New Review: Benchmark Education’s Benchmark Advance

Learning List has reviewed Benchmark Education’s Benchmark Advance, designed to address the California English language arts/reading (ELAR) and English language development (ELD) instructional frameworks for grades K-6. 

Benchmark Advance is a comprehensive ELA program available in print and eBook formats. Instruction develops close reading skills and addresses the five themes of the California frameworks: Content Knowledge, Making Meaning, Foundational Skills, Language Development, and Effective Expression.

Overview of Benchmark Advance

Content is organized into ten 3-week units that focus on a single topic (e.g., Developing a Nation). Units contain specific “knowledge strands” (e.g., character, life science, economics) and include content addressed by the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and California History and Social Studies Standards (HSS).

Instruction relies on the Gradual Release of Responsibility (GRR) and incorporates predictable routines (e.g., read-alouds). The first week of each unit provides modeling and guided practice. During weeks two and three, students practice, apply, and extend what they have learned.

Resources support instruction in classrooms with variations in student literacy skills. Reading materials include Texts for Close Reading, Texts for English Language Development, and Reader’s Theater scripts.

• Texts for Close Reading are available as print consumables and eBooks. Print books have space for notes and numbered paragraphs that help students cite evidence from the text in written and spoken communication. eBooks contain interactive annotation tools (e.g., highlighters and note-taking).

• Texts for English Language Development help English language learners and struggling readers build the skills to become on-level readers.

• Students develop fluency skills using engaging Reader’s Theater scripts.

  
  

A Spanish language version titled Benchmark Adelante is available separately.

About Learning List

Learning List has completed an editorial review of the program's instructional content, a standard-by-standard review of its alignment to the California CCSS, and a technology compatibility review. Contact info@Learninglist.com for information about a low-cost subscription to access Learning List's reviews of Benchmark Advance and thousands of other widely used K-12 instructional materials.

About Benchmark Education*

Benchmark Education Company provides students and teachers with the resources they need to become problem-solvers, decision-makers, and joyful learners. Benchmark's mission is for every student to find lifelong inspiration, growth, and success through literacy, language, and knowledge development.

*The content in this section is provided by or adapted from Benchmark Education.