Learning List has reviewed Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Journeys, which is a comprehensive product that supports language arts and reading instruction in grades K-6. Content is available in print and online formats and facilitates instruction in blended learning environments. Journeys provides systematic and explicit instruction in key literacy skills at each grade level. Instruction focuses on vocabulary development, the close reading of complex texts, and using textual evidence to support conclusions.
Across grades, Journeys presents instruction using a consistent structure that incorporates predictable routines (e.g., think-pair-share). At grades K-2, content focuses on the needs of developing readers and emphasizes the development of phonemic awareness and phonics, reading, writing, and speaking skills. At grades 3-6, content builds systematically increasing students’ skills and introducing increasingly complex texts. Reading selections emphasize diverse cultures and perspectives, as well as themes that support inclusion.
Each lesson includes two, age-appropriate anchor texts that reflect the unit’s theme. Anchor texts are a balance of literary and informational texts. Instruction focuses on close reading skills and includes teacher-led whole group and small group activities. Each unit includes grammar and writing practice activities and a “Compare Texts” feature that helps students connect what they have read to themselves, other texts, and the real-world. Units at each grade level end with a performance-based project that emphasizes communication skills.
About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt*
HMH creates engaging, dynamic and effective educational content and experiences from early childhood to K-12 and beyond the classroom, serving more than 50 million students in more than 150 countries. Available through multiple media, our content meets the needs of students, teachers, parents and lifelong learners, no matter where and how they learn.
HMH’s renowned and awarded children’s books, novels, nonfiction, and reference titles are enjoyed by readers throughout the world. Our distinguished author list, from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Philip Roth, and brands from Curious George to The Lord of the Rings, includes 10 Nobel Prize winners, 48 Pulitzer Prize winners, 15 National Book Award winners, and more than 100 Caldecott, Newbery, Printz and Sibert Medal and Honor recipients.
Information in this section is provided by or adapted from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
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