Announcing Additional Unit Options for ELA Grades 1-5 in 2026-27
April 14, 2026
Choice.
That’s what you’ve told us you’re looking for in your ELA curriculum.
You want choices when it comes to what texts the students read, while having the same standards, focus areas, and writing tasks.
So, we're pleased to announce that we'll offer real choice for the 26-27 school year. For Grades 1-5, we'll be offering at least one additional unit option. By 2027-28, we’ll offer choices for three units per grade.
We shared these options in a recent insider session.
Missed the live event? Watch it here.
The purpose behind the changes
With these updates, we’re especially focused on being truly responsive, which means our curriculum needs to represent a wide range of topics and perspectives. We can’t do it all in a single five-unit scope! Our solution is to offer choice, so schools can choose the units that will most resonate with their students.
As in all things we do at Fishtank, this dedication to cultural responsiveness is deeply rooted in the research. Texts should serve as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors into students’ lives, and we’re proud to embody that philosophy.
While we currently have some alternate units, they are not currently easy to substitute for units in the recommended scope because they don't cover the same standards. With our additional units, we’ll give you true options that won’t require you to make modifications. And, you might even see some of those familiar alternates, enhanced and aligned!
Creating equal unit options
Our goal? No matter which unit a teacher chooses, students will experience the same standards, the same or very similar focus areas, the same writing tasks, and the same or very similar assessments. We even tried to make similar unit lengths.
For example, fifth grade has two options for Unit 1: Seedfolks and A Single Shard. Both units feature writing projects with the same goals, using the same process over the same number of instructional days. However, in A Single Shard, they research apprenticeships; in Seedfolks, they research community gardens. Regardless of the unit, students are learning and practicing the same writing and language skills.
A preview of the 2026-27 unit options
Take a look at our offerings for the upcoming school year.
Overall, our objective is to make sure that teachers have options to fit their classrooms. To help you make the best choice for your classroom, we recommend using the process below.
We’re so excited to share these enhanced alternate units with you. If you have any questions about this or any other aspect of Fishtank ELA, visit our website or contact your school partnership manager.
FAQ
Q. When will the alternate units be available?
A. Three options for Grade 5 and one alternate unit for Grades 1 through 4 will be available by Summer or Fall 2026. All Grades 1-5 will have at least three alternate units for the 2027-28 school year.
Q. How can I suggest an alternate text?
A. The most direct method is through the Post-Unit Feedback & Impact Survey. This helps us understand how our units are working in different schools and communities.
Q. Why aren’t there any unit options for Kindergarten?
A. There might be eventually. Please send us your input. Currently, Kindergarten has eight units compared to five in the recommended scope for other grades. Many of our teachers tell us they can’t get to all eight units in a year, so there are already options built in.
Q. What if I want to teach both options or want to move a unit around?
A. We designed each unit with specific standards coverage and writing and language skill instruction in mind. If you choose to teach out of sequence or to teach both options for a single unit, you’ll need to think through how skipping or repeating a skill could impact your students’ progression towards grade-level standards.
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