The curriculum is divided into four quarters, and each quarter is roughly 8 weeks with 15-16 lessons in total.
Quarter 1 = Q1
Quarter 2 = Q2
Quarter 3 = Q3
Quarter 4 = Q4
For each quarter, there is a teacher guide and a student book. Thus, altogether there are 4 teacher guides and 4 student books. There are also 11-13 children’s books which are used in the curriculum and required. These may be borrowed from a library or purchased. For information on purchasing, please visit the website for Lūminé Press: www.luminepress.com/curriculum/
The 32-week plan by quarter:
Quarter 1: Story Map Writing: Focus on Problem-Solution and on Cause-Effect (one paragraph).
Quarter 2: 4-Square Writing: Focus on Main Idea/Detail and on Persuasive Writing (introduces the five-paragraph essay).
Quarter 3: Story Map and 4-Square Writing: Focus on Character Trait and Compare/Contrast.
Quarter 4: Story Map and 4-Square Writing: Focus on writing a personal narrative, fiction story, friendly letter, and some more advanced topics such as an analysis of theme.
Mobile users: For the information below, scroll side-to-side or view on a computer.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
|---|---|---|---|
Unit 1: Problem and Solution |
Unit 3: Main Idea and Detail |
Unit 6: Character Trait |
Unit 8: Narrative Writing |
Unit 2: Cause and Effect |
Unit 4: Persuasive Essay |
Unit 7: Compare and Contrast |
Unit 9: Theme |
Unit 5: Notetaking |
Unit 10: Friendly Letter |
The 32-week plan by week:
Q1: September and October
| When | What Story | Why | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Week 1 | The Giant Jam Sandwich | Introducing Story Map Writing | Story Map |
| Unit 1: Weeks 2-5 | Aunt Eater Mystery books (7 stories) | Problem-Solution | Story Map |
| Unit 2: Weeks 6-8 | “How/Why” Stories (folktales) | Cause – Effect | Story Map |
Q2: November through Mid-January
| When | What Topic | Why | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 3: Weeks 9-11 |
|
|
4-Square |
| Unit 3: Weeks 12-13 |
|
|
4-Square |
| Unit 4: Weeks 13-14 |
|
|
4-Square |
| Unit 5: Weeks 15-16 | Science Topics | Notetaking (reverse engineering the 5-paragraph essay): Main Idea/Detail | 4-Square |
Q3: Mid-January through late March
| When | What Story | Why | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 6: Weeks 17-20 |
|
|
Story Map |
| Unit 6: Week 20 | Little Witch | Modeling a 5-paragraph character analysis using a modern fairy tale | 4-Square |
| Unit 7: Weeks 21-24 |
|
Compare – Contrast | Story Map |
Q4: Late March through late May
| When | What Story | Why | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 8: Week 25 | Personal Life | Personal Narrative | 4-Square |
| Unit 8: Weeks 26-28 | Imaginative | Fiction Story | Story Map
The 5 W’s Graphic Organizer My Writing Plan 4-Square Double-T Chart |
| Unit 9: Weeks 29-31 | Merlin Missions “Christmas in Camelot” (chapter book) |
|
Story Map
4-Square |
| Unit 10: Week 32 | Personal Life | Friendly Letter (in 5 paragraphs), character analysis | 4-Square |
At the beginning of each of the 3 units focused on literary analysis (problem-solution, cause-effect, character trait), the following items will be included:
-
- Graphic Organizer: Story Map
- Letter to Parents
- Introduction to Unit
- Recommended “teacher language”
- Teacher “cheat sheets” for sample stories
- Student Exemplar
- Student Materials (also available in Student Book):
- Graphic Organizer
- Recipe for the Problem-Solution paragraph and Student-friendly step-by-step directions
- Cure for “I don’t know what to write.”
- Rubric and Editing Checklist
- Optimal Learning Model (gradual hand-off of responsibility from teacher to student) – this is included for teachers who are teaching a class
- Teacher Guides (lessons + optional extras). It is important to note that these are only guides. When it comes to writing, there is no “one right answer.”
