Curiosity, Inquiry, Knowledge

Wit & Wisdom^® is a comprehensive K–8 English language arts curriculum crafted to help students build the knowledge and skills they need to be successful readers, exceptional writers, and effective communicators.

REVIEW CURRICULUM

Building ELA Skills While Fostering Knowledge Building

Knowledge has a multiplier effect—the earlier you begin to build knowledge, the better you do academically in later years. English language arts lessons can integrate knowledge from science, history, geography, and other topics while students develop their reading and writing skills and expand their vocabulary. Wit & Wisdom’s approach to ELA allows students to build both skills and knowledge with every lesson.

Wit & Wisdom^® ELA is recognized by the Knowledge Matters Campaign as one of only six knowledge-building curricula crafted to ensure that students build critical ELA skills while also building knowledge of the world.

Supported by the Science of Reading

Through a rigorous learning design based on Scarborough’s Rope, students gain content knowledge and an awareness of how to read texts, write, speak, and listen.

Learn how we put research into action.

A focus on depth,
not breadth

Students dig deep into each module’s topic, exploring literacy, informational, and fine arts genres to create layers of knowledge that they will build on across lessons.

See how students build knowledge.

Students read information-rich books, not basals

Wit & Wisdom students engage with complex, grade-level books, from the classics to newer works of literature. These texts are used at every turn to help students master essential ELA skills.

Discover our integrated approach.

Wit & Wisdom’s knowledge building approach moves students beyond just finding the main idea and lays the groundwork to empower the next generation of great writers, thinkers, and leaders.

Watch a guided walk-through of the curriculum.
Access our state alignment studies to see how Wit & Wisdom supports your ELA standards.

For Teachers

A Teacher Edition for each of the 4 module topics covered in a school year includes all lessons and support items.

Formative and summative assessments are embedded in every module.

A range of multilingual learner supports including Multilingual Learner Resources for grades K–5 and Wit & Wisdom Prologue^™ for grades 6–8.

Wit & Wisdom Affirm tracks student progress over time through digital assessments.

Wit & Wisdom in Sync offers video lessons and assignments for continuous learning so students can build knowledge if they—or the teacher—have to take time away from the classroom.

The Great Minds Humanities Video Library for an overview of the curriculum, learning design, as well as additional professional learning opportunities.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Supporting Teachers Before and During Implementation

Great Minds Teacher and Students with Mask

Guidance and Coaching Built into Every Lesson

Our teacher–writers crafted Wit & Wisdom to provide students with a knowledge-building learning experience while giving teachers support in every module to facilitate the learning.

A Launch, Learn, Land lesson structure
Getting Started videos for grade-level implementation support
Preparation Protocols
Scaffold, extension, and differentiation notes
Point-of-use Teacher Notes
The Teacher Resource Pack
Teacher Edition appendices resources
Scope and sequence
Question set guidance
And more!

Professional Learning from a Trusted Colleague

Our ELA team members have crafted a series of professional development sessions and personalized coaching bundles to support both teachers new to Wit & Wisdom and experienced implementers.

View all of the Professional Learning options

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