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Common Core Standards Alignment (Grade-by-Grade ELA Comparison)

See exactly how Story Weavers aligns with Common Core English Language Arts (ELA) standards — and where it intentionally goes beyond grade-level requirements.

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Fully aligned with Common Core ELA standards

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Clear skill progression in reading, writing, and language

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Cross-disciplinary integration not measured by Common Core

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Critical thinking and structured reasoning beyond grade-level expectations

Most curriculum pages either vaguely claim alignment or simply list standards.
This page shows, grade by grade, how Story Weavers maps directly to Common Core benchmarks — and where additional structured reasoning skills are intentionally built beyond them.

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Explore Common Core Alignment by Grade Level

How to Read This Comparison

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Each grade-level section follows the same structure:
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1. Standard

The official Common Core English Language Arts benchmark for that grade.
 

2. Aligned

Where and how that skill is explicitly taught inside Story Weavers lessons.
 

3. Beyond

Additional reasoning, integration, and writing development intentionally built beyond the minimum standard.

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International Curriculum Compatibility

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Story Weavers aligns closely with literacy expectations in:

✔ United States (Common Core ELA)
✔ Canada (Provincial Curriculum Standards)
✔ United Kingdom (National Curriculum for England)
✔ Australia (Australian Curriculum – English)
✔ New Zealand (Literacy Learning Progressions)
✔ Singapore (MOE English Language Syllabus)

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While terminology and documentation differ, foundational literacy outcomes — reading comprehension, structured writing, grammar, and analytical thinking — are strongly aligned across these systems. For simplicity we specifically look at the U.S. common Core Standards here, if you wish to have a specific layout in your country, message us.

Homeschooling in the United States does not operate under a single national accreditation system. Requirements vary by state, and parents are typically responsible for monitoring academic progress.
 

Because of this, many families ask:
 

“How do I know this curriculum is academically strong?”
 

This page provides transparent, grade-by-grade alignment to Common Core English Language Arts standards so you can evaluate rigor directly.

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How We Compare Each Level to Common Core


The Common Core State Standards define grade-level expectations for English Language Arts. These expectations vary by grade and increase in complexity over time. For that reason, we do not present a single, generalized comparison.


Instead, for each level of Story Weavers, you will find:

  • A direct alignment chart to the corresponding Common Core grade-level standards

  • A clear outline of where the program meets those expectations

  • A separate section explaining what is not measured by Common Core at that grade — but intentionally developed inside our curriculum


This matters because what goes beyond Grade 1 standards is different from what goes beyond Grade 5 standards.


In early grades, Common Core primarily measures:

  • Foundational literacy

  • Basic comprehension

  • Simple writing structures


In later grades, it emphasizes:

  • Evidence-based writing

  • Informational text analysis

  • Argument development


At each level, we show transparently:

  • Where Story Weavers aligns

  • Where it extends

  • And where it develops areas not explicitly included in Common Core standards


This level-by-level comparison allows families to evaluate academic rigor accurately, rather than relying on broad claims.

Below, you will find the comparison for Level 1.

Level 1 Academic Alignment: Grade 1 English Language Arts

Review the Evidence Yourself: Download the Story Weavers Level 1 Skill Map and Free Sample to Compare Academic Standards

Story Weavers Level 1 is designed to meet grade-level expectations in reading, writing, grammar, and foundational literacy while intentionally developing deeper reasoning structures.

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Below is a clear comparison to Grade 1 English Language Arts standards. The final column lists the corresponding Common Core codes for families who wish to verify alignment independently.

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Reading: Literature & Informational Text Standard (Plain Language) Alignment How It Is Taught in Level 1 Where Story Weavers Goes Beyond CCSS Reference Ask and answer questions about key details Strong Repeated structured questioning, “Question Words” chapters, guided evidence discussions Students test predictions and revise answers after discussion RL.1.1, RI.1.1 Retell stories and identify central message Strong Moral of the story chapters, summarizing, retelling exercises Moves into identifying assumptions and perspective shifts RL.1.2 Describe characters, settings, and events Strong Character analysis, descriptive writing, setting descriptions Students compare perspectives and motivations RL.1.3 Identify author’s purpose Strong Dedicated “Author’s Purpose” chapters Introduces bias awareness and motive examination RI.1.6 Identify cause and effect relationships Strong Explicit Cause & Effect chapters Applied across disciplines (science, narrative logic) RI.1.3 Compare and contrast ex
Foundational Literacy Skills Standard (Plain Language) Alignment How It Is Taught in Level 1 Where Story Weavers Goes Beyond CCSS Reference Demonstrate phonemic awareness Strong Phonogram instruction across months (WH, EA, AI, OU, etc.) Integrated into decoding and spelling, not isolated drills RF.1.2 Decode grade-level words Strong Systematic phonics progression and blending practice Multi-syllable decoding introduced early RF.1.3 Read with fluency and expression Strong Read-aloud work, tone awareness, discussion-based reading Tone and non-verbal communication interpretation added RF.1.4
Writing Standard (Plain Language) Alignment How It Is Taught in Level 1 Where Story Weavers Goes Beyond CCSS Reference Write opinion pieces with supporting reasons Strong Opinion writing chapters with structured support Students evaluate strength of arguments and assumptions W.1.1 Write informative/explanatory texts Strong Informative writing and guided research Early evidence tracking integrated W.1.2 Write narratives with sequenced events Strong Plot maps, sequencing chapters, story structure lessons Structural analysis of narrative patterns W.1.3 Revise and edit writing Strong Editing chapters, clarity work, feedback cycles Emphasis on communication effectiveness, not just mechanics W.1.5 Participate in shared research Strong Researching chapters and guided information gathering Hypothesis testing introduced through prediction and revision W.1.7, W.1.8
Language & Grammar Standard (Plain Language) Alignment How It Is Taught in Level 1 Where Story Weavers Goes Beyond CCSS Reference Use nouns, verbs, pronouns correctly Strong Dedicated grammar chapters embedded in writing Grammar applied inside structured argument and narrative tasks L.1.1 Produce complete sentences Strong Sentence fragments, parts of a sentence, subjects Logical sentence clarity emphasized beyond correctness L.1.1 Use capitalization correctly Strong Proper nouns, beginning of sentences, “I” Applied in editing cycles L.1.2 Use end punctuation Strong Periods, question marks, exclamation marks Tone awareness integrated with punctuation L.1.2 Use vocabulary appropriately Strong Synonyms, antonyms, context clues Pattern recognition across word relationships L.1.4, L.1.5

What Common Core Does Not Measure at Grade 1 

(But Story Weavers Level 1 Intentionally Develops)


The Grade 1 Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts focus on foundational literacy, basic comprehension, and simple writing structures.

They do not evaluate whether a curriculum integrates literacy instruction with:

  • Scientific reasoning

  • Geographic literacy

  • Artistic analysis

  • Musical pattern recognition

  • Structured social-emotional communication

In Level 1, literacy instruction is intentionally embedded inside these domains.

Below are specific examples.
 

1. Cross-Disciplinary Integration


Common Core ELA does not measure whether reading and writing are integrated with science, geography, art, and music.


In Level 1, learners:

  • Study geographic regions (Germany, USA, UK, Brazil, New Zealand, India, Norway, Antarctica) alongside literature

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  • Conduct science-based investigations connected to reading themes (forces and motion, anatomy, ecosystems)

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  • Analyze artistic styles and visual elements connected to narrative description

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  • Explore musical patterns, rhythm, tempo, and notation as pattern-recognition training

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These integrations are not evaluated within CCSS ELA benchmarks.


2. Hypothesis Formation and Testing


Grade 1 standards require answering questions and identifying details.


They do not require learners to:

  • Form hypotheses

  • Test predictions

  • Revise conclusions based on new evidence


Level 1 includes:

  • Prediction chapters

  • Testing predictions against text evidence

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  • Structured questioning and evidence tracking

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This introduces early scientific reasoning inside literacy work.


3. Structured Argument Evaluation


Common Core Grade 1 requires opinion writing with reasons.

It does not require:

  • Evaluating the strength of a claim

  • Identifying assumptions

  • Distinguishing reasoning from emotion


Level 1 includes:

  • Opinion writing chapters

  • Argument analysis and cause-effect evaluation

  • Guided discussions examining motives and reasoning

 

4. Perspective Shifting and Bias Awareness


Grade 1 CCSS includes identifying who is telling a story.

It does not require learners to:

  • Actively compare perspectives

  • Examine bias

  • Analyze how viewpoint shapes interpretation


Level 1 includes:

  • Perspective-focused chapters

  • Comparing and connecting ideas across viewpoints

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5. Social-Emotional Communication Skills


Common Core ELA does not measure:

  • Identifying and labeling emotions

  • Giving and receiving structured feedback

  • Non-verbal communication awareness

  • Tone of voice interpretation

  • Conflict resolution skills


Level 1 integrates:

  • Feedback and communication exercises

  • Intonation and non-verbal communication analysis

  • Discussion-based emotional literacy embedded in reading units


Why This Matters

Common Core establishes academic minimums for literacy skills.


It does not evaluate:

  • Cross-disciplinary reasoning

  • Cognitive flexibility

  • Structured thinking development

  • Communication maturity


Level 1 is designed to meet grade-level literacy benchmarks while intentionally building these additional layers.

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Story Weavers meets Grade Level 1 national academic expectations in reading, writing, grammar, and foundational literacy skills.
It goes further by intentionally building the thinking structures that allow children to reason independently across subjects.

Level 2 Academic Alignment:
English Language Arts

Review the Evidence Yourself: Download the Story Weavers Level 2 Skill Map and Free Sample to Compare Academic Standards

Level 3 Academic Alignment:
English Language Arts

Review the Evidence Yourself: Download the Story Weavers Level 3 Skill Map and Free Sample to Compare Academic Standards

Level 4 Academic Alignment:
English Language Arts

Review the Evidence Yourself: Download the Story Weavers Level 4 Skill Map and Free Sample to Compare Academic Standards

Level 5 Academic Alignment:
English Language Arts

Review the Evidence Yourself: Download the Story Weavers Level 5 Skill Map and Free Sample to Compare Academic Standards

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