Wonders aka Reading Wonders (2017)

Name: Wonders aka Reading Wonders (2017)
Brand: McGraw-Hill Education

by McGraw-Hill Education

ElaGrades K–6

About This Curriculum

A research-based K-6 English Language Arts curriculum combining phonics, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and handwriting instruction with emphasis on complex texts and close reading.

What makes it unique: Designed specifically for Common Core State Standards with integrated digital and print resources; extensive English learner and differentiation support

Wonders (2017): Comprehensive Basal Program with Implementation Challenges

Reading Wonders 2017 is McGraw-Hill's comprehensive K-6 ELA curriculum that combines systematic phonics instruction with literature-based learning through themed units. The program includes extensive digital and print resources covering all literacy components but has been criticized for overwhelming scope that exceeds realistic implementation time.

Best for

Schools seeking a comprehensive ELA curriculum with strong foundational skills instruction that have experienced teachers capable of managing extensive content and making informed instructional decisions.

Evaluation Criteria

5 strengths · 2 concerns · 1 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Text ComplexityStrength

Wonders meets expectations for grade-level text complexity and includes complex texts appropriate for building reading skills.

EdReports rated Gateway 1 (Text Quality & Complexity) as 'Meets Expectations' and reviews mention 'complex texts'

Direct InstructionStrength

The program emphasizes explicit, scaffolded instruction across literacy components, supporting direct teaching methods.

Reviews consistently describe 'explicit, scaffolded, and individualized instruction' across multiple literacy domains

Retrieval PracticeStrength

The curriculum incorporates spaced repetition and spiraling review that supports long-term retention of skills and knowledge.

SLJ review notes 'spaced repetition with growing rigor' and program that 'spirals to return to skills repeatedly, supporting mastery'

Systematic PhonicsStrength

Wonders includes explicit, systematic phonics instruction as a core component, meeting foundational skills requirements for early grades.

Multiple reviews confirm 'explicit, scaffolded instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics' and 'significant strengths in foundational skills components'

Vocabulary BuildingStrength

The curriculum includes explicit vocabulary instruction with spaced repetition and growing rigor across grade levels.

Reviews note 'explicit instruction in vocabulary' and 'spaced repetition with growing rigor' that 'spirals to return to skills repeatedly'

Knowledge RichConcern

The program shows limited systematic knowledge building, organizing content around themes rather than coherent domain knowledge in social studies and science.

Achieve the Core review found 'the curriculum is organized around themes rather than systematically building knowledge in social studies and science'

Teacher TrainingConcern

The program includes comprehensive materials but places substantial implementation decisions on teachers, potentially requiring additional professional development.

Achieve the Core found the program 'requiring substantial teacher decision-making' and 'puts substantial responsibility on teachers for effective implementation'

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsNeutral

The curriculum appears to use a mix of complete texts and excerpts within themed units, though the thematic organization may fragment sustained reading experiences.

Reviews mention 'authentic reading practice' and 'complex texts' but describe thematic rather than whole-book organization

Writing InstructionInsufficient Evidence

Writing instruction is included as part of the comprehensive literacy components, though specific details about systematic writing pedagogy are limited in reviews.

Reviews mention writing as one of the included components but provide minimal detail about writing instruction methodology

Sources: edreports.org, achievethecore.org