FRONTLOADERS: Knowledge Building for History and the Social Sciences: Decodable and Complex Texts Sets for Grades 1-3

This project created decodable texts for developing readers in mid-grade one through grade three, and builds on growing reader knowledge and oral language in two ways:

1. by providing practice in reading words (both single and multisyllable) that are decodable (with phonics patterns that typically taught within a K-2 phonics scope and sequence- word recognition side of the Simple View of Reading) and
2. by providing texts that will build background knowledge and vocabulary (language comprehension side of the Simple View of Reading) related to topics of study within the Massachusetts History and Social Sciences Framework at and above the student’s current grade level (that is, for this project specifically, grades 3-6).

Additionally, a complex children’s literature text will be included in the knowledge building/front loading set. Topics such as: maps, leaders and leadership (e.g., President Washington, One Judge), national symbols (e.g., the flag), government structures, Massachusetts state history (e.g., Puritan homes), and the Bill of Rights are addressed in these texts. Supportive teacher material has been created and included.