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Calkins Units of Study Resources / K-5 Reading

Units of Study in Reading, Grades K-5

The Power of Authentic Texts

The Units of Study in Reading, Grades K–5 fosters engagement and a genuine love of reading by providing students with opportunities to read and discuss whole books, not just excerpts or short passages. Every lesson is centered around complete, high-quality trade books and mentor texts, giving students meaningful opportunities to build stamina, deepen comprehension, and develop a lifelong love of reading.

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To ensure students receive the full range of skills required for early literacy success, we recommend pairing Units of Study in Reading with a foundational skills program that offers structured, sequential lessons in phonics and word recognition. Together, these programs work in harmony to build both the code and the meaning of language.

The NEW Units of Study in Reading

Reading Units of Study Covers

Want to learn more about the NEW Units of Study in Reading?

The new editions are grounded in the latest research and aligned with science of reading principles, as well as key research around comprehension and knowledge building. With engaging lessons and units that nurture not just comprehension, but also curiosity, agency, and a lifelong love of reading, the Units of Study in Reading provide teachers with the tools and support they need to help every student thrive.

Download the brochures to see what's new.
K–2 Brochure 3–5 Brochure

Grounded in Research, Aligned to the Reading Rope

The newest editions of the Units of Study in Reading are thoughtfully designed to reflect current research in literacy instruction and align to the Reading Rope framework. Explore how the K–2 units and 3–5 units bring science of reading principles and best practices to life in your classroom.

Grades K–2

The new Units of Study in Reading for Grades K–2 are designed in alignment with research about how children learn to read, bringing science of reading components into every lesson. Structured, whole class instruction is focused on building strong foundational skills through phonological awareness, phonics lessons, decoding practice in isolation and in text, and support for fluency and oral language development, ensuring all students master the essentials for lifelong reading success.

These new editions do not include instruction anchored in three-cueing nor do they encourage kids to guess at words in lieu of decoding.

To ensure students receive the full range of skills required for early literacy success, we recommend pairing Units of Study in Reading with a foundational skills program that offers structured, sequential lessons in phonics and word recognition. Together, these programs work in harmony to build both the code and the meaning of language.

Grades 3–5

The Units of Study in Reading for Grades 3–5 has been thoroughly updated, combining proven pedagogy with a user-friendly design to create a research-informed curriculum that makes reading workshop more accessible and engaging for today's classrooms. Every unit is grounded in the latest research on how children learn to read, weaving the science of reading, as well as key research around comprehension and knowledge building, into lessons that feel authentic, engaging, and emphasize critical thinking.

Each grade includes five units featuring new mentor texts and streamlined two-page minilessons. Daily vocabulary routines, integrated read-aloud plans, and digital supports create an "everything in one place" experience that saves teachers time and simplifies instruction. These units nurture comprehension while also building curiosity, agency, and a lifelong love of reading.

Vocabulary and Word Study

Vocabulary and word study in Units of Study in Reading, K–5 are intentionally designed to support foundational reading skills, comprehension, and language development. Across every grade, instruction is research-based, systematic, and practical—giving teachers tools to differentiate and reinforce learning for all students.

Grades K–2

  • Daily Vocabulary Routines: Every unit includes brief, engaging vocabulary lessons that emphasize active use of words and morphemes.
  • Word Study Foundations: Structured word study lessons help students master phonological awareness, decoding, and spelling.
  • Integrated Practice: Vocabulary and word study are woven into whole-class instruction, small groups, and read-alouds.

Grades 3–5

  • Daily Vocabulary Instruction: Each session features daily vocabulary instruction tied to unit topics. Students learn new words, play vocabulary games, and study morphemes to build morphological awareness and expand oral language skills.
  • Year-Long Word Study (Grade 3): Grade 3 includes a complete sequence of word study lessons focused on the six syllable types, multisyllabic word decoding, and key morphemes.
  • Active Use and Application: Students are encouraged to use new vocabulary in speaking and writing, helping them master words and deepen comprehension across subjects.

Read-Alouds and Shared Reading

Research shows that daily read-alouds and shared reading experiences are essential for building students’ vocabulary, comprehension, and oral language skills. These routines also give teachers the opportunity to model what real readers do and think, helping children develop background knowledge, critical thinking, and a love of reading.

Features across Grades K–5:

  • Daily read-aloud plans are carefully aligned to unit goals, supporting high-level comprehension, vocabulary development, and meaningful classroom conversations.
  • Shared reading routines encourage students to read and discuss texts together, fostering engagement, fluency, and a sense of community.
  • Read-alouds and shared reading are integrated with vocabulary and word study, giving students authentic opportunities to apply new skills and strategies.
  • Structured opportunities for partner talk and whole-class discussion promote collaborative, text-based thinking and deepen understanding.
Quote graphic on a light purple gradient background. The text reads: The read-aloud plans for each unit make it easy for teachers to weave high-level comprehension into daily lessons while keeping students engaged with rich, purposeful conversations. The careful alignment between the minilessons and the read-alouds [will] allow teachers to focus less time on planning from scratch and more on the joy of reading and discussing great books! The quote is attributed to a PreK–5 Pilot Instructional Coach. The Units of Study in Reading logo appears in the lower right corner.