Elementary English Language Arts

We invite you and your children to:

• develop and reinforce foundation skills
• exercise imagination
• focus on building testimony
• strengthen family bonds
• create new and beautiful works

Each course is named after different types of explorers and adventures to remind students that learning is one of the grandest adventures of all!

Our carefully designed courses provide you with flexibility while giving your children a truly beautiful and engaging learning experience.  Course projects and experiences have been thoughtfully aligned with Utah State Language Arts Standards to ensure that your child is ready to embrace his or her academic future with confidence.

Our English Language Arts Courses

We Provide:

• Thoughtfully designed, easy-to-use lessons in Canvas, an online learning management system.
• K – 6th Grade Literature Studies with enjoyable discussion questions, gospel connections and wholesome, fun activities for each book
• 2nd – 6th Grade Writing Studies with fun and meaningful projects designed to establish foundational writing skills
• Teaching Your Children to Read Using the Book of Mormon (for K-3rd grade)
• Caring support from mentors and administrators
• Schedule and pacing guide
• Live online classes for 3rd – 6th Grade

All K – 6th Grade English Language Arts courses include:

• IXL account (an online learning software which teaches and reinforces foundational language arts skills)
• Typing.com account.
• handwriting guidance

Parents Provide:

• Access to a computer or tablet (Visit our Technology page for complete details)
• Materials necessary to complete the activities and assignments
• Daily instruction for younger children
• Literature books
• Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Book

Kindergarten: Pioneer Literature Studies

Available anytime for self-paced enrollment

The lessons provide a video reading of the literature for each week.  Please feel free, however, to find these books at your library or purchase them (not included with tuition).  The videos are provided to simplify your life and reduce cost.

Part 1 Readings

• The Three Billy Goats Gruff  by Stephen Carpenter
• Peter Rabbit  by Beatrix Potter
• The Watering Hole by Graeme Base
• Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
• The Elves and the Shoemaker by Jim LaMarche
• Corduroy by Don Freeman
• Tikki Tikki Tembo by Arlene Mosel
• The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
• Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina
• Stone Soup by Marcia Brown
• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall and Barbara Cooney
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
• It Could Always be Worse By Margot Zemach
• The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
• Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck and Mark Buehner

Part 2 Readings

• The Mitten by Jan Brett
• Katie Meets the Impressionists by James Mayhew
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
• Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
• The Coal Thief by Alane Adams
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
• Knots on a Counting Rope by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault
• The Keeping Quilt by Patricia Polacco
• Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
• The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
• Pickle Chiffon Pie by Jolly Roger Bradfield
• Brave Irene by William Steig
• The Empty Pot by Demi
• Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

1st Grade: Adventurers Literature Studies

Available anytime for self-paced enrollment.

The lessons provide a video reading of the literature for each week.  Please feel free, however, to find these books at your library or purchase them (not included with tuition).  The videos are provided to simplify your life and reduce cost.

Part 1 Readings

• The Tale Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter
• The Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
• Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
• The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
• The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco
• The Giant Jam Sandwich by John Vernon Lord
• Mr. Wrinkles by Robert Pearce
• Ish by Peter Reynolds
• Strega Nona by Tomie de Paola
• Lotus and Feather by Ji-Li-Jiang
• The Kiss that Missed by David Melling
• Hanukkah in Alaska by Barbara Brown
• Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
• How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
• The Hat by Jan Brett

Part 2 Readings

• Old Henry by Joan W. Blos
• Apples to Oregon by Deborah Hopkins
• The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• I Need my Monster by Amanda Noll
• Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews
• Anansi the Spider by Gerald McDermott
• King Midas and the Golden Touch by Charlotte Craft
• Katie and the Dinosaurs by James Mayhew
• Casey at the Bat by Ernest L. Thayer
• The Hula Hoopin’ Queen by Thelma Lynne Godin
• Dr. De Soto by William Steig
• The House that Jane Built by Tanya Lee Stone
• Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo by John Lithgow
• Sky Boys by Deborah Hopkinson
• A Visitor for Bear by Bonnie Becker

2nd Grade: Explorers Literature Studies

Available anytime for self-paced enrollment.

Explorers Literature Studies Part 1 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• Mr. Popper’s Penguins  Print Book   Audiobook
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle  Print Book  Audiobook
• Misty of Chincoteague  Print Book  Audiobook
• Sarah Plain and Tall  Print Book  Audiobook

Explorers Literature Studies Part 2 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• Bambi  Print Book  Audiobook
• Little House on the Prairie  Print Book  Audiobook
• Winnie-the-Pooh  Print Book  Audiobook
• The Wild Robot  Print Book  Audiobook

2nd Grade Explorers Writing Studies Parts 1 and 2

In this course, students will read a variety of fairy tales, view different versions of each, act them out, and then write the tale in their own unique way. The following books are required for both parts 1 and 2 (not included with tuition):

• The Red Fairy Book Print Book  Audiobook
• The Blue Fairy Book Print Book  Audiobook

3rd Grade Discoverers Literature Studies

Discoverers Literature Studies Part 1 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle Print Book  Audio 
• The Boxcar Children Print Book Audio
• Kenny and The Dragon Print Book Audio
• 100 Dresses Print Book Audio

Discoverers Literature Studies Part 2 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• Charlotte’s Web Print Book Audio
• Farmer Boy Print Book Audio
• A Cricket in Times Square Print Book Audio
• Homer Price Print Book Audio

3rd Grade Discoverers Writing Studies

Part 1

In this course, students will read a variety of Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling, act them out, and then write the stories in their own unique way. The following resources are required:

• Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling (Illustrated) 
• Just So Stories performed by Jim Weiss available on CD or MP3

Part 2

In this course, students will read a variety of American Tall Tales, act them out, and then write the stories in their own unique way. The following resources are required:

• American Tall Tales performed by Jim Weiss available in CD or MP3
• American Tall Tales Companion Reader available as PDF or Print Book

4th Grade Trailblazers Literature Studies

Trailblazers Literature Studies Part 1 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• Because of Winn-Dixie Print Book  Audiobook
• Matilda  Print Book  Audiobook
• The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street Print Book  Audiobook
• The Door in the Wall  Print Book  Audiobook

Trailblazers Literature Studies Part 2 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• The Princess and the Goblin Print Book  Audiobook
• Johnny Tremain  Print Book  Audiobook
• Shades of Gray Print Book  Audiobook – Check your local library
• The Candymakers Print Book  Audiobook

4th Grade Trailblazers Writing Studies

Part 1

In this course, students will complete the follow writing projects:

• Friendly Letter
• All About Me Presentation
• Favorite Animal – Essay
• Holiday Traditions Essay

Part 2

In this course, students will complete the following writing projects:

• Poetry: Diamantes, Acrostics, and Cinquains
• My State Research Project
• Newspaper Report – Featuring the 5 W’s
• Dust Jacket Book Review

5th Grade Pathfinders Literature Studies

Pathfinders Literature Studies Part 1 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• Where the Red Fern Grows
• Anne of Green Gables
• The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe*
• Prince Caspian*
• *Any edition is fine. We recommend obtaining this Chronicles of Narnia boxed set.

Pathfinders Literature Studies Part 2 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• A Rover’s Story
• The Single Shard
• Pollyanna
• The Sign of the Beaver

5th Grade Pathfinders Writing Studies

Part 1 writing projects:

• Letter of Introduction
• Compare and Contrast Essay
• Sonnets
• Holidays Around the World

Part 2 writing projects:

• Meet a Famous Person
• Native American Tribes
• Ad for a Product
• Play or Puppet Show

6th Grade Voyagers Literature Studies

Part 1 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Print Book Audio 
• The Saturdays Print Book Audio
• Snow Treasure Print Book Audio
• Frindle Print Book Audio

Part 2 Readings

You may purchase the print or audio book (not included with tuition).

• The Pushcart War Print Book Audio
• Caddie Woodlawn Print Book Audio
• Esperanza Rising Print Book Audio
• A Wrinkle in Time Print Book Audio

6th Grade Voyagers Writing Studies

Part 1 writing projects:

• Autobiography
• Poetry: Haiku and Limerick
• Short Story
• Thank You Notes

Part 2 writing projects:

• How-To
• Journal
• Interview
• Meet My Ancestor

Teaching Your Children to Read Using the Book of Mormon

Learn all about this program here.

• Unit 1 is for K – 1st Graders
• Unit 2 is for 2nd Graders
• Unit 3 is for 3rd Graders

Students progress through the units at their own pace. When they complete a unit, they may start the next unit anytime.

Handwriting:

We use the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Program.  Students should use the book which corresponds with their grade, completing 3-4 exercises each week.  If there is a choice between cursive or print, you are free to decide which is the best choice for your child.  If a 4th – 6th grader has never learned cursive, they should start with the Third Grade level, and may choose to progress rapidly and complete more than one level in the same year. The teacher’s manual is not required.  Everything you need is included in the student manual. 

• Zaner-Bloser Kindergarten 
• Zaner-Bloser First Grade 
• Zaner-Bloser Second Grade (Print) 
• Zaner-Bloser Second Grade (Cursive) 
• Zaner-Bloser Third Grade 
• Zaner-Bloser Fourth Grade 
• Zaner-Bloser Fifth Grade 
• Zaner-Bloser Sixth Grade