Basic English (Power Basics series)

Name: Basic English (Power Basics series)
Brand: Walch Publishing

by Walch Publishing

ElaGrades 6–12

About This Curriculum

A simplified English grammar curriculum written at a fourth-fifth grade reading level, designed for students who need basic content presented in an accessible format with manageable lessons.

What makes it unique: Uses "considerate text" methodology with controlled reading level, short manageable sections, and explicit learning goals to serve students not well-served by traditional textbooks.

Basic English (Power Basics): Simplified Grammar for Struggling Learners

Basic English is a simplified grammar curriculum written at a fourth-fifth grade reading level for students in grades 6-12 who need basic content presented in an accessible format. The curriculum covers parts of speech, sentence structure, usage, and mechanics through brief explanations and practice exercises in a consumable worktext format.

Best for

Students in grades 6-12 with learning difficulties or significant reading challenges who need remedial grammar instruction presented at a simplified level

Evaluation Criteria

1 strength · 5 concerns · 3 neutral

Direct InstructionStrength

The curriculum uses a traditional direct instruction approach with clear explanations followed by practice.

Methodology described as 'brief explanation of a rule, examples and explanation, followed by practice exercises' which aligns with explicit instruction principles

Knowledge RichConcern

This is not a knowledge-rich curriculum, focusing solely on basic grammar mechanics rather than building domain knowledge.

Curriculum is limited to four grammar sections (parts of speech, sentence parts, usage, mechanics) with no mention of history, science, arts, or other content domains

Teacher TrainingConcern

Minimal teacher support is provided, as the curriculum is designed for independent student work.

Courses are 'set up so that students can work independently for the most part with parents/teachers correcting work and administering tests' with teacher's guide serving mainly as an answer key

Vocabulary BuildingConcern

The curriculum does not appear to include explicit vocabulary instruction beyond basic grammatical terminology.

Review mentions only grammar topics (parts of speech, usage, mechanics) with no discussion of vocabulary development or word knowledge building

Writing InstructionConcern

Writing instruction is extremely limited, focusing on grammar mechanics rather than composition skills.

Curriculum covers only basic mechanics like capitalization and punctuation, with no mention of planning, drafting, revising, or teaching different writing genres

Whole Books Vs ExcerptsConcern

The curriculum does not appear to involve reading whole books or complete literary works.

Review focuses entirely on grammar instruction through brief explanations and practice exercises, with no mention of reading complete texts or literature

Text ComplexityNeutral

The curriculum deliberately uses below-grade-level text complexity to make content accessible to struggling learners.

Written at fourth-fifth grade reading level for students in grades 6-12, with 'relatively large print' and 'significantly less content per page than standard textbooks'

Retrieval PracticeNeutral

Limited evidence of systematic retrieval practice or spaced review beyond basic practice exercises.

Review mentions practice exercises in both student book and workbook, plus tests, but no specific mention of spaced review or retrieval strategies

Systematic PhonicsNeutral

No phonics instruction is included, as this is a grammar-focused curriculum for older students.

Designed for grades 6-12 and focuses on grammar rules and mechanics rather than foundational reading skills

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com