The Common Core Companion: The Standards Decoded, Grades K-2

A longtime English teacher, Jim Burke is the author of more than 20 books and senior consultant for the Holt McDougal Literature program. Jim has received several awards, including the 2000 NCTE Exemplary English Leadership Award. In 2009, he created the English Companion Ning—the largest online community of English teachers in the world. More recently, Jim has served on the AP English Course and Exam Review Commission and the PARCC Consortium.

• Introduction: Getting to the Core of the CurriculumQuick Reference: Common Core State Standards, K-5 English Language ArtsPart 1. ReadingKey Ideas and DetailsCraft and StructureIntegration of Knowledge and IdeasRange of Reading and Level of Text ComplexityPart 2. Reading Standards: Foundational SkillsPhonics and Word RecognitionFluencyCollege and Career Anchor Standards: WritingCollege and Career Anchor Standards: Speaking and ListeningCollege and Career Anchor Standards: LanguagePart 3. WritingText Types and PurposesProduction and Distribution of WritingResearch to Build and Present KnowledgeRange of WritingPart 4. Speaking and ListeningComprehension and CollaborationPresentation of Knowledge and IdeasPart 5. LanguageConventions of Standard EnglishKnowledge of LanguageVocabulary Acquisition and UseResourcesResource A. Common Core Recommended Reading ListsResource B. Text Complexity ToolResource C. Planning Calendar TemplatesTeacher Notes

"These books provide clear guidance on instructional practices and intentionality of conversations as well as thorough articulation of the intent of the standards. I feel that these will be an asset that our teachers are craving as they are working in developing confident, proficient readers and writers that are prepared for the classroom and beyond."