Curriculum Guides
Curriculum Guides are Instructional Materials that are explicit in the instruction of a multitude of English & Language Arts (ELA) skills.
Literature guides are centered around quality literature that is engaging, thought-provoking, and entertaining for readers and learners of the indicated ages. Literature guides address several skills, including, but not limited to: grammar, mechanics, spelling & phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, research, writing, and personal response. I have found this approach to text-based learning to be extremely effective for a number of reasons:
Students are introduced skills-based concepts through quality, engaging literature. I am a firm believer that all people are readers! If a person does not like reading, it is simply because they have not found the right book match yet! When readers are invested in the texts, they are more likely to be motivated to learn.
The interdiscliplinary approach of ELA allows students to demonstrate a wealth of knowledge with a small sample of the text, layering the learning to create neural connections between reading, writing, spelling, vocabulary, understanding, thoughts, others, and self.
The various subject matter included in the guides extends beyond ELA and into other subject areas. For some students, this might be the starting point to ease them in to the ELA skills. For others who may not need a way into the ELA because they already have a passion for it, these activities are like "bonus" content of a video game! When students are able to see the connections of ideas and concepts throughout a variety of contexts, the learning is amplified and both mastery and retention are sustainable.
All guides are delivered in electronic format and are yours to keep upon purchase (please see copyright information regarding reproduction of the materials). This is perfect if you intend to use the materials more than once. In addition, most guides do not contain many reproducible worksheets. This is a benefit! First of all, worksheets and consumable materials are not the best method of instruction for students (Tate, 2003). Secondly, the hands-on sensory approach utilized in the guides is a brain-based approach, proven to create neural pathways, which promotes authentic, hands-on learning.
Guides are linked below and ages are simply a suggestion. You are free to select what guides are most interesting to you and your reader!
We love all the educational opportunities that Dr. Rowe has provided our family. She has encouraged my daughter’s love of reading to grow exponentially. She has opened a world of reading for our family that provides exploration, amazing activities that connect with the stories, and passion. Passion for not only the books but the subject matter that the books provide. She is one of my main go to sources for recommendations on exciting and meaningful reads. My daughter will never forget the love of reading that Dr. Rowe has fostered in her.
--Ashley A