Language Arts and Literature at Great Hearts
Find your course band below and select your region to reach the Core Curricular Document (CCD) or Course Overview, which contains the course overview, texts and resources used in the course, a course outline, pacing guides, and more.
You must be logged in with your Great Hearts email address to access the links on this page.
Courses | Core Curricular Documents & Course Overviews |
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Language Arts (K-2) | Grade K, Grade 1, Grade 2 Overviews |
Language Arts (3-6) | AZ | TX |
Literature & Composition (6-8) | Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 Overviews |
Teacher Resource Portal
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Curriculum
Daily Lesson Outlines and more for Grammar & Writing, Literature, Phonics, and Poetry & Sayings for the following grades can now be found in the Teacher Resource Portal.
- Kindergarten Language Arts
- Grade 1 Language Arts
- Grade 2 Language Arts
- Grade 6 Lit/Comp
- Grade 7 Lit/Comp
- Grade 8 Lit/Comp
Phonics/Spelling Lesson Outlines
All Phonics/Spelling Lesson Outlines are complete at least through Semester I for Grades K-5! New and veteran teachers alike are finding these daily lesson outlines to be very helpful.
- Grade K Phonics, Spelling, Penmanship
- Grade 1 Phonics, Spelling, Penmanship
- Grade 2 Phonics, Spelling, Penmanship – New Schools | Veteran Schools
- Grade 3 Spelling and Penmanship – New Schools | Veteran Schools
- Grade 4 Spelling and Penmanship – New Schools | Veteran Schools
- Grade 5 Spelling and Penmanship – New Schools | Veteran Schools
Training
The following trainings and resources are available on the Teacher Resource Portal.
K-5 ELA PD
Principles of Teaching K-6 Literature ( Available in K, 1, and 2)
6-12 ELA PD (click here to self-enroll)
- 6-12 ELA PD
- 6-12 Writing – This module overviews the analytical 5-paragraph essay approach in addition to key topics in classical rhetoric. Both areas are part of the 6-12 Writing Curriculum at Great Hearts.
- Art of Imitation – This module introduces the pedagogical approach of writing by imitation.
- Teaching Shakespeare – This module places Shakespeare within the Great Hearts curriculum, provides an overview of the different kinds of Shakespeare plays, as well as a summary of best practices for coaching and engaging students.
- Building Better Readers – The purpose of this module is twofold: to describe the habits and virtues of the excellent reader—that is, what we hope our students will become – and to supply teachers will practical strategies to build better readers.
- 6-8 Lit/Comp PD
- Lit/Comp Overview – An overview of the Lit/Comp courses’ unique features and their role as a bridge between K-5 ELA curriculum and 9-12 Humane Letters curriculum.
- Well-Ordered Language (Grades 3-8)
- Adverbial Clauses – Explore advanced understandings of phrases and clauses, with a focus on adverbial clauses, that students encounter in Grades 6-8.
- Finding Hope in Dark Texts – Reflect on approaches that guide readers to search for hope amid dark themes and imagery, such as those found in the literature curriculum in Edgar Allen Poe’s stories and Lord of the Flies.
- 9-12 Humane Letters PD
- Teaching Epic Poetry – Examine the nature of epic poetry and gain tools for teaching it well.
- Elements of Tragedy – Explore the elements and essence of tragedy at an adult level before teaching it in the classroom.
- Cultivating Seminar Culture – This module will provide teachers with a vision of a vibrant and hospitable seminar culture and supply teachers with practical tools and advice for nurturing their class community. Hear from several experienced, but different voices to demonstrate that a convivial seminar culture can be attained through various means and leadership personalities.
- Speaking Well: Coaching Student Speaking and Presentation – Learn about the role of public speaking in the Great Hearts curriculum, reflect on elements that develop rhetorical power, and explore two kinds of forum lessons that develop specific kinds of skills in students.
- Student Participation in Seminar – Examine a variety of ways for students to effectively participate in seminar and how to develop, track, and assess participation.
Courses in Development – Updates & Document Previews
While the curriculum and training are still being developed, you can preview the documents using the links provided here. (Coming Soon)
Grade 3 ELA In Development
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- Literature – Unit materials for Pinocchio are available.
- Composition – Units 1-3 materials are available.
- Grammar – Units 1-6 materials are available.
Grade 4 ELA In Development
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- Literature – Unit materials for Wizard of Oz are available.
- Composition – Units 1-3 materials are available.
- Grammar – Units 1-6 materials are available.
Grade 5 ELA In Development
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- Literature – Unit materials for The Secret Garden are now available.
- Composition – Units 1-2 materials are now available.
- Grammar – Unit 1 materials are available.
Learn more about helping with remaining courses to be developed.
In the mean time, check out the additional resources available below!
Additional Teacher Resources
Here, you can find additional teaching resources such as example lesson plans and materials, old talks and Professional Development resources, or useful links and documents. You must be logged into your Great Hearts email address to access.
- K-12 Reading List
- Upper School / Prep Writing Manual
- Lower School / Archway Writing Manual
- Resources for K-6 Language Arts Teachers
Browse sample lessons, guiding philosophical documents, lesson materials, useful websites, and resources from past Professional Development events. - Resources for Middle School Literature & Composition Teachers
Browse sample lessons, guiding philosophical documents, lesson materials, useful websites, and resources from past Professional Development events
Spalding Resources
Resources for Spalding Phonics, Spelling, and Penmanship
ALL summer training resources can be found in the Spalding Course and K-2 lesson outlines can be found in their respective grade-level courses–all on the Teacher Resource Portal!
Penmanship
Manuscript Resources
- Manuscript Formation Template
- Manuscript Lower Case Alphabet Video UPDATED
- Manuscript Capital Letters, Numbers, and Punctuation VideoUPDATED
- Parent Resources:
Cursive Resources
Teaching Guides & Resources
Spalding Instructional Videos – Instructions for Ayres List Sections and Rule Pages
Ayres List for Automaticity – Flash Cards and Lists
Annotated Writing Road to Reading, Rules, and Rule Pages
Share Your Resources
Have resources that you think other teachers might find helpful?
Email us at PD@greatheartsamerica.org to donate your resources!