Fundamentals First: K–12 English Language Arts & Literature Programs
At Fundamentals First, our tutoring programs align directly with the Alberta curriculum to bridge learning gaps and build confident, capable communicators. We focus on mastering the explicit foundations of literacy, helping students decode texts with ease, structure flawless written compositions, and succeed in provincial assessments.
Primary Division (Grades K–3)
Foundational Literacy & Language Roots
Following Alberta’s updated curriculum, early grades focus on structured phonics, phonological awareness, and word-reading mechanics. We ensure young students develop strong automatic word recognition alongside speech and listening skills.
Following Alberta’s updated curriculum, early grades focus on structured phonics, phonological awareness, and word-reading mechanics. We ensure young students develop strong automatic word recognition alongside speech and listening skills.
- Kindergarten: Oral language development, phonics, letter-sound recognition, and early print awareness.
- Grade 1: Word decoding, reading fluency, story retelling, and basic sentence construction.
- Grade 2: Reading comprehension, spelling rules, parts of speech, and paragraph writing.
- Grade 3: Vocabulary expansion, explicit comprehension strategies, and cursive script skills.
Upper Elementary Division (Grades 4–6)
Expanding Text Form & Composition
In Grades 4 through 6, students analyze a wider array of texts and manage more complex information. Our tutoring sharpens active comprehension, grammatical structures, and expressive text creations.
- Grade 4: Contextual phrasing, identifying narrative structures, and drafting informational multi-paragraph compositions.
- Grade 5: Collaborative text analysis, advanced writing conventions, and producing cohesive persuasive forms.
- Grade 6: Critical text interpretation, logical reasoning, editing skills, and syntax/paragraph mechanics.
Junior High Division (Grades 7–9)
Critical Reading and Structured Analysis
Junior high prepares Alberta students for analytical depth. We focus on transforming students into critical thinkers who can evaluate arguments, extract valid textual evidence, and write structured essays.
Junior high prepares Alberta students for analytical depth. We focus on transforming students into critical thinkers who can evaluate arguments, extract valid textual evidence, and write structured essays.
- Grade 7: Identifying literary devices and themes, structuring five-paragraph essays, and mastering punctuation mechanics.
- Grade 8: Comparative text analysis, identifying author bias, and crafting precise argumentative research assignments.
- Grade 9: Breaking down dense functional texts, structuring text-supported research papers, and preparing for the Grade 9 ELA PAT.
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Senior High Division (Grades 10–12)
Advanced Rhetoric, Literature & Diploma Preparation
High school English in Alberta requires highly sophisticated textual analysis and independent written voice. Whether a student is registered in the -1 (Academic/University entry) or -2 (Functional/Blended) stream, we ensure mastery over complex text forms.
High school English in Alberta requires highly sophisticated textual analysis and independent written voice. Whether a student is registered in the -1 (Academic/University entry) or -2 (Functional/Blended) stream, we ensure mastery over complex text forms.
- Grade 10 (ELA 10-1 / 10-2): Mastering the transition into senior high literature, writing structured analysis essays, and tracking underlying themes.
- Grade 11 (ELA 20-1 / 20-2): Evaluating persuasive and rhetorical writing, constructing thesis-driven papers, and creating written representations.
- Grade 12 (ELA 30-1 / 30-2): Perfecting critical and analytical text responses alongside intensive coaching for the Alberta Grade 12 ELA Diploma Exam.