K-8th grade Reading
Reading (kindergarten) courses engage students in activities to develop their reading skills. Course
content may emphasize storytelling or reading aloud and evoking a written, oral, or pictorial response.
Specific content depends upon state standards for kindergarten.

Reading (grade 1) courses focus on reading skills and may emphasize recognition of and response
to various types of text; extension of vocabulary; and the connection of language to the expression of ideas.
Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 1.

Reading (grade 2) courses focus on reading skills and may build students’ skills in independent
reading by increasing reading fluency, vocabulary, and recognition of word and language patterns. Specific
content depends upon state standards for grade 2.

Reading (grade 3) courses focus on reading skills and may emphasize independent reading in a
variety of assignments. Some emphasis may also be placed on presentation skills. Specific content depends
upon state standards for grade 3.

Reading (grade 4) courses focus on reading skills and may emphasize independent reading in a
variety of assignments and require students to respond to different material in different ways. Specific
content depends upon state standards for grade 4.

Reading (grade 5) courses focus on reading skills and may extend students’ skills in distinguishing
meaning and literary functions in texts, and fluency in reading. Specific content depends upon state
standards for grade 5.

Reading (grade 6) courses build upon students’ prior knowledge and skill in reading and may
emphasize the use of language for different effects, in different contexts, and for different purposes. Specific
content depends upon state standards for grade 6.

Reading (grade 7) courses build upon students’ prior knowledge and skill in reading and may
emphasize the use of language for different effects, in different contexts, and for different purposes. Specific
content depends upon state standards for grade 7.

Reading (grade 8) courses build upon students’ prior knowledge and skill in reading. Typically, these
courses use various genres of literature to improve reading skills, and link exercises for different purposes to
those reading selections. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 8.

K-5th grade Writing
Writing (kindergarten) courses engage students in activities to develop their writing skills. Course
content may emphasize storytelling or personal expression. Specific content depends upon state standards for
kindergarten.

Writing (grade 1) courses focus on writing skills and may emphasize recognition and creation of
various types of text; extension of vocabulary and writing skills; and the connection of language to the
expression of ideas. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 1.

Writing (grade 2) courses focus on writing skills and may build students’ skills in independent
writing by increasing writing fluency, vocabulary, and recognition of word and language patterns. They may
also introduce or reinforce the rules of grammar and spelling. Specific content depends upon state standards
for grade 2.

Writing (grade 3) courses focus on writing skills and may emphasize independent writing in a variety
of assignments. Some emphasis may also be placed on presentation skills. Specific content depends upon
state standards for grade 3.

Writing (grade 4) courses focus on writing skills and may emphasize independent writing in a variety
of assignments and require students to respond to different materials in different ways. Grammar and usage
of the English language may also be emphasized. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 4.

Writing (grade 5) courses focus on writing skills and may extend students’ skills in writing for
particular purposes or audiences, distinguishing meaning and literary functions in texts, and fluency in
writing. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 5.

Writing (grade 6) courses build upon students’ prior knowledge and skill in writing and may
emphasize the use of language for different effects, in different contexts, and for different purposes. Specific
content depends upon state standards for grade 6.

Writing (grade 7) courses build upon students’ prior knowledge and skill in writing and may
emphasize the use of language for different effects and to construct meaning and connections. Specific
content depends upon state standards for grade 7.

Writing (grade 8) courses build upon students’ prior knowledge and skill in writing. Typically,
these courses use writing exercises to expand students’ understanding of the different purposes of written
communication. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 8.


K-8th grade Math
Mathematics (kindergarten) courses typically introduce and reinforce basic concepts of mathematics
such as counting whole numbers and understanding patterns, time, and money. Specific content depends
upon state standards for kindergarten.

Mathematics (grade 1) courses typically help build a conceptual foundation in number, operation,
and quantitative reasoning; patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking; geometry and spatial reasoning;
and measurement. These courses often require students to develop their numerical fluency and to make
calculation predictions. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 1.

Mathematics (grade 2) courses typically continue to build a conceptual foundation in number,
operation, and quantitative reasoning; patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking; geometry and spatial
reasoning; and measurement. These courses often require students to develop their numerical fluency,
particularly in addition and subtraction, and to solve problems using those operations as well as estimation.
Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 2.

Mathematics (grade 3) courses typically emphasize number, operation, and quantitative reasoning;
patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking; geometry and spatial reasoning; and measurement. These
courses often require students to improve their numerical fluency, adding multiplication and division
to addition and subtraction operations, using whole numbers and parts (quarters, thirds, halves), and
estimation. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 3.

Mathematics (grade 4) courses typically emphasize number, operation, and quantitative reasoning;
patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking; geometry and spatial reasoning; and measurement. Course
content may include activities that help students increase operational fluency, make connections between
abstract symbols and concrete events or concepts, or present conclusions based on data. Specific content
depends upon state standards for grade 4.

Mathematics (grade 5) courses typically emphasize number, operation, and quantitative reasoning;
patterns, relationships, and algebraic thinking; geometry and spatial reasoning; and measurement. Course
content may include activities that help students increase operational fluency, make connections between
abstract symbols and concrete events or concepts, or present their mathematical reasoning. Specific content
depends upon state standards for grade 5.

Mathematics (grade 6) courses typically emphasize skills in numerical operations (including basic
operations and their proper order); measurement; patterns; simple functions; geometry; and concepts of data
analysis, including statistics and probability. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 6.

Mathematics (grade 7) courses typically emphasize proficiency in skills involving numbers and
operations; measurement; patterns; functions; algebraic formulas; geometry; and concepts of data analysis,
including statistics and probability. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 7.

Mathematics (grade 8) courses typically emphasize proficiency in skills involving numbers and
operations, measurement, patterns, simple functions, algebra, geometry, statistics, and probability. Specific
content depends upon state standards for grade 8.

K-8th grade Science
Science (kindergarten) courses encourage students to observe and describe properties of organisms,
systems, and the environment. Students may raise questions, identify patterns, and record observations.
Specific content depends upon state standards for kindergarten.

Science (grade 1) courses allow students to identify interactions and patterns in objects and events
and to record observations in written or visual form. Typically, students investigate systems of living
organisms and the environment. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 1.

Science (grade 2) courses continue to introduce students to basic scientific processes and principles.
Course content may include identification of patterns, classification and sequencing, or manipulation of
systems to observe interactions between parts and record the effects of change. Specific content depends
upon state standards for grade 2.

Science (grade 3) courses involve observation, measurement, and description of simple systems.
Course content may include the scientific process; life and environmental science; and physical, earth, and
space science. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 3.

Science (grade 4) courses typically explore complex systems, such as plant and animal adaptation,
forces and motion, and physical and chemical changes in matter, or content consistent with state academic
standards. Students may identify causes and effects of change, make predictions, and gather data from
multiple sources. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 4.

Science (grade 5) courses build on the study of various systems. They may include identification
and description of cycles, comparisons of forms of matter and energy, forces, or content consistent with
state academic standards. Students may make comparisons and interpret and analyze information. Specific
content depends upon state standards for grade 5.

Science (grade 6) courses typically include subject matter from several strands of science, including
earth/space sciences, physical sciences, and life or environmental sciences, and may organize material around
thematic units. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 6.

Science (grade 7) courses build on previous years of scientific inquiry and typically include subject
matter from several strands of science, including earth sciences, physical sciences, and life or environmental
sciences, and may organize material around thematic units. Specific content depends upon state standards
for grade 7.

Science (grade 8) courses typically include subject matter from several strands of science, including
earth sciences, physical sciences, and life or environmental sciences, and may organize material around
thematic units. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 8.

K-8th grade Social Studies
Social Studies (kindergarten) courses generally provide initial foundations in the social studies
disciplines: history, geography, civics and government, and economics. Specific content depends upon state
standards for kindergarten.

Social Studies (grade 1) courses develop foundational skills in the social studies disciplines: history,
geography, civics and government, and economics. These disciplines are often taught together and organized
around a theme. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 1.

Social Studies (grade 2) courses help students reach greater understanding of the social studies
disciplines: history, geography, civics and government, and economics. Courses often offer study of these
disciplines in an integrated fashion, through the context of a specific theme or discipline, such as state-based
social studies or the history of a people. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 2.

Social Studies (grade 3) courses build on previous knowledge and introduce concepts in the social
studies disciplines: history, geography, civics and government, and economics. Instruction of the disciplines
is often integrated for instructional purposes. Students may study these disciplines through the context of a
specific theme or discipline, such as state-based social studies or U.S. history. Specific content depends upon
state standards for grade 3.

Social Studies (grade 4) courses continue to develop skills in history, geography, civics and
government, and economics. Although the four disciplines are typically integrated, these courses may take
a more discipline-specific approach, such as concentrating on U.S. history, state-specific history, or civic
engagement for periods of time. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 4.

Social Studies (grade 5) courses continue to develop skills in history, geography, civics and
government, and economics. These courses may be more discipline-specific (dividing up state history, U.S.
history, geography, government, and so on). Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 5.

Social Studies (grade 6) courses provide a greater understanding of social studies disciplines,
including history, geography, civics and government, and economics. These courses often focus on the
history, culture, and government of various specific world societies. Typically, students develop skills used in
the social studies disciplines. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 6.

Social Studies (grade 7) courses provide continued development of understanding and skills in
the social studies disciplines: history, geography, civics and government, and economics. Specific content
depends upon state standards for grade 7.

Social Studies (grade 8) courses provide continued development of understanding and skills in the
social studies disciplines: history, geography, civics and government, and economics. Typically, these courses
focus on single disciplines at a time (e.g., state-specific history and government, U.S. history, world history,
or civics) to develop discipline-related skills. Specific content depends upon state standards for grade 8.