California Standards Math & ELA Options by Grade

On-Target Students are comfortable with grade-level expectations. They generally like a mix of parent/teacher interaction and independent work. They ask good questions to improve their understanding. These students benefit from encouragement to follow sparks of interest and share what they learn. Math instruction can have some features of both sequential and spiral approaches, with focused lessons and review with written practice. 

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• Live Chat Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm CT
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We’re starting with Primary Math 2022 Kindergarten, an effective program built on Singapore methods that lays a solid groundwork in mental math. The Home Instructor Guide is straightforward and approachable for parents as they get comfortable with the Singapore Math approach. To build out your ELA curriculum, Primary Phonics introduces consonant letters and their sounds. Then, with Five in a Row Level 1, you’ll nurture a genuine appreciation for stories while gently weaving in basic science and social studies concepts. We’ve added the Literature Package since these books are bound to become household favorites! Finally, Zaner-Bloser Handwriting provides traditional handwriting instruction in print style.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Phonics 3–4 days/week; Five in a Row 4–5 days/week; Handwriting 5 days/week.

Our choice for math is Primary Math 2022 Grade 1, a parent-friendly Singapore-style curriculum that strengthens mental math abilities from the start. The accompanying Home Instructor Guide makes it easy for parents to learn the method alongside their child. For extra support in teaching and grasping Primary Math 2022, consider adding the Digital Learning Bundle—a valuable parent tutorial led by Jessica Kaminski, Singapore Math author and teacher. For ELA, Primary Phonics Levels 1–3 delivers thorough phonics instruction paired with reading exercises to build strong reading and spelling skills. Zaner-Bloser Handwriting provides proven handwriting instruction.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Phonics 3–4 days/week; Reading practice 5 days/week; Handwriting 5 days/week.

Recommended:

We’re continuing with Primary Math 2022 Grade 2 for math, the accessible Singapore-method program that develops excellent mental math capabilities. Parents appreciate how approachable the Home Instructor Guide is while they grow familiar with the techniques. An optional add-on, the Digital Learning Bundle, provides useful parent instruction from Jessica Kaminski, Singapore Math expert, for anyone wanting additional guidance with Primary Math 2022. Primary Phonics Levels 4–6 advances the student’s reading skills through dependable phonics teaching and consistent practice. We’ve included Easy Grammar for straightforward grammar instruction and Zaner-Bloser Handwriting for handwriting instruction. Choose 2M if you’d like your student to continue manuscript practice, or 2C if you would like your student to start transitioning into cursive writing.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Phonics 2–3 days/week; Reading practice 5 days/week; Grammar 5 days/week; Handwriting 5 days/week.

Recommended:

In 3rd grade, we continue with Primary Math 2022 Grade 3, the straightforward Singapore-based curriculum that builds robust mental math skills and strong arithmetic proficiency. The Home Instructor Guide is user-friendly and supportive as parents master the approach. Optionally, add the Digital Learning Bundle—Jessica Kaminski’s helpful tutorial—if you are seeking more direction with Primary Math 2022. Hake Grammar & Writing smoothly transitions students from phonics into full language arts, incorporating grammar, writing, spelling, and vocabulary. For literature, we picked two cherished novels and paired them with Memoria Press Literature Guides (with separate teacher and student study guides) to teach reading comprehension, literary elements, and thoughtful discussion. Zaner-Bloser Handwriting provides solid handwriting instruction in cursive, and we’ve included some optional Leveled Readers for extra fluency practice if needed.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Grammar & Writing 4–5 days/week (each novel + guide ≈ 4–6 weeks); Handwriting 5 days/week.

Recommended:

Recommended:

Primary Math 2022 Grade 4 is our math choice for 4th grade—the approachable Singapore-method program that develops solid mental math skills and arithmetic foundations. Parents find the Home Instructor Guide easy to use throughout the year. For optional support, the Digital Learning Bundle with Jessica Kaminski’s parent tutorial offers extra clarity for teaching Primary Math 2022. For ELA, we have selected Lightning Literature Grade 4, a literature-driven complete language arts program. Although it covers composition and spelling, some parents may want to also supplement with Writing Skills and Spelling Workout for more focused, sequential instruction. Zaner-Bloser Handwriting provides strong instruction in cursive handwriting.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Lightning Literature 4-5 days/week; Writing Skills as needed; Spelling 2–3 days/week; Handwriting 3–4 days/week.

Recommended:

We continue with Primary Math 2022 Grade 5 in 5th grade, the accessible Singapore-style curriculum that continues strengthening mental math and arithmetic abilities. The Home Instructor Guide is clear and enjoyable for parents, even if you are beginning the Singapore Math program at this level. If you want more help teaching Primary Math 2022, you can include the optional Digital Learning Bundle, featuring Jessica Kaminski’s supportive tutorial. We’re continuing with Lightning Literature as our comprehensive, easy-to-use ELA program. While it includes literature analysis, reading comprehension, composition, and spelling components, we recommend adding Writing Skills and Spelling Workout for more focused reinforcement. Zaner-Bloser Handwriting finishes out language arts with cursive handwriting.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Lightning Literature 4-5 days/week; Writing Skills as needed; Spelling 2–3 days/week; Handwriting 2–3 days/week.

Recommended:

Recommended:

Primary Math 2022 Grade 6 is our math selection for 6^th grade—the approachable Singapore-method program that solidifies mental math and arithmetic skills. However, note that this is the final level of Primary Math 2022. The Home Instructor Guide continues to be straightforward and easy to use for each semester. Optionally, the Digital Learning Bundle with Jessica Kaminski’s parent tutorial provides additional teaching support for Primary Math 2022. We are continuing with the Lightning Literature program as our comprehensive, complete ELA curriculum that covers reading skills, literary analysis, vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and more. Although it includes writing and spelling, parents often value the extra practice from Wordsmith Apprentice and Spelling Workout. Zaner-Bloser Handwriting completes ELA with grade-appropriate cursive writing instruction.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Lightning Literature 4-5 days/week; Wordsmith Apprentice as needed; Spelling 2–3 days/week; Handwriting 1–2 days/week.

Recommended:

For 7th grade math, we make the transition from Primary Math 2022 to Math Mammoth to provide a strong pre-algebra foundation. The author’s free online videos allow students to work more independently. We continue with Lightning Literature as our complete ELA program, which covers reading skills, literature analysis, comprehension, writing, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and more. While it does offer writing instruction, many parents may appreciate supplementing with Wordsmith, a creative writing program, for more sequential writing instruction.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Lightning Literature 4-5 days/week; Wordsmith as needed.

We continue Math Mammoth in 8^th grade for a thorough second year of pre-algebra, with the author’s free online videos supporting independent student progress. Lightning Literature remains our comprehensive ELA program, covering literature analysis, reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, composition, spelling, and more. Since the 8^th grade Lightning Literature program has lighter writing instruction, we’ve added the complete Essentials in Writing course to ensure solid writing and grammar development for students looking ahead to high school. Essentials in Writing includes video lessons with supporting daily textbook assignments to help students master multiple writing genres.

Schedule: Math 5 days/week; Lightning Literature 4-5 days/week; Writing 5 days/week.

Contact our friendly consultants for FREE to find further assistance with any curriculum questions you may have on Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, Enrichment, and more!

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• Call (888) 841-3456 to talk to a consultant Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm CT
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• Email anytime at consultants@rainbowresource.com and they will respond during regular business hours