The Core Knowledge Foundation (www.coreknowledge.org) provides open access to content-rich curriculum materials for preschool through grade 8, including the Core Knowledge Curriculum Series™. This material includes learning materials for language arts, history and geography, and science. Please read the Terms of Use. for using materials from the CKLA Free Download Manager.
The Research Foundation for Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA)
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Introduction: Teacher Guide - Grade 4
The Introduction to grade 4 CKLA provides component descriptions as well as background information on common lesson types and instructional practices.
Decoding and Encoding Remediation Supplement - Fourth and Fifth Gardes
The Decoding and Encoding Remediation Supplement contains assessments and remediation materials for grades 4 and 5 that build incrementally, intended for use with students who have gaps in their code knowledge or fluency.
Beginning-of-Year Assessment: Teacher Guide - Grade 4
The Beginning-of-Year Assessment consists of reading comprehension, grammar, morphology, word reading in isolation, and fluency assessments. The analysis and placement recommendations determine students’ preparedness for grade-level CKLA instruction.
Yearlong Teacher Resources: Teacher Guide - Grade 4 Ancillary Materials
The Yearlong Teacher Resources document includes resources for use across multiple CKLA units. These include an Individual Code Chart, Anecdotal Reading Records, Tens Recording and Conversion charts, Using Chunking to Decode Multisyllabic Words, and the Sound and Spelling of Schwa.
Fluency Supplement: Fourth and Fifth Grade Ancillary Materials
The Fluency Supplement contains selections from a variety of genres for grades 4 and 5 to provide additional opportunities for students to practice reading with fluency and expression.
Students develop reading and writing skills through engagement with informational text in the Student Reader Knights, Castles, and Chivalry. The unit provides background information to place the Middle Ages in western Europe in historical and geographical context. Students learn about the feudal system, chivalry, manors, the growth of towns, the power of the Christian Church, the Magna Carta, the plague, and the legacy of the Middle Ages. Students review the writing process and engage in an extended writing project. Lessons include explicit instruction in grammar, morphology, and spelling.
Teacher Guide: The Middle Ages - Unit 2
Activity Book: The Middle Ages - Unit 2
Student Reader: Knights, Castles and Chivalry - Unit 2
Digital Components: The Middle Ages - Unit 2
Alignment Chart: The Middle Ages - Unit 2
Students develop reading, writing, listening, and thinking skills through engagement with informational text in the Student Reader The Changing Earth. Students explore how different geological processes shape the earth’s landscape and related environments. Students learn that the earth is composed of layers that, through heat and pressure, cause movements that result in geological features above and below earth’s surface, such as mountains, volcanoes, and trenches. Students also study rock formation, weathering, and erosion in order to understand how the earth changes over time. Students write informational and descriptive paragraphs and practice using figurative language. Lessons include explicit instruction in grammar, morphology, and spelling.
Teacher Guide: Geology - Unit 6
Activity Book: Geology - Unit 6
Student Reader: Geology - Unit 6
Digital Components: Geology - Unit 6
Alignment Chart: Geology - Unit 6
Students develop reading, writing, listening, and thinking skills through engagement with informational text in the Student Reader The Road to Independence. Students explore disagreements about principles of government that led the colonists in North America to seek independence from Great Britain. Students learn about the major figures, causes, and consequences of the American Revolution, and about significant ideas and values at the heart of the conflict. Students also read literary selections by Phillis Wheatley and Washington Irving. Students write a cause-and-effect essay. Lessons include explicit instruction in grammar, morphology, and spelling.
Teacher Guide: American Revolution - Unit 7
Activity Book: American Revolution - Unit 7
Student Reader: American Revolution - Unit 7
Digital Components: American Revolution - Unit 7
Alignment Chart: American Revolution - Unit 7
Treasure Island chronicles the adventures of the young narrator, Jim Hawkins, who discovers a treasure map and travels in search of the treasure on a distant island. The novel vividly portrays Jim’s encounters with dangerous pirates and shows how Jim uses his wits to outsmart the pirates. Through reading an abridged version of this classic novel, students learn about the adventure story as a specific genre of fiction. They explore the development of plot, characters, setting, and literary elements over the course of a longer work of fiction. Students also learn about topics relevant to the novel, such as geography and sailing. Students write a character sketch and an adventure story. Lessons include explicit instruction in grammar, morphology, and spelling.
Teacher Guide: Treasure Island - Unit 8
Activity Book: Treasure Island - Unit 8
Student Reader: Treasure Island - Unit 8
Digital Components: Treasure Island - Unit 8
Alignment Chart: Treasure Island - Unit 8
This unit provides information and activities to help students use maps and globes effectively. Students learn geographical terms and how to use map symbols, keys, and map scales. They are introduced to longitude and latitude and using coordinates and degrees to find a specific location. Students also learn about time zones, maps depicting elevation and depression, and the relationship between a three-dimensional globe and flat map.
In this unit students review skills of using maps and globes and then apply those skills in learning about major mountains and mountain ranges. They explore the Himalayas and Urals in Asia; the Atlas Mountains in Africa; the Andes in South America; the Appalachians and Rockies in North America; and the Alps and Caucasus in Europe. Students also study the tallest mountains on each continent.
Teacher's Guide: World Mountains
Student Reader: World Mountains
This unit begins by providing background information to place the Middle Ages in Western Europe in historical and geographical context. Students learn about the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, the influence of the Roman Catholic Church, Charlemagne, the feudal system, castles and manors, chivalry, the growth of towns, women in the Middle Ages, William the Conqueror, the Magna Carta, Parliament, Joan of Arc, the plague, and the legacy of the Middle Ages. Students also learn about medieval European art, architecture, and music, as well as the fictional King Arthur and Camelot.
Teacher's Guide: Medieval Europe
Student Reader: Medieval Europe
Timeline Cards: Medieval Europe
This unit explains the historical significance of Muhammad and the origins of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula. Students learn about the importance of the Koran and the Five Pillars of Islam. Students also learn about the achievements of Muslim scholars and artists and the growth of Muslim empires. The unit concludes with a brief account of the Crusades, the long series of wars during the Middle Ages in which European Christians attempted to retake control of the Holy Land and other formerly Christian territories in the Middle East.
Teacher's Guide: Medieval Islamic Empires
Student Reader: Medieval Islamic Empires
Timeline Cards: Medieval Islamic Empires
This unit begins with an overview of the varied geography of Africa, including tropical rainforests, savanna (grasslands), and deserts. Students learn about the early African kingdoms of Kush and Aksum, and about the medieval trading kingdoms of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai. Students explore the city of Timbuktu as a center of trade and learning. Students are also introduced to African works of art, including the ritual, ceremonial, or celebratory purposes of many artworks.
Teacher's Guide: Early and Medieval African Kingdoms
Student Reader: Early and Medieval African Kingdoms
Timeline Cards: Early and Medieval African Kingdoms
This unit introduces the succession of dynasties that that ruled China for nearly two thousand years. Students learn about the Qin dynasty and the first emperor, Shihuangdi, who began construction of the Great Wall; about the Han dynasty, when trade in silk and spices flourished along the Silk Road; about the Tang and Song dynasties, which witnessed important inventions including the compass and gunpowder; about the Mongol invasion led by Chinggis Khan and the Yuan dynasty founded by Kublai Khan; and, about the Ming dynasty, which established the capital at Beijing and built the Forbidden City. Students also become familiar with Chinese art, including silk scrolls, calligraphy, and porcelain.
Teacher's Guide: Dynasties of China
Student Reader: Dynasties of China
Timeline Cards: Dynasties of China
This unit begins by providing background information on the establishment of the thirteen colonies. Students learn about early alliances, the French and Indian War, and causes and provocations of the American Revolution including British taxes, the Stamp Act, the Boston Massacre, and the Boston Tea Party. Students are introduced to major ideas in the Declaration of Independence and to key figures in the Revolution, including George Washington, Crispus Attucks, Patrick Henry, Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict, Arnold, John Paul Jones, and Nathan Hale. Students are also introduced to art and literature representative of the period.
Teacher's Guide: The American Revolution
Student Reader: The American Revolution
Timeline Cards: The American Revolution