Classroom teacher using a phonogram video to practice the sounds with all levels of learners.

A Comprehensive Curriculum Based on the Science of Reading

Whether you are an experienced teacher or a new homeschool parent, Essentials provides you with tools for explicit, systematic instruction that incorporates the five strands of reading plus handwriting, spelling and grammar.

A page from an Essentials teacher's guide emphasizing the three levels

Three Levels Adaptable to a Wide Range of Learners

With a multisensory approach and an emphasis in instruction for exploring sounds and building words, each Essentials unit includes optional activities designed for differentiated practice to meet the needs of individual students.

Essentials Online supplemental instruction and practice

Simplify Your Teaching Experience and Enhance Your Student's Learning Experience with Essentials Online

With interactive videos, games and activities for the first two levels of Essentials, these eLearning components allow you to determine a balance of in-person and online instruction, review, and practice that works best for you and your student!

Integrate Essentials Online With Ease

Adding an online component can enhance and diversify your students’ learning experience all while making life easier for both the student and the teacher. Use these planning guides to effortlessly incorporate the online lessons, games and activities into your upcoming Essentials 1-15 lessons! Note: Planning guides for Essentials 16-30 are currently in development.

Teachers have the option to teach students of different skill levels at the same time.

Essentials Placement Test determines which level to place your student in.

Which Level Is Best for Your Student?

All students begin at Unit 1, but you should use the Essentials Placement Test to determine their level. Level A begins with one-syllable words such as map, dog, hat, fast and pink. Level B begins with one- and two-syllable words such as grand, drab, mitten, pumpkin and canyon. Level C includes instruction in Latin and Greek roots and begins with words such as contest, contract, abstract, consistent and insistent.

Essentials Placement Test

Every Unit Is Divided Into Five Manageable Parts To Help With Pacing and Mastery

Essentials units are divided into five parts. Instructors can teach one part per day or divide it over several days.

Each unit begins with exploring new essential concepts that build upon skills learned in previous lessons.

Part One: Essential Concepts

Part one focuses on phonemic awareness, systematic phonics and spelling rules. Students learn the essential concepts that will help them understand the relationship between letters and sounds.

Part two focuses on growing spelling skills through spelling analysis and development of their own sound-to-spelling reference journal.

Part Two: Building Words

In part two, students learn to apply the knowledge they acquired in part one and analyze how words are spelled.

Part three explores differentiated application of new grammar concepts on the essential concepts learned in part one of this unit.

Part Three: Words in Context

Part three focuses on grammar rules and teaches parts of speech. All words, phrases and sentences used are controlled by the phonograms that have been introduced.

Part four introduces instruction for analyzing morphemes and affixes to support decoding unknown words.

Part Four: Words in Action

In part four, students expand their vocabulary by learning to add affixes and looking at morphemes within words.

Part five reviews all concepts taught in the current unit as well as builds upon previous skills learned.

Part Five: Check Your Understanding

Part five checks understanding so you know what skills your students are mastering and which skills need more review and practice.

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Standards Taught in Essentials

“We started Essentials in 3rd grade, and we took our time through the program, completing levels B and C. She is now an excellent speller! And, her grammar and vocabulary understanding and retention are commendable. We could not be more happy with the results of Essentials, and I have used several other programs with my other child. I so wish we could bring Logic of English into every classroom.”

Cozette Stepp
Downloadable resources that support the teachers and students working through the Essentials curriculum

Resources That Support Instruction and Engage Students!

Our FREE resources are designed to help you deliver quality instruction and help students discover the joy of learning!

By the end of Essentials, students will be confident readers, writers and spellers!

Teacher's Guide | Student Workbook | Essentials Reader | Essentials Online

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