Literacy Resources
Dear Teachers,
I am excited to share that our State Board of Education adopted NC State Board of Education adopted the new English Language Arts (ELA) Standard Course of Study (SCOS) for implementation in the 2027-2028 school year. These standards serve as the framework that guides the development of the curriculum and instruction of ELA and deeply align with the Science of Reading. To learn more about the newly adopted 2026 ELA SCOS, view this FAQ.
As your ELA Coordinator, I’m here to help you understand the new ELA SCOS and provide support as you align your teaching practice. Over the next year and a half, we will have opportunities for professional learning, collaborative planning, and coaching to help you feel confident implementing the standards in your classroom.
To ensure I can provide the most up-to-date guidance, I will be attending professional development sessions this summer focused on understanding and implementing the new standards. I will bring back what I learn and continue to share resources, updates, and guidance to support you.
Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or need clarification!
- NCDPI ELA Listserv
- Crosswalk between 2017 & 2026 Standards
- NCDPI ELA Facebook and Instagram
- NCDPI Virtual Implementation Kit (VIK)
- NCDPI ELA Team Webpage & Contact Information
- NCDPI Office of Teaching & Learning External Implementation Guide
Sincerely,
Mary Haywood
K-5 ELA Coordinator
mary.haywood@hcs.k12.nc.us
Resources
Wonders
McGraw-Hill Wonders is designed to foster a love of reading in all children and is inspired by the belief that every student can succeed.
By providing a comprehensive set of connected resources for all our K-5 students, Wonders offers our Elementary and Intermediate School Educators the ability to adapt instruction with confidence as students grow. Our focus on teaching the whole child—and every child—prepares students to be lifelong learners and critical thinkers. Combining the work of literacy experts with research on social emotional learning, Wonders helps strengthen skills, bolster learning, and encourage independence, enhancing the important and inspiring work that happens in classrooms, every day.
The program provides resources and support for:
- Building a strong reading foundation
- Accessing complex text
- Finding and using text evidence
- Engaging in collaborative conversations
- Writing to sources
Students login to Wonders by clicking the "McGraw-Hill" app in their Clever.
Reading Horizons
Reading Horizons is the foundational phonics and phonemic awareness program used in Hoke County Schools to help every child become a confident, capable reader. Built on more than forty years of research and aligned to the science of reading, Reading Horizons gives teachers a simple and effective way to teach the skills young readers need most, including decoding, spelling and reading fluency.
The program combines direct, explicit instruction with engaging practice, ensuring all students, including those who may struggle or are learning English, receive the support they need to grow. Lessons follow a clear routine that helps students make sense of how English works and apply those skills when reading real text.
At its core, Reading Horizons is grounded in a belief that literacy opens doors for every child. By giving students a strong foundation in reading, we set them up for long-term success in school and beyond.
Students login to Reading Horizons by clicking the "Reading Horizons" app in Clever.