The Wheatley Portfolio Common Cores English resources empower educators to meet the expectations of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for English Language Arts (ELA) and build essential content knowledge for students in grades K5. Each grade in The Wheatley Portfolio features a comprehensive, coherent sequence of thematic units that engage students in deep study of worthwhile texts and topics. Features of this book include: Six thematic units for each grade, each centered on a curated collection of literary and informational texts Focus standards for each unit that complement the topic and promote student mastery of essential literacy skills Suggested texts and activities to incorporate science, art, and history into English instruction This revised second edition includes a sample text study that guides students through a close read of an exemplary text, updated web resources, and refreshed suggested works. Educators who create their curriculum based on Common Cores Wheatley Portfolio guarantee that students are exposed to content–rich instruction and have ample opportunity to master the reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language skills articulated in the CCSS for ELA. On the Cover: Katsushika Hokusai (17601849), The Great Wave , 183133, Japanese color woodblock print. Photo: V&A Images, London / Art Resource, NY How do writers and artists help us to understand the world around us? Common Core takes advantage of every opportunity to build students cultural literacy. That is why the cover of each book we publish is illustrated with an important work of painting, sculpture, or architecture. We select images that we know students will love to look at again and again. These works relate to ideas taken up in the book. The Great Wave is the most famous print from Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusais series Thirty–Six Views of Mount Fuji . Hokusais thirty desperate paddlers struggle to escape a titanic wave that appears intent to reach down and grab them. Several units in this volume will help students to explore the world around them. Common Core, Inc. (commoncore.org) is a non–profit organization formed in 2007 to advocate for a content–rich liberal arts education in Americas K12 schools. To improve education in America, Common Core creates curriculum materials, conducts professional development, and also promotes programs, policies, and initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels that provide students with challenging, rigorous instruction in the full range of liberal arts and sciences. Common Core, Inc. is not affiliated with the Common Core State Standards Initiative.