CKLA is fully, and explicitly, aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and does not require any additional or supplemental programs to support children’s language arts development. It is designed to develop readers and writers who are able to manage the high, complex standards of the current educational context. While CKLA is a coherent program, there are important differences in the grades K–3 and grades 4–6 materials, as well, as approaches.
The focus in K–3 is twofold: to develop fluent reading and writing skills and to enhance language comprehension by building knowledge and vocabulary. This is accomplished through two strands: the Skills strand and the Listening & Learning strand; each takes approximately 60 minutes per day. The Skills strand focuses on decoding, encoding, grammar, handwriting, and the writing process; it contains decodable stories on a variety of topics. The Listening & Learning strand mainly focuses on building background knowledge and vocabulary; teachers read aloud stories that are too advanced for students to read on their own, enabling children to enjoy complex texts on a variety of topics from literature, science, social studies, and the arts.
In grades 4–6, students are still focused on building reading and writing skills as well as knowledge and vocabulary. Throughout the year, students study 8 to 9 content-focused units (including The Middle Ages, Geology, Treasure Island, and Native Americans). Taking 90 minutes per day, the various lessons in each unit include read-alouds; whole-group, small-group, and partner reading; close reading; literal, inferential, and evaluative comprehension questions; vocabulary; grammar; writing; morphology and spelling (10–15 words per week); and unit assessments.
All of the materials for grades K–6 were developed with substantial input from teachers and then were refined based on feedback from teachers and students who used early trial versions of the program. Core Knowledge encourages thought provoking, higher-order application of prior knowledge to new circumstances. It is a sequential, spiral curriculum that builds on previous learning as it expands and deepens students’ knowledge base. This program is an effective way to prepare all students for a complex and changing 21st Century society.