A.S.K. Language Arts: Reading with Comprehension, Thinking with Skill, and Writing with a Plan (Book 1, Student's Edition) (A.S.K. Curriculum)

This is the Student's Edition of Book 1 in the A.S.K. Language Arts curriculum. Why choose this Language Arts Curriculum and who is it for? Do you have a child, aged 8-12, who reads through a book but, if asked questions about it, doesn’t quite know what to say? Or, if they are asked to put their thoughts into writing, they don’t know how to get started? If so, you are not alone! This literature-based language arts program was created with you in mind! Evidence of its success is seen in the student exemplars provided with each unit. These are examples of how real students completed the written assignments. Each lesson also includes (available in April, 2026 for a separate purchase) a streaming video of Miss Lungren, a certified and experienced teacher, explaining the lesson, demonstrating the assignment, and showing the student how to evaluate their own work. For more on the videos, please visit https://luminepress.com/curriculum/. There are 11 children's books used in the curriculum (purchased separately) which can be seen here: https://luminepress.com/7-required-and-recommended-materials/ The methods and skills taught in this curriculum are useful for the rest of one’s life, and it doesn’t matter if they are learned and practiced in third grade or in sixth grade. They are just as useful either way. When students apply what they learn from this curriculum in their own independent reading and writing, the difficulty level of the books they read and the pieces they write will reflect their own abilities, interests, and age-appropriateness. What is A.S.K.? A.S.K. refers to Analyze. Support. Know. When we read with comprehension, we analyze a text or topic using critical thinking skills. When we think with skill, we support a main idea or claim with evidence and logical reasoning. When we write with a plan, we know how to map out and write paragraphs and essays for different purposes. How is this curriculum organized and how long will it take? The curriculum is designed to be completed in one school year divided into four quarters, with one book per quarter, but it can also be completed in more than one year. Most importantly, it should be completed beginning with Unit 1 of Book 1 and then progressing through each of the ten units in order because the learning is cumulative. Each of the 4 Books has a Teacher's Guide and a Student's Guide, so there are a total of 8 books required for the full-year curriculum. Book 1 (Quarter 1) Unit 1: Problem and Solution, Summaries Unit 2: Cause and Effect Book 2 (Quarter 2) Unit 3: Main Idea and Details Unit 4: Persuasive Essay Unit 5: Notetaking Book 3 (Quarter 3) Unit 6: Character Analysis Unit 7: Compare and Contrast Book 4 (Quarter 4) Unit 8: Narrative Writing Unit 9: Theme (and review) Unit 10: Friendly Letter About the Author Elsie Lungren has been teaching students to read, write, and think for over 25 years on three different continents. With a degree in psychology, a master’s degree in teaching, an Ed.S. degree in educational leadership, teaching certifications for K-6 and 7-12 science, a TESOL certificate, and experience as a classroom teacher in all grades K through 8 and with the specialties of literacy intervention, special needs, and ELL, Miss Lungren has always pursued the goals of helping all students develop the critical thinking skills needed for reading comprehension and being able to communicate that comprehension through writing, and of empowering students to become thoughtful, independent readers and writers.