speaker’s dialogue on a new line.”

    • In Unit 3, Week 5, Day 1, students are introduced to combining sentences with verbs, joining two sentences with the same subject by combining the predicates, and combining the predicates using the word and. Students combine pairs of given sentences, using the word and to join the verbs and rewrite the sentences. Then students write two simple sentences describing something they do for fun on the weekend, using two different verbs. Students combine the two sentences into one sentence on Practice Book page 169.

Indicator 1M
02/02

Materials include a cohesive, year-long plan for students to interact and build key academic vocabulary words in and across texts.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 1m. 

Instructional materials include a cohesive year-long plan and guidance for teachers to facilitate student interaction with key vocabulary in texts and build knowledge. The Teacher Manual outlines various vocabulary-teaching routines for teachers to use with students and multiple opportunities for students to engage with vocabulary words numerous times within a given text set. 

Materials provide teacher guidance outlining a cohesive year-long vocabulary development component. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Vocabulary is introduced in each genre study. Word lists are found in Teacher Resources and correspond to each text set. Lists include target vocabulary words, additional Tier 2/Tier 3 words, and differentiated spelling words. Vocabulary lessons focus on high-frequency words and include direct instruction on low-frequency words. Students have multiple exposures to new words. Several vocabulary instructional strategies are found in the Instructional Routines Handbook. Opportunities to learn and practice new vocabulary include vocabulary mini-lessons, vocabulary cards, building vocabulary routines when reading, learning high-utility academic vocabulary words, spiraling words across genre studies, ELL-specific vocabulary, and a study of high-frequency words.

  • Four Vocabulary Routines are outlined in the Instructional Routines Handbook, including the Define/Example/Ask routine, which introduces new vocabulary in three steps; the Vocabulary Routine, which builds on the Define/Example/Ask routine; the Build Your Word List routine, in which students add new vocabulary words to their vocabulary or writing notebook; and Word Squares, which has students work with words by defining the word, adding synonyms, drawing something to symbolize the word, and adding in non-examples. 

Vocabulary is repeated in contexts (before texts, in texts) and across multiple texts.

  • In Unit 1, Text Set 1, the target academic vocabulary words are admires, classmate, community, contribute, practicing, pronounce, scared, and tumbled. These words appear in context in both the Shared Read, “Room to Grow” (author not cited), and anchor Text, Gary the Dreamer, by Gary Soto. Contribute also appears in the paired selection “Sharing Cultures” (author not cited). In Week 1, Lesson 1, the teacher introduces the new vocabulary using the Vocabulary Routine. Teacher scripting is provided with sentences and cognates as needed. Practice using target vocabulary is provided. The teacher asks, “Tell about a person that your family admires” and “Which classmate have you known the longest?” In the Reading/Writing Companion, vocabulary terms are presented with sentences. Students talk with a partner about each word and answer questions in writing using the question, “What do you admire about a friend?” In Lesson 2, the teacher helps students generate different forms of target words by adding, changing, or removing inflectional endings using a four-column T-chart on the board. In Lesson 3, students orally complete sentence starters with target vocabulary words. In Lesson 4, students write sentences in their Reader’s notebook that provide information about the words and their meanings. In Lesson 5, students create Word Squares for each vocabulary word. In Week 2, Lesson 6, the Vocabulary Routine for contribute and community is used. In Lesson 7, students focus on synonyms and use a thesaurus to find synonyms of common words. In Lesson 8, the focus is compound words. In Lesson 9, students study shades of meaning by generating words related to admires. In Lesson 10, students explore the morphology of words like classmate, doorknob, and bookshelf.

  • In Unit 6, Text Set 1, Lesson 1, students are introduced to academic vocabulary using the Visual Vocabulary Cards. The words are introduced through grade-level sentences with context, and the cognate is provided. Students experience the words throughout the text set in the anchor text, shared reads, and small group readings. Students are encouraged to use the words in their discussions and written responses. Students practice the vocabulary in the Connect to Words section of the plan where they answer, “How do you communicate with friends?” and “Name one goal you have.” Students are also introduced to the idea of Greek and Latin roots as a means of determining what unfamiliar words mean. In Lesson 2, students generate different forms of the academic word such as considered, considering, consideration, and consider. Students study Greek and Latin roots by breaking apart words and using the roots to help determine the meaning and practice determining the meaning of unknown words using the Greek or Latin root. In Lesson 3, students engage in a spiral review of previously studied words by completing sentences orally using words from the text set and previous vocabulary words. In Lesson 4, students write sentences that provide information about the words and meanings using their Reader’s notebook. In Lesson 5, students create word squares for each vocabulary word by writing their own definition, illustration, and non-example. In Lesson 6, students engage in a Building Vocabulary activity to define achieve and evaluate. After discussion, students look up and define related words. Partners ask and answer questions using the words. In Lesson 7, students study multiple-meaning words and practice using context from sentences to determine the meaning. In Lesson 8, students work with determining unfamiliar words by focusing on Greek and Latin roots. They define words from the lesson’s differentiated reading passage using this approach. In Lesson 9, students discuss shades of meaning through a discussion of the word serious. They determine how different synonyms and antonyms show shades of meaning. In Lesson 10, the teacher progress monitors students on their understanding of Greek and Latin roots to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words. 

Attention is paid to vocabulary essential to understanding the text and to high-value academic words (e.g., words that might appear in other contexts/content areas). 

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook states, “The words that have the most impact on students’ reading achievement are academic Tier 2 words. These words appear in a lot of texts and are the ones students are least likely to know.” Tier 2 words are defined as “those words found in many sources and have wide applicability. A lack of knowledge of these words can severely hinder comprehension of text. A significant amount of instructional time should focus on these words.” Five principles of academic vocabulary study are outlined to guide instruction and expand students’ thinking about word meanings: vocabulary is linked to concept development, is learned in context, is not about teaching just words, instruction is deep and generative, and involves the study of morphology, the structure of words.

Criterion 1.3: Foundational Skills

08/08

Materials in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language targeted to support foundational reading development are aligned to the standards.

Materials include explicit instruction of phonics, word recognition, and word analysis through phonics lessons, structural analysis lessons, vocabulary lessons, and spelling lessons consistently over the course of the year. Teachers provide modeling of key skills and concepts with student opportunities to apply word recognition skills through word sort activities, word and sentence reading with partners, and text reading opportunities. Assessment opportunities are provided over the course of the year to inform instructional adjustments of phonics, word recognition, and word analysis to help students make progress toward mastery. Multiple and varied opportunities are provided over the course of the year in core materials for students to learn, practice, and apply phonics, word analysis, and word recognition skills in connected texts and tasks. Materials include tasks and questions that provide opportunities for students to access different foundational skills within the anchor text and supporting texts. Materials include multiple opportunities over the course of the year for students to demonstrate sufficient accuracy and fluency in oral and silent reading and include multiple fluency assessments to support data collection and instructional decision-making to progress monitor students’ fluency development throughout the school year. Materials support reading of prose and poetry with attention to rate, accuracy, and expression.

Indicator 1N
04/04

Materials, questions, and tasks address grade-level foundational skills by providing explicit instruction in phonics, word analysis, and word recognition that demonstrate a research-based progression.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the expectations of Indicator 1n.

Materials include explicit instruction of phonics, word recognition, and word analysis through phonics lessons, structural analysis lessons, vocabulary lessons, and spelling lessons consistently over the course of the year. Teachers provide modeling of key skills and concepts with student opportunities to apply word recognition skills through word sort activities, word and sentence reading with partners, and text reading opportunities. Assessment opportunities are provided over the course of the year to inform instructional adjustments of phonics, word recognition, and word analysis to help students make progress toward mastery. Assessments are utilized and recommended for progress monitoring and determining student strengths and needs to guide instruction for differentiated reading and spelling opportunities. 

Materials contain explicit instruction of phonics, word recognition, and word analysis consistently over the course of the year. For example:

  • Identify and know the meaning of the most common prefixes and derivational suffixes.

    • In Unit 2, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher reminds students that “a prefix is a type of affix and is a word part added to the beginning of a word that changes the meaning of the word.” The teacher points out that the prefix -un means “not.” The teacher uses the word unhappy to model how to determine the meaning of the prefix and the word. The teacher begins a prefix anchor chart.

    • In Unit 5, Week 5, Day 2, the teacher explains a prefix is a word part added to the beginning of a word, and a suffix is a word part added to the end of a word. The teacher tells students prefixes and suffixes change the meaning of the root word. The teacher shares that the prefix un- means “not.” The prefix re- means “again.”The suffix -able means “capable of or able to.” The suffix -ful means “full of.” The suffix -ly means “in a certain way.” The teacher explains that some words have more than one affix. The teacher tells students the word unhappily has the prefix un- and the suffix -ly. The word unhappily means “in a way that is not happy.” The teacher writes and says the words rewrite, unzip, uncomfortable, and carefully and models finding the affix(es) in each word and using the affixes to determine the meanings of the words. The students then practice and write the words unacceptable, unimportant, and colorfully. Students say the words, identify the affixes, and use the affixes to determine the meanings of the words.

  • Decode words with common Latin suffixes.

    • In Unit 6, Week 2, Day 8, the teacher asks students to notice how the Latin suffixes change the meaning of the base word, the words part of speech, and can also change the word’s spelling. The teacher reviews that the suffix -able means “able to,” the suffix -ous means “full of,” and the suffix -y means “having the quality of.” The teacher writes the words lovable, furious, and shiny on the board and guides students in saying the words while modeling how to use the suffixes to determine the meanings. Students work together to read and determine the meaning of the words: adorable, reusable, various, marvelous, dusty, lucky. 

    • In Unit 6, Week 4, Day 8, the teacher asks students to notice how the Latin suffixes -able and -ment change the part of speech and sometimes change the spelling of the base word. The teacher explains that the suffix -able means “able to” and the suffix -ment means “an act of doing something” or “state of being.” The teacher writes the words agreeable and movement, underlining the suffixes in each word. The teacher models using the definition of each suffix to figure out the meaning of the words. Students practice determining the meaning of bendable, enjoyable, payment, and enjoyment.

  • Decode multisyllable words.

    • In Unit 2, Week 4, Day 8, the teacher explains that every syllable in a word has one vowel and that when a syllable ends in a consonant, it is called a closed syllable. The teacher models reading closed-syllable words such as hidden, basket, and magnet. The teacher writes and says the words: canyon, contest, dentist, and summer. The teacher models drawing a line between the syllables and identifying the closed syllable in each word. The teacher writes the following words on the board: rabbit, submit, letter, forget, and napkin. The teacher guides students to divide each word into syllables, identify the closed syllables, and pronounce each word. 

    • In Unit 5, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher displays the spelling words and reads them aloud, drawing out the two words in each compound word. The teacher points out the spelling pattern in the word daytime and draws a line between the syllables: day/time. The teacher says each syllable and points out that compound words are made up of separate smaller words. The teacher demonstrates sorting the spelling words by pattern under key words daytime, somebody, stagecoach. The teacher sorts a few words by the smaller words and notes the two smaller words in each compound word. The teacher uses the Dictation Sentences from Lesson 5 to give the pretest and says the underlined word, reads the sentence and repeats the word. Students write the words. Students use Practice Book page 246 for a pretest.

  • Read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled words.

    • In Unit 2, Week 3, Day 2, the teacher models how to decode words with silent letters. The teacher writes the words knee, gnat, and wrong on the board and explains that some words have letters that are written but not pronounced, called silent letters. The teacher guides students to decode the following words: knot, gnaw, wrist, rhino, and scene. Students work together to read knit, gnome, write, rhythm, and science by identifying the silent letter and where it appears in the words. 

    • In Unit 4, Week 4, Day 6, the teacher displays the spelling words and reads them aloud. The teacher models for students how to spell the word rowed and segments the word sound by sound, and then attaches a spelling to each sound. The teacher then models the same for rode. The teacher reminds students that homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings. Sometimes they can be spelled the same. Students read the words aloud with a partner. Partners do an open sort and record it in their writer’s notebook.

All tasks and questions are sequenced to application of grade-level work (e.g., application of prefixes at the end of the unit/year; decoding multi-syllable words). For example: 

  • The Grade 3 Scope and Sequence indicates the following sequence of instruction throughout the course of the school year:

    • Unit 1: inflectional endings, plurals -s and -es, compound words

    • Unit 2: Inflectional endings, singular/plural possessives, closed syllables, open syllables

    • Unit 3: Contractions, Prefixes: un-, re-, pre-; Prefixes pre-, dis-, mis-; Final -e Syllables; Prefixes: un-, non-, dis-

    • Unit 4: Base Words in Related Words, Vowel Team Syllables, Homophones, R-Controlled Vowel Syllables, Greek and Latin Roots, Words with -er and -est

    • Unit 5: Consonant + le Syllables, Suffixes -ful, -less, -able; Base Words in Related Words, Inflectional Endings y to i; Suffixes -ful, -ness, -less, Open Syllables, Prefixes, and Suffixes

    • Unit 6: Greek and Latin Roots, Consonant + le Syllables, Latin Suffixes, Base Words in Related Words, Vowel Team Syllables, R-Controlled Vowel Syllables, Suffixes: -ful, -less, ly.

Multiple assessment opportunities are provided over the course of the year to inform instructional adjustments of phonics, word recognition, and word analysis to help students make progress toward mastery. For example:

  • In Grades 2-3 Foundational Skills Assessment, Phonics, and Structural Analysis, the assessment addresses the following skills: Letters, Sounds, VC and CVC, Consonant Digraphs, CVCC and CCVC, Silent e, R-Controlled Vowels, Advanced Consonants (-tch, -dge, -x, qu, soft c & g, kn, gn, wr, -lk), Vowel Teams, Multi-Syllable (2- syllable, 3-syllable, 4-syllable), Prefixes and Suffixes (dis-, non-in-, pre-, re-, un-, con-, mis-, -tion, -ous, -ness, -able, -ful, -ary, -ment), Plurals (no spelling Changes, With spelling changes), Inflectional Verb Endings, Possessives and Contractions, Comparative Endings (-er, -est). 

  • In the Teacher Introduction, Purpose of Benchmark Assessments, it states, “Student performance in these assessments can act as a signal of student readiness for demands of high-stakes testing as well as a snapshot of student progress toward end-of-year goals.” The data gained from these assessments can be used to determine grouping and reteaching. In the Overview of Benchmark Assessments, the three Benchmark Tests are described as: Test 1 focuses on key skills that are a part of Unit 1-3, and Test 2 focuses on key skills in Units 1-6. In the Teacher Introduction section of the Progress Monitoring Assessment document, the Focus section states, “These items measure students’...demonstrate their understanding of unknown and multiple-meaning words.” Included in the Teacher Introduction, the Focus section has opportunities to monitor vocabulary acquisition and use as well as command of the conventions of the English language. 

  • The Phonics and Structural Analysis Survey (PSAS) provides informal diagnostic information that can be used to help (a) PLAN a student’s instructional program in basic word reading skills and (b) MONITOR THE PROGRESS or IMPROVEMENT in phonics and structural analysis skill development. There are ten tasks in each version of the Phonics Survey, and there are ten versions of the survey allowing for periodic administration to students throughout the school year.

Indicator 1O
02/02

Materials include opportunities for students to practice and apply grade-level phonics, word analysis, and word recognition skills.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the expectations of Indicator 1o.

Multiple and varied opportunities are provided over the course of the year in core materials for students to learn, practice, and apply phonics, word analysis, and word recognition skills in connected texts and tasks. Students often engage in reading, writing, and word-sorting activities to identify, spell, and apply taught skills. Materials include tasks and questions that provide opportunities for students to access different foundational skills within the anchor text and supporting texts. 

Multiple and varied opportunities are provided over the course of the year in core materials for students to learn, practice, and apply phonics, word analysis, and word recognition skills in connected tasks. For example:

  • In Unit 1, Week 1, Day 1, students learn that some words are formed by joining two or more smaller words and explain that these new words are called compound words. For example, the word haircut is formed using the two smaller words hair and cut. The teacher tells students that knowing the meaning of the two smaller words often helps them understand the meaning of the compound word. Students locate other compound words, such as sunlight on page 16 and cookout on page 17 in the Shared Read “Room to Grow” (author not cited). Students find the two smaller words in each compound word and discuss how knowing the smaller words helps them pronounce the compound word and predict its meaning. Students start a Compound Words anchor chart and continue to add compound words to the chart as they read the poem. 

  • In Unit 5, Week 1, Day 1, students review what prefixes and suffixes are and how they change the meaning of words. The teacher models determining the meaning of a word with a prefix and suffix when reading page 15 of “Delores Huerta: Growing Up Strong” (author not cited). Students continue reading the text, stopping to determine the meaning of unfairness and disagreeable

Materials include tasks and questions that provide opportunities for students to access different foundational skills within the anchor text and supporting texts. For example:

  • In Unit 2, Week 2, Day 8, students review that a prefix is a word part added to the beginning of words to change meanings. The teacher displays the passage “Express Yourself” and models figuring out the meaning of the word unusual. Students use the prefixes and base words to figure out the meaning of other unfamiliar words in the passage. Students complete Practice Book page 84, which includes sentences with words that have prefixes. 

  • In Unit 6, Week 1, Day 1, the teacher explains that knowing the meanings of common Greek and Latin roots can help students figure out the meanings of unfamiliar words. The teacher points out the Greek roots astro, meaning “star,” and naut, meaning “ship” or “sailor.” The word astronaut means “a star sailor.” Related words are asteroid, meaning “resembling a star,” and nautical, meaning “relating to sailors or ships.” Students add to the Greek and Latin Roots anchor chart as they read the anchor text Rocketing Into Space (author not cited).

Indicator 1P
02/02

Instructional opportunities are frequently built into the materials for students to practice and achieve reading fluency in order to read with purpose and understanding.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the expectations of Indicator 1p.

Materials include multiple opportunities over the course of the year for students to demonstrate sufficient accuracy and fluency in oral and silent reading. Materials support reading of prose and poetry with attention to rate, accuracy, and expression. The teacher provides lessons on how to self-correct and reread by modeling key ideas regarding various types of text and explains how rereading supports student word recognition, fluency, and understanding. The materials include multiple fluency assessments to support data collection and instructional decision-making to progress monitor students’ fluency development throughout the school year. Assessment materials provide teachers and students with information about students’ current fluency skills and provide teachers with instructional adjustments to help students make progress toward mastery of fluency. 

Multiple opportunities are provided over the course of the year in core materials for students to demonstrate sufficient accuracy and fluency in oral and silent reading.

  • Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

    • In Unit 2, Week 4, Day 8, the teacher explains that readers pay attention to their reading rate and should slow down when something in the text is confusing. The teacher models reading page 155 in the Reading/Writing Companion, sometimes slowing down to clarify the text. The teacher points out how you slow your rate to ensure you understand the text. Students create audio recordings of the passage to demonstrate fluent reading. 

    • In Unit 3, Week 2, Day 6, students choose an expository text for independent reading. The teacher reminds students to examine text features and think about how they contribute to the meaning, identify how the author uses text structure to organize their ideas, and identify the central idea and relevant details of the topic. Before reading, students preview the text, noting any headings, photos, charts, sidebars, and other text features. As students read, they summarize relevant details and facts to check their understanding.  

Materials support reading of prose and poetry with attention to rate, accuracy, and expression, as well as direction for students to apply reading skills when productive struggle is necessary.

  • Read grade-level prose and poetry orally with accuracy, appropriate rate, and expression on successive readings.

    • In Unit 2, Week 3, Day 2, the teacher explains that reading accurately means pronouncing words correctly and not skipping or changing words, and phrasing refers to pausing at appropriate places. The teacher tells students that commas and periods tell the reader to pause. The teacher models by reading “A Dream of Gold Mountain” (author not cited) in the Reading/Writing Companion with proper phrasing. Students read one sentence at a time with accuracy and phrasing. Students practice reading with accuracy and an appropriate rate using the online Differentiated Genre Passage, “A Dream of Gold Mountain.” 

    • In Unit 5, Week 1, Day 2, the teacher explains that reading with intonation involves changing the tone of your voice, and stressing important words helps with the meaning of words. The teacher tells students that reading a word slowly can show it is important, and reading a word loudly can show excitement. The teacher models reading paragraphs 2 and 3 on page 15 of “Delores Huerta: Growing Up Strong” (author not cited). Students create audio recordings of a section of the passage to demonstrate fluent reading. Students practice reading with appropriate rate using the online Differentiated Genre Passage “Hiram Reveals - The First African American Senator” (author not cited).

Materials support students’ fluency development of reading skills (e.g., self-correction of word recognition and/or for understanding, focus on rereading) over the course of the year (to get to the end of the grade-level band).

  • Use context to confirm or self-correct word recognition and understanding, rereading as necessary. 

    • In Unit 4, Week 3, Day 2, the teacher explains that when students read expository text, they may come across unfamiliar ideas and facts and reminds students that they can reread difficult sections of text to increase their understanding. The teacher and students review the Quick Tip box and discuss the strategies to monitor comprehension that help students adjust their reading when understanding breaks down, pointing out that after rereading, students can ask and answer questions about what they have reread to help them remember key facts and ideas. Then students work in pairs to find details about the differences between wolves and foxes and reread a section “Day-to-Day” on page 159. 

    • In Unit 6, Week 1, Day 2, the teacher reminds students that when they read a biography, they may come across unfamiliar concepts and detailed explanations, and students should monitor their comprehension and make adjustments. The teacher tells students they need to determine where difficult sections of text are and then reread to increase their understanding. The teacher explains that good readers reread something they do not understand when encountering unclear or difficult text and need to evaluate details to improve their understanding of new facts and central ideas in a biography. The teacher directs students to reread “Big Challenges” and “A Job Well Done” (authors not cited) on pages 128 and 129. Students discuss other sections of “Rocketing into Space” (author not cited) that partners might want to reread.

Assessment materials provide teachers and students with information of students’ current fluency skills and provide teachers with instructional adjustments to help students make progress toward mastery of fluency.

  • Materials include the Oral Reading Fluency Application (ORFA) to administer oral reading fluency assessments in person or asynchronously. This application provides student scores for words per minute and accuracy. The teacher assigns the passage to students digitally with the option to record. 

  • Materials include a fluency assessment component, including reading passages to assess students’ ability to read accurately, fluently, and with understanding. Passages can be administered three times a year as benchmark tests to determine if students are on track or every unit to monitor progress. 30 fiction and nonfiction passages are included to assess fluency, using at least two selections every two to three weeks for most students. For Grades 2-6, the first selection is below the Lexile grade level band or at the low end; the next two are within the Lexile grade level band, and the final two are at the high end of the Lexile band. Students should be assigned passages within the grade level band initially as a benchmark of oral reading fluency ability.  

  • The Informal Reading Inventory (IRI), found in the Placement and Diagnostic Assessment booklet, is used by the teacher to assess reading fluency and accuracy to get a reading level and diagnostic reading data. It can be an individually-administered diagnostic tool that assesses a student’s reading comprehension and accuracy. The IRI measures three reading levels: independent, instructional, and frustration. For each silent reading passage, the total number of comprehension points is used to determine a reading level. Before a student reads a passage, a teacher is to administer the graded word lists to determine the appropriate grade level. 

Overview of Gateway 2

Building Knowledge with Texts, Vocabulary, and Tasks

Texts of various genres in each unit focus on building knowledge by investigating an Essential Question. Students listen to read-alouds, read texts, engage in discussions, and write and answer questions connected to texts to build knowledge around the topic. Instructional materials include multiple opportunities across the school year in each text set for students to analyze key ideas, details, author’s craft, and structure. Students can build knowledge and integrate ideas within individual texts and across multiple texts. Questions and tasks are coherently sequenced to build the skills needed to complete the culminating task. These culminating tasks allow students to synthesize ideas and information from the readings and require students to use notes captured while reading and new vocabulary learned in the unit. The tasks vary and integrate reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Materials follow a cohesive plan across the year to support students in developing and increasing writing skills and achieving grade-level proficiency in writing. Students engage in writing tasks that increase in rigor and length across the year. Materials contain guidance for teachers to facilitate learning using research to develop topic knowledge and research skills. The projects are varied and require students to research a topic directly related to the unit topic and Essential Question. Longer research projects are available in a digitally delivered program called Inquiry Space.

Criterion 2.1: Building Knowledge

24/24

Materials build knowledge through integrated reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language.

Texts of various genres in each unit focus on building knowledge by investigating an Essential Question. Students listen to read-alouds, read texts, engage in discussions, and write and answer questions connected to texts to build knowledge around the topic. Small group instruction includes texts centered around the same topics to increase the ability of students to read and comprehend increasingly complex texts independently. Instructional materials include multiple opportunities across the school year in each text set for students to analyze key ideas, details, author’s craft, and structure. Materials provide students with multiple opportunities to engage in the analysis of knowledge and ideas in the unit texts. Students can build knowledge and integrate ideas within individual texts and across multiple texts. Questions and tasks are coherently sequenced to build the skills needed to complete the culminating task. Materials provide multiple opportunities for students to complete culminating tasks directly tied to the studied topics. These culminating tasks allow students to synthesize ideas and information from the readings and require students to use notes captured while reading and new vocabulary learned in the unit. The tasks vary and integrate reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Materials follow a cohesive plan across the year to support students in developing and increasing writing skills and achieving grade-level proficiency in writing. Materials include guidance and support in each unit for both students and teachers in the form of protocols, routines, rubrics, graphic organizers, and student models. Students engage in writing tasks that increase in rigor and length across the year. Materials contain guidance for teachers to facilitate learning using research to develop topic knowledge and research skills. During each text set within the units, students work with a partner or group to complete a two-week science or social studies research project. The projects are varied and require students to research a topic directly related to the unit topic and Essential Question. Longer research projects are available in a digitally delivered program called Inquiry Space.

Indicator 2A
04/04

Texts are organized around a cohesive topic(s) to build students’ ability to read and comprehend complex texts independently and proficiently.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 2a.

Texts of various genres in each unit focus on building knowledge by investigating an Essential Question. Students listen to read-alouds, read texts, engage in discussions, and write and answer questions connected to texts to build knowledge around the topic. A “Build Knowledge Routine” within daily lessons supports student reflection on what they have learned about the Essential Question through discussions and writing. Small group instruction includes texts centered around the same topics to increase the ability of students to read and comprehend increasingly complex texts independently. 

Texts are connected by a grade-appropriate cohesive topic/line of inquiry. Texts build knowledge and the ability to read/listen and comprehend complex texts across a school year. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Text Set 1 explores the Essential Question, “How do people from different cultures contribute to a community?” Students participate in an interactive read-aloud about how art can tell a story about culture in “Faith Ringgold: Telling Stories Through Art” (author not cited). The shared read is “Room to Grow” (author not cited). In the anchor text, Gary the Dreamer, students learn about author Gary Soto’s Mexican-American experiences. In the paired selection, “Sharing Cultures,” author Pat Mora describes her bilingual background, and illustrator Kadir Nelson shares how athletes and heroes are inspirational.

  • In Unit 3, Text Set 2 explores the Essential Question, “What makes different animals unique?” Students participate in an interactive read-aloud of a folktale titled “Bear, Beaver, and Bee” (author not cited). Students read another folktale about a spider who likes to play tricks and is taught a lesson in “Anansi Learns a Lesson” (author not cited). In the anchor text, Martina the Beautiful Cockroach, retold by Carmen Agra Deedy, students learn what makes animals unique. In the paired selection, “Get a Backbone” (author not cited), an expository text, students read to learn about animals with vertebrates.

  • In Unit 6, Genre Study 1, Weeks 1–2, students read the anchor text Looking Up to Ellen Ochoa by Liane B. Onish. Shared reads “A Flight to Lunar City” and “Rocketing into Space” (authors not cited) are centered around the topic of biographies and why goals are important. The Essential Question is “Why are goals important?” In the small group instruction accompanying this text set, students read the leveled reader, Reaching for the Stars by Dominic Ashton, which is also connected to the essential question, supporting students in developing their ability to read and comprehend increasingly complex texts as they build knowledge about a topic.

Indicator 2B
04/04

Materials require students to analyze the key ideas, details, craft, and structure within individual texts as well as across multiple texts using coherently sequenced, high quality questions and tasks.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 2b.

Instructional materials include multiple opportunities across the school year in each text set for students to analyze key ideas, details, author’s craft, and structure. Text-dependent questions and tasks align with the correlated standard. Tasks include discussing how authors use various elements and structures to help create meaning or shape the text. The questions and tasks are coherently sequenced and build upon each other toward a culminating task. 

For most texts, students analyze key ideas and details (according to grade-level standards). Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 5, Lesson 3, students read “Protecting Our Parks,” a TIME for Kids article. Students work with a partner to answer, “How does the author help you understand why the National Park System is important?” and fill in a graphic organizer with details from the text. Students complete the sentence starter, “I understand why the National Park System is important because the author…” and answer the question, “How does the author help you understand the different claims people make about park visitors?” Students cite facts and details from the text in their responses. Students respond to the writing prompt, “What would you do to protect our parks?” using text evidence to support their choice.

  • In Unit 3, Week 3, Lesson 1, before students read the shared read, “Anansi Learns a Lesson” (author not cited), they think about the Essential Question and what they know about folktales. Students are prompted to preview the title and illustrations, make a prediction, and note the column on the left of page 40 to write their questions, list interesting words they would like to learn, and identify key details from the text. Students make inferences by answering the question, “How does Turtle feel when he first sees Anansi?” and cite text evidence.

  • In Unit 5, Week 5, Lesson 4, students read “Power for All” (TIME for Kids) and answer the unit Essential Question, “What are different kinds of energy?” Students also read the paired text, “It’s All in the Wind” (TIME for Kids), and answer, “What is the central idea of ‘Alternative Power Comes to the Rescue’?” Students continue to study energy by answering, “How has the new solar power system changed Tsumkwe?” Students use the sidebars in the text to gain further information to build the knowledge to answer, “Which energy-saving tip is related to solar energy? Why?” and “How Is the rest of the sidebar related to the selection?”

For most texts, students analyze craft and structure (according to grade-level standards).

  • In Unit 2, Week 2, Lesson 8, students read “A Plan for the People” (author not cited) and discuss the author’s use of text structure to achieve a purpose in writing. The materials provide purposes for text structures, including description, cause and effect, and compare-and-contrast. Students practice identifying the structure using paragraphs from the text. Students explain how the author used cause and effect structure to explain how the Bill of Rights came to be included in the Constitution. 

  • In Unit 4, Weeks 1 and 2, students read an excerpt from The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker. While re-reading, the teacher asks, “How does the author use sensory language to describe how Clementine feels when Principal Rice says, ‘Open the curtains!’?” Later, the teacher asks, “What simile is used to describe how Margaret nods to Clementine on page 293?” In the Reading/Writing Companion, students cite text evidence showing words or phrases to show how what happens in the story is funny and answer the question, “How does the author use humor to describe how important Clementine is to the talent show?” Students collect text evidence that helps them understand what the expression “one of a kind” means. These questions build knowledge of the text so that students may answer the question, “Why do you think Clementine develops or changes from the beginning of the story to the end?”

  • In Unit 4, Weeks 3 and 4, students read Amazing Wildlife of the Mojave by Laurence Pringle. Students answer questions related to craft and structure as they analyze the text. The teacher guides students to look at the photographs and answer questions with a partner about what kinds of plants and animals they see and what they can learn about the desert from the photos. They also study the map of Death Valley. In their Reading/Writing Companion, students answer, “How does the author use words and phrases to help you visualize how the chuckwalla protects itself?” Students collect clues from the text with a partner and complete the sentence starter, “I can visualize how the chuckwalla protects itself because…” Students also collect text evidence as they answer, “How does the author feel about the iguana’s ability to change color?” In the final response to this text, students write to the prompt, “How does the author help you understand how he feels about wildlife in the Mojave?”

Indicator 2C
04/04

Materials require students to analyze the integration of knowledge within individual texts as well as across multiple texts using coherently sequenced, high quality text-specific and/or text-dependent questions and tasks.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 2c.

Materials provide students with multiple opportunities to engage in the analysis of knowledge and ideas in the unit texts. Students can build knowledge and integrate ideas within individual texts and across multiple texts. Questions and tasks are coherently sequenced to build the skills needed to complete the culminating task. Students regularly examine illustrations and determine how to create meaning or clarify parts of a text. Each text set provides a chance to use information from multiple texts to build knowledge and create a project integrating the information from the texts in the unit. 

Most sets of questions and tasks support students’ analysis of knowledge and ideas. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 5, Lesson 3, students read a TIME for Kids article, “Protecting Our Parks,” and answer the question, “How does the author help you understand why the National Park System is important?” Students are prompted to combine what they know about protecting wildlife and the facts the author gives to help understand why the National Park System is important. With a partner, students discuss what the National Park System does and collect evidence from the text to complete a graphic organizer with facts from the text. Students complete the sentence starter, “I understand why the National Park System is important because the author…”

  • In Unit 2, Week 1, Lesson 3, students read the anchor text Vote! by Eileen Christelow and answer questions to analyze the text, including “Look at the illustrations on pages 100–101 with a  partner. What is this scene showing? Where does the scene take place? What is written on the signs? Let’s synthesize information from the illustrations to create a new understanding about our government.” Students answer further questions to analyze the illustration, including, “What do you think the author wants to tell the reader? What clues tell us about the purpose of this selection before we begin reading?”

  • In Unit 6, Week 5, Lesson 4, scripted teacher guidance supports students in reading and rereading the paired selection, “The Gentleman Bookworm” (author not cited). The teacher asks depth-of-knowledge questions such as, “In the dialogue in stanza 4, who is speaking to whom?” and “Is the party a success? How can you tell?” Students use the Reading/Writing Companion to respond to the following questions, “How does the illustration help you understand the details in the poem? How does the poet use personification to help you visualize what the bookworms are doing?” 

Sets of questions and tasks provide opportunities to analyze across multiple texts as well as within single texts. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 4, Lesson 7, students read “Next Stop, America!” (author not cited) and answer the question, “Why do people immigrate to new places?” As students read, they are encouraged to take notes about the Essential Question. After reading, they compare this text with the anchor text, The Castle on Hester Street by Linda Heller, and discuss how they are similar and different. Students take notes about the text in their Reader’s Notebook. 

  • In Unit 3, Week 4, Lesson 8, Teacher Resources, students read the paired selection, “Get a Backbone” (author not cited). Teachers ask, “Why did the author use an elephant and a mouse as examples of mammals? Which other mammals does the author mention? Why did the author do that?” After rereading the text selection on page 59 of the Reading/Writing Companion, students respond to the questions: “How does the author help you understand more about reptiles? What is something all reptiles share?”

  • In Unit 5, Week 4, Lesson 9, using multiple texts from the text set, students use notes and annotations from the texts “Here’s a Nut” (author not cited) and “Clever Jack Takes a Cake by Candace Fleming to compare how the poet and the author help readers visualize how the characters meet their needs. In the Show Your Knowledge section, students answer the question, “What did you learn about how people get what they need?” in their Reading/Writing Companion. Students are instructed to use the characters they read about in the text set. 

Indicator 2D
04/04

Culminating tasks require students to demonstrate their knowledge of a unit's topic(s) through integrated literacy skills (e.g., a combination of reading, writing, speaking, listening).

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 2d.

Materials provide multiple opportunities for students to complete culminating tasks directly tied to the studied topics. The Show Your Knowledge lesson is a culmination of students’ knowledge gained throughout the text set related to the Essential Question. These culminating tasks allow students to synthesize ideas and information from the readings and require students to use notes captured while reading and new vocabulary learned in the unit. The tasks vary and integrate reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Tasks include but are not limited to writing a blog entry, writing a recipe, creating a timeline, writing an invitation, creating a public service announcement, and planning a podcast. Tasks can be completed independently, in partnerships, or in a group and presented or displayed. The audience, classmates, and teacher provide feedback to the presenters.

Culminating tasks are evident and varied across the year and they are multifaceted, requiring students to demonstrate mastery of several different standards (reading, writing, speaking, listening) at the appropriate grade level, and comprehension and knowledge of a topic or topics through integrated skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening). Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 2, Lesson 10, students explore the Essential Question, “How do people from different cultures contribute to a community?” Students write a blog entry in the Show Your Knowledge portion of the lesson. Students refer to their Build Knowledge notes in their Reader’s Notebook to write a blog about why it is important for people from different cultures to contribute to a community. Students use examples from the texts and new vocabulary words learned in their responses. Students present and display their blog entries and use sticky notes to post comments on each other’s blogs. The materials provide a rubric containing a checklist, which includes: “Use your Build Knowledge notes from your reader’s notebook, Write a paragraph with information, thoughts, and opinions, Use text evidence, and Include a title for your blog entry.” 

  • In Unit 3, Week 5, Lesson 5, during Show Your Knowledge, students explore the Essential Question, “How is each event in history unique?” Students create a timeline of unique historical events to explain why it’s important to learn about unique events in history. Students use Build Knowledge notes from their Reader’s Notebook to create a timeline, write a description of the event, explain why it is important, and use text evidence. Students can refer to the texts, video, and listening passage for events to include in their timelines. A rubric is provided, and it includes the following: “I synthesized knowledge from three or more texts, I included three or more words from my Reader’s Notebook, and I supported all of my ideas with text evidence.” Students present their timelines and compare events they chose and discuss why they are unique and important.

  • In Unit 5, Week 2, Lesson 10, students explore the Essential Question, “What do good citizens do?” In the Show Your Knowledge lesson, students look at their Build Knowledge notes in their Reader’s Notebook and brainstorm a list of qualities that make a good citizen and use the list to write a recipe for a good citizen. Students write step-by-step instructions to explain qualities they would add together to create a good citizen. A checklist reminds students to use their Build Knowledge notes from their Reader’s Notebook, list qualities they want to include using text evidence, write step-by-step instructions, and add illustrations to their recipe. The rubric includes: “I synthesized knowledge from three or more texts, I included three or more words from my reader’s notebook, and I supported all of my ideas with text evidence.” Students present their timelines, compare events, and discuss why each is unique and important. Students read their recipes and sentences to the class to discuss. The class compiles the recipes in a binder, and volunteers are asked to design a cover for the recipe book.

Indicator 2E
04/04

Materials include a cohesive, year-long plan for students to achieve grade-level writing proficiency by the end of the school year.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 2e.

Materials follow a cohesive plan across the year to support students in developing and increasing writing skills and achieving grade-level proficiency in writing. The Teacher Manual provides guidance in each unit for the teacher to facilitate the writing process with students. The materials include guidance and support in each unit for both students and teachers in the form of protocols, routines, rubrics, graphic organizers, and student models. Students read texts in a particular genre and perform writing tasks in the same genre. Students engage in writing tasks that increase in rigor and length across the year. Materials have uniformity in the organization and layout of the writing activities. 

Materials include writing instruction that aligns to the standards for the grade level and supports students’ growth in writing skills over the course of the school year. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Units 1 and 2, students write in a genre they have read in a mentor text. Students follow the Writing Process outlined in The Instructional Routines Handbook to support students working through each step: expert model, plan, draft, revise, edit and proofread, and publish and present. 

    • In Unit 1, Weeks 1–4 contain 13 lessons on narrative writing. Lessons scaffold to a personal narrative to describe a memory in which they tried their hardest to do something. In Week 1, students analyze the expert model, the anchor text, Gary the Dreamer, by Gary Soto. In Week 2, students choose their topic, plan a sequence of events, and write a first draft. In Week 3, one lesson focuses on revising. In Week 4, students continue to revise, conduct peer conferencing, edit and proofread, publish, present, and evaluate.

  • In Units 3–6, writing projects focus on writing to sources. Students begin by analyzing a rubric, student model, and sources. Then they use multiple sources to respond to a prompt. 

    • In Unit 3, Weeks 5–6, students write an opinion essay on self-driving cars. A variety of models, routines, and protocols are provided to support teachers in the process. In Week 5, Lesson 4, students are provided with a student model essay and are guided to read each paragraph and look for specific techniques. For example, students look for supporting reasons, relevant evidence, and a sentence in the conclusion that restates supporting information provided in the introduction. The materials provide the teacher with an Analyze the Prompt routine to guide students. The steps include, “Read the prompt,” “Identify the purpose,” “Identify the audience,” and “Identify the type of writing the prompt is asking for.” In Week 6, Lesson 3, students plan and organize ideas using a graphic organizer to outline their reasons and conclusion as well as include relevant evidence from each source.

    • In Unit 6, Weeks 1–4, there are 13 lessons on expository writing. Lessons scaffold to an expository essay where students explain why it is important to have different experts in space. Lessons in Week 1 focus on analyzing the rubric, using academic language, and analyzing the student model. In Week 2, lessons continue to focus on analyzing the student model. In Week 3, lessons center on analyzing the prompt and sources and organizing ideas. In Week 4, lessons focus on referencing sources in their draft and conducting peer conferences.

  • Students write daily in their Writer’s notebooks for various purposes, including  writing to weekly prompts, writing self-chosen pieces, completing craft mini lessons, listing and reviewing spelling words, and completing grammar assignments. A digital version is also available for students.

Materials include a variety of well-designed lesson plans, models, and protocols for teachers to implement and monitor students’ writing development.

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook outlines the writing process routine. Lessons support students working through each step: expert model, plan, draft, revise, edit and proofread, then publish and present.

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook includes guidance for the “Analytical Writing Routine,” which includes steps to analyze the prompt, state a clear topic or opinion, cite text evidence, and provide a strong conclusion. Additional skills are taught, such as note-taking, Think Aloud, quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing in this routine.

  • In Unit 2, Weeks 1–4, students write a realistic fiction narrative. A student model is provided, and teachers guide students to analyze this over the course of 4 lessons. Think-alouds are also available to use during instruction. In Week 2, Lesson 2, students analyze the prompt and choose a topic. The teacher explains that characters change and develop during the course of a narrative and helps students to begin to plan for their writing. A sample script is provided for teachers stating, “The author of a realistic fiction story tells the events of the story in sequence, from beginning to end. He or she may use signal words to help the reader follow the events of the story.” Students think of a character they want to write about, the problem they want to solve, and use the online Sequence Graphic Organizer. In Week 3, Lesson 5, students revise their essays. The materials provide teachers with a sequence of questions to guide students in revising their narratives, such as, “Does your story begin by introducing the main character? Do you include dialogue in your story? Is it clear who is talking? Does your story show how the characters change and develop in the course of the story?”

  • In Unit 3, Weeks 5–6, students write an opinion essay on self-driving cars. The materials provide models, routines, and protocols to help teachers support students in the process. In Week 5, Lesson 4, a model student essay is displayed. The teacher looks for relevant evidence and a sentence in the conclusion that restates supporting reasons the student gave in the introduction. In the Analyze the Prompt routine, the steps include “Read the prompt,” “Identify the purpose,” “Identify the audience,” and “Identify the type of writing the prompt is asking for.” In Week 6, Lesson 3, students plan and organize ideas, using a graphic organizer to outline their reasons and conclusion, as well as include their relevant evidence from each source.

  • In Unit 5, Weeks 1–4, students write an opinion essay. A student model is provided, and teachers guide students to analyze this over the course of 4 lessons. The materials provide think-alouds for the teacher to use during instruction. When students analyze the student model in Week 1, Day 4, the teacher provides guidance on how to use elaboration to make an opinion essay stronger. Teachers guide students through analyzing the model by asking questions such as, “Have students identify the author’s claim about Susan B. Anthony’s family. Ask: How does the author use elaboration to help you understand this opinion of Susan B. Anthony’s family? Read the second paragraph. Ask: How does this paragraph elaborate on the opinion of her family?” In Week 3, Day 1, students use the Analyze the Prompt Routine. Teachers display an Opinion Essay anchor chart to help students identify the characteristics of an opinion essay. 

Indicator 2F
04/04

Materials include a progression of focused research projects to encourage students to develop knowledge in a given area by confronting and analyzing different aspects of a topic using multiple texts and source materials.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 2f.

Materials contain guidance for teachers to facilitate learning using research to develop topic knowledge and research skills. During each text set within the units, students work with a partner or group to complete a two-week science or social studies research project. The projects are varied and require students to research a topic directly related to the unit topic and Essential Question. Students work collaboratively to build knowledge, practice written and oral presentations and apply research skills across the school year. Longer research projects are available in a digitally delivered program called Inquiry Space. These six-week projects guide students through the research, writing, and presenting process. 

Research projects are sequenced across a school year to include a progression of research skills according to grade-level standards. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Recall information from experiences or gather information from print and digital sources; take brief notes on sources and sort evidence into provided categories.

    • In Unit 1, Week 5, Lesson 2, the teacher models how to take notes while researching and how to organize that information. 

    • In Unit 3, Week 5, Lesson 2, teachers introduce formal inquiry for collecting information through reliable resources for their research. Teachers then identify informal inquiry as collecting and gathering information by asking questions. Students create a list of questions they can ask a school faculty member or a family member. They then locate reliable sources. Teachers guide students in how to take notes and cite the sources they use to gather the information for their articles. 

    • In Unit 5, Week 5, Lesson 2, the teacher models how to create research questions and make comparisons about information they find. 

Materials support teachers in employing projects that develop students’ knowledge on a topic via provided resources. 

  • The Research Roadmap blackline master outlines the five steps in the research process. It includes questions to guide students, as well as graphic organizers to find, record, and organize information.

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook outlines the Five-Step Research Process Routine, the Online Research Routine (Used with Inquiry Space in Grades 3–6), and additional guidance for planning a presentation, listening to a presentation, and strategies to teach research and inquiry as well as a presentation rubric.

  • In Unit 1, Week 1, Lesson 2, students research to map places in their community that show its culture using the Five-Step Research Process. In Step 1, the teacher explains places that tell about a community’s culture, including schools, parks, libraries, monuments, and businesses such as restaurants and stores. Students use a Four-Door Foldable graphic organizer to plan their maps. In Step 2, students brainstorm digital and print resources they can use for their research, books, websites, magazines, and newspapers. In Step 3, the teacher reviews how to take notes and cite sources they use to gather information for their map. In Step 4, the teacher demonstrates how to organize the places and information and which symbols and labels can be used to sketch out their maps. In Step 5, the teacher discusses options for presenting the maps. 

  • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 2, partners begin a science research project on how a particular animal’s behavior changes along with the season. The materials prompt teachers to display examples of reliable sources and model how to locate and use them to find information using the five-step research process. In Step 1, the teacher prompts students to brainstorm a list of animals and then suggests focusing on a question relating to the animal’s appearance, habitat, how it finds food, and how it responds to changing seasons. In Step 2, students choose print or online resources that are relevant to their topic. In Step 3, students use a Four-Door Foldable graphic organizer to organize information from their sources. In Step 4, students write captions for each of the images they selected for their collage. In Step 5, students present their collages to the class. 

  • In Unit 6, Week 3, Lesson 2, during the Inquiry project, teachers guide students through researching what their classmates believe is important. For example:

    • “Remind students to develop and follow a research plan. Guide students as they brainstorm a question and four answer choices.”

    • “Circulate and support partners as they question classmates and record the responses.” Teachers then demonstrate how to use an online tool to record information.

    • “Ask partners to review how each classmate answered. Have them tally the results. Remind students to keep the bar graph format in mind.”

    • “Tell students to write and draw their bar graphs neatly. Suggest that they make each bar a different color. Discuss options for presenting, such as creating an online presentation by recording their presentation and posting it online or creating a digital poster of their bar graph to display. Model ways to read and present a bar graph.”

Materials provide many opportunities for students to synthesize and analyze content tied to the texts under study as a part of the research process. 

  • Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.

    • In Unit 1, Week 1, Lesson 2, partners create a map that shows places where their community shows its culture by answering the Essential Question, “How do people from different cultures contribute to a community?” Students follow a five-step research process: 

      • Step 1: Set a goal by listing places they want to include on their map. 

      • Step 2: Identify sources such as books, magazines, and websites to find information about their community and its culture. 

      • Step 3: Find and record information from sources, take notes, and cite those sources. 

      • Step 4: Organize and combine information by sorting the places into groups, dividing symbols to represent each group, and sketching their map. 

      • Step 5: Create and present the final map. The Instructional Routines Handbook includes presentation rubrics.

    • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 2, partners create a collage that explains how animal behaviors change using the Essential Question, “How do animals adapt to challenges in their habitat?” Students follow the five-step research process:

      • Step 1: Set a goal by brainstorming a list of animals they are interested in, then select one to research.

      • Step 2: Identify sources by asking questions about their animal that can be answered using research. Students find books and reliable websites with relevant or related information. 

      • Step 3: Find and record information from sources and take notes. Collect photographs of their animal and its habitat. 

      • Step 4: Organize and combine information by choosing pieces of information to include in the collage and add captions to the photographs. 

      • Step 5: Partners create and present the collage by adding facts, photographs, and captions to the poster. They can include illustrations, maps, and diagrams before presenting to the class. The Instructional Routines Handbook includes presentation rubrics.

Criterion 2.2: Coherence

08/08

Materials promote mastery of grade-level standards by the end of the year.

Materials contain instruction, practice, and assessment aligned to grade-level standards. Various instructional approaches are used to coherently support and increase student literacy development. Ample time is provided for students to engage in opportunities that spiral logically over the year. Instruction, tasks, practice, and assessments fully address the intent of the grade-level standards. A pacing guide and organizational structures are in place to track and monitor student progress as they work toward meeting learning goals and grade-level standards. Materials include a detailed implementation schedule. Suggestions are provided for teachers to implement a 60-, 90-, or 120-minute block of instruction. Lesson structures for each block of time balance resources and tasks aligned to grade-level standards. There are 180 lessons that may be completed during a school year; however, it would be difficult to complete all 180 lessons in a typical school year, given interruptions such as testing, reteaching, or field trips.The same lesson activities are suggested for the 60-, 90-, and 120-minute blocks with minimal guidance on how to structure those activities within the varying time blocks. The Instructional Routines Handbook explains the program is designed to be flexible and offers a variety of ways teachers can use the program; however, it is unclear how to ensure all students master all grade-level standards if changes are made to the implementation.

Indicator 2G
04/04

Materials spend the majority of instructional time on content that falls within grade-level aligned instruction, practice, and assessments.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 2g.

Materials contain instruction, practice, and assessment aligned to grade-level standards. Various instructional approaches are used to coherently support and increase student literacy development. Ample time is provided for students to engage in opportunities that spiral logically over the year. Instruction, tasks, practice, and assessments fully address the intent of the grade-level standards. Students answer questions about illustrations, plot, and characters, as well as participate individually and collaboratively in activities such as summarizing or retelling details, comparing and contrasting, and answering standards-aligned questions about texts. A pacing guide and organizational structures are in place to track and monitor student progress as they work toward meeting learning goals and grade-level standards. 

Over the course of each unit, the majority of instruction is aligned to grade-level standards. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Scope and Sequence, Standards Correlations, Suggested Lesson Plans, and Pacing Guide documents clearly illustrate coverage of each grade level standard. The majority of discussions, questions, and writing directly align to grade-level standards identified within each lesson. The planning portion of the Teacher’s Edition contains a Weekly Standards tab where the standards taught within the week’s lessons are listed. Each daily plan includes specific standards covered in the lesson, separated by the activity in which they are covered. A grade-level standards correlation document lists when each standard is taught throughout the year. Students read and comprehend complex grade-level texts in each text set. Texts increase in complexity across the year. Mini-lessons are included with each text set and guide students to examine skills and strategies needed to experience success in reading, writing, speaking, and listening tasks.

Over the course of each unit, the majority of questions and tasks are aligned to grade-level standards. 

  • Each text set connects to reading, writing, and building knowledge goals. Students have opportunities to closely read and analyze complex texts and respond to standards-aligned, text-based questions. Questions and tasks require students to cite text evidence and make inferences based on information not explicitly stated. Questions require students to infer and synthesize information. Questions and tasks build to and prepare students for the Unit Diagnostics and Culminating Tasks.

Over the course of each unit, the majority of assessment questions are aligned to grade-level standards. 

  • Placement and Diagnostic Assessments, Unit Assessments, Progress Monitoring, and Benchmark Assessments include grade-level standard-aligned questions and tasks. The end-of-unit projects are aligned to standards, and standards are noted in the daily plans. Progress Monitoring and Benchmark assessments are aligned to the grade-level standards; however, the specific standards are not listed on each assessment and would require the teacher to list standards associated with each assessment. Unit Diagnostics and the end-of-unit Culminating Tasks align to grade-level standards. Each lesson includes standards-aligned explicit instruction, as well as questions and tasks, that prepare students for the corresponding Unit Assessment. Each Unit Diagnostic builds knowledge in preparation for the Culminating Task.

By the end of the academic year, standards are repeatedly addressed within and across units to ensure students master the full intent of the standard.

  • The Scope and Sequence and Standards Correlations documents illustrate how standards spiral across the materials. Most standards are covered in multiple units, ensuring students have several opportunities to practice skills across the year, even if the teacher cannot cover all six units in the school year. The first unit provides a foundation for knowledge-building that progresses across the year. Each unit ends with Extended Writing and Connect and Reflect. Across the year, standards are repeated to facilitate mastery of the standards. Students have many opportunities to demonstrate proficiency by having authentic conversations about complex texts and writing to develop deeper meaning.

Indicator 2H
04/04

Materials regularly and systematically balance time and resources required for following the suggested implementation, as well as information for alternative implementations that maintain alignment and intent of the standards.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 partially meet the criteria for Indicator 2h.

Materials include a detailed implementation schedule. Suggestions are provided for teachers to implement a 60-, 90-, or 120-minute block of instruction. Lesson structures for each block of time balance resources and tasks aligned to grade-level standards. There are 180 lessons that may be completed during a school year; however, it would be difficult to complete all 180 lessons in a typical school year, given interruptions such as testing, reteaching, or field trips. The same lesson activities are suggested for the 60-, 90-, and 120-minute blocks with minimal guidance on how to structure those activities within the varying time blocks. The Instructional Routines Handbook explains the program is designed to be flexible and offers a variety of ways teachers can use the program; however, it is unclear how to ensure all students master all grade-level standards if changes are made to the implementation. Optional assignments may be added; however, it is unclear how they should be integrated into the daily lessons or fit into the time frames listed for implementation. 

Suggested implementation schedules and alternative implementation schedules align to core learning and objectives. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The materials contain six units, and each unit has six weeks of instruction for a total of thirty-six weeks. Weeks are broken down into five daily lesson plans for a total of 180 days of instruction. 

  • In the Professional Development Suggested Lesson Plan, pacing guides are available for 120-, 90-, and 60-minute blocks. 

  • The 60-minute Pacing Guide for Day 1 provides 40 minutes of Reading Instruction, 10 minutes of Writing Instruction, and 10 minutes of Small Group instruction. The Day 9 pacing guide provides 20 minutes of Reading Instruction, 20 minutes of Writing Instruction, and 20 minutes of Small Group instruction. 

  • The 90-minute Pacing Guide for Day 1 provides 50 minutes of Reading instruction, 20 minutes of Writing instructions with 10 minutes allocated to writing, five minutes for grammar, five minutes for spelling, and 20 minutes for small group instruction that includes ELL instruction. The Day 9 pacing guide provides 20 minutes of Reading instruction, 30 minutes of Writing instruction, and 40 minutes of Small Group instruction. 

  • The 120-minute Pacing Guide for Day 1 provides 50 minutes of Reading instruction, 30 minutes of Writing Instruction, including grammar and spelling, and 40 minutes of Small Group instruction. The Day 9 pacing guide provides 40 minutes of Reading Instruction, 40 minutes of Writing instruction, and 40 minutes of Small Group instruction.

Suggested implementation schedules cannot be reasonably completed in the time allotted. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The materials provide lesson plans for 180 days of instruction. This does not leave room for lessons that may take longer, testing requirements, local assessments, reteaching, and other general interruptions that schools experience. 

  • There is no adjustment in the number of activities or the amount of material to be covered for lessons between the 60-, 90-, or 120-minute blocks. It is not expected that the same amount of material can be covered in 60 minutes as in 120 minutes. For example, the Day 3 pacing guide for a 60-minute lesson provides 20 minutes for the Literature Anthology, Read the Anchor Text, Practice/Apply Close Reading, and Take Notes about the Text tasks. The 90-minute plan provides 30 minutes for the same lessons, and the 120-minute plan provides 40 minutes for those lessons. Writing activities are allocated 20 minutes in the 60-minute plan, 20 minutes in the 90-minute plan, and 30 minutes in the 120-minute plan. Small group work is allocated 20 minutes in the 60-minute plan, 30 minutes in the 90-minute plan, and 40 minutes in the 120-minute plan. The 60-minute plan moves the Expand Vocabulary, Grammar, and Spelling lessons to optional activities on days in the pacing guide. Still, it is not indicated in the Teacher’s Edition, nor is the additional time to complete optional activities listed. 

Optional tasks do not distract from core learning; however, the materials do not provide guidance for implementing these tasks. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • In the Suggested Lesson Plans and Pacing Guides, optional tasks include Preteach Vocabulary, Expand Vocabulary, Grammar Lesson Bank, and Writing Craft Mini Lessons. In the Talk About it Tasks, the teacher can post a prompt or topic students can discuss in a digital format. These tasks are suggested without teacher guidance.

Optional tasks are meaningful and enhance core instruction. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Optional tasks are often key and support standards in writing and include vocabulary and grammar. The Reteach Vocabulary activities support student engagement and reinforcement of new vocabulary words. The Grammar Lesson Bank includes activities that support students in increasing their grammar skills using various strategies. The Writing Craft Mini-Lessons provide scaffolded  instruction through modeling and guided practice.

  • Inquiry Space is an optional, digitally presented learning experience where students follow steps to develop a research project in a game-like setting. In Grade 3, there are three projects available, Investigate Floods, Take a Stand: Overfishing, and Write About: Frogs. These are aligned to writing and research standards.

Overview of Gateway 3

Usability

The teacher resources included in the program provide guidance to support the implementation of the curriculum and to enhance teacher understanding of the content. Wonders offers a variety of professional development resources for teachers to develop their knowledge of grade-level content, including Learn to Use Wonders, Ready-to-Teach Workshops, Research Base and Whitepapers, Science of Reading, Instructional Routines, Assessment & Data, Educational Equity, and Administrator Resources. Each unit, lesson, and center activity includes standards correlation information. The Teacher Edition includes a weekly planner, which also includes the Common Core standards that each lesson is aligned to, and the Teacher Resources include a video explanation of the English Language standards by Dr. Jana Echevarria; however, the materials do not include the role of the standards in the context of the overall series. The materials include information about the program for students, parents, and caregivers through weekly letters that describe what students will experience at home and school. Materials include explanations of the instructional approaches of the program and the identification of research-based strategies. Materials include necessary classroom resources to support teachers in preparing instructional activities, including a presentation resource, which provides the text that will be read during the lesson and classroom materials needed for the lesson. Materials include a comprehensive assessment handbook, which includes information about various assessment options, a guide for providing instruction, and a list of forms to use while assessing students. The instructional materials offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate learning. Teachers can find these resources in the Assessment Handbook, Feedback videos, and the notes section in the daily lesson plans. The Assessment Handbook provides details and suggestions on how to interpret student performance. Materials include a variety of assessment opportunities for students to demonstrate the full intent of the grade-level standards and shifts. Assessments are both informal and formal and in a variety of modalities, including formal assessments, writing prompts, and discussions. The instructional materials provide multiple accommodations to ensure students can access assessments and demonstrate knowledge without changing assessment content. Materials provide learning strategies and supports for students in special populations. The instructional materials regularly provide extensions to engage in literacy content and concepts at a greater depth for students who read, write, speak, and/or listen above grade level. Across the school year, materials provide exposure and access to challenging texts and tasks to increase critical reading skills, such as interpreting and analyzing texts. Materials provide varied approaches to learning tasks, as well as variety in how students demonstrate their learning and monitor their performance. Materials provide a variety of grouping strategies throughout each unit and lesson across the school year. Students can engage in pairs or small groups to discuss, read, write, present, peer evaluate, and play games. Materials provide strategies, support, and multiple opportunities for English Language Learners to participate in grade-level activities. Materials provide a balance of drawings and realistic images representing different demographic and physical characteristics of the characters. Across the year, positive representations of all individuals are found in the illustrations and avoid stereotypes and biases toward underrepresented groups or individuals.Materials guide teachers to draw upon student home language to facilitate learning and provide guidance and support across the year to encourage teachers to draw upon student cultural and social backgrounds to facilitate learning. The program integrates technology in various ways that provide opportunities for engagement, support, and customization. Interactive technology tools can be found that encourage a more engaging and supportive learning environment, such as the option for texts to be read aloud, games, and the ability to customize assignments.Materials include digital opportunities for teachers and students to collaborate with each other.The instructional materials provide a visual design to support students in engaging thoughtfully with the subject. The teacher’s edition is organized the same way in each unit, week, and lesson. The student edition is easy to navigate and has titles to help students navigate the curriculum.The instructional materials provide teacher guidance for using embedded technology to support and enhance student learning.

Criterion 3.1: Teacher Supports

08/09

The program includes opportunities for teachers to effectively plan and utilize materials with integrity and to further develop their own understanding of the content.

The teacher resources included in the program provide guidance to support the implementation of the curriculum and to enhance teacher understanding of the content. Scaffolds for teaching and growing literacy development include many tools, such as videos and annotations, to support all students’ literacy skills. Instructional materials offer a variety of professional development resources for teachers to develop their knowledge of grade-level content, including Learn to Use Wonders, Ready-to-Teach Workshops, Research Base and Whitepapers, Science of Reading, Instructional Routines, Assessment & Data, Educational Equity, and Administrator Resources. Materials include a publisher alignment document of the standards. In addition, each unit, lesson, and center activity includes standards correlation information. The Teacher Edition includes a weekly planner, which also includes the Common Core standards that each lesson is aligned to, and the Teacher Resources include a video explanation of the English Language standards by Dr. Jana Echevarria; however, the materials do not include the role of the standards in the context of the overall series. The materials include information about the program for students, parents, and caregivers. Weekly letters describe what students will experience at home and school. These letters have suggestions and activities on ways to support students at home as well. While the letters come in English, there is an ability to translate them into many languages, including Arabic, Russian, and Chinese. The materials include explanations of the instructional approaches of the program and the identification of research-based strategies. A Start Smart guide is provided and includes explanations of the instructional routines found in the program. An Eight Step Implementation Support guide is included and provides information to support instruction, including lesson planning, foundational skill instruction, and differentiation. In addition, there is an Instructional Routine Handbook that explains key instructional routines such as “Collaborative Conversations,” “Close Reading,” and “Check-In,” as well as research that supports each teaching routine. The instructional materials include necessary classroom resources to support teachers in preparing instructional activities. Each lesson has a list of resources. The support includes a presentation resource, which provides the text that will be read during the lesson and classroom materials needed for the lesson. The classroom materials include ELL resources, graphic organizers about the author, and information on responding to the text.

Indicator 3A
02/02

Materials provide teacher guidance with useful annotations and suggestions for how to enact the student materials and ancillary materials to support students' literacy development.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3f.

Materials include necessary classroom resources to support teachers in preparing instructional activities. Each lesson has a list of resources. The support includes a presentation resource, which provides the text that will be read during the lesson and classroom materials needed for the lesson. The classroom materials include things like ELL resources, graphic organizers about the author, and information on responding to the text. In addition to including lists, teachers can access the resources directly from the lesson dashboards.

Materials include a comprehensive list of supplies needed to support the instructional activities. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 5, Lesson 5, Reading Tab, Paired Selection, the In Presentation resource is the poem, “Montgolfier Brothers’ Hot Air Balloon” by J. Patrick Lewis. Classroom Materials listed are pages to support students in analyzing the poem. 

  • In Unit 3, Week 4, Lesson 6, Reading Tab, Anchor Text, Lesson Resources, the In Presentation resource is Martina the Beautiful by Carmen Agra Deedy. Classroom Materials include About the Illustrator and Author, Analyze Text graphic organizer, and ELL Small Group Guide printable PDF documents.

  • In Unit 6, Week 6, Lesson 1, Writing Tab, Expository Writing, Lesson Resources are provided in the In Presentation and Classroom Materials sections. The In Presentation section has unit Expository Essay Writing Project materials for teachers and students, including student models, rubrics, anchor papers, and ELL resources. The Classroom Materials section has pages to support the Expository Writing Project, Extended Writing pages, and ELL Small Group Guide printable PDF documents.

Indicator 3B
02/02

Materials contain adult-level explanations and examples of the more complex grade-level/course-level concepts and concepts beyond the current course so that teachers can improve their own knowledge of the subject.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3b.

Materials offer a variety of professional development resources for teachers to develop their knowledge of grade-level content. Professional development topics include: Learn to Use Wonders, Ready-to-Teach Workshops, Research-Based and Whitepapers, Science of Reading, Instructional Routines, Assessment & Data, Educational Equity, and Administrator Resources. Author and Coach videos include presentations that support instruction, such as applying foundational skills to reading and multisyllabic and decodable text words routine. Response to Intervention videos explain how to use assessments to maximize learning and teaching. Additionally, videos are available to support planning, Social Emotional Learning, English Language Learners, and ways to use leveled readers. The materials also include close-reading and small-group instruction workshops that offer self-paced modules for teachers.

Materials contain adult-level explanations and examples of more complex grade/course-level concepts so that teachers can improve their own knowledge of the subject. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Wonders offers professional development teachers can complete independently. Teachers can select from the following topics: Learn to Use Wonders, Ready-to-Teach Workshops, Research-Based and Whitepapers, Science of Reading, Instructional Routines, Assessment & Data, Educational Equity, and Administrator Resources.

  • The Learn to Use Wonders section supports teachers with resources about the basics of Wonders, Start Smart, Managing Small Group Times, and the Eight Step Implementation Support.

  • The Ready-to-Teach Workshops support teachers with four-session video-based modules about close reading and small group instruction.

  • The Research Based and Whitepapers section provides articles to support teachers. Some topics are ELL instruction, collaborative conversations, text complexity, foundational skills, writing from sources, close reading, academic vocabulary, and balanced literacy.

  • The Science of Reading section supports teachers with an article about the science of reading.

  • The Instructional Routines section supports teachers with manuals and guides about instructional routines, managing small groups, and lesson plans.

  • The Assessment and Data section supports teachers with manuals and guides about assessment components, the assessment handbook, placement and diagnostic assessment, assessment administration, assessment reports, and online assessment preparation.

  • The Educational Equity section supports teachers with manuals and guides about culturally responsive teaching, social-emotional learning, supporting ELL students, universal design for learning, and equitable access to instruction.

  • The Administrator Resources section supports teachers with manuals and guides about family involvement, observation tools, supporting teachers, and coaching.

Materials contain adult-level explanations and examples of concepts beyond the current course so that teachers can improve their own knowledge of the subject. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Wonders offers teacher professional development for close reading through four sessions. For example, “This four-session, video-based module supports school or district leaders to facilitate on-site or remote workshops to support teachers in delivering effective instruction for close reading of complex texts. The module can also be used by individual teachers for self-paced learning.”

  • Wonders offers teacher professional development for small group instruction through four sessions. For example, “This four-session, video-based module supports school or district leaders to facilitate on-site or remote workshops to support teachers in organizing, managing, and delivering small-group instruction. The module can also be used by individual teachers for self-paced learning.”

Indicator 3C
01/02

Materials include standards correlation information that explains the role of the standards in the context of the overall series.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 partially meet the criteria for Indicator 3c.

Materials include a publisher alignment document of the standards. In addition, each unit, lesson, and center activity contains standards correlation information. The Teacher Edition has a weekly planner, which also provides lesson and standards correlations. In the Teacher Resources section, video explanations of the English Language Arts standards by Dr. Jana Echevarria are available; however, the materials do not include the role of the standards in the context of the overall series. 

Correlation information is present for the ELA standards addressed throughout the grade level/series. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 2, Lesson 6, students learn how to create public service announcements, which is associated with SL.3.4, “Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.” 

  • In Unit 4, Week 6, Lesson 1, students are taught how to compare texts on the same topic. The standard listed is RI.3.9, “Compare and contrast the most important points and key details presented in two texts on the same topic.” 

  • In Unit 5, Week 3, Lesson 1, students are taught base words, and the lesson is associated with L.3.6, “Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate conversational, general academic, and domain-specific words and phrases...”

Explanations of the role of the specific grade-level/course-level ELA standards are present in the context of the series. 

  • No evidence found

Indicator 3D
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Materials provide strategies for informing all stakeholders, including students, parents, or caregivers about the program and suggestions for how they can help support student progress and achievement.

The materials include information about the program for students, parents, and caregivers. Weekly letters describe what students will experience at home and school. These letters include suggestions and activities on ways to support students at home as well. The program also includes a letter that explains how to support students in a remote setting. While the letters come in English, there is an ability to translate them into many languages, including Arabic, Russian, and Chinese. The materials for the various stakeholders can easily be found in the Student Center Dashboard, which provides resources for students, parents, and/or caregivers. 

Materials contain strategies for informing students, parents, or caregivers about the ELA program. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Student Center Dashboard includes the school to home tab, which contains letters and messages from the teacher. 

  • The Student Center Dashboard includes resources for students, such as the weekly vocabulary words and writing assignments. 

  • The program includes a family letter for each week in each unit. The letter provides information about the genre students will read about, learning goals, word work, and the comprehension standards each week. For example, in Unit 1, Week 5, the letter explains that the students “will be learning about how landmarks help tell the story of our nation’s history. We will read about and discuss some famous landmarks in the United States. We will read different texts in the genre of argumentative text.”

  • In the Administrator Resources section, found in the Professional Development tab, there is a customizable letter that can be sent to families about the Wonders curriculum that can be sent at the beginning of the year. The letter contains information on what students will experience in class and what students will experience at home. 

  • In the Administrator Resources section, there is a PowerPoint presentation that teachers can use to explain the curriculum to families on a Back to School or Curriculum night. 

Materials contain suggestions for how parents or caregivers can help support student progress and achievement. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Student Center Dashboard, there is a weekly letter that informs parents or caregivers on what the students are working on that week and ways to support them at home. For example, in Unit 5, Week 4, the letter tells families that the word work is a spiral review and” they should create a crossword puzzle using the words” and create clues for each word. 

  • The program provides parents with differentiated spelling lists for students approaching grade level, on-grade level, and beyond grade level. The spelling lists include activities students can complete to practice the spelling words at home. 

Indicator 3E
02/02

Materials provide explanations of the instructional approaches of the program and identification of the research-based strategies.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3e.

Materials include explanations of the instructional approaches of the program and the identification of research-based strategies. A Start Smart guide is provided and includes explanations of the instructional routines found in the program. An Eight Step Implementation Support guide is included and provides information to support instruction, including lesson planning, foundational skill instruction, and differentiation. In addition, there is an Instructional Routines Handbook that explains key instructional routines such as “Collaborative Conversations,” “Close Reading,” and “Check-In,” as well as research that supports each teaching routine. Lastly, there are videos that contain professional development on the instructional routines, such as the multisyllabic word routine and the decodable text routine. 

Materials explain the instructional approaches of the program. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Start Smart guide includes details on how to introduce and teach students about “collaborative conversations.” For example, it instructs teachers to explain to students to “Add New Ideas- Stay on topic. Connect your ideas to what your peers have said. Provide evidence or reasons for your ideas. Connect your own experience or prior knowledge to the conversation.”

  • The Eight-Step Implementation Guide includes information about instructional approaches, such as small group differentiation, which can be located throughout the materials. The guide states, “The ‘Teach in Small Group’ sidebars in whole group instruction highlight further opportunities for small group teaching and offer suggestions that can be used to reinforce—or replace—whole group lessons.”

  • In the Resources section, there is a section called “Author & Coach Videos” that contains short professional development videos for teachers on various instructional approaches, including close reading, academic vocabulary, writing, assessment, planning and digital support, and access to complex text. 

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, there is a detailed explanation for each routine, such as the “Sentence Segmentation Routine.” The explanation includes, “Read aloud a short text all the way through. Then model how to count the words you hear in a line.”

Materials include and reference research-based strategies. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook includes research on “Collaborative Conversations.” The handbook states, “Discussion-based practices improve student’s thinking skills and comprehension of a text (Murphy, Wilkinson, Soter, Hennessey, & Alexander, 2009). In effective schools, classroom conversations about how, why, and what students read are important parts of the literacy curriculum (Applebee, 1996: Schoenbach, Greenleaf, Cziko & Hurwitz, 1999).”

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook includes research on foundational skills instruction. The handbook states, “Research indicates that the most critical phonemic awareness skills are blending and segmenting, since they are most closely associated with early reading and writing growth (NICHHD, 2001).  Phonemic awareness has a positive overall effect on reading and spelling and leads to lasting reading improvement. Phonological processing problems are a significant factor in students experiencing reading difficulties, including dyslexia (International Dyslexia Association, 2017). Phonemic awareness instruction can be effectively carried out by teachers. It doesn’t take a great deal of time to bring many children’s phonemic awareness abilities up to a level at which phonics instruction begins to make sense.”

  • The Instructional Routines Handbook includes research on “High- frequency words.” The handbook states, “High-frequency words make up a significant portion of the words students need to read and write. In fact, 25% of all words and print come from this set of thirteen words: a, and, for, he, is, in, it, of, that, the, to, was, you (Johns, 1981). And about 50% of words students will read and write come from a set of 100 words (Fry, Fountoukidis, & Polk, 1985). Many high-frequency words do not follow common sound-spelling patterns, so they need to be learned by sight and require explicit instruction.”

  • In the Overview of the Resources section, there is a tab called “Research Base and Whitepapers,” which contains several different research-based articles on the approaches of the program. Some of these articles include “Academic Vocabulary Study: Embedded, Deep, and Generative Practices” by Donald Bear and “Close Reading in Elementary Classrooms” by Douglas Fisher. 

Indicator 3F
01/01

Materials provide a comprehensive list of supplies needed to support instructional activities.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3f.

Materials include necessary classroom resources to support teachers in preparing instructional activities. Each lesson has a list of resources. The support includes a presentation resource, which provides the text that will be read during the lesson and classroom materials needed for the lesson. The classroom materials include things like ELL resources, graphic organizers about the author, and information on responding to the text. In addition to including lists, teachers can access the resources directly from the lesson dashboards.

Materials include a comprehensive list of supplies needed to support the instructional activities. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 5, Lesson 5, Reading Tab, Paired Selection, the In Presentation resource is the poem, “Montgolfier Brothers’ Hot Air Balloon” by J. Patrick Lewis. Classroom Materials listed are pages to support students in analyzing the poem. 

  • In Unit 3, Week 4, Lesson 6, Reading Tab, Anchor Text, Lesson Resources, the In Presentation resource is Martina the Beautiful by Carmen Agra Deedy. Classroom Materials include About the Illustrator and Author, Analyze Text graphic organizer, and ELL Small Group Guide printable PDF documents.

  • In Unit 6, Week 6, Lesson 1, Writing Tab, Expository Writing, Lesson Resources are provided in the In Presentation and Classroom Materials sections. The In Presentation section has unit Expository Essay Writing Project materials for teachers and students, including student models, rubrics, anchor papers, and ELL resources. The Classroom Materials section has pages to support the Expository Writing Project, Extended Writing pages, and ELL Small Group Guide printable PDF documents.

Indicator 3G
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This is not an assessed indicator in ELA.

Indicator 3H
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This is not an assessed indicator in ELA.

Criterion 3.2: Assessment

09/10

The program includes a system of assessments identifying how materials provide tools, guidance, and support for teachers to collect, interpret, and act on data about student progress towards the standards.

Materials include a comprehensive assessment handbook, which includes information about various assessment options, a guide for providing instruction, and a list of forms to use while assessing students. Formal assessments are included in the program, such as Universal Screeners, Placement & Diagnostic Assessments, Fluency Assessments, Unit Assessments, and Benchmark Assessments. The instructional materials offer multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate learning. Teachers can find these resources in the Assessment Handbook, Feedback videos, and the notes section in the daily lesson plans. The Assessment Handbook provides details and suggestions on how to interpret student performance. Feedback videos and notes in the lesson plans offer recommendations for supporting students as they complete each assessment. Materials include a variety of assessment opportunities for students to demonstrate the full intent of the grade-level standards and shifts. Assessments are both informal and formal and in a variety of modalities, including formal assessments, writing prompts, and discussions. Each lesson culminates with a check-in routine, which allows students to reflect on their new knowledge or share what they have learned with a partner. The instructional materials provide multiple accommodations to ensure students can access assessments and demonstrate knowledge without changing assessment content. Teachers can find support in the Equitable Access to Instruction Handbook, the Assessment Handbook, and within daily lessons.

Indicator 3I
01/02

Assessment information is included in the materials to indicate which standards are assessed.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 partially meet the criteria for Indicator 3i.

Materials contain a comprehensive assessment handbook, which includes information about various assessment options, a guide for providing instruction, and a list of forms to use while assessing students. Formal assessments included in the program, such as Universal Screeners, Placement & Diagnostic Assessments, Fluency Assessments, Unit Assessments, and Benchmark Assessments. Materials do not always include the standards being assessed. The Unit and Benchmark Assessments available in the Online Assessment Center include question-level standard alignment information, but this does not exist for printable versions of those assessments. Informal assessments that occur within lessons include standards for the lesson but do not include specific standards for the tasks being assessed.

Materials do not consistently identify the standards and practices assessed for formal assessments. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 4, Lesson 10, students present and publish a realistic fiction piece. The standards listed for the day include writing, speaking and listening, and language standards; however, the rubric associated with the task assesses the writing standards.

  • In Unit 2, Week 4, Lesson 10, students publish and present a realistic fiction piece. The standards listed for the day include writing, speaking and listening, and language standards; however, the rubric associated with the task assesses the writing standards. A “Presenting Checklist” is included but is not part of the assessment or rubric. 

  • In the Online Assessment Center, teachers can access the Unit and Benchmark Assessments, which include question-level standards alignment. For example, in the Unit Assessment, Grade 3, U3, Question 8 is aligned to standard L.3.4.b. Each question is also aligned to a skill and DOK level.

Indicator 3J
04/04

Assessment system provides multiple opportunities throughout the grade, course, and/or series to determine students' learning and sufficient guidance to teachers for interpreting student performance and suggestions for follow-up.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3j.

Materials include an assessment system that provides multiple ways for students to demonstrate learning. Formal and informal assessments provided throughout the school year generate results to guide instruction. Materials provide teachers with detailed information including, but not limited to, assessment guidance for interpreting student performance, rubrics, answer keys, scoring guidelines, and suggestions for follow-up. Units and lessons identify opportunities in which students have self-assessment tasks and teacher-student evaluation meetings. Handbooks, guides, charts, and videos such as the Assessment Components and Resources Chart, Assessment Handbook, Placement Diagnostic Assessment book, Assessment Administration Guide, Know Your Reports User Guide, and Prepare Students for Online Assessments guide as well as the Teacher Edition support increasing teacher capacity for assessing and analyzing student performance. 

Assessment system provides multiple opportunities to determine students’ learning and sufficient guidance to teachers for interpreting student performance. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Assessment Handbook provides teachers with guidance on interpreting student results for all assessments listed in the handbook. For The Standard Version of the Phonics Survey, the handbook explains how to interpret the data by stating, “count the number of correct responses for each individual task and record the percentage of correct responses. A score of 80% in any section indicates mastery of that skill. The scores in each section are not combined to calculate a total score.”

  • In Unit 2, Week 3, Lesson 1, students read Sailing to America (author not cited). After reading, students write a summary using important details and complete page 155. Once students complete their summaries, they share with partners. Students reflect using the Check-In routine as a formative assessment.

Assessment system provides multiple opportunities to determine students’ learning and suggestions to teachers for following-up with students. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Students engage in multiple assessment opportunities throughout the year. At the beginning of the school year, each student completes a Universal Screener. Based on the results, students are given a placement assessment or a diagnostic assessment. Both assessments are used to determine strengths and areas for growth. Teachers can use progress monitoring assessments to determine if students are making progress, and can use formative assessments at the end of lessons to determine if students learned the skills and strategies taught. Unit Assessments are given at the end of each unit, and benchmark assessments are given at the middle or end of the school year. 

  • In Unit 4, Week 5, Lesson 4, students read “Narcissa” by Gwendolyn Brooks and identify and explain the imagery in the poem. Next, students complete the following task as a formative assessment, “partners to share their Your Turn responses on page 199. Ask them to use the Check-In routine to reflect and fill in the bars.”

  • In the Resource Library, videos titled Corrective Feedback 1 & 2 show examples of how to provide corrective feedback while teaching a lesson. 

  • The Assessment Handbook provides suggestions for student feedback. For example, “Using corrective feedback as an assessment tool: Feedback should help students see how they can improve their work. The most useful feedback is a specific comment describing the strengths and weaknesses of individual work, with useful suggestions for improvement. To be useful and motivating, feedback needs to be: delivered in the form of praise, modeled for the student, practiced by the student, and used continually over time.”

Indicator 3K
04/04

Assessments include opportunities for students to demonstrate the full intent of grade-level/course-level standards and shifts across the series.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3k.

Materials include a variety of assessment opportunities for students to demonstrate the full intent of the grade-level standards and shifts. Assessments are both informal and formal and in a variety of modalities, including formal assessments, writing prompts, and discussions. Each lesson culminates with a check-in routine, which allows students to reflect on their new knowledge or share what they have learned with a partner. The Assessment Handbook also includes information on student portfolios. Students collect work that supports progress as a reader and provides “formative information” in a Developmental portfolio. 

Assessments include opportunities for students to demonstrate the full intent of grade-level/course-level standards and shifts across the series. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The materials include an Assessment Handbook that details all of the formative and summative assessment options available in the program, including universal screeners, placement and diagnostic assessments, fluency assessments, progress monitoring assessments, unit assessments, and benchmark assessments. A table indicates which assessments are available for each of these purposes, the reading component measured, the grade levels, the type of test, when to give the assessment, and how to administer the assessment. 

  • In the Assessment Handbook, the materials indicate that teachers can have students develop portfolios of their work over the year to show both development and their best work. A development portfolio “contains examples of the writing process and samples from the beginning, middle, and end of the year.” A portfolio used to showcase a student’s best work shows what a student has learned. Portfolios can also be used to “connect students’ learning from unit to unit. Students are able to choose certain pieces of work from the previous unit and then reflect on them.”

  • Across the year, the materials provide a unit assessment in every unit, along with twice-yearly benchmark assessments with questions aligned to the standards. Both the unit and benchmark assessments contain primarily multiple-choice type questions. For example, in the Unit 3 assessment, question 7a asks students to respond to the multiple choice question, “What lesson does the wise man teach the young man?” This question is aligned to standard RL.3.2: “Recount stories, including fables, folktales, and myths from diverse cultures; determine the central message, lesson, or moral and explain how it is conveyed through key details in the text.”

  • In Unit 2, Week 4, Lesson 10, students finalize and present their realistic fiction story. The accompanying rubric assesses students’ knowledge of grade-level-appropriate narrative writing and speaking and listening skills and is aligned to the standards listed for the lesson.

  • In Unit 3, Week 5, Lesson 2, the materials direct teachers to do a formative assessment where they “Ask partners to share their Your Turn responses on page 74.” Students then reflect using the Check-In routine.

Indicator 3L
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Assessments offer accommodations that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills without changing the content of the assessment.

Materials provide multiple accommodations to ensure students can access assessments and demonstrate knowledge without changing assessment content. Teachers can find support in the Equitable Access to Instruction Handbook, the Assessment Handbook, and within daily lessons. The Assessment Handbook includes general accommodation information and suggestions for how much and what type of assistance to provide during assessments. The Equitable Access to Instruction guide includes information for ELL support and visual and audio enhancements for students who struggle or have learning disabilities and require alternative options to reflect understanding.

Materials offer accommodations that ensure all students can access the assessment (e.g., text to speech, increased font size) without changing the content of the assessment. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Student online instructional materials include accommodations that do not impact content, like page view, zoom features, audio support, and highlight.

  • The materials provide multimedia presentations and include accommodations that do not impact content, like audio support, turtle icons, rabbit icons, and closed captioning.

Materials include guidance for teachers on the use of provided accommodations. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Assessment Handbook lists suggestions to help teachers determine the type of assistance during assessments, “Assistance should be unrelated to the skills and learning. Assistance should not mean changing the skills and learning itself. For instance, if you read a passage to a child, demonstrating understanding becomes listening comprehension, not reading comprehension.”

  • The Equitable Access to Instruction guide lists suggestions to support students with hearing disabilities during media presentations: “Consider providing a transcript of the audio narration along with the video so that students with hearing disabilities can follow along easily with the rest of the class. Alternatively, closed captioning services, which are available online for free or at a low cost, can provide hearing-challenged students with text.”

  • The Equitable Access to Instruction guide lists recommendations to help struggling learners and students with disabilities demonstrate understanding. Teachers provide students with options for demonstrating understanding of content or skills such as, presentations to be submitted, recorded, or presented (e.g., through PowerPoint, Prezi, Camtasia, etc.); computer screen recordings, videos (e.g., video blogs), audio Recordings (e.g., podcasts), maps, sentence starters, diagrams, photographs, illustrations, and computer-generated graphics; webpages, animations, lab reports, digital storytelling, varied essay styles, timelines, performances, and other student options.

Criterion 3.3: Student Supports

06/06

The program includes materials designed for each student’s regular and active participation in grade-level/grade-band/series content.

Materials provide learning strategies and supports for students in special populations. In each lesson, there is a Differentiated Reading sidebar, which provides suggested supports to help students approaching level, on-level, and beyond-level access to the grade-level text. In addition, the Differentiated Reading sidebar includes ways to help English Language Learners access grade-level content and standards. The instructional materials regularly provide extensions to engage in literacy content and concepts at a greater depth for students who read, write, speak, and/or listen above grade level. Across the school year, materials provide exposure and access to challenging texts and tasks to increase critical reading skills, such as interpreting and analyzing texts. Materials provide varied approaches to learning tasks, as well as variety in how students demonstrate their learning and monitor their performance. Throughout the year, students learn and demonstrate their learning through discussions, writing, and completing written pages. Materials provide a variety of grouping strategies throughout each unit and lesson across the school year. Students can engage in pairs or small groups to discuss, read, write, present, peer evaluate, and play games. Specific teacher guidance is found in lesson segments and details how and when to use specific grouping strategies. Materials provide strategies, support, and multiple opportunities for English Language Learners to participate in grade-level activities. In addition to the “Dual Language” section in the Resources Library, materials provide lesson-specific scaffolding daily to help ELL students meet or exceed grade-level standards. Materials provide a balance of drawings and realistic images representing different demographic and physical characteristics of the characters. Across the year, positive representations of all individuals are found in the illustrations and avoid stereotypes and biases toward underrepresented groups or individuals. The content supports strengthening a student’s sense of identity and promoting equity and inclusion while engaging students in learning. Materials guide teachers to draw upon student home language to facilitate learning. The Language Transfers Handbook includes a sound transfer chart, a grammar transfer chart, and examples of cognates. This handbook also provides background knowledge and suggestions for teachers to help students as they learn another language. Materials provide guidance and support across the year to encourage teachers to draw upon student cultural and social backgrounds to facilitate learning. The Resource Library contains three resources, the Language Transfers Handbook, a Culturally Responsive Teacher Guidance document, and the Equitable Access to Instruction guide. The Language Transfers Handbook provides teachers with assistance to make linguistic connections that support students increasing their knowledge of English.

Indicator 3M
02/02

Materials provide strategies and supports for students in special populations to work with grade-level content and to meet or exceed grade-level standards that will support their regular and active participation in learning English language arts and literacy.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3m.

Materials provide learning strategies and supports for students in special populations. In each lesson, there is a Differentiated Reading sidebar, which provides suggested support to help students approaching level, on-level, and beyond level access the grade-level text. In addition, the Differentiated Reading sidebar also includes ways to help English Language Learners access grade-level content and standards. The Equitable Access to Instruction Guide has multiple strategies that teachers can employ to support the various levels of students in the classroom. 

Materials regularly provide strategies, supports, and resources for students in special populations to support their regular and active participation in grade-level literacy work. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 3, Week 1, Lesson 5, students read Earth by Jeffrey Zuehike. In the Differentiated Reading sidebar, some suggestions include reading the full selection aloud once with minimal stopping before reading with the prompts. For students approaching level, it suggests that students listen to the selection summary and use the reread prompts during small group time. For students on level and beyond level, it suggests that students either read in pairs or independently and complete the reread prompts in their Reading/Writing Companion. 

  • In Unit 5, Week 2, Lesson 6, students read Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote by Tanya Lee Stone. In the Differentiated Reading sidebar, the materials guide teachers to differentiate. For example, for students approaching level, it suggests that students listen to the selection summary and use the reread prompts during small-group time. Students who are on level or beyond should work in pairs or independently to complete the reread prompts. Suggestions for English Language Learners include listening to the summary selection in their native language if it is available. 

  • Under the Resource Tab in the Professional Development section, the Equitable Access to Instruction Guide provides strategies to support teachers as they differentiate instruction for students. The overview states, “Equity in the classroom is crucial to the success of all students, particularly those who struggle or have disabilities. The resources in this module help teachers meet the needs of students with disabilities. The videos and PDFs detail strategies for implementing differentiated instruction, and they explain how to use technology to adapt the curriculum to suit the individual learner. Several resources focus on identifying classroom accommodations for students with targeted instructional needs. Included are strategies for providing explicit explanations and setting realistic expectations, thus accelerating student performance.”

Indicator 3N
02/02

Materials regularly provide extensions to engage with literacy content and concepts at greater depth for students who read, write, speak, and/or listen above grade level.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3n.

Materials regularly provide extensions to engage in literacy content and concepts at a greater depth for students who read, write, speak, and/or listen above grade level. Across the school year, materials provide exposure and access to challenging texts and tasks to increase critical reading skills, such as interpreting and analyzing texts. Students can access differentiated spelling lists, leveled readers, and differentiated assignments. Literacy tasks are based on higher-order questions and actively involve students in speaking, listening, discussing, and writing about complex texts. The Teacher Edition includes Differentiated Reading and Writing boxes and guidance on how to use whole-group lessons to support beyond-level students.

Materials provide multiple opportunities for advanced students to investigate the grade-level content at a higher level of complexity. Materials are free of instances of advanced students doing more assignments than their classmates. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 2, Lesson 6, students who are beyond level review domain-specific words using the Visual Vocabulary Cards to learn the meanings of the words candidate and convince. The teacher writes Social Studies related sentences on the board using the words and writes the words caucus and debates on the board and discusses the meanings with students. 

  • In Unit 3, Week 1, Lesson 5, students who are beyond level read Destination Saturn by Karen Alexander. After reading the text, teachers “Ask students to conduct a literature circle using the Thinkmark questions to guide the discussion. You may wish to have a whole-class discussion on what more they would like to learn about Earth and its neighbors.”

  • In Unit 6, Week 6, Lesson 4, students who are beyond level read The Lion and the Ostrich Chicks by Kathleen M. Fischer. After reading the text, “Students must tell a story’s main events in order. Use The Lion and the Ostrich Chicks to help students practice summarizing. Review the steps of summarization, including telling what happens during the beginning, middle, and end of the play. Then have students reread the play to note the main events. Have students orally retell the main events to a partner, using some vocabulary from the play. Students can then write and illustrate their summaries.”

Indicator 3O
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Materials provide varied approaches to learning tasks over time and variety in how students are expected to demonstrate their learning with opportunities for for students to monitor their learning.

Materials provide students multiple opportunities to question, investigate, and problem-solve through various multi-modal opportunities. Students share new ideas or thinking using the Build Knowledge anchor chart and engage with texts in different ways, such as reading and acting out plays. Students use a variety of formats to show their understanding, such as creating posters, discussions, and writing assignments. Students use checklists and peer reviews to self-reflect and improve their work. Students also use the Check-In Routine to monitor and reflect on their learning. 

Materials provide multi-modal opportunities for students to question, investigate, sense-make, and problem-solve using a variety of formats and methods. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Week 1, Lesson 2, students complete a research project about their community. At the end, students will create a map of their community, showing places important to the community’s cultural identity. 

Students have opportunities to share their thinking, to demonstrate changes in their thinking over time, and to apply their understanding in new contexts. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 1, Lesson 1, students read All About Elections (author not cited). After reading, students add new ideas to the Build Knowledge Anchor Chart.

Materials leverage the use of a variety of formats and methods over time to deepen student understanding and ability to explain and apply literacy ideas. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 4, Week 5, Lesson 3, students build knowledge to make connections about the texts they are reading. They first begin by discussing the essential question, “How can others inspire us?,” then they write about the text in their reader’s notebooks. The teacher adds new ideas to the Build Knowledge anchor chart, and students add any new vocabulary words to their reader’s notebooks.

Materials provide for ongoing review, practice, self-reflection, and feedback. Materials provide multiple strategies, such as oral and/or written feedback, peer or teacher feedback, and self-reflection. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:  

  • In Unit 4, Week 4, Lesson 9, students work with partners to review and give feedback on each other’s expository essays. When doing so, students will look for the central idea, a strong opening, and facts and details that are relevant to the topic. Students then reflect on their partner’s feedback and write how they intend to use it in their Reading/Writing Companion. 

Materials provide a clear path for students to monitor and move their own learning. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 5, Week 1, Lesson 1, students use the Check-in Routine to reflect on their learning after reading Jimmy Carter: A Good Citizen (author not cited). According to the Teacher’s Edition, the Check-In Routine consists of the following steps:

    • “Review the lesson learning goal.

    • Reflect on the activity.

    • Self-Assess by

      • filling in the bars in the Reading/Writing Companion

      • holding up 1, 2, 3, or 4 fingers

    • Share with your teacher.”

Indicator 3P
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Materials provide opportunities for teachers to use a variety of grouping strategies.

Materials provide a variety of grouping strategies throughout each unit and lesson across the school year. Students can engage in pairs or small groups to discuss, read, write, present, peer evaluate, and play games. Specific teacher guidance is found in lesson segments and provides details on how and when to use specific grouping strategies. The Instructional Routines Handbook provides guidance on grouping students in various formats during activities such as Collaborative Conversations, Shared Read Routine, Literature Circles, Peer Conferences, Author Study, and Book Club Chat. The “Managing Small Groups: A How-To Guide” handbook supports teachers by explaining how to group students using data.

Materials provide grouping strategies for students. Materials provide for varied types of interaction among students. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 3, Week 1, Lesson 1, students listen to Our Home in the Solar System (author not cited). With a partner, students discuss planet Earth and its place in the solar system.

  • In Unit 4, Week 3, Lesson 4, students read Amazing Wildlife of the Mojave by Laurence Pringle. With a partner, students discuss the Essential Question: How do animals adapt to challenges in their habitats?

  • In Unit 5, Week 5, Lesson 5, students share and discuss their responses to “Can You Hear Me?” Students review the Build Knowledge anchor chart and read through their notes, annotations, and responses. Students complete the Talk About It activity with a partner. 

Materials provide guidance for the teacher on grouping students in a variety of grouping formats. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Resources Section, a handbook titled “Managing Small Groups: A How-To Guide” is available for teachers. In this guide, teachers can find suggestions for forming heterogenous and homogenous groups, group assignments, and group sizes. The guide states, “at the beginning of the academic year, it is often easier to assign group memberships that are more homogenous or similar in skill proficiency and needs.” The guide suggests students can work in mixed-skills and flexible groups based on teacher observations.

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, guidance for Peer Conferences states,  “Provide your students with consistent opportunities to discuss with another student what they are reading. This allows them to exchange ideas about what they are learning and how they are growing as readers. In addition, it offers a valuable chance for you to listen in to students sharing their thinking about their reading with others. Pair two (or three) students. You might want to group students who are reading the same text or texts on the same topic or theme. Rehearse with students what these collaborative conversations should look like and sound like. By using a gradual release of responsibility, you can ensure that students will be focused when they are meeting with a peer to discuss their reading. Provide students with specific guidelines to ensure that students will use the time productively. Use the Peer Conferencing handouts on pages 126–128 to model with students.” 

  • In the Instructional Routines Handbook, guidance for an Author Study states, “Have students form an independent study group and choose an author to study. Have students choose two pieces of work by the author and read the selections independently. Students should have collaborative conversations about their reading each week in which they can choose a character and compare their traits; compare and contrast themes; compare the author’s purpose; compare text structures; compare poetic devices or the use of figurative language and the effect it has on the mood of a text. Remind students to use text evidence to support their ideas.” 

Indicator 3Q
02/02

Materials provide strategies and supports for students who read, write, and/or speak in a language other than English to meet or exceed grade-level standards to regularly participate in learning English language arts and literacy.

The materials reviewed for Grade 3 meet the criteria for Indicator 3q.

Materials provide varied support and strategies to help ELL students participate in English Language Arts tasks and meet or exceed grade-level standards. Across the year, daily lessons provide strategic methods for making grade-level materials and resources comprehensible for English language learners. Definitions for key terms and questions to elicit deeper understanding of texts read in class and sentence stems are provided to assist students as they read grade-level texts. Materials direct teachers to explicitly model how to think deeper about a text. The English Language Learners Writing Workshops and English Language Learners Language Development Options provide steps to support students, including providing guidance about focusing on single chunks of texts to support comprehension and language development.

Materials consistently provide strategies and supports for students who read, write, and/or speak in a language other than English to meet or exceed grade-level standards through regular and active participation in grade-level literacy work. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 6, Lesson 1, students read “A Hunt to Help Frogs” (TIME for Kids). Teacher guidance in the ELA Academic Language sidebar states, “Read the question with students and elicit the information they need to answer. Focus students’ attention on paragraphs 1–3 of ‘Frogs in Danger.’ Remind students that frogs are amphibians. Ask: Where did the author use the word important to talk about amphibians? Explain that a pest is a small bug that causes problems. Ask: What do frogs do to pests? Does the information in the section tell you why frogs are important? As needed, have students restate the reasons using the following: The author thinks that frogs are important because ___. For Beginning students, use the following: I read about ___. Frogs make the environment ___. Ask: Do you agree with the author’s perspective? Have students express their opinion using the following: I agree/disagree with the author because ___.”

  • In Unit 4, Week 6, Lesson 3, students read The Baker’s Neighbor by Merrily P. Hansen. Teacher guidance in the English Language Learners sidebar states, “Review the features of a play with Beginning students: character, setting, dialogue, stage directions. Have all students read aloud the lines for their roles and record them. With each student, listen to the recording as you trace the dialogue with your finger. Ask: Which words or phrases do you find difficult to pronounce? Model pronouncing the words and phrases slowly and record them for students to use for practice. Then review details about the character and any stage directions that refer to their character. Ask the student to think about whether they are saying the lines appropriately. How can you say the dialogue to show _____? Help students decide on the tone, and record it for them to use for practice.”

  • In Unit 5, Week 6, Lesson 4, students read The Memory Quilt by Claire Daniel Chapell. Teacher guidance in the English Language Learners sidebar states, “Review the features of a play with Beginning students: character, setting, dialogue, stage directions. Have all students read aloud the lines for their roles and record them. With each student, listen to the recording as you trace the dialogue with your finger. Ask: Which words or phrases do you find difficult to pronounce? Model pronouncing the words and phrases slowly and record them for students to use for practice. Then review details about the character and any stage directions that refer to their character. Ask students to think about whether they are saying the lines appropriately. How can you say the dialogue to show ____? Help students decide the appropriate tone, and record it for them to use for practice.”

  • In the Guiding Principles for Supporting English Learners, guidance states, “This whitepaper explains the nine guiding principles that McGraw-Hill Education has developed and followed for supporting English Learners at all grade levels and in all disciplines.”

Indicator 3R
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Materials provide a balance of images or information about people, representing various demographic and physical characteristics.

The instructional materials provide a balance of drawings and realistic images representing different demographic and physical characteristics of the characters. Across the year, the materials include positive representations of all individuals in the illustrations and images and avoid stereotypes and biases toward underrepresented groups or individuals. The content supports strengthening a student’s sense of identity, promoting equity and inclusion, and engaging students in learning. Students have a variety of opportunities to demonstrate success and understanding. 

Materials and assessments depict different individuals of different genders, races, ethnicities, and other physical characteristics. Depictions of demographics or physical characteristics are portrayed positively across the series. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • In Unit 2, Week 5, Lesson 1, students read the poem “Empanada Day” by George Santiago. The poem features some words in Spanish, and the accompanying illustrations show a Latina grandmother and her grandchild making empanadas. 

  • In Unit 5, Week 1, Lesson 3, students read Eunice Kennedy Shriver by Geoff Fairburn. This story has pictures of individuals with various physical and intellectual abilities whom Eunice Kennedy Shriver worked with during the Special Olympics.

Materials and assessments balance positive portrayals of demographics or physical characteristics. Materials avoid stereotypes or language that might be offensive to a particular group. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Weeks 1–2, Lessons 3–6, students read Gary the Dreamer by Gary Soto. This autobiography tells the story of Gary’s life and culture through the story and the illustrations. 

  • In Unit 4, Week 1, Lesson 1, students engage with the Interactive Read Aloud, Dancing La Raspa (author not cited). The teacher tells the students they can use what they know to help others, like the two sisters in the story who share their talents. 

Materials provide representations that show students that they can succeed in the subject, going beyond just showing photos of diverse students not engaged in work related to the context of the learning. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 2, Week 5, Lesson 2, Differentiated Instruction, students who are at the Approaching Level read, Problem Solved by Frederica Brown. The cover depicts students of varying skin colors, hair types, and physical features working together to solve a problem.

  • In Unit 5, Week 2, Lesson 6, students read “Elizabeth Leads the Way: Elizabeth Cady Stanton and the Right to Vote” by Tanya Lee Stone. Students read to answer the Essential Question, “What do good citizens do?”

Indicator 3S
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Materials provide guidance to encourage teachers to draw upon student home language to facilitate learning.

Materials provide guidance to encourage teachers to draw upon student home language to facilitate learning. The Language Transfers Handbook includes a sound transfer chart, a grammar transfer chart, and examples of cognates. This handbook also provides background knowledge and suggestions for teachers to help students as they learn a second language. In addition, the program also includes a Bridge to English section, which connects students’ English skills with Spanish. Each section provides examples of transferable and non-transferable language skills that students can use as they acquire English. It provides students of varying English proficiency levels opportunities to interact as they develop their English language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Lastly, in the differentiated section of each lesson, teachers are provided with cognates with vocabulary words in the ELL Academic Lessons section to help students understand the pronunciation and meaning of new words. 

Materials provide suggestions and strategies to use the home language to support students in learning ELA. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Resource Library, the Language Transfers Handbook provides teachers with a sample lesson on cognates to help students use their native language to identify words. 

  • In the Resource Library, Bridge to English, Unit 2, Week 5, the Language Transfers section provides guidance to teachers about skills that are transferable and non-transferable between English and Spanish. The transferable skills include guidance that both Spanish and English feature consonant blends and phrasal verbs. The non-transferable skills provide further guidance that the consonant blends sl, spl, sw, and sh do not exist in Spanish. Additionally, the materials provide guidance about phrasal verbs, noting, “Phrasal verbs in English can either be separable or inseparable, but phrasal verbs in Spanish are never separable; they are always inseparable.”

  • In Unit 5, Week 1, Day 1, students learn about author’s claim, biographies, asking and answering questions, and suffixes. To support Spanish speakers, students also learn the cognates biographia and sufijo

  • In the Resource Library, Bridge to English, Unit 6, Week 5, the Language Transfers section provides guidance to teachers about skills that are transferable and non-transferable between English and Spanish. The transferable skills provide guidance about forming tag questions. The non-transferable skills include information about the English digraphs ph and gh compared to the Spanish f sound.

Materials present multilingualism as an asset in reading, but students are not explicitly encouraged to develop home language literacy and to use their home language strategically for learning how to negotiate texts in the target language. Teacher materials include guidance on how to garner information that will aid in learning, including the family’s preferred language of communication, schooling experiences in other languages, literacy abilities in other languages, and previous exposure to academic or everyday English. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Language Transfers Handbook provides teachers with strategies for supporting students as they learn English orthography. This handbook contains charts for phonemes that may cause a problem for speakers of specific languages. For example, the Sound Transfer Chart identifies the transferable and non-transferable sounds between English and Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Hmong, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic, Urdu, Russian, Hatian-Creole, and French. 

  • The Language Transfers Handbook provides teachers with strategies for supporting students as they learn English syntax. The handbook suggests that teachers highlight the transferable skills if the group of students all speak the same native language. 

  • In the Resource Library, there are a variety of videos that promote using the students’ home language, including “Bridging Lessons: Transferring Learning Between Languages” with Peggy Cerna and “Building First Language Proficiency” with Dr. Josefina Tinajero. 

Indicator 3T
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Materials provide guidance to encourage teachers to draw upon student cultural and social backgrounds to facilitate learning.

The instructional materials provide guidance and support across the year to encourage teachers to draw upon students’ cultural and social backgrounds to facilitate learning. The Resource Library contains three resources, the Language Transfers Handbook, a Culturally Responsive Teacher Guidance document, and the Equitable Access to Instruction guide. The Language Transfers Handbook provides teachers with assistance to make linguistic connections that support increasing their knowledge of English. The Culturally Responsive Teacher Guidance document cultivates critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Teachers receive equity guidance through the Equitable Access to Instruction guide, which includes options for student choice during independent work. Opportunities for students to share personal home experiences to enhance their understanding of various concepts are present in the materials. 

Materials make connections to the linguistic, cultural, and conventions used in learning ELA. Materials make connections to the linguistic and cultural diversity to facilitate learning. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Resources section, the Language Transfers Handbook includes information about sound transfers in various languages, including Spanish, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Hmong, Korean, Tagalog, Arabic, Urdu, Russian, Haitian-Creole, Portuguese, and French.

  • In Unit 3, Week 5, Lesson 3, students read “The Birth of an Anthem” from TIME for Kids. The materials provide ELA Academic Language for English Language Learners, including chronology, verb, combine, subject, and predicate. The materials also provide cognates for some of the terms, including cronología,verbo, sujeto, and predicado.

Materials include teacher guidance on how to engage culturally diverse students in the learning of ELA. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Resources section, the Becoming a Culturally Responsive Teacher document includes a selection of resources to help teachers achieve the goals listed in the document: “respect my students’ preferences and honor their experiences, provide rigorous instruction that invites critical thinking, acknowledge bias and privilege, own my own learning, communicate positive intentions, avoid assumptions, reject color blindness, consider context, be open to being wrong, get comfortable with discomfort, and create a classroom that offers the opportunity to achieve academic excellence to all.” 

  • In the Resources section, the Becoming a Culturally Responsive Teacher document includes a model lesson section teachers can apply to their lessons. This scaffolded lesson plan includes suggestions regarding a culturally-responsive essential question, objectives, sensitivities, key vocabulary, building background by introducing the concept, and after reading optional activities that extend the concept. In addition, this lesson format includes teacher tips, expanding your classroom library, and resources. The document also contains suggestions on how to use these model lessons, namely as supplements, to provide historical and cultural background and to explore identity and social justice. 

Materials include equity guidance and opportunities. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Resources section, the Equitable Access to Instruction guide provides teachers with information about creating an “equitable learning environment for all students.” This guide includes information about using audio and video in the classroom, peer tutor implementation, the use of graphic organizers, the use of multiple methods of demonstration, and the use of classroom routines.

Materials include opportunities for students to feel “acknowledged,” such as tasks based on customs of other cultures; sections provided in multiple languages such as the glossary, digital materials, family letters; etc. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Glossaries for students are provided in several languages, specifically an English-French glossary, an English-Hmong glossary, an English-Korean glossary, an English-Arabic glossary, an English-Portuguese glossary, an English-Spanish glossary, an English-Chinese glossary, an English-Urdu glossary, an English-Russian glossary, an English-Vietnamese glossary, an English-Tagalog glossary, and an English-Haitian Creole glossary.

Materials include prompts where students are encouraged to share how they (or their parents) do things at home or use information to create personal problems, etc. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In Unit 1, Weeks 1 and 2, Lesson 1, students watch a video to build knowledge of the Essential Question, “How do people from different cultures contribute to a community?” After watching the video, students discuss with a partner how people from different cultures contribute to a community.

  • In Unit 4, Weeks 1 and 2, Lesson 1, students watch a video to build knowledge of the Essential Question, “How can you use what you know to help others?” After watching the video, students discuss with a partner how people use what they know to help others.

Indicator 3U
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This is not an assessed indicator in ELA.

Indicator 3V
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This is not an assessed indicator in ELA.

Criterion 3.4: Intentional Design

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The program includes a visual design that is engaging and references or integrates digital technology, when applicable, with guidance for teachers.

The program integrates technology in various ways that provide opportunities for engagement, support, and customization. Interactive technology tools can be found that encourage a more engaging and supportive learning environment, such as the option for texts to be read aloud, games, and the ability to customize assignments. Age-appropriate digital tools are found throughout the materials to help students access the content and master the standards. Materials include digital opportunities for teachers and students to collaborate with each other. The materials allow the teacher to post assignments, projects, weekly learning goals, and messages. Students can view current and past messages posted by the teacher and respond to the teacher. The instructional materials provide a visual design to support students in engaging thoughtfully with the subject. The teacher’s edition is organized the same way in each unit, week, and lesson. The student edition is easy to navigate and has titles to help students navigate the curriculum. The visual design is age-appropriate and includes both realistic photographs as well as illustrations to support student learning. The instructional materials provide teacher guidance for using embedded technology to support and enhance student learning. Technology is used in a variety of purposeful ways. The materials include guidance to integrate technology to increase engagement and maximize student learning.

Indicator 3W
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Materials integrate technology such as interactive tools, virtual manipulatives/objects, and/or dynamic software in ways that engage students in the grade-level/series standards, when applicable.

The program integrates technology in a variety of ways that provide opportunities for engagement, support, and customization. Interactive technology tools encourage an engaging and supportive learning environment such as the option for texts to be read aloud, games, and the ability to customize assignments. Age-appropriate digital tools are found throughout the materials to help students access the content and master the standards. 

Digital technology and interactive tools, such as data collection tools, simulations, and/or modeling tools are available to students. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Reading/Writing Companion digital version, students can select a thumbs down, a sideways thumb, or a thumbs up for each check-in throughout the course.

  • There are Build Knowledge videos provided to help students learn about the topic of the unit. 

  • Students can learn the weekly vocabulary words in the “Words to Know” digital tool. The tool introduces the vocabulary word, provides a definition, gives an example, and a question is asked with the word contained within the question. This tool allows students to listen to each of the components of the tool. 

  • In Unit 3, Week 3, Lesson 1, students use the digital tool to listen to “Bear, Beaver, and Bee” (author not cited). There is also a bookmark feature for students to mark pages. 

Digital tools support student engagement in ELA. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • In the Resource Library, there are a variety of interactive graphic organizers. When the interactive version of the graphic organizer is selected, students can use the pencil tool to write on the graphic organizer.

  • There are games provided in the digital tools to support engagement. For example, in Unit 6, Week 5, Lesson 2, students practice identifying suffixes by dragging words into the column that match the suffix. 

  • Materials include Inquiry Space, which provides resources to support students in three research and inquiry projects. Teachers can assign and monitor guided digital projects related to specific units. 

Digital materials can be customized for local use (i.e., student and/or community interests). Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • By selecting “Manage and Assign” from the menu, teachers can select “Make an Assignment” to create a new assignment for a select group of students or an entire class. Teachers have the option to add a title, directions, and resources such as ebooks, interactive games, and graphic organizers.

  • In the Online Assessment Center, teachers can either modify an existing assessment or create a new one. There are a variety of question types that teachers can choose from including multiple choice, short answer, fill in the blank, and essay. 

Indicator 3X
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Materials include or reference digital technology that provides opportunities for teachers and/or students to collaborate with each other, when applicable.

The materials include digital opportunities for teachers and students to collaborate with each other. The materials allow the teacher to post assignments, projects, weekly learning goals, and messages. Students can view current and past messages posted by the teacher and respond to the teacher. 

Materials include or reference digital technology that provides opportunities for teachers and/or students to collaborate with each other, when applicable. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Student Dashboard provides students with the opportunity to collaborate with the teacher using the My Binder section. Here, students can view assignments and assessments that the teacher posts. 

  • The Student Dashboard includes a “To Do” section, which lists specific tasks that students should practice and/or complete. There is a “Note to Teacher” box, which allows students to communicate directly with the teacher. 

  • The Student Dashboard allows students to collaborate with the teacher in the Writing and Research section. Students can view topics and projects assigned by the teacher. The teacher can also pose questions, and students can respond to the question, see the responses of their classmates, and respond to their peers’ comments. 

  • The Student Dashboard includes a Home to School Section where students and families can view messages, word activities, learning goals, and spelling lists the teacher posts. 

Indicator 3Y
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The visual design (whether in print or digital) supports students in engaging thoughtfully with the subject, and is neither distracting nor chaotic.

The instructional materials provide a visual design to support students in engaging thoughtfully with the subject. The teacher’s edition is organized the same way in each unit, week, and lesson. The student edition is easy to navigate and has titles to help students navigate the curriculum. The visual design is age-appropriate and includes both realistic photographs as well as illustrations to support student learning. Text boxes provide additional information for students to help them understand the topics, content, and texts. The table of contents, glossary, and table headers are all easy to understand and navigate. 

Images, graphics, and models support student learning and engagement without being visually distracting. Images, graphics, and models clearly communicate information or support student understanding of topics, texts, or concepts. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Core instruction provides pre-teaching with every lesson to activate prior knowledge and includes photographs and videos to support student learning. This allows students to collaborate by filling in graphic organizers and recording ideas.

  • Instruction is presented in multiple media formats to engage all learners. The guidance states, “Inquiry Space projects guide students through a step-by-step process of completing more complex performance tasks. Tasks include an array of multimedia tools in the toolkit to support students. Research and Inquiry projects offer students options to create projects in multiple media, such as text, speech, drawing, illustration, visual art, and music.”  

Teacher and student materials are consistent in layout and structure across lessons/modules/units. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The digital teacher edition is organized with units, weeks, and lessons. Each day is organized with a weekly concept, Essential Question, reading, differentiated instruction, and writing.

  • The digital student edition is organized with My Binder, Writing & Research, Resources, School to Home, Notes, Glossary, To Do, Words to Know, Write, Games, and Read.

  • A weekly phonics lesson is presented to support students in decoding multisyllabic words and is integrated with reading instruction. 

  • Resources are provided for daily fluency practice, including Shared Reads in the Reading/Writing Companion, Differentiated Genre Passages, Leveled Readers, and Reader’s Theatre plays.

  • Echo reading, choral reading, cloze reading, and structured partner reading are used consistently as effective fluency practice techniques.

Organizational features (Table of Contents, glossary, index, internal references, table headers, captions, etc.) in the materials are clear, accurate, and error-free. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Resources tab contains a glossary. The glossary includes words such as “celebrate,” where the word and definition are spoken when the video’s play button is clicked. In addition, there is a definition of the word along with a picture and a section entitled Routine that offers opportunities for students to use this word. 

  • The Table of Contents in the student textbook includes images, text, and colors to help all students access the necessary materials. For example, “To Do” includes a paper with a checkmark and is contained within a green circle. The text is visible when a student hovers over the icon. 

Indicator 3Z
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Materials provide teacher guidance for the use of embedded technology to support and enhance student learning, when applicable.

The instructional materials provide teacher guidance for using embedded technology to support and enhance student learning. Technology is used in a variety of purposeful ways. The materials include guidance to integrate technology to increase engagement and maximize student learning. Technology resources to support student learning include but are not limited to presentations, games, and videos.

Materials provide teacher guidance for the use of embedded technology to support and enhance student learning, when applicable. Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The Teacher’s Online Dashboard includes daily presentations with resources that teachers can display on a whiteboard or other tool.

  • In Unit 2, Week 1, Lesson 1, the Essential Question is, “How do people make government work?” Teacher guidance states, “Watch the Video, play the video without sound first. Have partners narrate what they see. Then replay the video with sound while they listen. Talk About the Video, have partners share one thing they saw that shows how people are a part of the government. Write About the Video, and have students add their ideas to the Build Knowledge pages of their reader’s notebooks.”

  • In Unit 6, Week 1, Lesson 1, the Essential Question is, “Why are goals important?” Teacher guidance states, “Watch the Video, play the video without sound first. Have partners narrate what they see. Then replay the video with sound while they listen. Talk About the Video, have partners share one thing they saw that shows how people are a part of the government. Write About the Video, and have students add their ideas to the Build Knowledge pages of their reader’s notebooks.”