How To Series

Name: How To Series
Brand: Teacher Created Resources

by Teacher Created Resources

ElaGrades 1–8

How To Series: Skill-Focused Supplemental Writing Workbooks

The How To Series from Teacher Created Resources provides skill-specific workbooks across three levels (Primary, Intermediate, Challenging) that break down writing and grammar concepts into focused lessons. These supplemental books offer targeted instruction on specific skills like paragraph writing, punctuation, and book reports rather than providing comprehensive ELA coverage.

Best for

Homeschoolers or teachers seeking targeted supplemental instruction in specific writing and grammar skills, particularly useful for breaking down complex writing concepts into manageable lessons

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 2 concerns · 3 neutral · 2 insufficient evidence

Direct InstructionStrength

The format appears to support direct instruction through structured lessons.

Review mentions 'short lessons that can be used for focused instruction' with 'discussion' components and skills 'broken down into manageable chunks'

Writing InstructionStrength

Writing instruction is the primary strength of this series, with systematic skill breakdown.

Multiple titles focus on writing skills including 'How to Write a Paragraph,' 'How to Write a Story,' and 'How to Write an Essay' with 'organization and style' development

Knowledge RichConcern

The series does not appear to systematically build domain knowledge across subjects.

Review describes 'focused instruction' on writing and grammar skills without mention of content-rich themes or systematic knowledge building

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum appears to focus on skill-building exercises rather than whole book reading experiences.

Review mentions book report activities that 'spring from the book's contents' but doesn't indicate systematic whole book reading as a core component

Text ComplexityNeutral

Materials are leveled but limited information about text complexity progression.

Three difficulty levels (Primary, Intermediate, Challenging) are provided, with some titles noting challenge level like 'Write a Simple Report (quite challenging for most third graders!)'

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

Some reinforcement is provided but systematic retrieval practice is not evident.

Review mentions 'reproducible worksheets combine with discussion and fun activities to teach and reinforce concepts'

Vocabulary BuildingNeutral

Limited vocabulary instruction appears to be included at higher levels.

The Challenging level includes 'How to Improve Your Vocabulary' and Intermediate level covers 'How to Spell Homophones'

Teacher TrainingInsufficient Evidence

No evidence of comprehensive teacher training or professional development materials.

Review does not mention teacher guides, background knowledge resources, or professional development components

Systematic PhonicsInsufficient Evidence

No evidence of systematic phonics instruction in the available materials.

Review focuses on writing, grammar, and composition skills with no mention of phonics or decoding instruction