Your All-In-One Core Curriculum, K-5
Grounded in the science of reading, ARC Core® is designed to build strong knowledge and literacy in both English and Spanish, no matter the learning environment. Schools can choose from two options: Use ARC's comprehensive foundational skills approach or integrate their own foundational skills program alongside ARC Core. Either way, flexibility is built in - because one size doesn't fit all.
See How ARC Core Can Bring Evidence Based Reading Instruction into Your Classroom
ARC Core K–5 is designed to drive strong student outcomes by embedding proven instructional practices into every lesson, unit, and year. ARC Core ensures students learn to read while building knowledge of the world, expanding vocabulary, developing writing and speaking skills, and gaining a deep understanding of complex texts.
The Difference Core Instruction Can Make
ARC: Not Just a Vendor
Educators Love ARC Core
ARC Core Overview
ARC Core is a K–12 English and Spanish literacy curriculum grounded in the science of reading.
How Does ARC Core Look in a Year?
Every year of ARC Core features four powerful, knowledge-building units—each one designed to get all students reading and writing on or above grade level. At the center of every unit are vibrant classroom libraries that spark curiosity, fuel meaningful conversations, and turn students into confident readers and budding authors.
- Grade K
- Grade 1
- Grade 2
- Grade 3
- Grade 4
- Grade 5
Unit 1
Focus Standards: Reading & Writing Literary & Informational Texts
Famous Scientists from Around the World
Quality, Knowledge-Building Texts
Scripted Lessons & Powerpoint Slides
Student Practice in Foundational Skills, Reading & Writing
Unit 2
Focus Standards: Reading & Writing Informational Texts
A Study of Animals
Quality, Knowledge-Building Texts
Scripted Lessons & Powerpoint Slides
Student Practice in Foundational Skills, Reading & Writing
Unit 3
Focus Standards: Comparing, Analyzing, & Writing Literature
A Study of Biomes
Quality, Knowledge-Building Texts
Scripted Lessons & Powerpoint Slides
Student Practice in Foundational Skills, Reading & Writing
Unit 4
Focus Standards: Analyzing & Writing Arguments
A Study of Bugs
Quality, Knowledge-Building Texts
Scripted Lessons & Powerpoint Slides
Student Practice in Foundational Skills, Reading & Writing
How Does ARC Core Look in a Day?
In each grade, ARC Core’s daily lesson components follow a consistent rhythm across all four units, building on what students already know while getting them ready to launch into the next grade with confidence and excitement.
Foundational Skills
30–45 Minutes*
Each day starts with Foundational Skills instruction centered around a specific grade-level skill (e.g., “u,” “p,” “o”: up, on). The lesson begins with phonological awareness instruction to get students tuned into sounds. The phonics/word study portion of the lesson explicitly teaches the target skill and provides word analysis practice to ensure orthographic mapping. The lesson moves into fluency practice in a Word Study Notebook to help build automaticity, followed by encoding activities where students apply what they’ve learned through spelling. Students wrap up by applying their learning to knowledge-building, decodable texts.
Interactive Read-Aloud
15-30 Minutes*
Up next is an Interactive Read-Aloud with exciting, knowledge-rich authentic texts. Each read-aloud begins with a focus question, such as “What makes a bird a bird?” As teachers engage in a vibrant read-aloud with students, they provide modeling and guided practice in gathering key details, building knowledge and vocabulary in support of answering the focus question.
Science Lab
15-30 Minutes*
In Science Lab, students dive into collections of themed texts and continue to explore the focus question—“What makes a bird a bird?” They read, observe, wonder, and jot down discoveries, then share sketches and speculations with the class. Each lab ends with a fun, sound powered activity to boost their phonological and phonemic superpowers.
Writing
15-30 Minutes*
As reading proficiency and knowledge grow, writing quickly becomes a student favorite. Each lesson begins with explicit instruction in encoding, sentence composition, and other essential writing skills. Students connect writing to the focus question—“What makes a bird a bird?” They start with drawings and sentences and build to full paragraphs. Grammar and mechanics are taught in sequence, always grounded in students’ authentic writing.
Reading Lab
15-30 Minutes*
Next, students head into Reading Lab for a second opportunity to practice reading skills. Reading Lab acts as the “skills block” designed to provide the opportunity for all students to practice becoming more skillful readers. You might find these growing readers reading independently or working in small groups.
Standard units assume the purchase of a SchoolPace & Digital Access subscription
Materials shown are a representative sample. Titles subject to change based on availability
*Actual times may vary.
Indicates the item is a digital version
The Digital Platform for Your ARC Core Experience.
SchoolPace, the heart of your digital implementation, allows you to see reading data for your students, classrooms, schools and districts, all in real-time. Your subscription also includes the following:
- For Teachers
- For Students
- For School Leaders
- For Families
Pilot ARC Core K-5 in Your School
Choose from dozens of content-rich themes your students will love.
- No commitment
- Access Digital Samples