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Description
Common Core significantly changes literature studies, and we see that in this series - which is still an excellent vocabulary series, by the way. First of all, the literature selections are different. In Book F (6) there is overlap in only seven (out of 30) selections. In Book I (9) there is more overlap - twelve out of 30. Gone are selections from Swiss Family Robinson, The Prince and the Pauper, and Anne of Green Gables (to name just a few). New inserts include retold Shakespeare, Pride and Prejudice, and, interestingly, a biography of Steve Jobs among many others.
CCSS requires a wider selection of reading genres - informational, retold drama, and critical essay are among the additions. To give you an idea of the types of literature included, in Book F (6) there are eight informational, three poems, nine fiction (plus one historical fiction), four autobiographies (plus one biography and one memoir), one critical essay, and one retold drama selection. This sort of coverage seems to be pretty consistent across grade levels.
Once you get into the actual literature/vocabulary lessons, the general format and coverage is similar to the older editions. There is a half-page or so passage followed by six exercises. Some of the activities are identical to the older edition - synonyms/antonyms, sentence completion, for instance. The definitions sequence is almost the same with students asked to give context clues in this new edition. A few of the exercises are new - shades of meaning, related words and meanings, and using words with multiple meanings. The games are gone, but each lesson includes a writing assignment (lots of variety here). One of my favorite "adds" in this new edition are the lessons on literary analysis.
For each of the six units, there is a word study section that includes a lesson on classic roots and affixes and a lesson on some aspect of literary analysis. Each of the six units also includes a Unit Assessment patterned after SAT, PARCC, and Smarter Balanced item types (fill in the bubble) - short literature passages followed by multiple-choice questions and concluding with a writing question.
The Student Books are consumable worktexts. The Teacher Book is a replica of the student with answers filled in. Also new with this edition but available now for both is a Test booklet and Answer Key. 165 pgs, pb. ~ Janice
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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
Consumable
Consumable
Designed to be written in; not reusable.
Non-Consumable
Not designed to be written in; reusable.