The Tennessee ELA standards guides are supplemental resources designed to help teachers and instructional leaders understand each standard more deeply. They include unpacking key elements, a glossary, classroom task examples, and a vertical progression overview for each standard. The guides support an integrated literacy model, encouraging students to engage with complex texts, think critically, and make real-world connections. They emphasize the progressive complexity of standards across grade levels, linking each grade’s standard to the overarching Cornerstone standards. These guides are intended for use alongside Tennessee ELA standards documents and high-quality instructional materials to aid in instructional planning and ensure students meet the appropriate depth and rigor of understanding.