Elementary English Language Arts (ELA)

CKLA Core Knowledge

Core Knowledge Program

CKLA was adopted during the 2014-2015 school year.

We have selected Core Knowledge because it fills in important gaps missing in the past Michigan standards, including phonics and reading to build knowledge.  The Core Knowledge curriculum meets the  more rigorous intent of the Common Core State Standards, which have been adopted by the Michigan Board of Education.

Curriculum Support

PDF DocumentVisual Component Guide  
PDF DocumentTeaching Content is Teaching Reading 
PDF DocumentReading Trajectory  
PDF DocumentWriting Trajectory   
PDF DocumentTwo Strands of Core Knowledge  
Powerpoint DocumentPowerpoint: Using the Assessment and Remediation Guide

Video Support for Grades Pre-K Through Three

External LinkOverview 
External LinkCore Knowledge Language Arts
External LinkCore Knowledge Language Arts - Amplify
External LinkCore Knowledge Language Arts Overview  
External LinkCore Knowledge: Skills Strand Overview 
External LinkDesign Principles of CKLA  
External LinkPlanning for Success with the Listening and Learning Strand  
External LinkBuilding the Foundation to Reading
External LinkCKLA  K-2 Reading Trajectory 
External LinkBuilding Strong Writers with CKLA 
External LinkSemantic Mapping: Robust Vocabulary Development Through Content-Based Read Alouds 
External LinkUsing the Assessment and Remediation Guide
External LinkELA Studio Talk with Meredith Liben, David Liben and Kate Gerson, Chapter 1: Getting Smarter About Reading Instruction
External LinkELA Student Talk with Meredith Liven, David Liben and Kate Gerson, Chapter 2: Knowledge-Based Curriculum 
External LinkELA Student Talk with Meredith Liven, David Liben and Kate Gerson, Chapter 3: Must-Haves for Every K-5 Literacy Classroom  

Other Resources

External LinkNetflix Academy: The Best Educational Videos Available for Streaming  
Google DocWord Card Sets: Section 1  
Google DocWord Card Sets: Section 2  
Google DocWord Card Sets: Section 3
Google DocWord Card Sets: Section 4  
Word Card Sets: Section 5  
Google DocWord Card Sets: Section 6  
Google DocWord Card Sets: Section 7 

Pre-Kindergarten CKLA

Video Support

External LinkCore Knowledge Pre-K Overview   
External LinkThe 4 S's of Core Knowledge Pre-Kindergarten  
External LinkPreparing Students for Reading Success  
External LinkStarting the Day: Nursery Rhyme - "Where is Thumbkin?"   
External LinkSmall Group Lesson, Self Portraits  

All About Me

PDF DocumentTeacher Guide
PDF DocumentActivity Pages   
PDF DocumentFlip Book  
PDF DocumentImage Cards  
PDF DocumentTransition and Learning Center Cards 

Kindergarten CKLA

Video Support

External LinkBasic Code Lesson  
PDF DocumentImplementation Tool: Basic Code Lesson Implementation Checklist   
External LinkCore Knowledge Foundational Skills   
External LinkCore Knowledge Model Read Aloud   
External LinkTricky Spelling (Unit 6, Lesson 4)
External LinkImplementation Tool: Tricky Spelling Lesson Implementation Checklist   
External LinkTricky Words (Unit 8, Lesson 5)

Grade 1 CKLA

Video Support

External LinkText Features: Non-Fiction (RI 1.1 and RI 1.5)
External LinkText-Based Answers: Non-Fiction (RI 1.1) 

Grade 2 CKLA

Video Support

External LinkAnalyzing Similarities and Differences Between Insects and Spiders Using Informational Text   
External LinkSpelling Alternatives Lesson (Unit 3, Lesson 2)
PDF DocumentImplementation Tool: Spelling Alternatives Lesson Implementation Checklist  
PDF DocumentAssessment and Remediation Guide

Grade 3 CKLA

Video Support

External LinkKey Details in a Non-Fiction Text   
External LinkMaking a Claim: Which is more powerful, land or water?   
PDF DocumentAssessment and Remediation Guide  

Grade 4 CKLA

Video Support

External LinkMaking Inferences Using Details and the Main Idea 
External LinkMaking Inferences Using Non-Fiction Text    

Grade 5 CKLA

Video Support

External LinkTheme of a Story  
External LinkUsing Text to Determine if UDHR Articles are Upheld or Challenged