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English Language Arts (ELA) Programs
English Language Arts (ELA) Programs
These ELA programs generally provide instruction in both reading comprehension and writing. It isn't necessary to use a pre-packaged program, however. Some families prefer to select their own material and create their own language arts course, and the resources on this page can provide a great starting point.
See Edmonds School District Middle School 7-8 English Language Arts for information on resources used elsewhere in our district.
An online program with 6 units per grade level. Each level includes a novel study, a research-based unit, an argumentative writing unit, and three theme-based units with both literary and informational texts. Covers reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar. The grade 7 novel is The Giver.
Each grade-level volume provides an anthology of literary and informational texts organized into four theme-based units. Units contain reading and writing lessons, essay help, and optional projects. Student & teacher editions. Library copies of teacher editions. Use alone or with Connections: Language & Writing.
Seventh graders explore what is means to be American. The program includes literary and informational resources, writing lessons, and recommended texts for independent reading. Some core titles for this level: A Raisin in the Sun; The House on Mango Street; American Born Chinese.
Units are centered around a main text and topic but also have a variety of additional fiction and nonfiction reading. Colorful lesson slides aid instruction and worksheets are provided. Grade 7 units: Written in Bone; Christmas Carol; The Giver; Memoir; and Behind the Scenes.
Lengthy units with plenty of activities from which to choose. Titles include: The Pearl; A Girl Named Disaster; The Hobbit; A Single Shard; D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths; The Prince and the Bard; The Little Prince; The Midwife's Apprentice.
Titles relate to world history 1700-present and include: A Single Shard; Counting on Grace; Brown Girl Dreaming; Out of the Dust; Aleutian Sparrow; Esperanza Rising; Catherine, Called Birdy; Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two.
More ELA Resources & Reading Ideas
More ELA Resources & Reading Ideas
The resources in this section are great for learning about literature and other texts, but the writing instruction tends to be more limited. For example, you might find writing prompts, but not support for how to organize ideas and develop paragraphs and essays. See the CRC Writing pages for if you would like resources to help with writing.
Book Award Winners
Book Award Winners
Young Reader's Choice Awards - Sponsored by the Pacific Northwest Library Association. Junior Division, Grades 4-6, Intermediate Division: Grades 7-9, Senior Division: Grades 10-12
Edmonds School District Windows & Mirrors Nominees - Grades 3-8
Evergreen Teen Book Award - Middle school and high school levels
Washington Library Association Book Awards - The William C. Towner Award for informational text for grades 2-6; The Sasquatch Award for grade 4-6; The Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award (WCCPBA) for grades K-3; The OTTER Award for grades 1-3.
Brave Writer Mechanics and Literature
Brave Writer Mechanics and Literature
Website: Brave Writer Mechanics and Literature
Dart for ages 8-10; Arrow for ages 11-12; Boomerang for ages 13-14; Singshot for ages 15-18. Offered as monthly subscriptions, but single issues, "Literature Singles," are also available. New book titles every year. Digital only.
Each program provides one book title per month along with discussion questions and exercises for improving grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Students may write about the discussion topics, but writing is not the focus of the series. See Brave Writer Writing Projects for information on the writing series.
Build Your Library
Build Your Library
Website: Build Your Library
K-12. A literature-based curriculum offering resources for language arts, history, science, and art. The language arts part of the curriculum includes literature to read aloud in each level of the program, as well as readers for students to read independently in levels three and up.
Although Build Your Library does not provide writing instruction, there are writing prompts and suggestions for writing projects, and students do narration, copywork, and dictation. The science and social studies topics in each level differ from what is typically taught in the grade levels of a standards-aligned program, but are still important.
Great Works Instructional Guides for Literature
Great Works Instructional Guides for Literature
Website: Great Works
Workbook literature guides grouped by grade band for students in K-3rd, 3rd-5th, 4th-8th, 9th-12th . The guides provide vocabulary work and activities to help understand story elements, and there are comprehension questions which ask students to use evidence from their reading to respond to prompts orally and in writing. Graphic organizers and other tools help students organize their ideas. Some assignments make connections to other subject areas such as science, social studies, and fine arts.
Rigorous Reading: An In-Depth Guide for Any Novel
Rigorous Reading: An In-Depth Guide for Any Novel
Website: Rigorous Reading series
The Rigorous Reading literature guides series isn't as extensive as the Great Works Instructional Guides for Literature, but it does offer a couple of workbooks which are not tied to a particular novel and can be used with almost any literature book:
Rigorous Reading: An In-Depth Guide for Any Novel Grades 3-5
Rigorous Reading: An In-Depth Guide for Any Novel Grades 6 & Up
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