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Bluebonnet Learning: K–5 English Language Arts and Reading

Bluebonnet Learning K–5 English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) includes K–3 Foundational Skills (English phonics) and K–5 Reading Language Arts (RLA) instructional materials. 

Bluebonnet Learning K–3 Foundational Skills instructional materials are partial-subject, tier-one materials that focus on a specific part or section of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for classroom instruction and are not intended to serve as the sole instructional materials to cover all TEKS. Bluebonnet Learning K–5 RLA are full-subject, tier-one instructional materials. The materials are designed to provide a classroom educator with everything needed to teach RLA, including a scope and sequence, daily lesson plans, and student materials.  

Both K–3 Foundational Skills and K–5 RLA instructional materials were submitted and approved in the inaugural cycle of the Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) process. All ELAR instructional materials cover 100% of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) and achieved high scores on IMRA quality and suitability rubrics. 

K–3 Foundational Skills (English Phonics) 

Bluebonnet Learning K–3 Foundational Skills instructional materials were designed to address student learning using research-based instructional strategies to ensure students are receiving explicit instruction to develop and grow their literacy skills. 

The Foundational Skills lessons are systematically sequenced so that the material progresses gradually from less complex to more complex. Within this sequence, students engage in explicit and intentional opportunities to practice the foundational skills in isolation and through decodable text. Through this explicit, systematic instruction, students build their foundational literacy skills that support the practice of reading. 

In Grades K–2, the Foundational Skills units focus on comprehensive instruction in foundational literacy skills, including oral language, print concepts, phonological awareness, phonics, word recognition, and fluency. In addition, vocabulary development, conventions of English, syntax, spelling, grammar, reading comprehension, and writing instruction are key components of the Skills units. Students also receive explicit handwriting instruction with cursive instruction beginning in second grade.  

In Grade 3, students develop foundational literacy skills through units that focus on language, phonemic awareness, sound-spelling patterns, regular and irregular high-frequency words, and decoding and encoding one-syllable and multisyllable words. Vocabulary instruction is also embedded to build students’ understanding around word parts, meaning, and academic and social language.  Throughout the year, students will continue to develop their foundational reading skills to become independent readers of more complex texts.  

Bluebonnet Learning materials

Foundational Skills Product Offerings:

  • Teacher Guides
  • Student Activity Books
  • Student Readers
  • Spelling Cards
  • Big Books
  • Supplemental Kits

K–5 Reading Language Arts (RLA)

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K–5 RLA units of study are strategic and coherent, with intentionally sequenced units to build upon prior learning. This knowledge-based instructional approach connects topics within and across grades and introduces cross-curricular content that builds knowledge in science and history, while including great works of literature. Not only are students exposed to complex, grade-level texts, but they also engage in the inquiry and research process to create written responses grounded in text evidence. Writing is a daily part of each lesson and builds from short responses to extended written responses, in accordance with grade-level TEKS.  

Bluebonnet Learning K–5 RLA instructional materials are also designed to reflect the unique and diverse spirit of Texas. Across grades K–5, lessons build knowledge on influential Texans, like Hector Garcia, Bessie Coleman, Opal Lee, Shinpei Mykawa, and Clara Barton. Different geographical regions and cities in Texas are described in texts and portrayed in images throughout the instructional materials.  

In addition, the materials strategically prepare students for success on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR). Lessons in grades 3 through 5 incorporate checks for understanding aligned to STAAR item-type questions to ensure students are comprehending grade-level texts. Direct instruction on composing STAAR-aligned extended constructed response essays is also provided in units throughout grades 3, 4, and 5.  Each unit also includes an end-of-unit assessment.  Bluebonnet Learning offers digital assessments that can be integrated into a learning management system (LMS) or print assessments.  Schools and school districts can select the assessment method that is best for their communities. 

RLA Product Offerings:

  • Teacher Guides
  • Image Cards
  • Trade Book Collections
  • Student Activity Books
  • Student Readers
  • Digital Access

Feedback 

If you have product questions, general feedback, or wish to report an error, please email openeducationresources@tea.texas.gov. 

 

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