GC Academy curriculum map
Texas Grades 1–5 lessons by grade and subject
Every GC Academy lesson, organized as Primary (K–2) and Intermediate (3–5). Grades 1–5 are open now and Kindergarten is in development. Each lesson shows its Texas standards (TEKS) and Common Core codes. Tap a code to read the full standard, or search by topic, skill or code.
Parents can use it to plan the week, whether GC Academy is a full homeschool plan or extra support alongside school. About GC Academy · Pricing
Primary (K–2)
Kindergarten
Kindergarten lessons are in development. GC Arcade games are open to every age now.
Grade 1
Math8 units
Place Value
Read, write, build, and compare numbers using place value.
- Tens and Ones — Value of digits to 120TEKS 1.2(B): Use models to compose and decompose numbers up to 120 in more than one way, as so many hundreds, tens, and ones.TEKS 1.2(C): Represent numbers up to 120 with objects, pictures, and expanded and standard forms.Common Core 1.NBT.B.2: Understand that the two digits of a two-digit number stand for tens and ones.Common Core 1.NBT.A.1: Count to 120 starting at any number, and read and write numerals to 120.
- Compare Numbers to 120 — Greater than, less than, equal to, and the symbols > < =TEKS 1.2(D): Generate a number greater or less than a given whole number up to 120.TEKS 1.2(E): Compare whole numbers to 120 using place value and comparison language.TEKS 1.2(G): Compare two numbers to 100 using the symbols >, <, and =.Common Core 1.NBT.B.3: Compare two two-digit numbers using tens and ones, and record the result with the symbols >, =, and <.
- Count, Skip Count, 10 More and 10 Less — Count forward and back; skip count by 2s, 5s, 10s; 10 more and 10 lessTEKS 1.5(A): Recite numbers forward and backward from any number from 1 to 120.TEKS 1.5(B): Skip count by twos, fives, and tens to find totals of up to 120 objects.TEKS 1.5(C): Find the number that is 10 more or 10 less than a given number up to 120.Common Core 1.NBT.A.1: Count to 120 starting at any number, and read and write numerals to 120.Common Core 1.NBT.C.5: Find 10 more or 10 less than a two-digit number in your head, without counting.
Addition & Subtraction
Add and subtract with strategies, models, and fluency.
- Make 10 — Compose 10 with two addendsTEKS 1.3(C): Compose 10 with two or more addends, with and without objects.Common Core 1.OA.C.6: Add and subtract within 20, using strategies such as counting on, making ten, and related facts.
- Add Within 20 — Fact strategies (count on, doubles, make 10)TEKS 1.3(D): Use basic fact strategies to add and subtract within 20, including making 10 and breaking a number apart to get to 10.Common Core 1.OA.C.6: Add and subtract within 20, using strategies such as counting on, making ten, and related facts.
- Subtract Within 20 — Count back, think additionTEKS 1.3(D): Use basic fact strategies to add and subtract within 20, including making 10 and breaking a number apart to get to 10.Common Core 1.OA.C.6: Add and subtract within 20, using strategies such as counting on, making ten, and related facts.Common Core 1.OA.B.4: Understand subtraction as an unknown-addend problem (find 10 − 8 by thinking 8 + ? = 10).
- Find the Missing Number — Unknown in any position (within 20)TEKS 1.5(F): Find the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation, wherever the unknown is.Common Core 1.OA.D.8: Find the unknown whole number in an addition or subtraction equation.
Fractions
Equal parts, naming, comparing, and operating with fractions.
- GC Pizza: Equal Parts — Halves and fourthsTEKS 1.6(G): Split two-dimensional shapes into two or four fair shares (equal parts) and describe the parts with words.TEKS 1.6(H): Identify examples and non-examples of halves and fourths.Common Core 1.G.A.3: Split circles and rectangles into two and four equal shares and describe them as halves, fourths, and quarters.
Geometry & Measurement
Shapes, area, perimeter, volume, and measurement conversions.
- Sort Shapes and Tell What Makes Them — Sort by attributes; color and size do not change a shapeTEKS 1.6(A): Sort regular and irregular two-dimensional shapes by attributes using informal language.TEKS 1.6(B): Tell which attributes define a shape and which do not.Common Core 1.G.A.1: Tell the difference between defining attributes of a shape (like the number of sides) and non-defining attributes (like color, size, or position).
- Name Flat Shapes — Sides and vertices (corners) of circles, triangles, squares, rectangles, rhombuses, hexagonsTEKS 1.6(D): Identify two-dimensional shapes and describe their attributes using formal geometric language.Common Core 1.G.A.1: Tell the difference between defining attributes of a shape (like the number of sides) and non-defining attributes (like color, size, or position).
- Solid Shapes — Spheres, cones, cylinders, and prismsTEKS 1.6(E): Identify three-dimensional solids such as spheres, cones, cylinders, and prisms and describe their attributes.
- Measure with Blocks — Same-size units, end to end, no gaps; length as a number and a unitTEKS 1.7(B): Explain that length is the number of same-size units, end to end with no gaps or overlaps, spanning an object.TEKS 1.7(D): Describe a length to the nearest whole unit using a number and a unit.Common Core 1.MD.A.2: Say the length of an object as a whole number of same-size length units laid end to end with no gaps or overlaps.
- Big Blocks, Small Blocks — Measure one object with two unit sizes and say why the numbers differTEKS 1.7(C): Measure the same object with two unit sizes and explain why the measurements differ.Common Core 1.MD.A.2: Say the length of an object as a whole number of same-size length units laid end to end with no gaps or overlaps.
Data Analysis
Read and solve problems with tables, graphs, and plots.
- Tally Marks and T-Charts — Read tally marks and answer questions about the dataTEKS 1.8(A): Collect, sort, and organize data in up to three categories using tally marks or T-charts.TEKS 1.8(C): Draw conclusions and ask and answer questions using picture and bar-type graphs.Common Core 1.MD.C.4: Organize, show, and understand data with up to three categories; tell how many are in each category and how many more or less.
- Picture Graphs and Bar Graphs — Turn data into graphs and answer questions about themTEKS 1.8(B): Use data to make picture graphs and bar-type graphs.TEKS 1.8(C): Draw conclusions and ask and answer questions using picture and bar-type graphs.Common Core 1.MD.C.4: Organize, show, and understand data with up to three categories; tell how many are in each category and how many more or less.
Time
Tell time and solve elapsed-time problems.
- Tell Time: Hour & Half Hour — Analog and digital clocksTEKS 1.7(E): Tell time to the hour and half hour using analog and digital clocks.Common Core 1.MD.B.3: Tell and write time in hours and half-hours using analog and digital clocks.
Money & Financial Literacy
Coins, bills, counting money, and making change.
- Money Smarts: Income, Needs, Saving, Giving — Earn, choose needs before wants, save, spend, and giveTEKS 1.9(A): Define money earned as income.TEKS 1.9(B): Identify income as a way to get goods and services, often requiring choices between wants and needs.TEKS 1.9(C): Distinguish between spending and saving.TEKS 1.9(D): Consider charitable giving.
- Know Your Coins — Penny, nickel, dime, quarterTEKS 1.4(A): Identify U.S. coins (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters) by value and describe how they relate to each other.
- Count Coins — Skip count pennies, nickels, and dimesTEKS 1.4(C): Count by twos, fives, and tens to find the value of a collection of pennies, nickels, and/or dimes.
Problem Solving
Read, plan, solve, and check word problems.
- Story Problems Within 20 — Join, separate, compareTEKS 1.5(D): Show addition and subtraction word problems within 20 with objects, pictures, and number sentences.Common Core 1.OA.A.1: Use addition and subtraction within 20 to solve word problems (adding to, taking from, putting together, taking apart, and comparing).
Reading & Language Arts2 units
Reading Comprehension
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Key Details — Find who, what, where, when in the textTEKS 1.6(G): With adult help, look closely at details to decide what is most important.TEKS 1.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an answer.TEKS 1.8(D): Describe the setting of a story.TEKS 1.9(C): Discuss elements of drama such as characters and setting.Common Core RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a story.Common Core RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text.
- Order of Events — First, next, then, lastTEKS 1.8(C): Describe plot elements: the main events, the problem, and the resolution.TEKS 1.7(D): Retell texts in ways that keep their meaning.TEKS 1.9(D)(iii): With adult help, recognize how informational text is organized, such as chronological order and description.Common Core RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story using key details.Common Core RL.1.2: Retell stories with key details and show understanding of the central message or lesson.
Read & Respond: Stories, Articles, Poems & Plays
Read GC Academy texts and answer questions with evidence.
- The Lost Bow — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 1.6(G): With adult help, look closely at details to decide what is most important.TEKS 1.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an answer.Common Core RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a story.Common Core RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text.TEKS 1.8(C): Describe plot elements: the main events, the problem, and the resolution.TEKS 1.7(D): Retell texts in ways that keep their meaning.Common Core RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story using key details.Common Core RL.1.2: Retell stories with key details and show understanding of the central message or lesson.TEKS 1.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 1.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts with adult help.TEKS 1.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information with adult help.TEKS 1.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized with adult help.TEKS 1.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society with adult help.TEKS 1.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 1.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.TEKS 1.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts.TEKS 1.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.
- How to Grow a Seed — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 1.9(D)(iii): With adult help, recognize how informational text is organized, such as chronological order and description.Common Core RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story using key details.Common Core RL.1.2: Retell stories with key details and show understanding of the central message or lesson.TEKS 1.3(B): Use illustrations and texts the student can read or hear to learn or clarify word meanings.TEKS 1.6(G): With adult help, look closely at details to decide what is most important.TEKS 1.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an answer.Common Core RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a story.Common Core RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text.TEKS 1.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea and supporting evidence of an informational text, with adult assistance.TEKS 1.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts with adult help.TEKS 1.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information with adult help.TEKS 1.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized with adult help.TEKS 1.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society with adult help.TEKS 1.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 1.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.TEKS 1.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts.TEKS 1.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.
- The Rainy Day Fort — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 1.6(G): With adult help, look closely at details to decide what is most important.TEKS 1.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an answer.Common Core RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a story.Common Core RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text.TEKS 1.8(C): Describe plot elements: the main events, the problem, and the resolution.TEKS 1.7(D): Retell texts in ways that keep their meaning.Common Core RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story using key details.Common Core RL.1.2: Retell stories with key details and show understanding of the central message or lesson.TEKS 1.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 1.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts with adult help.TEKS 1.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information with adult help.TEKS 1.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized with adult help.TEKS 1.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society with adult help.TEKS 1.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 1.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.TEKS 1.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts.TEKS 1.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.
- Puddle Jump — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 1.6(G): With adult help, look closely at details to decide what is most important.TEKS 1.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an answer.Common Core RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a story.Common Core RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text.TEKS 1.8(C): Describe plot elements: the main events, the problem, and the resolution.TEKS 1.7(D): Retell texts in ways that keep their meaning.Common Core RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story using key details.Common Core RL.1.2: Retell stories with key details and show understanding of the central message or lesson.TEKS 1.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 1.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts with adult help.TEKS 1.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information with adult help.TEKS 1.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized with adult help.TEKS 1.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society with adult help.TEKS 1.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 1.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.TEKS 1.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts.TEKS 1.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.
- The Class Pet — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 1.6(G): With adult help, look closely at details to decide what is most important.TEKS 1.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an answer.TEKS 1.8(D): Describe the setting of a story.TEKS 1.9(C): Discuss elements of drama such as characters and setting.Common Core RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a story.Common Core RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text.TEKS 1.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 1.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts with adult help.TEKS 1.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information with adult help.TEKS 1.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized with adult help.TEKS 1.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society with adult help.TEKS 1.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 1.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.TEKS 1.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts.TEKS 1.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.
- Brave Ruby Bridges — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 1.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea and supporting evidence of an informational text, with adult assistance.TEKS 1.3(B): Use illustrations and texts the student can read or hear to learn or clarify word meanings.TEKS 1.9(D)(ii): Recognize features and simple graphics used to locate or gain information in an informational text.TEKS 1.6(G): With adult help, look closely at details to decide what is most important.TEKS 1.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an answer.Common Core RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a story.Common Core RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text.TEKS 1.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts with adult help.TEKS 1.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information with adult help.TEKS 1.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized with adult help.TEKS 1.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society with adult help.TEKS 1.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 1.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.TEKS 1.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts.TEKS 1.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.
- Busy Bees — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 1.3(B): Use illustrations and texts the student can read or hear to learn or clarify word meanings.TEKS 1.6(G): With adult help, look closely at details to decide what is most important.TEKS 1.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an answer.Common Core RL.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a story.Common Core RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in an informational text.TEKS 1.9(D)(iii): With adult help, recognize how informational text is organized, such as chronological order and description.Common Core RL.1.3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story using key details.Common Core RL.1.2: Retell stories with key details and show understanding of the central message or lesson.TEKS 1.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea and supporting evidence of an informational text, with adult assistance.TEKS 1.9(D)(ii): Recognize features and simple graphics used to locate or gain information in an informational text.TEKS 1.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts with adult help.TEKS 1.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information with adult help.TEKS 1.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized with adult help.TEKS 1.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society with adult help.TEKS 1.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 1.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.TEKS 1.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts.TEKS 1.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.
Phonics & Foundational Skills Coming soon
Speaking & Listening Coming soon
Research & Inquiry Coming soon
Writing4 units
The Writer’s Path
Ten steps from strong words to a published piece.
- Word Power — Choose strong, exact wordsTEKS 1.10(D): Discuss how the author uses words that help the reader picture things.TEKS 1.11(C): Revise drafts by adding details in pictures or words.Common Core L.1.6: Use words and phrases learned through conversation, reading, and being read to.
- Sentence Power — Build complete, interesting sentencesTEKS 1.11(D)(i): Edit for complete sentences with subject-verb agreement.Common Core L.1.1j: Write and expand complete simple and compound sentences (statements, questions, commands, and exclamations).
- Paragraph Power — Topic sentence, details, closingTEKS 1.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a structure.TEKS 1.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building one idea with specific, relevant details.TEKS 1.12(B): Dictate or write informational texts, including procedural (how-to) texts.Common Core W.1.2: Write informative texts that name a topic, give some facts, and give some closure.
- Plan It — Organize ideas with a graphic organizerTEKS 1.11(A): Plan a first draft by coming up with ideas, for example by drawing and brainstorming.
- Strong Beginnings — Hooks, topic sentences, and thesis statementsTEKS 1.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a structure.Common Core W.1.1: Write opinion pieces that name the topic, state an opinion, give a reason, and give some closure.Common Core W.1.2: Write informative texts that name a topic, give some facts, and give some closure.
- Build the Middle — Details, evidence, and body paragraphsTEKS 1.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building one idea with specific, relevant details.Common Core W.1.1: Write opinion pieces that name the topic, state an opinion, give a reason, and give some closure.Common Core W.1.2: Write informative texts that name a topic, give some facts, and give some closure.
- Strong Endings — Wrap it up: conclusions that close the loopTEKS 1.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a structure.Common Core W.1.1: Write opinion pieces that name the topic, state an opinion, give a reason, and give some closure.Common Core W.1.2: Write informative texts that name a topic, give some facts, and give some closure.Common Core W.1.3: Write narratives with two or more events in order, some details, time words, and some closure.
- Revise It (ARMS) — Make your writing strongerTEKS 1.11(C): Revise drafts by adding details in pictures or words.Common Core W.1.5: With help, focus on a topic, respond to suggestions, and add details to strengthen writing.
- Edit It (CUPS) — Fix capitals, usage, punctuation, spellingTEKS 1.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 1 list).Common Core W.1.5: With help, focus on a topic, respond to suggestions, and add details to strengthen writing.Common Core L.1.1: Show command of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking (Grade 1).Common Core L.1.2: Show command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (Grade 1).
- Publish It! — Write a whole piece from plan to finishTEKS 1.11(E): Publish and share writing.TEKS 1.12(A): Dictate or write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry.TEKS 1.12(B): Dictate or write informational texts, including procedural (how-to) texts.TEKS 1.12(C): Dictate or write correspondence such as thank-you notes or letters.Common Core W.1.1: Write opinion pieces that name the topic, state an opinion, give a reason, and give some closure.Common Core W.1.2: Write informative texts that name a topic, give some facts, and give some closure.Common Core W.1.3: Write narratives with two or more events in order, some details, time words, and some closure.Common Core W.1.6: With help, use digital tools to produce and publish writing, including with classmates.
Genres: Stories, Opinions, Information, Letters & Poems
Plan, draft, revise, edit, and share real writing.
- Story Writing — Personal narratives and made-up storiesTEKS 1.12(A): Dictate or write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry.TEKS 1.11(A): Plan a first draft by coming up with ideas, for example by drawing and brainstorming.TEKS 1.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a structure.TEKS 1.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building one idea with specific, relevant details.TEKS 1.11(C): Revise drafts by adding details in pictures or words.TEKS 1.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 1 list).TEKS 1.11(E): Publish and share writing.Common Core W.1.3: Write narratives with two or more events in order, some details, time words, and some closure.
- Teach It Writing — Informational and how-to writingTEKS 1.12(B): Dictate or write informational texts, including procedural (how-to) texts.Common Core W.1.2: Write informative texts that name a topic, give some facts, and give some closure.
- Opinion Writing — Opinion and argument essaysCommon Core W.1.1: Write opinion pieces that name the topic, state an opinion, give a reason, and give some closure.
- Letter Writing — Thank-you notes and lettersTEKS 1.12(C): Dictate or write correspondence such as thank-you notes or letters.
- Poem Writing — Sensory poems and moreTEKS 1.12(A): Dictate or write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry.
Revise & Edit Like a Pro
Read a draft with RUNS, revise with ARMS, and edit with CUPS, just like on a test.
- Revise & Edit: My New Puppy — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 1.11(C): Revise drafts by adding details in pictures or words.TEKS 1.11(D)(viii): Edit for capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for the pronoun “I.”TEKS 1.11(D)(ix): Edit for punctuation marks at the end of declarative, exclamatory, and interrogative sentences.TEKS 1.12(A): Dictate or write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry.
- Revise & Edit: How to Plant a Seed — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 1.11(C): Revise drafts by adding details in pictures or words.TEKS 1.11(D)(viii): Edit for capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for the pronoun “I.”TEKS 1.11(D)(ix): Edit for punctuation marks at the end of declarative, exclamatory, and interrogative sentences.TEKS 1.12(B): Dictate or write informational texts, including procedural (how-to) texts.
Grammar & Conventions
Capitals, punctuation, grammar, and strong sentences.
- Capital Letters — Start of a sentence, names, and the word ITEKS 1.11(D)(viii): Edit for capital letters at the beginning of sentences and for the pronoun “I.”Common Core L.1.2a: Capitalize dates and names of people.Common Core L.K.2a: Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
- End Marks — Period, question mark, and exclamation pointTEKS 1.11(D)(ix): Edit for punctuation marks at the end of declarative, exclamatory, and interrogative sentences.Common Core L.1.2b: Use end punctuation for sentences.
- One or More (Nouns) — Add -s or -es to show more than oneTEKS 1.11(D)(iii): Edit for singular, plural, common, and proper nouns.TEKS 1.11(D)(x): Edit for correct spelling of words with grade-level spelling patterns and high-frequency words.Common Core L.1.1c: Use singular and plural nouns with matching verbs in basic sentences.Common Core L.1.2d: Use conventional spelling for words with common spelling patterns and common irregular words.
- Past and Present Verbs — Use -ed for things that already happenedTEKS 1.11(D)(ii): Edit for past and present verb tense.Common Core L.1.1e: Use verbs to show past, present, and future.
- Pronouns — He, she, it, they, him, her, themTEKS 1.11(D)(vii): Edit for pronouns, including subjective, objective, and possessive cases.Common Core L.1.1d: Use personal, possessive, and indefinite pronouns.
- Complete Sentences — A sentence tells who and what happensTEKS 1.11(D)(i): Edit for complete sentences with subject-verb agreement.Common Core L.1.1j: Write and expand complete simple and compound sentences (statements, questions, commands, and exclamations).
Spelling Coming soon
Science4 units
Matter & Energy
Read, think, and investigate: Sort It Like a Scientist, Heating and Cooling Changes.
- Sort It Like a Scientist — How do scientists observe, describe, and sort objects?TEKS 1.1(C): Identify, describe, and show safe practices during classroom and outdoor investigations.TEKS 1.1(D): Use tools such as hand lenses, balances, rulers, and thermometers to observe and measure.TEKS 1.6(A): Classify objects by observable properties such as shape, color, texture, size, and weight.TEKS 1.6(C): Show and explain that a whole object is a system made of organized parts, like a toy that comes apart and goes back together.TEKS 1.5(D): Examine and model the parts of a system (a whole made of parts) and how they depend on each other.TEKS 1.5(E): Identify forms of energy, such as heat, and properties of matter, such as texture.TEKS 1.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 1.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Heating and Cooling Changes — How do heating and cooling change materials?TEKS 1.6(B): Explain and predict changes in materials caused by heating and cooling.TEKS 1.8(A): Investigate and describe ways heat is used in everyday life, such as cooking food or drying clothes.TEKS 1.8(B): Describe how some changes caused by heat can be reversed, like melting butter, and others cannot, like cooking an egg.TEKS 1.5(B): Investigate and predict cause-and-effect relationships in science.TEKS 1.5(E): Identify forms of energy, such as heat, and properties of matter, such as texture.TEKS 1.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 1.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Force & Motion
Read, think, and investigate: Pushes and Pulls Move Things.
- Pushes and Pulls Move Things — How do pushes and pulls change the way things move?TEKS 1.7(A): Explain how pushes and pulls can start, stop, or change the speed or direction of an object’s motion.TEKS 1.4(B): Identify scientists and engineers such as Katherine Johnson and Sally Ride and explore science careers.TEKS 1.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 1.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Earth & Space
Read, think, and investigate: Soil, Rocks, and Moving Water, Water All Around Us, Weather and Seasons.
- Soil, Rocks, and Moving Water — What is soil like, and how do living things use rocks, soil, and water?TEKS 1.10(A): Investigate and record the particle size, shape, texture, color, and parts of different soils such as topsoil, clay, and sand.TEKS 1.10(B): Investigate and describe how water can move rock and soil from one place to another.TEKS 1.11(A): Identify and describe how plants, animals, and humans use rocks, soil, and water.TEKS 1.1(E): Collect observations and measurements as evidence.TEKS 1.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 1.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Water All Around Us — How are bodies of water alike and different, and how can we protect water?TEKS 1.10(C): Compare puddles, ponds, streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans by color, clarity, size, shape, and whether they are fresh or salt water.TEKS 1.11(B): Explain why saving water is important.TEKS 1.11(C): Describe ways to save water and to protect natural sources of water.TEKS 1.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 1.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Weather and Seasons — How does weather change our choices, and what patterns do the seasons follow?TEKS 1.10(D): Describe and record what the weather is like (hot or cold, clear or cloudy, calm or windy, rainy or icy) and explain how weather affects everyday choices.TEKS 1.9: Describe and predict the patterns of the seasons, including their order and the changes they bring in nature.TEKS 1.1(F): Record and organize data using pictures, numbers, words, symbols, and simple graphs.TEKS 1.2(B): Analyze data by finding important features and patterns.TEKS 1.5(A): Identify and use patterns to describe what happens or to design solutions.TEKS 1.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 1.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Living Things & Ecosystems
Read, think, and investigate: Living Things and Food Chains, Animal Bodies and Babies.
- Living Things and Food Chains — How do living things depend on nonliving things and on each other?TEKS 1.12(A): Sort living and nonliving things by whether they have basic needs and produce young.TEKS 1.12(B): Describe and record how living and nonliving parts interact and depend on each other in terrariums or aquariums.TEKS 1.12(C): Identify and illustrate how living things depend on each other through food chains.TEKS 1.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 1.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Animal Bodies and Babies — How do animals’ bodies help them live, and how do animals grow and change?TEKS 1.13(A): Identify the outside body parts of different animals and compare how those parts help them live, move, and meet their basic needs.TEKS 1.13(B): Record observations of and describe the basic life cycles of a bird, a mammal, and a fish.TEKS 1.13(C): Compare ways that young animals look like their parents.TEKS 1.5(F): Describe how the structure of an object or body part relates to what it does (its function).TEKS 1.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 1.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Social Studies5 units
History
Read, think, and investigate: People Who Changed Our World.
- People Who Changed Our World — How have people from the past changed the way we live today?TEKS 1.2(A): Identify the contributions of historical figures, including Sam Houston, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Martin Luther King Jr., who influenced the state and nation.TEKS 1.15(A): Describe how technology has changed the ways families live.TEKS 1.15(C): Identify the contributions of scientists and inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, and Garrett Morgan.TEKS 1.17(E): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Geography & Maps
Read, think, and investigate: Maps and Directions, Land, Water, and Weather.
- Maps and Directions — How do maps help us find our way?TEKS 1.3(B): Locate places using the four cardinal directions.TEKS 1.4(B): Locate and explore the community, Texas, and the United States on maps and globes.TEKS 1.17(E): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Land, Water, and Weather — How does where we live change how we live?TEKS 1.5(A): Identify and describe physical characteristics of a place such as landforms, bodies of water, Earth’s resources, and weather.TEKS 1.17(E): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Economics
Read, think, and investigate: Needs, Wants, and Choices, Goods, Services, and Jobs.
- Needs, Wants, and Choices — Why do families have to make choices?TEKS 1.8(A): Identify examples of people wanting more than they can have.TEKS 1.8(B): Explain why wanting more than they can have means people must make choices.TEKS 1.8(C): Identify examples of choices families make when buying goods and services.TEKS 1.17(E): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Goods, Services, and Jobs — How do people get the goods and services they need?TEKS 1.7(A): Identify examples of goods and services in the home, school, and community.TEKS 1.7(B): Identify ways people exchange goods and services (for example, paying with money).TEKS 1.9(A): Describe the tools of different jobs and what makes a job well done.TEKS 1.17(E): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Government & Citizenship
Read, think, and investigate: Rules, Laws, and Leaders, Being a Good Citizen.
- Rules, Laws, and Leaders — Why do we need rules, laws, and leaders?TEKS 1.10(A): Explain the purpose of rules and laws in the home, school, and community.TEKS 1.11(A): Identify the responsibilities of authority figures in the home, school, and community.TEKS 1.11(B): Identify and describe the roles of public officials in the community, state, and nation.TEKS 1.17(E): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Being a Good Citizen — What does it mean to be a good citizen?TEKS 1.12(A): Identify traits of good citizenship, such as truthfulness, justice, equality, respect for yourself and others, and responsibility in daily life.TEKS 1.13(D): Explain and practice voting as a way of making choices and decisions.TEKS 1.17(E): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Culture & Traditions
Read, think, and investigate: Symbols, Holidays, and Traditions.
- Symbols, Holidays, and Traditions — Why do we have symbols, holidays, and traditions?TEKS 1.13(A): Explain state and national patriotic symbols, including the United States and Texas flags, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, and the Alamo.TEKS 1.17(E): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Grade 2
Math7 units
Place Value
Read, write, build, and compare numbers using place value.
- Hundreds, Tens, and Ones — Value of digits to 1,200TEKS 2.2(A): Use models to compose and decompose numbers up to 1,200 in more than one way, as so many thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.TEKS 2.2(B): Use standard, word, and expanded forms to represent numbers up to 1,200.Common Core 2.NBT.A.1: Understand that the three digits of a three-digit number stand for hundreds, tens, and ones.
- Compare Numbers — >, <, = (numbers and sums)TEKS 2.2(D): Use place value to compare and order whole numbers up to 1,200 using words, numbers, and the symbols >, <, or =.Common Core 2.NBT.A.4: Compare two three-digit numbers using >, =, and <.
Addition & Subtraction
Add and subtract with strategies, models, and fluency.
- Fact Fluency to 20 — Add and subtract with automaticityTEKS 2.4(A): Recall basic facts to add and subtract within 20 quickly and accurately.Common Core 2.OA.B.2: Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies, and know all sums of two one-digit numbers from memory.
- Add Two-Digit Numbers — With and without regroupingTEKS 2.4(B): Add up to four two-digit numbers and subtract two-digit numbers using mental strategies and place-value methods.Common Core 2.NBT.B.5: Fluently add and subtract within 100 using place-value strategies.Common Core 2.NBT.B.6: Add up to four two-digit numbers using place-value strategies.
- Subtract Two-Digit Numbers — With and without regroupingTEKS 2.4(B): Add up to four two-digit numbers and subtract two-digit numbers using mental strategies and place-value methods.Common Core 2.NBT.B.5: Fluently add and subtract within 100 using place-value strategies.
Multiplication
Equal groups, arrays, facts, and multi-digit multiplication.
- Equal Groups — Repeated addition and arraysTEKS 2.6(A): Model, create, and describe multiplication situations in which equal sets of objects are joined.Common Core 2.OA.C.4: Use addition to find the total number of objects in arrays of up to 5 rows and 5 columns.
Fractions
Equal parts, naming, comparing, and operating with fractions.
- GC Pizza Fractions — Halves, fourths, and eighthsTEKS 2.3(A): Split objects into equal parts and name the parts, including halves, fourths, and eighths, using words.TEKS 2.3(B): Explain that the more equal parts a whole is cut into, the smaller each part is (and the fewer parts, the larger each part).TEKS 2.3(C): Use models to count fractional parts beyond one whole and tell how many parts make one whole.Common Core 2.G.A.3: Split circles and rectangles into two, three, or four equal shares and describe them as halves, thirds, and fourths.
Time
Tell time and solve elapsed-time problems.
- Tell Time to 5 Minutes — Five minutes, one minute, a.m. and p.m.TEKS 2.9(G): Read and write time to the nearest minute on analog and digital clocks and tell a.m. from p.m.Common Core 2.MD.C.7: Tell and write time to the nearest five minutes using analog and digital clocks, using a.m. and p.m.
Money & Financial Literacy
Coins, bills, counting money, and making change.
- Count Mixed Coins — Coins up to one dollarTEKS 2.5(A): Find the value of a collection of coins up to one dollar.TEKS 2.5(B): Use the cent symbol, dollar sign, and decimal point to name the value of a collection of coins.Common Core 2.MD.C.8: Solve word problems with dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, using the $ and ¢ symbols.
Problem Solving
Read, plan, solve, and check word problems.
- Story Problems to 1,000 — One- and two-step addition and subtractionTEKS 2.4(C): Solve one-step and multi-step addition and subtraction word problems within 1,000.Common Core 2.OA.A.1: Use addition and subtraction within 100 to solve one- and two-step word problems.Common Core 2.NBT.B.7: Add and subtract within 1,000 using models, drawings, and place-value strategies.
Geometry & Measurement Coming soon
Data Analysis Coming soon
Reading & Language Arts4 units
Literary Texts & Author’s Craft
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Characters — Traits, feelings, and why characters actTEKS 2.8(B): Describe the main character’s (or characters’) internal and external traits.Common Core RL.2.3: Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
Informational Texts
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Main Idea — What the whole text is mostly aboutTEKS 2.9(D)(i): With adult help, recognize the central idea and supporting evidence in informational text.TEKS 2.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.Common Core RI.2.2: Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text and the focus of specific paragraphs.
Vocabulary & Word Study
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Context Clues — Use nearby words to figure out a wordTEKS 2.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.Common Core L.2.4a: Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.
Read & Respond: Stories, Articles, Poems & Plays
Read GC Academy texts and answer questions with evidence.
- Little Garden Helpers — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 2.9(D)(i): With adult help, recognize the central idea and supporting evidence in informational text.TEKS 2.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.Common Core RI.2.2: Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text and the focus of specific paragraphs.TEKS 2.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.Common Core L.2.4a: Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.TEKS 2.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts that show an understanding of the text.TEKS 2.7(C): Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.TEKS 2.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.TEKS 2.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 2.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 2.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 2.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 2.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 2.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Nora’s Lemonade Stand — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 2.8(B): Describe the main character’s (or characters’) internal and external traits.Common Core RL.2.3: Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.TEKS 2.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.Common Core L.2.4a: Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.TEKS 2.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts that show an understanding of the text.TEKS 2.7(C): Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.TEKS 2.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.TEKS 2.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 2.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 2.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 2.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 2.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 2.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- The New Girl at Dance — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 2.8(B): Describe the main character’s (or characters’) internal and external traits.Common Core RL.2.3: Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.TEKS 2.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.Common Core L.2.4a: Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.TEKS 2.8(A): Discuss topics and determine theme using text evidence, with adult assistance.TEKS 2.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts that show an understanding of the text.TEKS 2.7(C): Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.TEKS 2.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.TEKS 2.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 2.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 2.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 2.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 2.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 2.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- My Sparkle Sneakers — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 2.10(D): Discuss the use of descriptive, literal, and figurative language.TEKS 2.8(B): Describe the main character’s (or characters’) internal and external traits.Common Core RL.2.3: Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.TEKS 2.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.Common Core L.2.4a: Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.TEKS 2.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts that show an understanding of the text.TEKS 2.7(C): Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.TEKS 2.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.TEKS 2.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 2.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 2.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 2.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 2.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 2.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- The Missing Tomatoes — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 2.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 2.9(C): Discuss elements of drama such as characters, dialogue, and setting.TEKS 2.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.Common Core L.2.4a: Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.TEKS 2.8(B): Describe the main character’s (or characters’) internal and external traits.Common Core RL.2.3: Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.TEKS 2.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts that show an understanding of the text.TEKS 2.7(C): Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.TEKS 2.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.TEKS 2.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 2.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 2.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 2.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 2.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 2.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Mae Jemison: Reaching for the Stars — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 2.9(D)(i): With adult help, recognize the central idea and supporting evidence in informational text.TEKS 2.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.Common Core RI.2.2: Identify the main topic of a multiparagraph text and the focus of specific paragraphs.TEKS 2.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to figure out the meaning of unfamiliar words.Common Core L.2.4a: Use sentence-level context as a clue to the meaning of a word or phrase.TEKS 2.10(C): Discuss the author’s use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.TEKS 2.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 2.7(B): Write brief comments on literary or informational texts that show an understanding of the text.TEKS 2.7(C): Use text evidence to support an appropriate response.TEKS 2.7(E): Interact with sources in meaningful ways such as illustrating or writing.TEKS 2.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 2.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 2.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 2.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 2.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources.TEKS 2.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
Phonics & Foundational Skills Coming soon
Speaking & Listening Coming soon
Research & Inquiry Coming soon
Writing4 units
The Writer’s Path
Ten steps from strong words to a published piece.
- Word Power — Choose strong, exact wordsTEKS 2.11(C): Revise drafts by adding, deleting, or rearranging words, phrases, or sentences.Common Core L.2.6: Use words and phrases learned through conversation and reading, including adjectives and adverbs to describe.
- Sentence Power — Build complete, interesting sentencesTEKS 2.11(D)(i): Edit for complete sentences with subject-verb agreement.TEKS 2.11(D)(viii): Edit for coordinating conjunctions that form compound subjects and predicates.Common Core L.2.1f: Write, expand, and rearrange complete simple and compound sentences.
- Paragraph Power — Topic sentence, details, closingTEKS 2.11(B)(i): Develop a draft into a focused piece by organizing it with a structure.TEKS 2.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building one idea with specific, relevant details.TEKS 2.12(B): Write informational texts, including procedural (how-to) texts and reports.Common Core W.2.2: Write informative texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions, and end with a conclusion.
- Plan It — Organize ideas with a graphic organizerTEKS 2.11(A): Plan a first draft by coming up with ideas, for example by drawing and brainstorming.
- Strong Beginnings — Hooks, topic sentences, and thesis statementsTEKS 2.11(B)(i): Develop a draft into a focused piece by organizing it with a structure.Common Core W.2.1: Write opinion pieces that introduce the topic, state an opinion, give reasons with linking words, and end with a conclusion.Common Core W.2.2: Write informative texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions, and end with a conclusion.
- Build the Middle — Details, evidence, and body paragraphsTEKS 2.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building one idea with specific, relevant details.Common Core W.2.1: Write opinion pieces that introduce the topic, state an opinion, give reasons with linking words, and end with a conclusion.Common Core W.2.2: Write informative texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions, and end with a conclusion.
- Strong Endings — Wrap it up: conclusions that close the loopTEKS 2.11(B)(i): Develop a draft into a focused piece by organizing it with a structure.Common Core W.2.1: Write opinion pieces that introduce the topic, state an opinion, give reasons with linking words, and end with a conclusion.Common Core W.2.2: Write informative texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions, and end with a conclusion.Common Core W.2.3: Write narratives that tell an event or short sequence of events with details, time words, and closure.
- Revise It (ARMS) — Make your writing strongerTEKS 2.11(C): Revise drafts by adding, deleting, or rearranging words, phrases, or sentences.Common Core W.2.5: With help from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing by revising and editing.
- Edit It (CUPS) — Fix capitals, usage, punctuation, spellingTEKS 2.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 2 list).Common Core W.2.5: With help from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing by revising and editing.Common Core L.2.1: Show command of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking (Grade 2).Common Core L.2.2: Show command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (Grade 2).
- Publish It! — Write a whole piece from plan to finishTEKS 2.11(E): Publish and share writing.TEKS 2.12(A): Write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry.TEKS 2.12(B): Write informational texts, including procedural (how-to) texts and reports.TEKS 2.12(C): Write correspondence such as thank-you notes or letters.Common Core W.2.1: Write opinion pieces that introduce the topic, state an opinion, give reasons with linking words, and end with a conclusion.Common Core W.2.2: Write informative texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions, and end with a conclusion.Common Core W.2.3: Write narratives that tell an event or short sequence of events with details, time words, and closure.Common Core W.2.6: With help, use digital tools to produce and publish writing, including with classmates.
Genres: Stories, Opinions, Information, Letters & Poems
Plan, draft, revise, edit, and share real writing.
- Story Writing — Personal narratives and made-up storiesTEKS 2.12(A): Write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry.TEKS 2.11(A): Plan a first draft by coming up with ideas, for example by drawing and brainstorming.TEKS 2.11(B)(i): Develop a draft into a focused piece by organizing it with a structure.TEKS 2.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building one idea with specific, relevant details.TEKS 2.11(C): Revise drafts by adding, deleting, or rearranging words, phrases, or sentences.TEKS 2.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 2 list).TEKS 2.11(E): Publish and share writing.Common Core W.2.3: Write narratives that tell an event or short sequence of events with details, time words, and closure.
- Teach It Writing — Informational and how-to writingTEKS 2.12(B): Write informational texts, including procedural (how-to) texts and reports.Common Core W.2.2: Write informative texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions, and end with a conclusion.
- Opinion Writing — Opinion and argument essaysCommon Core W.2.1: Write opinion pieces that introduce the topic, state an opinion, give reasons with linking words, and end with a conclusion.
- Letter Writing — Thank-you notes and lettersTEKS 2.12(C): Write correspondence such as thank-you notes or letters.Common Core L.2.2b: Use commas in greetings and closings of letters.
- Poem Writing — Sensory poems and moreTEKS 2.12(A): Write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry.
Revise & Edit Like a Pro
Read a draft with RUNS, revise with ARMS, and edit with CUPS, just like on a test.
- Revise & Edit: The First Snow — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 2.11(C): Revise drafts by adding, deleting, or rearranging words, phrases, or sentences.TEKS 2.11(D)(x): Edit for end punctuation, apostrophes in contractions, and commas in a series and in dates.TEKS 2.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 2 list).TEKS 2.12(A): Write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry.Common Core W.2.5: With help from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing by revising and editing.Common Core W.2.3: Write narratives that tell an event or short sequence of events with details, time words, and closure.Common Core L.2.2: Show command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (Grade 2).Common Core L.1.2b: Use end punctuation for sentences.
- Revise & Edit: Why We Need a Class Garden — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 2.11(C): Revise drafts by adding, deleting, or rearranging words, phrases, or sentences.TEKS 2.11(B)(i): Develop a draft into a focused piece by organizing it with a structure.TEKS 2.11(D)(xi): Edit for correct spelling of words with grade-level spelling patterns and high-frequency words.TEKS 2.11(D)(x): Edit for end punctuation, apostrophes in contractions, and commas in a series and in dates.Common Core W.2.5: With help from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing by revising and editing.Common Core W.2.1: Write opinion pieces that introduce the topic, state an opinion, give reasons with linking words, and end with a conclusion.Common Core L.2.2d: Use learned spelling patterns when writing words.
- Revise & Edit: How to Brush Your Teeth — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 2.11(C): Revise drafts by adding, deleting, or rearranging words, phrases, or sentences.TEKS 2.11(B)(i): Develop a draft into a focused piece by organizing it with a structure.TEKS 2.12(B): Write informational texts, including procedural (how-to) texts and reports.Common Core W.2.5: With help from adults and peers, focus on a topic and strengthen writing by revising and editing.Common Core W.2.2: Write informative texts that introduce a topic, use facts and definitions, and end with a conclusion.
Grammar & Conventions
Capitals, punctuation, grammar, and strong sentences.
- Joining Ideas — Use and, or, but to join subjects and predicatesTEKS 2.11(D)(viii): Edit for coordinating conjunctions that form compound subjects and predicates.Common Core L.2.1f: Write, expand, and rearrange complete simple and compound sentences.Common Core L.1.1g: Use common conjunctions (and, but, or, so, because).
- Past, Present, Future — Was, is, will, and irregular past verbsTEKS 2.11(D)(ii): Edit for past, present, and future verb tense.Common Core L.2.1d: Form and use the past tense of common irregular verbs (sat, hid, told).
- Capitals for Dates and Letters — Months, days, holidays, greetings, and closingsTEKS 2.11(D)(ix): Edit for capital letters in months, days of the week, and the greeting and closing of a letter.Common Core L.1.2a: Capitalize dates and names of people.Common Core L.2.2a: Capitalize holidays, product names, and geographic names.Common Core L.2.2b: Use commas in greetings and closings of letters.
- Contractions — Use an apostrophe for missing lettersTEKS 2.11(D)(x): Edit for end punctuation, apostrophes in contractions, and commas in a series and in dates.Common Core L.2.2c: Use an apostrophe to form contractions and common possessives.
- Commas in Lists and Dates — Commas between items and in datesTEKS 2.11(D)(x): Edit for end punctuation, apostrophes in contractions, and commas in a series and in dates.Common Core L.1.2c: Use commas in dates and to separate single words in a series.
- When and Where Words — Adverbs that tell time and placeTEKS 2.11(D)(v): Edit for adverbs that tell time and adverbs that tell place.Common Core L.2.1e: Use adjectives and adverbs, and choose between them depending on what is being described.
Spelling Coming soon
Science4 units
Matter & Energy
Read, think, and investigate: Solids, Liquids, and Properties, Sound Is Vibrating Matter.
- Solids, Liquids, and Properties — How can we sort matter and change its properties?TEKS 2.6(A): Classify matter by observable properties such as texture, flexibility, and relative temperature, and tell whether a material is a solid or a liquid.TEKS 2.6(B): Investigate how physical properties can be changed by cutting, folding, sanding, melting, or freezing.TEKS 2.1(E): Collect observations and measurements as evidence.TEKS 2.5(E): Identify forms of energy, such as heat and light, and properties of matter.TEKS 2.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 2.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Sound Is Vibrating Matter — How is sound made, and how do people use it?TEKS 2.8(A): Demonstrate and explain that sound is made by vibrating matter and that vibrations can be caused in different ways, including by sound.TEKS 2.8(B): Explain how different levels of sound, like a whisper or a fire alarm, are used in everyday life.TEKS 2.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 2.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Force & Motion
Read, think, and investigate: Pushes and Pulls Move Things.
- Pushes and Pulls Move Things — How do pushes and pulls change the way things move?TEKS 2.7(A): Explain how objects push on each other and may change shape when they touch or collide.TEKS 2.5(B): Investigate and predict cause-and-effect relationships in science.TEKS 2.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 2.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Earth & Space
Read, think, and investigate: The Sun, Moon, and Sky, Be a Weather Watcher, Using Resources Wisely.
- The Sun, Moon, and Sky — What do the Sun and Moon give us, and how do tools help us see the sky?TEKS 2.9(A): Describe the Sun as a star that gives light and heat and explain that the Moon reflects the Sun’s light.TEKS 2.9(B): Observe objects in the sky with tools such as a telescope and compare how they look with a tool and with the unaided eye.TEKS 2.5(E): Identify forms of energy, such as heat and light, and properties of matter.TEKS 2.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 2.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Be a Weather Watcher — How do we measure weather, and how can we stay safe in severe weather?TEKS 2.10(B): Measure, record, and graph weather information, including temperature and precipitation.TEKS 2.10(C): Investigate severe weather such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods and explain that some are more likely than others in a given region.TEKS 2.1(F): Record and organize data using pictures, numbers, words, symbols, and simple graphs.TEKS 2.2(B): Analyze data by finding important features and patterns.TEKS 2.3(A): Develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models.TEKS 2.5(C): Describe the properties of objects in terms of relative size (bigger, smaller) and relative quantity (more, less).TEKS 2.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 2.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Using Resources Wisely — Where do the things we use come from, and how can we take care of them?TEKS 2.11(A): Tell the difference between natural and human-made resources.TEKS 2.11(B): Describe how people can limit their impact by conserving and properly disposing of materials through reducing, reusing, or recycling paper, plastic, and metal.TEKS 2.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 2.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Living Things & Ecosystems
Read, think, and investigate: Plant Parts and Food Chains, Animals Survive and Grow.
- Plant Parts and Food Chains — How do plant parts help plants live, and how do plants and animals depend on each other?TEKS 2.13(A): Identify roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds and compare how these parts help different plants meet their needs.TEKS 2.12(C): Explain and demonstrate how some plants depend on other living things, wind, or water for pollination and to spread their seeds.TEKS 2.12(B): Create and describe food chains with producers and consumers to show how animals depend on other living things.TEKS 2.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 2.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Animals Survive and Grow — How do animals’ bodies, behaviors, and groups help them survive, and how do some animals change as they grow?TEKS 2.13(B): Record and compare how animals’ body parts and behaviors help them find and take in food, water, and air.TEKS 2.13(C): Record and compare how living in a group helps animals get food, defend themselves, and cope with changes.TEKS 2.13(D): Investigate and describe life cycles in which young animals do not look like their parents, such as butterflies and frogs.TEKS 2.4(B): Identify scientists and engineers, such as Jane Goodall, and explore what different scientists and engineers do.TEKS 2.5(F): Describe how the structure of an object or body part relates to what it does (its function).TEKS 2.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 2.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Social Studies5 units
History
Read, think, and investigate: Past, Present, and Future, People Who Shaped Our Nation.
- Past, Present, and Future — How can we learn about the past and see how life has changed?TEKS 2.16(A): Describe the order of events using words for historical and present time.TEKS 2.16(B): Use time words such as past, present, and future correctly.TEKS 2.16(C): Create and read timelines of events in the past and present.TEKS 2.15(B): Identify different kinds of historical sources and artifacts and explain how they help us learn about the past.TEKS 2.16(D): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.TEKS 2.15(D): Interpret oral, visual, and print material by sequencing, categorizing, identifying the main idea, predicting, and comparing and contrasting.
- People Who Shaped Our Nation — How did people in history help shape our state and nation?TEKS 2.2(A): Identify the contributions of historical figures such as Thurgood Marshall, Irma Rangel, and Theodore Roosevelt who helped shape the state and nation.TEKS 2.14: Identify people who showed individualism and inventiveness, such as Amelia Earhart and George Washington Carver.TEKS 2.16(D): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Geography & Maps
Read, think, and investigate: Maps and Globes Show Places, People Change the Land.
- Maps and Globes Show Places — How do maps and globes help us find places on Earth?TEKS 2.3(A): Identify and use information on maps and globes using basic map elements such as title, cardinal directions, and a map key.TEKS 2.3(B): Create maps to show places and routes within the home, school, and community.TEKS 2.4(A): Identify major landforms and bodies of water, including the continents and oceans, on maps and globes.TEKS 2.16(D): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- People Change the Land — How do people change the land, and how can we take care of Earth?TEKS 2.5(A): Identify ways people have changed the physical environment, such as clearing land, building roads, farming, and drilling for oil.TEKS 2.5(B): Identify what happens as a result of people changing the physical environment.TEKS 2.5(C): Identify ways people can conserve and replenish Earth’s resources.TEKS 2.16(D): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Economics
Read, think, and investigate: Work, Money, and Making Things.
- Work, Money, and Making Things — How do people earn, spend, and save money, and how are goods made?TEKS 2.6(A): Explain how work provides income to buy goods and services.TEKS 2.6(B): Explain the choices people can make about earning, spending, and saving money.TEKS 2.7(A): Tell the difference between producing and consuming.TEKS 2.7(C): Trace how a product is made, from a natural resource to a finished good.TEKS 2.16(D): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.TEKS 2.7(B): Identify ways in which people are both producers and consumers.TEKS 2.15(D): Interpret oral, visual, and print material by sequencing, categorizing, identifying the main idea, predicting, and comparing and contrasting.
Government & Citizenship
Read, think, and investigate: Our Government and Leaders, Good Citizens Make a Difference.
- Our Government and Leaders — Why do we have government, and how do leaders get their jobs?TEKS 2.8(B): Identify government services in the community and explain their value.TEKS 2.9(B): Compare the roles of public officials, including the mayor, governor, and president.TEKS 2.9(C): Identify ways public officials are chosen, including by election and appointment.TEKS 2.16(D): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Good Citizens Make a Difference — What makes someone a good citizen, and how can I be one?TEKS 2.10(A): Identify traits of good citizenship, including truthfulness, justice, equality, respect for oneself and others, responsibility, and participation.TEKS 2.10(C): Identify ways to practice good citizenship, including community service.TEKS 2.16(D): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.TEKS 2.15(D): Interpret oral, visual, and print material by sequencing, categorizing, identifying the main idea, predicting, and comparing and contrasting.
Culture & Traditions
Read, think, and investigate: Celebrations, Landmarks, and Symbols.
- Celebrations, Landmarks, and Symbols — Why do we have special days, landmarks, and symbols?TEKS 2.1(A): Explain why community, state, and national celebrations such as Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Thanksgiving are important.TEKS 2.1(B): Identify community, state, and national landmarks such as monuments and government buildings and explain why they matter.TEKS 2.11(D): Identify symbols such as state and national birds and flowers and Uncle Sam.TEKS 2.12(A): Identify why various ethnic and cultural celebrations are important.TEKS 2.16(D): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Intermediate (3–5)
Grade 3
Math7 units
Addition & Subtraction
Add and subtract with strategies, models, and fluency.
- Add and Subtract Within 1,000 — Three-digit numbers with regroupingTEKS 3.4(A): Solve one- and two-step addition and subtraction problems within 1,000 fluently, using place-value strategies.Common Core 3.NBT.A.2: Fluently add and subtract within 1,000 using place-value strategies.
Multiplication
Learn multiplication as equal groups and arrays, build fact strategies, find missing factors, and multiply two-digit numbers by one-digit numbers with partial products.
- Equal Groups — I can find the total in equal groups using repeated addition and multiplication.TEKS 3.4(D): Find the total number of objects when equal-sized groups are combined or arranged in arrays up to 10 by 10.TEKS 3.4(E): Represent multiplication facts with repeated addition, equal groups, arrays, area models, number-line jumps, and skip counting.Common Core 3.OA.A.1: Understand multiplication as equal groups (5 × 7 is 5 groups of 7).
- Arrays — I can use rows and columns in an array to multiply.TEKS 3.4(D): Find the total number of objects when equal-sized groups are combined or arranged in arrays up to 10 by 10.TEKS 3.4(E): Represent multiplication facts with repeated addition, equal groups, arrays, area models, number-line jumps, and skip counting.Common Core 3.OA.A.1: Understand multiplication as equal groups (5 × 7 is 5 groups of 7).
- Multiplication Fact Strategies — I can use patterns for ×0, ×1, ×2, ×5, ×10, doubles, and turn-around facts.TEKS 3.4(F): Recall multiplication facts up to 10 by 10 quickly and accurately, and the matching division facts.TEKS 3.4(E): Represent multiplication facts with repeated addition, equal groups, arrays, area models, number-line jumps, and skip counting.Common Core 3.OA.C.7: Fluently multiply and divide within 100, and know all products of two one-digit numbers from memory.
- Fact Families & Missing Factors — I can use fact families to find a missing factor.TEKS 3.5(D): Find the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation when the missing number is a factor or the product.TEKS 3.4(J): Find a quotient using the relationship between multiplication and division.TEKS 3.4(F): Recall multiplication facts up to 10 by 10 quickly and accurately, and the matching division facts.Common Core 3.OA.A.4: Find the unknown whole number in a multiplication or division equation.Common Core 3.OA.B.6: Understand division as an unknown-factor problem (find 32 ÷ 8 by thinking 8 × ? = 32).Common Core 3.OA.C.7: Fluently multiply and divide within 100, and know all products of two one-digit numbers from memory.
- Multiply Two-Digit by One-Digit — I can multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number using an area model and partial products.TEKS 3.4(G): Multiply a two-digit number by a one-digit number using strategies such as mental math and partial products, or the standard algorithm.Common Core 3.NBT.A.3: Multiply one-digit numbers by multiples of 10 from 10 to 90 (for example, 9 × 80).Common Core 4.NBT.B.5: Multiply up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number, and two two-digit numbers, using place-value strategies.
Division
Sharing, grouping, facts, and dividing larger numbers.
- Division Facts — Related facts to 100 ÷ 10TEKS 3.4(F): Recall multiplication facts up to 10 by 10 quickly and accurately, and the matching division facts.TEKS 3.4(J): Find a quotient using the relationship between multiplication and division.Common Core 3.OA.C.7: Fluently multiply and divide within 100, and know all products of two one-digit numbers from memory.
- Sharing Equally — Partitive division (how many in each group?)TEKS 3.4(H): Find how many are in each group when a set is split into equal shares or shared equally.Common Core 3.OA.A.2: Understand division as sharing equally or making equal groups.
- Making Groups — Measurement division (how many groups?)TEKS 3.4(K): Solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems within 100 using objects, pictures, arrays, properties, or known facts.TEKS 3.5(B): Represent and solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems within 100 with arrays, strip diagrams, and equations.Common Core 3.OA.A.2: Understand division as sharing equally or making equal groups.
Fractions
Equal parts, naming, comparing, and operating with fractions.
- Write and Compare Fractions — Numerator, denominator, compareTEKS 3.3(A): Represent fractions from 0 to 1 with denominators of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 using objects, pictures, strip diagrams, and number lines.TEKS 3.3(H): Compare two fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator by reasoning about their sizes, and explain the answer.Common Core 3.NF.A.1: Understand a fraction 1/b as one part when a whole is split into b equal parts, and a/b as a parts of size 1/b.Common Core 3.NF.A.3d: Compare two fractions with the same numerator or the same denominator by reasoning about their size, using >, =, or <.
Time
Tell time and solve elapsed-time problems.
- Elapsed Time — How much time has passed (minutes)TEKS 3.7(C): Solve problems that add and subtract time intervals in minutes (for example, 15 minutes plus 30 minutes is 45 minutes).Common Core 3.MD.A.1: Tell and write time to the nearest minute, and solve word problems that add or subtract time intervals in minutes.
Money & Financial Literacy
Coins, bills, counting money, and making change.
- Add Money & Make Change — Coins and billsTEKS 3.4(C): Find the value of a collection of coins and bills.TEKS 3.4(A): Solve one- and two-step addition and subtraction problems within 1,000 fluently, using place-value strategies.
Problem Solving
Read, plan, solve, and check word problems.
- Two-Step Story Problems — Combine operations within 100TEKS 3.4(K): Solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems within 100 using objects, pictures, arrays, properties, or known facts.TEKS 3.5(B): Represent and solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems within 100 with arrays, strip diagrams, and equations.Common Core 3.OA.D.8: Solve two-step word problems using the four operations.
Geometry & Measurement Coming soon
Data Analysis Coming soon
Reading & Language Arts3 units
Reading Comprehension
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Making Inferences — Text clues + what I knowTEKS 3.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.Common Core RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of a story, referring to the text for answers.Common Core RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of an informational text, referring to the text for answers.
- Text Evidence — Prove it with the best sentenceTEKS 3.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.TEKS 3.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea and supporting evidence of an informational text.TEKS 3.8(B): Explain the relationships among the major and minor characters.Common Core RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of an informational text, referring to the text for answers.Common Core RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of a story, referring to the text for answers.
- Cause and Effect — What happened and whyTEKS 3.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in informational text, such as cause and effect and problem and solution.TEKS 3.8(C): Analyze plot elements, including the sequence of events, the conflict, and the resolution.Common Core RI.3.3: Describe how events, ideas, or steps are connected, using words about time, sequence, and cause and effect.Common Core RI.3.8: Describe the logical connections between sentences and paragraphs (comparison, cause and effect, sequence).
- Summarize — Tell the most important parts brieflyTEKS 3.7(D): Retell and paraphrase texts in ways that keep their meaning and logical order.TEKS 3.8(C): Analyze plot elements, including the sequence of events, the conflict, and the resolution.Common Core RL.3.2: Recount stories and determine the central message, lesson, or moral, and explain how key details show it.Common Core RI.3.2: Determine the main idea of a text, recount the key details, and explain how they support the main idea.
Vocabulary & Word Study
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Question Decoding — What is this question really asking?
- STAAR Language — Learn what test words mean
Read & Respond: Stories, Articles, Poems & Plays
Read GC Academy texts and answer questions with evidence.
- Gigi’s First Stitch — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 3.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.Common Core RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of a story, referring to the text for answers.Common Core RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of an informational text, referring to the text for answers.TEKS 3.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.TEKS 3.8(B): Explain the relationships among the major and minor characters.TEKS 3.8(C): Analyze plot elements, including the sequence of events, the conflict, and the resolution.Common Core RI.3.3: Describe how events, ideas, or steps are connected, using words about time, sequence, and cause and effect.Common Core RI.3.8: Describe the logical connections between sentences and paragraphs (comparison, cause and effect, sequence).TEKS 3.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and distinguish among multiple-meaning words.TEKS 3.7(D): Retell and paraphrase texts in ways that keep their meaning and logical order.Common Core RL.3.2: Recount stories and determine the central message, lesson, or moral, and explain how key details show it.Common Core RI.3.2: Determine the main idea of a text, recount the key details, and explain how they support the main idea.TEKS 3.8(A): Infer the theme of a work of fiction, distinguishing theme from topic.TEKS 3.7(B): Write a response to a literary or informational text that shows an understanding of the text.TEKS 3.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 3.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 3.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 3.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 3.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 3.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- The Long Trip of the Monarch — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 3.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.TEKS 3.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea and supporting evidence of an informational text.TEKS 3.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in informational text, such as cause and effect and problem and solution.Common Core RI.3.3: Describe how events, ideas, or steps are connected, using words about time, sequence, and cause and effect.Common Core RI.3.8: Describe the logical connections between sentences and paragraphs (comparison, cause and effect, sequence).TEKS 3.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.Common Core RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of an informational text, referring to the text for answers.Common Core RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of a story, referring to the text for answers.TEKS 3.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and distinguish among multiple-meaning words.TEKS 3.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 3.7(B): Write a response to a literary or informational text that shows an understanding of the text.TEKS 3.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 3.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 3.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 3.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 3.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 3.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- The Bake Sale Mix-Up — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 3.8(C): Analyze plot elements, including the sequence of events, the conflict, and the resolution.Common Core RI.3.3: Describe how events, ideas, or steps are connected, using words about time, sequence, and cause and effect.Common Core RI.3.8: Describe the logical connections between sentences and paragraphs (comparison, cause and effect, sequence).TEKS 3.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.Common Core RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of a story, referring to the text for answers.Common Core RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of an informational text, referring to the text for answers.TEKS 3.8(B): Explain the relationships among the major and minor characters.TEKS 3.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.TEKS 3.7(D): Retell and paraphrase texts in ways that keep their meaning and logical order.Common Core RL.3.2: Recount stories and determine the central message, lesson, or moral, and explain how key details show it.Common Core RI.3.2: Determine the main idea of a text, recount the key details, and explain how they support the main idea.TEKS 3.7(B): Write a response to a literary or informational text that shows an understanding of the text.TEKS 3.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 3.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 3.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 3.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 3.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 3.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Grandma’s Button Jar — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 3.10(D): Describe how the author’s imagery, literal and figurative language (such as simile), and sound devices (such as onomatopoeia) achieve specific purposes.TEKS 3.8(A): Infer the theme of a work of fiction, distinguishing theme from topic.TEKS 3.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.TEKS 3.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and distinguish among multiple-meaning words.TEKS 3.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.Common Core RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of a story, referring to the text for answers.Common Core RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of an informational text, referring to the text for answers.TEKS 3.7(B): Write a response to a literary or informational text that shows an understanding of the text.TEKS 3.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 3.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 3.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 3.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 3.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 3.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Auditions — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 3.8(B): Explain the relationships among the major and minor characters.TEKS 3.9(C): Discuss elements of drama such as characters, dialogue, setting, and acts.TEKS 3.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.Common Core RI.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of an informational text, referring to the text for answers.Common Core RL.3.1: Ask and answer questions to show understanding of a story, referring to the text for answers.TEKS 3.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and distinguish among multiple-meaning words.TEKS 3.8(A): Infer the theme of a work of fiction, distinguishing theme from topic.TEKS 3.7(B): Write a response to a literary or informational text that shows an understanding of the text.TEKS 3.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 3.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 3.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 3.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 3.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 3.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Wilma Rudolph: The Fastest Woman in the World — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 3.9(D)(ii): Recognize informational text features such as sections, tables, graphs, timelines, bullets, numbers, and bold and italicized font.TEKS 3.10(C): Explain the author’s use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.TEKS 3.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in informational text, such as cause and effect and problem and solution.Common Core RI.3.3: Describe how events, ideas, or steps are connected, using words about time, sequence, and cause and effect.Common Core RI.3.8: Describe the logical connections between sentences and paragraphs (comparison, cause and effect, sequence).TEKS 3.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.TEKS 3.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea and supporting evidence of an informational text.TEKS 3.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words and distinguish among multiple-meaning words.TEKS 3.7(D): Retell and paraphrase texts in ways that keep their meaning and logical order.Common Core RL.3.2: Recount stories and determine the central message, lesson, or moral, and explain how key details show it.Common Core RI.3.2: Determine the main idea of a text, recount the key details, and explain how they support the main idea.TEKS 3.7(B): Write a response to a literary or informational text that shows an understanding of the text.TEKS 3.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 3.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 3.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 3.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 3.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 3.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
Speaking & Listening Coming soon
Research & Inquiry Coming soon
Writing4 units
The Writer’s Path
Ten steps from strong words to a published piece.
- Word Power — Choose strong, exact wordsTEKS 3.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas so the writing is clear.Common Core L.3.3a: Choose words and phrases for effect.
- Sentence Power — Build complete, interesting sentencesTEKS 3.11(D)(i): Edit for complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement.TEKS 3.11(D)(viii): Edit for coordinating conjunctions that form compound subjects, predicates, and sentences.Common Core L.3.1i: Write simple, compound, and complex sentences.
- Paragraph Power — Topic sentence, details, closingTEKS 3.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction and a conclusion.TEKS 3.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging idea with relevant details.TEKS 3.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.Common Core W.3.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- Plan It — Organize ideas with a graphic organizerTEKS 3.11(A): Plan a first draft by choosing a genre for a topic, purpose, and audience.Common Core W.3.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.
- Strong Beginnings — Hooks, topic sentences, and thesis statementsTEKS 3.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction and a conclusion.Common Core W.3.1a: Introduce the topic, state an opinion, and organize the reasons.Common Core W.3.2a: Introduce a topic and group related information together.Common Core W.3.3a: Set up a situation, introduce a narrator and/or characters, and organize the events in a natural order.
- Build the Middle — Details, evidence, and body paragraphsTEKS 3.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging idea with relevant details.Common Core W.3.1b: Give reasons that support the opinion.Common Core W.3.2b: Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.
- Strong Endings — Wrap it up: conclusions that close the loopTEKS 3.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction and a conclusion.Common Core W.3.1d: Give a concluding statement or section.
- Revise It (ARMS) — Make your writing strongerTEKS 3.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas so the writing is clear.Common Core W.3.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.
- Edit It (CUPS) — Fix capitals, usage, punctuation, spellingTEKS 3.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 3 list).Common Core W.3.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core L.3.1: Show command of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking (Grade 3).Common Core L.3.2: Show command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (Grade 3).
- Publish It! — Write a whole piece from plan to finishTEKS 3.11(E): Publish written work for an appropriate audience.TEKS 3.12(A): Write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry, using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 3.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.TEKS 3.12(C): Write argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 3.12(D): Write correspondence such as thank-you notes or letters.Common Core W.3.1: Write opinion pieces that support a point of view with reasons.Common Core W.3.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Common Core W.3.3: Write narratives about real or imagined experiences with descriptive details and a clear sequence of events.Common Core W.3.4: With help, produce writing whose development and organization fit the task and purpose.Common Core W.3.6: With help, use technology to produce and publish writing and to work with others.
Genres: Stories, Opinions, Information, Letters & Poems
Plan, draft, revise, edit, and share real writing.
- Story Writing — Personal narratives and made-up storiesTEKS 3.12(A): Write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry, using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 3.11(A): Plan a first draft by choosing a genre for a topic, purpose, and audience.TEKS 3.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction and a conclusion.TEKS 3.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging idea with relevant details.TEKS 3.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas so the writing is clear.TEKS 3.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 3 list).TEKS 3.11(E): Publish written work for an appropriate audience.Common Core W.3.3: Write narratives about real or imagined experiences with descriptive details and a clear sequence of events.
- Teach It Writing — Informational and how-to writingTEKS 3.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.Common Core W.3.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- Opinion Writing — Opinion and argument essaysTEKS 3.12(C): Write argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft.Common Core W.3.1: Write opinion pieces that support a point of view with reasons.
- Letter Writing — Thank-you notes and lettersTEKS 3.12(D): Write correspondence such as thank-you notes or letters.Common Core W.3.4: With help, produce writing whose development and organization fit the task and purpose.
- Poem Writing — Sensory poems and moreTEKS 3.12(A): Write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry, using genre characteristics and craft.
Revise & Edit Like a Pro
Read a draft with RUNS, revise with ARMS, and edit with CUPS, just like on a test.
- Revise & Edit: Night Owls — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 3.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas so the writing is clear.TEKS 3.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction and a conclusion.TEKS 3.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging idea with relevant details.Common Core W.3.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core W.3.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Common Core L.3.1i: Write simple, compound, and complex sentences.
- Revise & Edit: My Piano Recital — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 3.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas so the writing is clear.TEKS 3.11(D)(x): Edit for punctuation, including apostrophes in contractions and possessives, and commas in compound sentences and in a series.TEKS 3.12(A): Write literary texts, including personal narratives and poetry, using genre characteristics and craft.Common Core W.3.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core W.3.3b: Use dialogue and descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings.Common Core W.3.3c: Use time words and phrases to signal the order of events.Common Core L.3.2c: Use commas and quotation marks in dialogue.
- Revise & Edit: A Visit to the Library — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 3.11(D)(x): Edit for punctuation, including apostrophes in contractions and possessives, and commas in compound sentences and in a series.TEKS 3.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction and a conclusion.TEKS 3.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging idea with relevant details.Common Core W.3.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core W.3.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Common Core L.1.2c: Use commas in dates and to separate single words in a series.
Grammar & Conventions
Capitals, punctuation, grammar, and strong sentences.
- Subject-Verb Agreement — Make the subject and verb matchTEKS 3.11(D)(i): Edit for complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement.Common Core L.3.1f: Make subjects and verbs agree, and pronouns agree with the nouns they stand for.
- Compound Sentences — Join two sentences with a comma and and, but, or soTEKS 3.11(D)(viii): Edit for coordinating conjunctions that form compound subjects, predicates, and sentences.TEKS 3.11(D)(x): Edit for punctuation, including apostrophes in contractions and possessives, and commas in compound sentences and in a series.Common Core L.3.1h: Use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.Common Core L.3.1i: Write simple, compound, and complex sentences.Common Core L.4.2c: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.
- Comparing Words — Use -er, -est, more, and mostTEKS 3.11(D)(iv): Edit for adjectives, including comparative and superlative forms.Common Core L.3.1g: Form and use comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs, and choose between them.
- Capitals for Titles and Places — Titles of people, holidays, and geographic namesTEKS 3.11(D)(ix): Edit for capital letters in official titles of people, holidays, and geographical names and places.Common Core L.2.2a: Capitalize holidays, product names, and geographic names.Common Core L.4.2a: Use correct capitalization.
- Apostrophes That Show Owning — Possessive nouns: the girl’s, the girls’TEKS 3.11(D)(x): Edit for punctuation, including apostrophes in contractions and possessives, and commas in compound sentences and in a series.Common Core L.3.2d: Form and use possessives.
- Time-Order Words — First, next, then, after that, finallyTEKS 3.11(D)(v): Edit for adverbs that tell time and adverbs that tell manner.Common Core W.3.3c: Use time words and phrases to signal the order of events.
Spelling Coming soon
Science4 units
Matter & Energy
Read, think, and investigate: Measuring Properties of Matter, When Matter Changes State, Energy All Around Us.
- Measuring Properties of Matter — How can we measure and test matter to learn what it is like?TEKS 3.6(A): Measure, test, and record physical properties of matter, including temperature, mass, magnetism, and the ability to sink or float in water.TEKS 3.6(B): Classify matter as solids, liquids, and gases, and show that solids have a definite shape while liquids and gases take the shape of their container.TEKS 3.1(E): Collect observations and measurements as evidence.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- When Matter Changes State — How does heating or cooling change the state of matter?TEKS 3.6(C): Predict, observe, and record changes in state caused by heating or cooling, such as ice melting or condensation forming on a cold glass.TEKS 3.5(B): Identify and investigate cause-and-effect relationships to explain scientific phenomena.TEKS 3.1(E): Collect observations and measurements as evidence.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Energy All Around Us — Where do we find energy, and how is speed related to mechanical energy?TEKS 3.8(A): Identify everyday examples of energy, including light, sound, thermal, and mechanical energy.TEKS 3.5(B): Identify and investigate cause-and-effect relationships to explain scientific phenomena.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Force & Motion
Read, think, and investigate: Pushes, Pulls, and Magnets.
- Pushes, Pulls, and Magnets — How do forces change the way objects move?TEKS 3.7(A): Demonstrate and describe forces acting on an object in contact or at a distance, including magnetism, gravity, and pushes and pulls.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Earth & Space
Read, think, and investigate: Sun, Earth, Moon, and Planets, Soil and Natural Resources.
- Sun, Earth, Moon, and Planets — How do the Sun, Earth, and Moon move, and where is each planet in our solar system?TEKS 3.9(B): Identify the order of the planets in our solar system in relation to the Sun.TEKS 3.2(A): Identify advantages and limitations of models, such as their size, scale, properties, and materials.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Soil and Natural Resources — How does soil form, and how can we take care of the natural resources we use?TEKS 3.10(B): Investigate and explain how soils such as sand and clay form from weathered rock and decomposed plant and animal remains.TEKS 3.11(A): Explore and explain how people use natural resources in building, farming, transportation, and making products.TEKS 3.11(B): Explain why conserving natural resources is important.TEKS 3.11(C): Identify ways to conserve natural resources by reducing, reusing, or recycling.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Living Things & Ecosystems
Read, think, and investigate: Weather Changes Living Things, Food Chains and Fossil Clues, Body Parts and Life Cycles.
- Weather Changes Living Things — How do weather and seasons affect plants and animals?TEKS 3.10(A): Compare and describe day-to-day weather in different places at the same time, including air temperature, wind direction, and precipitation.TEKS 3.12(A): Explain how temperature and precipitation affect animals (migration and hibernation) and plants (dormancy).TEKS 3.12(C): Describe how natural changes such as floods and droughts cause some organisms to thrive and others to die or move.TEKS 3.1(E): Collect observations and measurements as evidence.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Food Chains and Fossil Clues — How does energy move through a food chain, and what can fossils tell us about living things from long ago?TEKS 3.12(B): Identify and describe how energy flows in a food chain and predict how changes, such as removing frogs from a pond or bees from a field, affect the ecosystem.TEKS 3.12(D): Identify fossils as evidence of past living things and environments, including common Texas fossils.TEKS 3.3(A): Develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models and consistent with scientific ideas.TEKS 3.5(D): Examine and model the parts of a system and how they depend on each other.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Body Parts and Life Cycles — How do body parts help animals survive, and how do living things grow and change?TEKS 3.13(A): Explore and explain how animals’ outside body parts and what they do (like a giraffe’s neck or a duck’s webbed feet) help them survive in their environment.TEKS 3.13(B): Explore, illustrate, and compare the life cycles of organisms such as beetles, crickets, radishes, or lima beans.TEKS 3.1(E): Collect observations and measurements as evidence.TEKS 3.5(F): Explain the relationship between the structure and function of objects, organisms, and systems.TEKS 3.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 3.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Social Studies5 units
History
Read, think, and investigate: Why People Build Communities, People Who Changed Communities.
- Why People Build Communities — Why do people live together in communities, and how do communities meet people’s needs?TEKS 3.2(A): Identify reasons people have formed communities, including a need for security and laws, religious freedom, and material well-being.TEKS 3.2(B): Compare how people in the local community and other communities meet their needs for government, education, communication, transportation, and recreation.TEKS 3.14(C): Interpret oral, visual, and print material by sequencing, categorizing, finding the main idea, telling fact from opinion, finding cause and effect, and comparing.TEKS 3.15(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- People Who Changed Communities — How can one person or one new idea change a community?TEKS 3.1(A): Describe how individuals, events, and ideas have changed communities, past and present.TEKS 3.1(B): Identify individuals, including Pierre-Charles L’Enfant, Benjamin Banneker, and Benjamin Franklin, who have helped shape communities.TEKS 3.13(A): Identify people who made scientific discoveries or invented new technology, such as Jonas Salk, Cyrus McCormick, Bill Gates, and Louis Pasteur.TEKS 3.13(B): Describe how scientific discoveries and new technology in computers, pasteurization, and vaccines have affected communities.TEKS 3.15(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Geography & Maps
Read, think, and investigate: Reading and Making Maps, People and the Land.
- Reading and Making Maps — How do map tools help us find places and measure distance?TEKS 3.4(A): Use cardinal and intermediate directions to locate places on maps and globes in relation to the local community.TEKS 3.4(B): Use a scale to determine the distance between places on maps and globes.TEKS 3.4(C): Identify, create, and interpret maps that contain a title, compass rose, legend, scale, and grid system.TEKS 3.14(D): Interpret and create visuals, including graphs, charts, tables, timelines, illustrations, and maps.TEKS 3.15(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- People and the Land — How do people adapt to and change the places where they live?TEKS 3.3(A): Describe similarities and differences in the physical environment, including climate, landforms, natural resources, and natural hazards.TEKS 3.3(B): Identify and compare how people in different communities adapt to or modify the physical environment, such as deserts, mountains, wetlands, and plains.TEKS 3.3(C): Describe the effects of human processes such as building new homes, conservation, and pollution in shaping the landscape.TEKS 3.14(C): Interpret oral, visual, and print material by sequencing, categorizing, finding the main idea, telling fact from opinion, finding cause and effect, and comparing.TEKS 3.15(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Economics
Read, think, and investigate: Smart Money Choices.
- Smart Money Choices — How do people make choices about earning, spending, saving, and giving money?TEKS 3.5(A): Identify ways of earning, spending, saving, and donating money.TEKS 3.5(B): Create a simple budget that sets aside money for spending and saving.TEKS 3.6(A): Explain how supply and demand affect the price of a good or service.TEKS 3.6(B): Define and identify examples of scarcity.TEKS 3.15(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Government & Citizenship
Read, think, and investigate: How Our Government Works, Good Citizens Make a Difference.
- How Our Government Works — How is our government organized, and where does it get its power?TEKS 3.7(A): Describe the basic structure of government in the local community, state, and nation.TEKS 3.7(B): Identify local, state, and national government officials and explain how they are chosen.TEKS 3.8(A): Identify the purposes of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, including the Bill of Rights.TEKS 3.8(B): Describe the concept of “consent of the governed.”TEKS 3.15(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Good Citizens Make a Difference — What does it mean to be a good citizen, and how can one person make a difference?TEKS 3.9(A): Identify traits of good citizenship, including truthfulness, justice, equality, respect for yourself and others, and responsibility in daily life.TEKS 3.9(B): Identify people such as Helen Keller, Clara Barton, and Ruby Bridges who show good citizenship.TEKS 3.9(D): Identify nonprofit and civic organizations such as the Red Cross and explain how they serve the common good.TEKS 3.15(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Culture & Traditions
Read, think, and investigate: Celebrations, Stories, and Art.
- Celebrations, Stories, and Art — How do celebrations, stories, and art help communities share their culture?TEKS 3.10(A): Explain the significance of various ethnic and cultural celebrations in the local community and other communities.TEKS 3.10(B): Compare ethnic and cultural celebrations in the local community with those in other communities.TEKS 3.12: Identify how writers and artists such as Kadir Nelson, Tomie dePaola, Carmen Lomas Garza, and Laura Ingalls Wilder and their works add to the cultural heritage of communities.TEKS 3.15(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Grade 4
Math8 units
Place Value
Read, write, build, and compare numbers using place value.
- Place Value to 100,000 — Value and expanded formTEKS 4.2(B): Show the value of each digit in whole numbers through 1,000,000,000 and decimals to hundredths using expanded notation.Common Core 4.NBT.A.2: Read and write multi-digit whole numbers in standard form, word form, and expanded form, and compare them.
Addition & Subtraction
Add and subtract with strategies, models, and fluency.
- Add and Subtract Large Numbers — Standard algorithm (4–5 digits)TEKS 4.4(A): Add and subtract whole numbers and decimals to the hundredths place using the standard algorithm.Common Core 4.NBT.B.4: Fluently add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
Multiplication
Equal groups, arrays, facts, and multi-digit multiplication.
- Multiply by One Digit — Up to four digits × one digitTEKS 4.4(D): Multiply up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number, and a two-digit number by a two-digit number, using strategies and the standard algorithm.Common Core 4.NBT.B.5: Multiply up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number, and two two-digit numbers, using place-value strategies.
- Multiply Two-Digit Numbers — Two digits × two digits (area model)TEKS 4.4(D): Multiply up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number, and a two-digit number by a two-digit number, using strategies and the standard algorithm.TEKS 4.4(C): Represent the product of two two-digit numbers using arrays, area models, or equations.Common Core 4.NBT.B.5: Multiply up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number, and two two-digit numbers, using place-value strategies.
Division
Sharing, grouping, facts, and dividing larger numbers.
- Divide by One Digit — Up to four-digit dividends, exactTEKS 4.4(F): Divide up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number using strategies and the standard algorithm.TEKS 4.4(E): Represent dividing up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number using arrays, area models, or equations.Common Core 4.NBT.B.6: Find quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors.
- Division with Remainders — Find the quotient and remainderTEKS 4.4(F): Divide up to a four-digit number by a one-digit number using strategies and the standard algorithm.Common Core 4.NBT.B.6: Find quotients and remainders with up to four-digit dividends and one-digit divisors.
Fractions
Equal parts, naming, comparing, and operating with fractions.
- Equivalent Fractions & Adding Slices — Equal fractions; add/subtract like denominatorsTEKS 4.3(C): Decide whether two fractions are equivalent using a variety of methods.TEKS 4.3(E): Represent and solve adding and subtracting fractions with equal denominators using objects, pictures, and number lines.Common Core 4.NF.A.1: Explain why two fractions are equivalent using fraction models.Common Core 4.NF.B.3a: Understand adding and subtracting fractions as joining and separating parts of the same whole.Common Core 4.NF.B.3d: Solve word problems that add and subtract fractions with like denominators.
Time
Tell time and solve elapsed-time problems.
- Elapsed Time in Hours & Minutes — Start, end, and how longTEKS 4.8(C): Solve measurement problems about length, time intervals, liquid volume, mass, and money using any of the four operations.Common Core 4.MD.A.2: Use the four operations to solve word problems about distance, time intervals, liquid volume, mass, and money.
Money & Financial Literacy
Coins, bills, counting money, and making change.
- Dollars and Cents — Add, subtract, and make changeTEKS 4.4(A): Add and subtract whole numbers and decimals to the hundredths place using the standard algorithm.TEKS 4.8(C): Solve measurement problems about length, time intervals, liquid volume, mass, and money using any of the four operations.Common Core 4.MD.A.2: Use the four operations to solve word problems about distance, time intervals, liquid volume, mass, and money.
Problem Solving
Read, plan, solve, and check word problems.
- What Do I Do With the Remainder? — Interpret remainders in contextTEKS 4.4(H): Solve one- and two-step multiplication and division problems fluently, including deciding what to do with a remainder.Common Core 4.OA.A.3: Solve multistep word problems with whole numbers, including problems where remainders must be interpreted.
Geometry & Measurement Coming soon
Data Analysis Coming soon
Decimals Coming soon
Reading & Language Arts3 units
Literary Texts & Author’s Craft
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Author’s Purpose — Why did the author write this part?TEKS 4.10(A): Explain the author’s purpose and message within a text.Common Core RI.4.8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points.
- Theme — The lesson the story teachesTEKS 4.8(A): Infer basic themes supported by text evidence.Common Core RL.4.2: Determine the theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, and summarize the text.
Informational Texts
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Text Features & Structure — How the text is organizedTEKS 4.9(C): Explain structure in drama such as character tags, acts, scenes, and stage directions.TEKS 4.9(D)(ii): Recognize features of informational text, such as pronunciation guides and diagrams, that support understanding.TEKS 4.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in informational text, such as compare and contrast.TEKS 4.10(B): Explain how the text’s structure helps the author’s purpose.TEKS 4.10(C): Analyze how the author uses print and graphic features (such as headings) to achieve specific purposes.Common Core RI.4.5: Describe the overall structure of a text (chronology, comparison, cause and effect, problem and solution).Common Core RI.4.7: Interpret information shown in charts, graphs, diagrams, and timelines and explain how it helps understanding.
Read & Respond: Stories, Articles, Poems & Plays
Read GC Academy texts and answer questions with evidence.
- Why Do Leaves Change Color? — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 4.9(D)(ii): Recognize features of informational text, such as pronunciation guides and diagrams, that support understanding.TEKS 4.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in informational text, such as compare and contrast.TEKS 4.10(B): Explain how the text’s structure helps the author’s purpose.TEKS 4.10(C): Analyze how the author uses print and graphic features (such as headings) to achieve specific purposes.Common Core RI.4.5: Describe the overall structure of a text (chronology, comparison, cause and effect, problem and solution).Common Core RI.4.7: Interpret information shown in charts, graphs, diagrams, and timelines and explain how it helps understanding.TEKS 4.10(A): Explain the author’s purpose and message within a text.Common Core RI.4.8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points.TEKS 4.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.TEKS 4.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 4.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.TEKS 4.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea with supporting evidence in an informational text.TEKS 4.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 4.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 4.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 4.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 4.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 4.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- The Runway Show — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 4.8(A): Infer basic themes supported by text evidence.Common Core RL.4.2: Determine the theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, and summarize the text.TEKS 4.8(B): Explain the interactions of the characters and the changes they undergo.TEKS 4.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 4.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.TEKS 4.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 4.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 4.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 4.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 4.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 4.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Keep Our Library Hour — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 4.10(A): Explain the author’s purpose and message within a text.Common Core RI.4.8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points.TEKS 4.10(B): Explain how the text’s structure helps the author’s purpose.TEKS 4.10(C): Analyze how the author uses print and graphic features (such as headings) to achieve specific purposes.Common Core RI.4.5: Describe the overall structure of a text (chronology, comparison, cause and effect, problem and solution).Common Core RI.4.7: Interpret information shown in charts, graphs, diagrams, and timelines and explain how it helps understanding.TEKS 4.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.TEKS 4.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea with supporting evidence in an informational text.TEKS 4.9(E)(ii): Explain how the author has used facts for or against an argument.TEKS 4.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 4.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 4.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 4.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 4.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 4.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- The City Wakes Up — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 4.9(B): Explain figurative language such as simile, metaphor, and personification that the poet uses.TEKS 4.8(A): Infer basic themes supported by text evidence.Common Core RL.4.2: Determine the theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, and summarize the text.TEKS 4.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 4.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 4.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 4.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 4.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 4.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- The Business Plan — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 4.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.TEKS 4.8(B): Explain the interactions of the characters and the changes they undergo.TEKS 4.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 4.9(C): Explain structure in drama such as character tags, acts, scenes, and stage directions.Common Core RI.4.5: Describe the overall structure of a text (chronology, comparison, cause and effect, problem and solution).Common Core RI.4.7: Interpret information shown in charts, graphs, diagrams, and timelines and explain how it helps understanding.TEKS 4.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.TEKS 4.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 4.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 4.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 4.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 4.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 4.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- How the Bicycle Changed Everything — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 4.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.TEKS 4.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea with supporting evidence in an informational text.TEKS 4.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.TEKS 4.9(D)(ii): Recognize features of informational text, such as pronunciation guides and diagrams, that support understanding.TEKS 4.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in informational text, such as compare and contrast.TEKS 4.10(B): Explain how the text’s structure helps the author’s purpose.TEKS 4.10(C): Analyze how the author uses print and graphic features (such as headings) to achieve specific purposes.Common Core RI.4.5: Describe the overall structure of a text (chronology, comparison, cause and effect, problem and solution).Common Core RI.4.7: Interpret information shown in charts, graphs, diagrams, and timelines and explain how it helps understanding.TEKS 4.10(A): Explain the author’s purpose and message within a text.Common Core RI.4.8: Explain how an author uses reasons and evidence to support particular points.TEKS 4.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 4.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 4.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 4.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 4.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 4.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
Speaking & Listening Coming soon
Research & Inquiry Coming soon
Writing5 units
The Writer’s Path
Ten steps from strong words to a published piece.
- Word Power — Choose strong, exact wordsTEKS 4.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.Common Core L.4.3a: Choose words and phrases to say ideas precisely.Common Core W.4.3d: Use concrete words, phrases, and sensory details to tell experiences precisely.
- Sentence Power — Build complete, interesting sentencesTEKS 4.11(D)(i): Edit for complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement, avoiding splices, run-ons, and fragments.TEKS 4.11(D)(viii): Edit for coordinating conjunctions that form compound subjects, predicates, and sentences.Common Core L.4.1f: Write complete sentences, fixing fragments and run-ons.
- Paragraph Power — Topic sentence, details, closingTEKS 4.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.TEKS 4.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging idea with relevant details.TEKS 4.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.Common Core W.4.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- Plan It — Organize ideas with a graphic organizerTEKS 4.11(A): Plan a first draft by choosing a genre for a topic, purpose, and audience.Common Core W.4.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core W.4.1a: Introduce the topic clearly, state an opinion, and group related ideas to support it.Common Core W.4.2a: Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections, using headings when useful.
- Strong Beginnings — Hooks, topic sentences, and thesis statementsTEKS 4.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.Common Core W.4.1a: Introduce the topic clearly, state an opinion, and group related ideas to support it.Common Core W.4.2a: Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections, using headings when useful.Common Core W.4.3a: Orient the reader by setting up a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters, with events in a natural order.
- Build the Middle — Details, evidence, and body paragraphsTEKS 4.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging idea with relevant details.Common Core W.4.1b: Give reasons supported by facts and details.Common Core W.4.2b: Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or examples.Common Core W.4.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- Strong Endings — Wrap it up: conclusions that close the loopTEKS 4.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.Common Core W.4.1d: Give a concluding statement or section related to the opinion.Common Core W.4.2e: Give a concluding statement or section related to the information.Common Core W.4.3e: Give a conclusion that follows from the events.
- Revise It (ARMS) — Make your writing strongerTEKS 4.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.Common Core W.4.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.
- Edit It (CUPS) — Fix capitals, usage, punctuation, spellingTEKS 4.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 4 list).Common Core W.4.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core L.4.1: Show command of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking (Grade 4).Common Core L.4.2: Show command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (Grade 4).
- Publish It! — Write a whole piece from plan to finishTEKS 4.11(E): Publish written work for an appropriate audience.TEKS 4.12(A): Write literary texts such as personal narratives and poetry using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 4.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.TEKS 4.12(C): Write argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 4.12(D): Write correspondence that requests information.Common Core W.4.1: Write opinion pieces that support a point of view with reasons and information.Common Core W.4.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Common Core W.4.3: Write narratives about real or imagined experiences using good technique, descriptive details, and a clear sequence of events.Common Core W.4.4: Produce clear, coherent writing whose development and organization fit the task, purpose, and audience.Common Core W.4.6: With some help, use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing and work with others.
Genres: Stories, Opinions, Information, Letters & Poems
Plan, draft, revise, edit, and share real writing.
- Story Writing — Personal narratives and made-up storiesTEKS 4.12(A): Write literary texts such as personal narratives and poetry using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 4.11(A): Plan a first draft by choosing a genre for a topic, purpose, and audience.TEKS 4.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.TEKS 4.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging idea with relevant details.TEKS 4.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.TEKS 4.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 4 list).TEKS 4.11(E): Publish written work for an appropriate audience.Common Core W.4.3: Write narratives about real or imagined experiences using good technique, descriptive details, and a clear sequence of events.
- Teach It Writing — Informational and how-to writingTEKS 4.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.Common Core W.4.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- Opinion Writing — Opinion and argument essaysTEKS 4.12(C): Write argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft.Common Core W.4.1: Write opinion pieces that support a point of view with reasons and information.
- Letter Writing — Thank-you notes and lettersTEKS 4.12(D): Write correspondence that requests information.Common Core W.4.4: Produce clear, coherent writing whose development and organization fit the task, purpose, and audience.
- Poem Writing — Sensory poems and moreTEKS 4.12(A): Write literary texts such as personal narratives and poetry using genre characteristics and craft.
Revise & Edit Like a Pro
Read a draft with RUNS, revise with ARMS, and edit with CUPS, just like on a test.
- Revise & Edit: School Uniforms — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 4.11(D)(i): Edit for complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement, avoiding splices, run-ons, and fragments.TEKS 4.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.TEKS 4.12(C): Write argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 4.9(E)(i): Recognize characteristics of argumentative text by identifying the claim.Common Core W.4.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core W.4.1: Write opinion pieces that support a point of view with reasons and information.
- Revise & Edit: The Rescue — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 4.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.TEKS 4.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 4 list).TEKS 4.12(A): Write literary texts such as personal narratives and poetry using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 4.8(C): Analyze plot elements, including the rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.Common Core W.4.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core W.4.3b: Use dialogue and description to develop events or show characters' responses.Common Core W.4.3d: Use concrete words, phrases, and sensory details to tell experiences precisely.
- Revise & Edit: The Secret Life of Honeybees — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 4.11(D)(x): Edit for punctuation, including apostrophes in possessives, commas in compound sentences, and quotation marks in dialogue.TEKS 4.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.TEKS 4.11(D)(viii): Edit for coordinating conjunctions that form compound subjects, predicates, and sentences.TEKS 4.10(C): Analyze how the author uses print and graphic features (such as headings) to achieve specific purposes.Common Core W.4.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, and editing.Common Core W.4.2a: Introduce a topic clearly and group related information in paragraphs and sections, using headings when useful.Common Core L.4.2c: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence.
Grammar & Conventions
Capitals, punctuation, grammar, and strong sentences.
- Fragments and Run-Ons — Fix sentences that are incomplete or crashed togetherTEKS 4.11(D)(i): Edit for complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement, avoiding splices, run-ons, and fragments.Common Core L.4.1f: Write complete sentences, fixing fragments and run-ons.
- Irregular Past Tense — Verbs that do not use -edTEKS 4.11(D)(ii): Edit for the past tense of irregular verbs.Common Core L.2.1d: Form and use the past tense of common irregular verbs (sat, hid, told).Common Core L.3.1d: Form and use regular and irregular verbs.
- Reflexive Pronouns — Myself, herself, themselves, and moreTEKS 4.11(D)(vii): Edit for pronouns, including reflexive pronouns.Common Core L.2.1c: Use reflexive pronouns (myself, ourselves).
- Capitals for History and Titles — Historical events, documents, languages, and titles of worksTEKS 4.11(D)(ix): Edit for capital letters in historical periods, events, and documents; titles of books, stories, and essays; and languages and nationalities.Common Core L.4.2a: Use correct capitalization.
- Quotation Marks in Dialogue — Show exactly what someone saysTEKS 4.11(D)(x): Edit for punctuation, including apostrophes in possessives, commas in compound sentences, and quotation marks in dialogue.Common Core L.4.2b: Use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech and quotations.
Spelling
Spelling patterns and commonly confused words.
- Commonly Confused Words — Their/there/they’re, to/too/two, your/you’re, its/it’sTEKS 4.11(D)(xi): Edit for correct spelling of words with grade-level spelling patterns and rules and high-frequency words.TEKS 4.3(D): Identify, use, and explain the meaning of homophones such as reign/rain.Common Core L.4.1g: Correctly use commonly confused words (to, too, two; there, their).
Science4 units
Matter & Energy
Read, think, and investigate: Properties of Matter and Mixtures, Energy on the Move.
- Properties of Matter and Mixtures — How can we describe matter, and what happens to matter when we mix it?TEKS 4.6(A): Classify and describe matter using observable physical properties, including temperature, mass, magnetism, relative density (sinking and floating in water), and physical state.TEKS 4.6(B): Investigate and compare a variety of mixtures, including solutions made of liquids in liquids and solids in liquids.TEKS 4.6(C): Demonstrate that matter is conserved when mixtures such as soil and water or oil and water are formed.TEKS 4.1(D): Use tools, such as balances, thermometers, rulers, and hand lenses, to observe, measure, test, and analyze information.TEKS 4.2(C): Use mathematical calculations to compare patterns and relationships.TEKS 4.5(E): Investigate how energy flows and matter cycles through systems and how matter is conserved.TEKS 4.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 4.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Energy on the Move — How does energy move from place to place?TEKS 4.8(A): Investigate and identify the transfer of energy by objects in motion, waves in water, and sound.TEKS 4.8(B): Identify conductors and insulators of thermal and electrical energy.TEKS 4.8(C): Demonstrate and describe how electrical energy travels in a closed path that can produce light and thermal energy.TEKS 4.1(C): Demonstrate safe practices and use of safety equipment during classroom and field investigations.TEKS 4.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 4.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Force & Motion
Read, think, and investigate: Pushes, Pulls, and Forces.
- Pushes, Pulls, and Forces — What patterns do forces like gravity, friction, and magnetism follow?TEKS 4.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 4.2(B): Analyze data by identifying significant features, patterns, or sources of error.TEKS 4.2(C): Use mathematical calculations to compare patterns and relationships.TEKS 4.5(A): Identify and use patterns to explain scientific phenomena or to design solutions.TEKS 4.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Earth & Space
Read, think, and investigate: Patterns in the Sky, Water, Weather, and Changing Land, Earth’s Natural Resources.
- Patterns in the Sky — What patterns can we observe in the seasons and in the Moon?TEKS 4.9(A): Collect and analyze data to identify and predict patterns of change in the seasons, such as temperature and length of daylight.TEKS 4.9(B): Collect and analyze data to identify and predict patterns of change in the observable appearance of the Moon from Earth.TEKS 4.1(E): Collect observations and measurements as evidence.TEKS 4.5(A): Identify and use patterns to explain scientific phenomena or to design solutions.TEKS 4.5(C): Use scale, proportion, and quantity to describe, compare, or model different systems.TEKS 4.2(B): Analyze data by identifying significant features, patterns, or sources of error.TEKS 4.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 4.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Water, Weather, and Changing Land — How does water move around Earth, and how do water, wind, and ice slowly change the land?TEKS 4.10(A): Describe and illustrate the continuous movement of water through the water cycle and explain the Sun’s role as a major source of energy in this process.TEKS 4.10(B): Model and describe slow changes to Earth’s surface caused by weathering, erosion, and deposition from water, wind, and ice.TEKS 4.10(C): Differentiate between weather and climate.TEKS 4.2(A): Identify advantages and limitations of models, such as their size, scale, properties, and materials.TEKS 4.5(G): Explain how factors or conditions impact stability and change in objects, organisms, and systems.TEKS 4.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 4.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Earth’s Natural Resources — How do we use Earth’s natural resources, and how can we take care of them?TEKS 4.11(A): Identify and explain advantages and disadvantages of using Earth’s renewable and nonrenewable natural resources, such as wind, water, sunlight, plants, animals, coal, oil, and natural gas.TEKS 4.11(B): Explain the critical role of energy resources in modern life and how conservation, disposal, and recycling of natural resources affect the environment.TEKS 4.11(C): Determine the physical properties of rocks that allow Earth’s natural resources to be stored there.TEKS 4.3(A): Develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models.TEKS 4.4(A): Explain how scientific discoveries and innovative solutions to problems impact science and society.TEKS 4.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 4.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Living Things & Ecosystems
Read, think, and investigate: Food Webs and Fossil Clues, Plant Survival and Traits.
- Food Webs and Fossil Clues — How do energy and matter move through living things, and what do fossils tell us about the past?TEKS 4.12(A): Investigate and explain how most producers, like plants, make their own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.TEKS 4.12(B): Describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy through food webs, including the roles of the Sun, producers, consumers, and decomposers.TEKS 4.12(C): Identify and describe past environments based on fossil evidence, including marine fossils found in Texas.TEKS 4.5(B): Identify and investigate cause-and-effect relationships to explain scientific events or processes.TEKS 4.5(D): Examine and model the parts of a system and how they depend on each other.TEKS 4.5(E): Investigate how energy flows and matter cycles through systems and how matter is conserved.TEKS 4.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 4.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Plant Survival and Traits — How do plant structures help them survive, and how are inherited traits different from acquired traits?TEKS 4.13(A): Explore and explain how the structures of plants and what they do help plants survive.TEKS 4.13(B): Differentiate between inherited and acquired physical traits of organisms.TEKS 4.3(A): Develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models.TEKS 4.5(F): Explain the relationship between the structure and function of objects, organisms, and systems.TEKS 4.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 4.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Social Studies3 units
Early Texas
Read, think, and investigate: The First Texans, Explorers and Spanish Missions, Empresarios and New Settlers.
- The First Texans — How did American Indian groups in Texas use their environment to meet their needs?TEKS 4.1(B): Identify and compare the ways of life of American Indian groups in Texas before European exploration, such as the Lipan Apache, Karankawa, Caddo, and Jumano.TEKS 4.1(C): Describe the cultural regions where American Indians in Texas lived, such as the Gulf, Plains, Puebloan, and Southeastern regions.TEKS 4.9(A): Explain how early American Indian groups in Texas met their needs and wants through activities such as farming, trading, and hunting.TEKS 4.12(A): Compare how American Indian groups such as the Caddo and the Comanche governed themselves.TEKS 4.21(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Explorers and Spanish Missions — Why did Europeans explore Texas, and how did their arrival change it?TEKS 4.2(A): Summarize why Europeans explored and settled Texas, including economic opportunity, competition, and the desire to expand.TEKS 4.2(B): Identify the accomplishments and impact of explorers such as Cabeza de Vaca, Francisco Coronado, and La Salle on the settlement of Texas.TEKS 4.2(C): Explain when, where, and why Spain built settlements and Catholic missions in Texas, and identify important individuals.TEKS 4.21(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.TEKS 4.19(C): Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.
- Empresarios and New Settlers — Why did Mexico invite settlers to Texas, and how did they build new lives there?TEKS 4.2(D): Identify Texas’ role in the Mexican War of Independence and how the war affected the development of Texas.TEKS 4.2(E): Identify the accomplishments, economic motivations, and impact of empresarios such as Stephen F. Austin and Martín de León.TEKS 4.9(B): Explain the economic activities early settlers in Texas used to meet their needs and wants.TEKS 4.7(A): Explain how geographic factors such as landforms and climate influence where people settle and live in Texas, past and present.TEKS 4.21(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Texas Becomes a State
Read, think, and investigate: The Texas Revolution, From Republic to State, Cattle, Railroads, and Oil.
- The Texas Revolution — What caused the Texas Revolution, and how did Texas win its independence?TEKS 4.3(A): Analyze the causes, major events, and effects of the Texas Revolution, including the Alamo, the Texas Declaration of Independence, the Runaway Scrape, and San Jacinto.TEKS 4.3(B): Summarize the contributions of people in the Texas Revolution such as Travis, Bowie, Crockett, Seguín, Santa Anna, Susanna Dickinson, and Enrique Esparza.TEKS 4.13(A): Identify the purposes and explain the importance of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the Texas Constitution.TEKS 4.21(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.TEKS 4.19(C): Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.
- From Republic to State — What challenges did the Republic of Texas face, and why did Texas join the United States?TEKS 4.3(C): Identify leaders important to founding Texas as a republic and a state, including José Antonio Navarro, Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar, and Anson Jones.TEKS 4.3(D): Describe the successes, problems, and organizations of the Republic of Texas, such as its constitution, money troubles, relations with American Indians, and the Texas Rangers.TEKS 4.3(E): Explain the events that led to Texas joining the United States and the impact of the U.S.–Mexican War.TEKS 4.21(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Cattle, Railroads, and Oil — How did cattle, railroads, and oil change the way Texans lived and worked?TEKS 4.4(B): Explain the growth and impact of the Texas cattle industry, including contributions by Charles Goodnight, Richard King, and Lizzie Johnson.TEKS 4.4(C): Explain how the railroad industry changed life in Texas, including its cities and major industries.TEKS 4.5(B): Explain how the oil and gas industry, including Spindletop and Pattillo Higgins, led to industry and city growth in Texas.TEKS 4.10(A): Describe how the free enterprise system works, including supply and demand.TEKS 4.21(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.TEKS 4.11(D): Explain how developments in transportation and communication have influenced economic activities in Texas.TEKS 4.19(C): Analyze information by sequencing, categorizing, identifying cause-and-effect relationships, comparing, contrasting, finding the main idea, summarizing, making generalizations and predictions, and drawing inferences and conclusions.
Texas Land & Citizens
Read, think, and investigate: The Four Regions of Texas, Being a Texas Citizen.
- The Four Regions of Texas — How are the four regions of Texas alike and different?TEKS 4.6(A): Identify, locate, and describe the physical regions of Texas (Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, Coastal Plains), including their landforms, climate, plants, and economic activities.TEKS 4.6(B): Compare the physical regions of Texas: Mountains and Basins, Great Plains, North Central Plains, and Coastal Plains.TEKS 4.21(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Being a Texas Citizen — How does Texas government work, and how can citizens help their state and community?TEKS 4.13(B): Identify and explain the basic jobs of the three branches of government under the Texas Constitution.TEKS 4.15(B): Explain how people can take part in civic affairs on their own, for example by writing letters, holding public officials to their word, and joining service projects.TEKS 4.15(C): Explain the duty of citizens in state and local elections, such as being informed and voting.TEKS 4.14(D): Describe the origins and importance of state celebrations such as Texas Independence Day and Juneteenth.TEKS 4.21(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Grade 5
Math8 units
Multiplication
Equal groups, arrays, facts, and multi-digit multiplication.
- Multiply Three-Digit by Two-Digit — Standard algorithmTEKS 5.3(B): Multiply a three-digit number by a two-digit number fluently using the standard algorithm.Common Core 5.NBT.B.5: Fluently multiply multi-digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.
- Order of Operations — Combine operations with parenthesesTEKS 5.4(F): Simplify number expressions without exponents, including up to two levels of grouping (order of operations).TEKS 5.4(E): Describe what parentheses and brackets mean in a number expression.Common Core 5.OA.A.1: Use parentheses, brackets, or braces in number expressions, and evaluate expressions with these symbols.
Division
Sharing, grouping, facts, and dividing larger numbers.
- Divide by Two Digits — Up to four-digit ÷ two-digitTEKS 5.3(C): Divide up to a four-digit number by a two-digit number using strategies and the standard algorithm.Common Core 5.NBT.B.6: Find whole-number quotients with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors.
- Two-Digit Divisors with Remainders — Quotient and remainderTEKS 5.3(C): Divide up to a four-digit number by a two-digit number using strategies and the standard algorithm.Common Core 5.NBT.B.6: Find whole-number quotients with up to four-digit dividends and two-digit divisors.
Fractions
Equal parts, naming, comparing, and operating with fractions.
- Multiply & Divide with Fractions — Whole numbers and unit fractionsTEKS 5.3(I): Represent and solve multiplication of a whole number and a fraction that refers to the same whole using models.TEKS 5.3(J): Represent division of a unit fraction by a whole number and a whole number by a unit fraction using models.TEKS 5.3(L): Divide whole numbers by unit fractions and unit fractions by whole numbers.
- Add Fractions with Unlike Denominators — Halves, fourths, eighthsTEKS 5.3(H): Represent and solve adding and subtracting fractions with unlike denominators (same whole) using models and properties.TEKS 5.3(K): Add and subtract positive rational numbers (fractions and decimals) fluently.Common Core 5.NF.A.1: Add and subtract fractions with unlike denominators by replacing them with equivalent fractions.Common Core 5.NF.A.2: Solve word problems that add and subtract fractions of the same whole, including unlike denominators.
Decimals
Read, compare, round, and compute with decimals.
- Decimal Place Value, Compare & Round — Thousandths, expanded notation, compare, and roundTEKS 5.2(A): Represent the value of a digit in decimals through the thousandths using expanded notation and numerals.TEKS 5.2(B): Compare and order two decimals to thousandths and represent comparisons using >, <, or =.TEKS 5.2(C): Round decimals to tenths or hundredths.
- Add & Subtract Decimals — Line up the decimal pointsTEKS 5.3(K): Add and subtract positive rational numbers (fractions and decimals) fluently.
- Multiply & Divide Decimals — Products and quotients to hundredthsTEKS 5.3(D): Represent multiplication of decimals with products to the hundredths using objects and pictorial models, including area models.TEKS 5.3(E): Solve for products of decimals to the hundredths, including situations involving money.TEKS 5.3(F): Represent quotients of decimals to the hundredths, up to four-digit dividends and two-digit whole number divisors, using models.TEKS 5.3(G): Solve for quotients of decimals to the hundredths, up to four-digit dividends and two-digit whole number divisors.
Expressions, Equations & Patterns
Prime numbers, equations with a letter for the unknown, patterns, and graphing.
- Prime Numbers & Equations — Prime, composite, and a letter for the unknownTEKS 5.4(A): Identify prime and composite numbers.TEKS 5.4(B): Represent and solve multi-step problems with whole numbers using equations with a letter for the unknown.
- Patterns & the Coordinate Plane — Rules, tables, and ordered pairsTEKS 5.4(C): Generate a numerical pattern from a rule in the form y = ax or y = x + a and graph it.TEKS 5.4(D): Recognize the difference between additive and multiplicative numerical patterns in a table or graph.TEKS 5.8(A): Describe the key attributes of the coordinate plane: the axes, the origin (0, 0), and the x- and y-coordinates.TEKS 5.8(B): Describe the process for graphing ordered pairs in the first quadrant of the coordinate plane.TEKS 5.8(C): Graph ordered pairs in the first quadrant from real-world problems, number patterns, or input-output tables.
Geometry & Measurement
Shapes, area, perimeter, volume, and measurement conversions.
- Volume, Area & 2-D Figures — Unit cubes, formulas, and shape familiesTEKS 5.4(G): Use objects and pictorial models to develop the volume formulas for a rectangular prism (V = l × w × h, V = s × s × s, V = Bh).TEKS 5.4(H): Represent and solve problems related to perimeter and/or area and related to volume.TEKS 5.5(A): Classify two-dimensional figures in a hierarchy of sets and subsets based on their attributes and properties.TEKS 5.6(A): Recognize a unit cube as one cubic unit and volume as the number of unit cubes needed to fill a figure.TEKS 5.6(B): Determine the volume of a rectangular prism as the number of layers times the number of unit cubes in the base.
- Measurement Conversions — Customary and metric, within one systemTEKS 5.7(A): Solve problems by calculating conversions within a measurement system, customary or metric.
Data Analysis
Read and solve problems with tables, graphs, and plots.
- Data: Graphs and Plots — Frequency tables, dot plots, stem-and-leaf plots, scatterplotsTEKS 5.9(A): Represent data with bar graphs, frequency tables, dot plots, or stem-and-leaf plots.TEKS 5.9(C): Solve one- and two-step problems using data from a frequency table, dot plot, bar graph, stem-and-leaf plot, or scatterplot.
Money & Financial Literacy
Coins, bills, counting money, and making change.
- Money Smarts: Taxes, Income & Budgets — Taxes, gross and net income, ways to pay, budgetsTEKS 5.10(A): Define income tax, payroll tax, sales tax, and property tax.TEKS 5.10(B): Explain the difference between gross income and net income.TEKS 5.10(C): Identify the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of payment, including check, credit card, debit card, and electronic payments.TEKS 5.10(E): Describe actions that might be taken to balance a budget when expenses exceed income.TEKS 5.10(F): Balance a simple budget.
Reading & Language Arts3 units
Reading Comprehension
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Putting Ideas Together — Connect ideas across paragraphsTEKS 5.6(H): Synthesize information to create new understanding.Common Core RI.5.2: Determine two or more main ideas of a text, explain how key details support them, and summarize the text.
Literary Texts & Author’s Craft
Read closely, answer with evidence, and grow as a reader.
- Figurative Language — Similes, metaphors, and what they showTEKS 5.10(D): Describe how the author’s imagery, literal and figurative language (such as simile and metaphor), and sound devices achieve specific purposes.TEKS 5.9(B): Explain the use of sound devices and figurative language in poems, and tell the poet apart from the speaker.Common Core RL.5.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.Common Core L.5.5a: Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.
Read & Respond: Stories, Articles, Poems & Plays
Read GC Academy texts and answer questions with evidence.
- The Storm Over Willow Creek — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 5.10(D): Describe how the author’s imagery, literal and figurative language (such as simile and metaphor), and sound devices achieve specific purposes.Common Core RL.5.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.Common Core L.5.5a: Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.TEKS 5.6(H): Synthesize information to create new understanding.Common Core RI.5.2: Determine two or more main ideas of a text, explain how key details support them, and summarize the text.TEKS 5.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 5.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 5.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 5.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 5.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 5.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Coral Reefs: Cities Under the Sea — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 5.6(H): Synthesize information to create new understanding.Common Core RI.5.2: Determine two or more main ideas of a text, explain how key details support them, and summarize the text.TEKS 5.10(D): Describe how the author’s imagery, literal and figurative language (such as simile and metaphor), and sound devices achieve specific purposes.Common Core RL.5.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.Common Core L.5.5a: Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.TEKS 5.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.TEKS 5.9(D)(ii): Recognize informational text features such as insets, timelines, and sidebars.TEKS 5.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in an informational text such as logical order and order of importance.TEKS 5.10(C): Analyze the author’s use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.TEKS 5.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.TEKS 5.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea with supporting evidence in an informational text.TEKS 5.7(C): Use evidence from the text to support an appropriate response.TEKS 5.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 5.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 5.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 5.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 5.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 5.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- From Sketch to Store — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 5.9(D)(ii): Recognize informational text features such as insets, timelines, and sidebars.TEKS 5.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in an informational text such as logical order and order of importance.TEKS 5.10(C): Analyze the author’s use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.TEKS 5.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.TEKS 5.6(H): Synthesize information to create new understanding.Common Core RI.5.2: Determine two or more main ideas of a text, explain how key details support them, and summarize the text.TEKS 5.7(D): Retell, paraphrase, or summarize texts in ways that maintain meaning and logical order.TEKS 5.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 5.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 5.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 5.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 5.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 5.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- What the Seed Knows — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 5.10(D): Describe how the author’s imagery, literal and figurative language (such as simile and metaphor), and sound devices achieve specific purposes.TEKS 5.9(B): Explain the use of sound devices and figurative language in poems, and tell the poet apart from the speaker.Common Core RL.5.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.Common Core L.5.5a: Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.TEKS 5.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.TEKS 5.6(H): Synthesize information to create new understanding.Common Core RI.5.2: Determine two or more main ideas of a text, explain how key details support them, and summarize the text.TEKS 5.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 5.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 5.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 5.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 5.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 5.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Night Shift at the Museum Shop — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 5.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 5.9(C): Explain structure in drama such as character tags, acts, scenes, and stage directions.TEKS 5.10(D): Describe how the author’s imagery, literal and figurative language (such as simile and metaphor), and sound devices achieve specific purposes.Common Core RL.5.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases in a text, including figurative language such as metaphors and similes.Common Core L.5.5a: Interpret figurative language, including similes and metaphors, in context.TEKS 5.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 5.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 5.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 5.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 5.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 5.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Bessie Coleman Takes Flight — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 5.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.TEKS 5.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.TEKS 5.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea with supporting evidence in an informational text.TEKS 5.6(F): Make inferences and use evidence to support understanding.TEKS 5.9(D)(ii): Recognize informational text features such as insets, timelines, and sidebars.TEKS 5.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in an informational text such as logical order and order of importance.TEKS 5.10(C): Analyze the author’s use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.TEKS 5.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 5.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 5.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 5.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 5.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 5.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
- Inside a Volcano — Read closely and prove answers with evidence from the textTEKS 5.3(B): Use context within and beyond a sentence to determine the relevant meaning of unfamiliar words or multiple-meaning words.TEKS 5.9(D)(ii): Recognize informational text features such as insets, timelines, and sidebars.TEKS 5.9(D)(iii): Recognize organizational patterns in an informational text such as logical order and order of importance.TEKS 5.10(C): Analyze the author’s use of print and graphic features to achieve specific purposes.TEKS 5.6(G): Evaluate details read to determine key ideas.TEKS 5.9(D)(i): Recognize the central idea with supporting evidence in an informational text.TEKS 5.7(D): Retell, paraphrase, or summarize texts in ways that maintain meaning and logical order.TEKS 5.6(H): Synthesize information to create new understanding.Common Core RI.5.2: Determine two or more main ideas of a text, explain how key details support them, and summarize the text.TEKS 5.6(A): Set a purpose for reading assigned and self-selected texts.TEKS 5.6(B): Ask questions about a text before, during, and after reading to deepen understanding and gain information.TEKS 5.6(C): Make predictions, then correct or confirm them using text features, the kind of text (genre), and how it is organized.TEKS 5.6(E): Make connections between the text and personal experiences, ideas in other texts, and society.TEKS 5.7(A): Describe personal connections to a variety of sources, including self-selected texts.TEKS 5.7(F): Respond using newly learned vocabulary as appropriate.
Speaking & Listening Coming soon
Research & Inquiry Coming soon
Writing4 units
The Writer’s Path
Ten steps from strong words to a published piece.
- Word Power — Choose strong, exact wordsTEKS 5.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.Common Core L.5.6: Use academic words, including words that signal contrast, addition, and other relationships (however, although, moreover).Common Core W.5.3d: Use concrete words, phrases, and sensory details to tell experiences precisely.
- Sentence Power — Build complete, interesting sentencesTEKS 5.11(D)(i): Edit for complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement, avoiding splices, run-ons, and fragments.TEKS 5.11(D)(viii): Edit for subordinating conjunctions that form complex sentences.Common Core L.4.1f: Write complete sentences, fixing fragments and run-ons.Common Core L.5.1a: Explain what conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections do in sentences.
- Paragraph Power — Topic sentence, details, closingTEKS 5.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.TEKS 5.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging, thoughtful idea with specific facts and details.TEKS 5.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.Common Core W.5.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
- Plan It — Organize ideas with a graphic organizerTEKS 5.11(A): Plan a first draft by choosing a genre for a topic, purpose, and audience using a range of strategies.Common Core W.5.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, or trying a new approach.Common Core W.5.1a: Introduce the topic clearly, state an opinion, and group ideas logically to support it.Common Core W.5.2a: Introduce a topic clearly, give a general observation and focus, and group related information logically.
- Strong Beginnings — Hooks, topic sentences, and thesis statementsTEKS 5.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.Common Core W.5.1a: Introduce the topic clearly, state an opinion, and group ideas logically to support it.Common Core W.5.2a: Introduce a topic clearly, give a general observation and focus, and group related information logically.Common Core W.5.3a: Orient the reader by setting up a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters, with events in a natural order.
- Build the Middle — Details, evidence, and body paragraphsTEKS 5.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging, thoughtful idea with specific facts and details.Common Core W.5.1b: Give logically ordered reasons supported by facts and details.Common Core W.5.2b: Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or examples.Common Core W.5.9: Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.
- Strong Endings — Wrap it up: conclusions that close the loopTEKS 5.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.Common Core W.5.1d: Give a concluding statement or section related to the opinion.Common Core W.5.2e: Give a concluding statement or section related to the information.Common Core W.5.3e: Give a conclusion that follows from the events.
- Revise It (ARMS) — Make your writing strongerTEKS 5.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.Common Core W.5.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, or trying a new approach.
- Edit It (CUPS) — Fix capitals, usage, punctuation, spellingTEKS 5.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 5 list).Common Core W.5.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, or trying a new approach.Common Core L.5.1: Show command of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking (Grade 5).Common Core L.5.2: Show command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (Grade 5).
- Publish It! — Write a whole piece from plan to finishTEKS 5.11(E): Publish written work for an appropriate audience.TEKS 5.12(A): Write literary texts such as personal narratives, fiction, and poetry using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 5.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.TEKS 5.12(C): Write argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 5.12(D): Write correspondence that requests information.Common Core W.5.1: Write opinion pieces that support a point of view with reasons and information.Common Core W.5.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.Common Core W.5.3: Write narratives about real or imagined experiences using good technique, descriptive details, and a clear sequence of events.Common Core W.5.4: Produce clear, coherent writing whose development and organization fit the task, purpose, and audience.Common Core W.5.6: With some help, use technology, including the internet, to produce and publish writing and work with others.
Genres: Stories, Opinions, Information, Letters & Poems
Plan, draft, revise, edit, and share real writing.
- Story Writing — Personal narratives and made-up storiesTEKS 5.12(A): Write literary texts such as personal narratives, fiction, and poetry using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 5.11(A): Plan a first draft by choosing a genre for a topic, purpose, and audience using a range of strategies.TEKS 5.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.TEKS 5.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging, thoughtful idea with specific facts and details.TEKS 5.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.TEKS 5.11(D): Edit drafts using standard English conventions (Grade 5 list).TEKS 5.11(E): Publish written work for an appropriate audience.Common Core W.5.3: Write narratives about real or imagined experiences using good technique, descriptive details, and a clear sequence of events.
- Teach It Writing — Informational and how-to writingTEKS 5.12(B): Write informational texts, including brief pieces about a topic, with a clear central idea, genre characteristics, and craft.Common Core W.5.2: Write informative texts that examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.TEKS 5.13(E): Show understanding of the information gathered.
- Opinion Writing — Opinion and argument essaysTEKS 5.12(C): Write argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft.Common Core W.5.1: Write opinion pieces that support a point of view with reasons and information.
- Letter Writing — Thank-you notes and lettersTEKS 5.12(D): Write correspondence that requests information.Common Core W.5.4: Produce clear, coherent writing whose development and organization fit the task, purpose, and audience.
- Poem Writing — Sensory poems and moreTEKS 5.12(A): Write literary texts such as personal narratives, fiction, and poetry using genre characteristics and craft.
Revise & Edit Like a Pro
Read a draft with RUNS, revise with ARMS, and edit with CUPS, just like on a test.
- Revise & Edit: Phones in Fifth Grade — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 5.11(D)(i): Edit for complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement, avoiding splices, run-ons, and fragments.TEKS 5.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.TEKS 5.11(B)(ii): Develop a draft by building an engaging, thoughtful idea with specific facts and details.TEKS 5.12(C): Write argumentative texts, including opinion essays, using genre characteristics and craft.TEKS 5.9(E)(ii): Explain how the author has used facts for or against an argument.Common Core W.5.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, or trying a new approach.Common Core W.5.1b: Give logically ordered reasons supported by facts and details.Common Core W.5.1c: Link the opinion and reasons with words, phrases, and clauses (consequently, specifically).Common Core W.5.1d: Give a concluding statement or section related to the opinion.Common Core L.5.1: Show command of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking (Grade 5).
- Revise & Edit: Building the Great Pyramid — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 5.11(D)(x): Edit for italics and underlining for titles and emphasis, and punctuation including quotation marks in dialogue and commas in compound and complex sentences.TEKS 5.11(C): Revise drafts to improve sentences and word choice by adding, deleting, combining, and rearranging ideas for coherence and clarity.TEKS 5.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.Common Core W.5.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, or trying a new approach.Common Core W.5.2a: Introduce a topic clearly, give a general observation and focus, and group related information logically.Common Core W.5.2b: Develop the topic with facts, definitions, concrete details, quotations, or examples.Common Core L.5.2a: Use punctuation to separate items in a series.
- Revise & Edit: The Best Advice — I can read a draft with RUNS and choose the best ways to revise and edit itTEKS 5.11(D)(xi): Edit for correct spelling of words with grade-level spelling patterns and rules and high-frequency words.TEKS 5.8(A): Infer multiple themes within a text using text evidence.TEKS 5.11(B)(i): Develop a draft by organizing it with a purposeful structure, including an introduction, transitions, and a conclusion.TEKS 5.12(A): Write literary texts such as personal narratives, fiction, and poetry using genre characteristics and craft.Common Core W.5.5: With help from peers and adults, develop and strengthen writing by planning, revising, editing, or trying a new approach.Common Core W.5.3e: Give a conclusion that follows from the events.Common Core RL.5.2: Determine the theme of a story, drama, or poem from details, including how characters respond to challenges, and summarize the text.
Grammar & Conventions
Capitals, punctuation, grammar, and strong sentences.
- Complex Sentences — Join ideas with because, although, when, since, afterTEKS 5.11(D)(viii): Edit for subordinating conjunctions that form complex sentences.TEKS 5.11(D)(x): Edit for italics and underlining for titles and emphasis, and punctuation including quotation marks in dialogue and commas in compound and complex sentences.Common Core L.5.1a: Explain what conjunctions, prepositions, and interjections do in sentences.Common Core L.3.1h: Use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.Common Core L.3.1i: Write simple, compound, and complex sentences.
- Comma Splices and Run-Ons — Fix sentences joined with only a commaTEKS 5.11(D)(i): Edit for complete simple and compound sentences with subject-verb agreement, avoiding splices, run-ons, and fragments.Common Core L.4.1f: Write complete sentences, fixing fragments and run-ons.
- However, Therefore, Also — Conjunctive adverbs and transitions between ideasTEKS 5.11(D)(v): Edit for conjunctive adverbs (such as however and therefore).Common Core W.5.1c: Link the opinion and reasons with words, phrases, and clauses (consequently, specifically).Common Core W.5.2c: Link ideas within and across categories with words, phrases, and clauses (in contrast, especially).Common Core L.5.6: Use academic words, including words that signal contrast, addition, and other relationships (however, although, moreover).
- Indefinite Pronouns — Everyone, each, nobody, several, bothTEKS 5.11(D)(vii): Edit for pronouns, including indefinite pronouns.Common Core L.1.1d: Use personal, possessive, and indefinite pronouns.Common Core L.3.1f: Make subjects and verbs agree, and pronouns agree with the nouns they stand for.
- Abbreviations, Initials, Acronyms — Capitalize initials, acronyms, organizationsTEKS 5.11(D)(ix): Edit for capital letters in abbreviations, initials, acronyms, and organizations.Common Core L.4.2a: Use correct capitalization.
- Titles and Dialogue Punctuation — Italics or underlining for long works, quotation marks for short worksTEKS 5.11(D)(x): Edit for italics and underlining for titles and emphasis, and punctuation including quotation marks in dialogue and commas in compound and complex sentences.Common Core L.5.2d: Use underlining, quotation marks, or italics for titles of works.
Spelling Coming soon
Science5 units
Scientific Investigation & Engineering
Read, think, and investigate: Safe Scientists and Science Tools, Tables, Graphs, and Sources of Error, Test the Design: Fair Tests and Models.
- Safe Scientists and Science Tools — How do scientists stay safe and choose the right tool for the job?TEKS 5.1(C): Demonstrate safe practices and the use of safety equipment during classroom and field investigations, as outlined in TEA-approved safety standards.TEKS 5.1(D): Use tools, such as balances, graduated cylinders, Celsius thermometers, metric rulers, hand lenses, magnets, and circuit materials, to observe, measure, test, and analyze information.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Tables, Graphs, and Sources of Error — How do tables and graphs help us find patterns and spot mistakes in data?TEKS 5.1(F): Construct appropriate graphic organizers to collect data, including tables, bar graphs, line graphs, concept maps, Venn diagrams, flow charts, and input-output tables that show relationships.TEKS 5.2(B): Analyze data by identifying significant features, patterns, or sources of error.TEKS 5.2(C): Use mathematical calculations to compare patterns and relationships.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.
- Test the Design: Fair Tests and Models — How do we decide whether a design or a test is a good one?TEKS 5.2(D): Evaluate experimental and engineering designs.TEKS 5.2(A): Identify advantages and limitations of models, such as their size, scale, properties, and materials.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Matter & Energy
Read, think, and investigate: Measuring the Properties of Matter, Mixtures and Solutions, Energy, Circuits, and Light.
- Measuring the Properties of Matter — How can we use properties to describe, compare, and sort matter?TEKS 5.6(A): Compare and contrast matter by physical properties such as mass, magnetism, relative density, physical state, volume, solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal and electric energy.TEKS 5.1(D): Use tools, such as balances, graduated cylinders, Celsius thermometers, metric rulers, hand lenses, magnets, and circuit materials, to observe, measure, test, and analyze information.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Mixtures and Solutions — What happens to the properties of substances when they are mixed or dissolved?TEKS 5.6(B): Demonstrate and explain that some mixtures, such as iron filings and sand or sand and water, keep the physical properties of their substances.TEKS 5.6(C): Compare the properties of substances before and after they form a solution and demonstrate that matter is conserved in solutions.TEKS 5.2(C): Use mathematical calculations to compare patterns and relationships.TEKS 5.6(D): Illustrate how matter is made of particles too small to be seen, such as air in a balloon.TEKS 5.5(C): Use scale, proportion, and quantity to describe, compare, or model different systems.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Energy, Circuits, and Light — How does energy change form, and how does light travel?TEKS 5.8(A): Investigate and describe how energy changes form in systems, such as a flashlight battery changing chemical energy to electrical energy to light energy.TEKS 5.8(B): Demonstrate that electrical energy in complete circuits can be changed into motion, light, sound, or thermal energy, and identify what a working circuit needs.TEKS 5.8(C): Demonstrate and explain how light travels in a straight line and can be reflected, refracted, or absorbed.TEKS 5.4(A): Explain how scientific discoveries and innovative solutions to problems impact science and society.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Force & Motion
Read, think, and investigate: Forces Push and Pull.
- Forces Push and Pull — How do equal and unequal forces change the way objects move?TEKS 5.7(A): Investigate and explain how equal and unequal forces acting on an object cause patterns of motion and transfer of energy.TEKS 5.5(B): Identify and investigate cause-and-effect relationships to explain scientific phenomena or analyze problems.TEKS 5.5(G): Explain how factors or conditions impact stability and change in objects, organisms, and systems.TEKS 5.2(D): Evaluate experimental and engineering designs.TEKS 5.2(B): Analyze data by identifying significant features, patterns, or sources of error.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Earth & Space
Read, think, and investigate: Day, Night, and Shadows, The Sun, Ocean, and Weather, Rocks, Landforms, and Resources.
- Day, Night, and Shadows — Why do we have day and night, and why do shadows change during the day?TEKS 5.9: Demonstrate that Earth rotates on its axis about every 24 hours and explain how this causes day and night, the Sun’s apparent motion across the sky, and changes in shadows.TEKS 5.5(A): Identify and use patterns to explain scientific phenomena or to design solutions.TEKS 5.2(B): Analyze data by identifying significant features, patterns, or sources of error.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- The Sun, Ocean, and Weather — How do the Sun and the ocean work together to move water and shape our weather?TEKS 5.10(A): Explain how the Sun and the ocean interact in the water cycle and affect weather.TEKS 5.5(E): Investigate how energy flows and matter cycles through systems and how matter is conserved.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Rocks, Landforms, and Resources — How do wind, water, and ice shape Earth’s surface, and how can we protect Earth’s resources?TEKS 5.10(B): Model and describe the processes that led to the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels.TEKS 5.10(C): Model and identify how wind, water, or ice change Earth’s surface to form landforms such as deltas, canyons, and sand dunes.TEKS 5.11: Design and explain solutions such as conservation, recycling, or proper disposal that lessen the environmental impact of using natural resources.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Living Things & Ecosystems
Read, think, and investigate: Fossil Clues and Life Cycles, Ecosystems: Living and Nonliving Partners, Food Webs: Follow the Energy, When Ecosystems Change: Predict the Ripple, Built to Survive: Structures and Functions, Born Knowing or Learned? Animal Behaviors.
- Fossil Clues and Life Cycles — What can fossils tell us about the past, and how do living things change during their life cycles?TEKS 3.12(D): Identify fossils as evidence of past living things and environments, including common Texas fossils.TEKS 4.12(C): Identify and describe past environments based on fossil evidence, including marine fossils found in Texas.TEKS 3.13(B): Explore, illustrate, and compare the life cycles of organisms such as beetles, crickets, radishes, or lima beans.TEKS 5.3(A): Develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models and consistent with scientific ideas.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Ecosystems: Living and Nonliving Partners — How do organisms survive by interacting with the living and nonliving parts of their ecosystem?TEKS 5.12(A): Observe and describe how living things survive by interacting with the living and nonliving parts of a healthy ecosystem.TEKS 5.1(E): Collect observations and measurements as evidence.TEKS 5.5(D): Examine and model the parts of a system and how they depend on each other.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Food Webs: Follow the Energy — How do energy and matter move through a food web?TEKS 4.12(B): Describe the cycling of matter and flow of energy through food webs, including the roles of the Sun, producers, consumers, and decomposers.TEKS 5.12(B): Predict how changes in an ecosystem affect the cycling of matter and flow of energy in a food web.TEKS 5.5(E): Investigate how energy flows and matter cycles through systems and how matter is conserved.TEKS 5.2(A): Identify advantages and limitations of models, such as their size, scale, properties, and materials.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- When Ecosystems Change: Predict the Ripple — How can one change in an ecosystem ripple through a whole food web?TEKS 5.12(B): Predict how changes in an ecosystem affect the cycling of matter and flow of energy in a food web.TEKS 5.12(C): Describe a healthy ecosystem and how human activities can help or harm it.TEKS 5.5(B): Identify and investigate cause-and-effect relationships to explain scientific phenomena or analyze problems.TEKS 5.3(A): Develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models and consistent with scientific ideas.TEKS 5.5(D): Examine and model the parts of a system and how they depend on each other.TEKS 5.5(G): Explain how factors or conditions impact stability and change in objects, organisms, and systems.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Built to Survive: Structures and Functions — How do the structures of different plants and animals help them survive in the same environment?TEKS 5.13(A): Analyze the structures and functions of different species to identify how organisms survive in the same environment.TEKS 5.5(F): Explain the relationship between the structure and function of objects, organisms, and systems.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
- Born Knowing or Learned? Animal Behaviors — How do instincts and learned behaviors help animals survive?TEKS 5.13(B): Explain how instinctual behaviors, such as sea turtle hatchlings returning to the sea, and learned behaviors, such as orcas hunting in packs, increase an animal’s chances of survival.TEKS 5.5(B): Identify and investigate cause-and-effect relationships to explain scientific phenomena or analyze problems.TEKS 5.1(A): Ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations.TEKS 5.3(B): Communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats.
Social Studies3 units
Colonies & Independence
Read, think, and investigate: Explorers Build Early Colonies, Colonial Work and Government, The Road to Revolution, Declaring and Winning Independence.
- Explorers Build Early Colonies — Why did people from Europe explore and settle in North America?TEKS 5.1(A): Explain when, where, and why groups of people explored, colonized, and settled in the United States, including for religious freedom and economic gain.TEKS 5.1(B): Describe the accomplishments of colonial settlers such as William Bradford, Anne Hutchinson, William Penn, John Smith, and Roger Williams.TEKS 5.25(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Colonial Work and Government — How did colonists earn a living and govern themselves?TEKS 5.9(A): Explain the economic patterns of early European colonies.TEKS 5.9(B): Identify major industries of colonial America, such as shipbuilding and growing cash crops.TEKS 5.10(A): Identify the development of the free enterprise system in colonial America and the United States.TEKS 5.13(B): Identify examples of representative government in the colonies, including the Mayflower Compact and the Virginia House of Burgesses.TEKS 5.25(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.TEKS 5.12(B): Explain how geographic factors influenced where economic activities took place, such as farming, fishing, and shipbuilding in the colonies.
- The Road to Revolution — Why did the colonists decide to fight against Great Britain?TEKS 5.2(A): Analyze the causes and effects of events before and during the American Revolution, such as taxation after the French and Indian War and the Boston Tea Party.TEKS 5.2(B): Identify Founding Fathers and Patriot heroes, such as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, the Sons of Liberty, and George Washington, and their motivations and contributions.TEKS 5.23(C): Analyze information by sequencing, identifying cause and effect, comparing and contrasting, and drawing conclusions.TEKS 5.25(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Declaring and Winning Independence — Why is the Declaration of Independence important, and how did the colonies win their freedom?TEKS 5.14(A): Explain the purposes, key elements, and importance of the Declaration of Independence.TEKS 5.2(C): Summarize the results of the American Revolution, including the establishment of the United States.TEKS 5.23(G): Identify the central claim in a primary or secondary source.TEKS 5.25(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
A New Nation Grows
Read, think, and investigate: Creating the U.S. Constitution, A Nation Grows West.
- Creating the U.S. Constitution — How does the Constitution organize our government and protect our rights?TEKS 5.14(B): Explain the purposes of the U.S. Constitution as stated in the Preamble.TEKS 5.14(C): Explain why the Bill of Rights was created and why it is important.TEKS 5.15(A): Identify and explain the basic jobs of the three branches of government.TEKS 5.15(B): Identify the reasons for and describe the system of checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution.TEKS 5.25(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- A Nation Grows West — How did the United States grow from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and how did that growth affect different groups of people?TEKS 5.4(C): Identify events and ideas of U.S. territorial expansion, including the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition, and Manifest Destiny.TEKS 5.4(F): Identify the challenges, opportunities, and contributions of American Indian and immigrant groups, such as in settling the frontier and building the Transcontinental Railroad.TEKS 5.25(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
Civil War & Equal Rights
Read, think, and investigate: Civil War and Reconstruction, Standing Up for Equal Rights.
- Civil War and Reconstruction — What caused the Civil War, and how did the nation change afterward?TEKS 5.4(D): Explain the central role of the expansion of slavery in causing sectionalism, disagreement over states’ rights, and the Civil War.TEKS 5.4(E): Explain the effects of the Civil War, including Reconstruction and the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.TEKS 5.23(C): Analyze information by sequencing, identifying cause and effect, comparing and contrasting, and drawing conclusions.TEKS 5.25(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
- Standing Up for Equal Rights — How have Americans worked to make rights and freedoms real for everyone?TEKS 5.5(A): Explain the significance of 20th-century issues and events such as the world wars and the civil rights movement.TEKS 5.5(C): Identify the accomplishments and contributions of notable individuals and groups in U.S. history, including in civil rights and women’s rights.TEKS 5.17(A): Explain why people have a duty to take part in civic affairs at the local, state, and national levels.TEKS 5.25(A): Use social studies vocabulary correctly.
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Lessons are built around Texas standards (TEKS) with Common Core codes shown where mapped. Units marked “Coming soon” are planned but not open yet. GC Academy is supplemental practice. It does not guarantee grades or test results and is not approved, accredited or endorsed by the Texas Education Agency. Questions: info@gisellechanel.com