Illinois Language Arts Curriculum
Illinois sets its own Language Arts sequence, aligned to the Illinois Learning Standards (ILS) and built for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR).
Browse by school level
Elementary School Language Arts
Foundational reading, phonics, writing conventions, and comprehension skills - one course per grade.
Kindergarten ELA
Phonics and decoding, story comprehension, and informational text aligned to CCSS.
1st Grade ELA
Nouns and verbs, phonics, and first grade writing conventions.
2nd Grade ELA
Spelling, grammar conventions, and opinion writing for 2nd grade ELA.
3rd Grade ELA
Grammar conventions, vocabulary strategies, and opinion writing aligned to CCSS.
4th Grade ELA
Relative pronouns, figurative language, and opinion writing aligned to CCSS.
5th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, language conventions, and writing aligned to CCSS.
Middle School Language Arts
Literary analysis, argument writing, and close reading across 6th, 7th, and 8th grade.
6th Grade ELA
Figurative language, conventions, and literary analysis for Grade 6 ELA.
7th Grade ELA
Argument writing, grammar conventions, and figurative language for Grade 7 ELA.
8th Grade ELA
Argumentative writing, language conventions, and figurative language for Grade 8 ELA aligned to CCSS.
High School Language Arts
Grade-level ELA plus American Literature, Creative Writing, Foundations of Journalism, and Technical and Professional Communication.
9th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, argumentative writing, and informational texts aligned to CCSS.
American Literature
American literature, literary analysis, and argumentative writing aligned to CCSS.
Foundations of Journalism
News writing, source evaluation, and media literacy aligned to CCSS.
Technical and Professional Communication
Argumentative writing, informational texts, and speaking skills aligned to CCSS ELA.
10th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, argumentative writing, and point of view for IL high school ELA.
11th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, argumentative writing, and informational text for IL high school ELA.
Creative Writing
Narrative writing, figurative language, and craft techniques for IL high school.
12th Grade ELA
Literary analysis, argumentative writing, and informational texts aligned to CCSS.
Aligned with the Illinois Learning Standards
Every lesson is organized around the Illinois Learning Standards, following the sequence and pacing Illinois classrooms use. A student can find the exact skill their teacher assigned, work through it step by step, and practice until it clicks.
- Mapped to the Illinois Learning Standards, grade by grade
- Built-in review for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR)
- Unlimited practice problems with step-by-step worked solutions
Language Arts Curriculum by State
Select any state across the United States to browse its Language Arts course sequence.
State Standards
CURRICULUM GUIDE
About the Illinois Language Arts Curriculum
How the Illinois Learning Standards Work
The Illinois Learning Standards define what students should know in Language Arts at each grade. They cover reading literature, informational text, writing, speaking, and language conventions from Kindergarten through 12th grade.
How Illinois Differs
Illinois adopted its own Learning Standards and pairs them with the IAR, administered in 3rd through 8th grade. The high school sequence adds electives - American Literature, Creative Writing, Journalism, and Technical Communication - that many states do not include at this level.
How Illinois Language Arts Progresses
Students build phonics and foundational reading in the early grades, move into literary analysis and argument writing in middle school, and finish with grade-level ELA plus specialized elective courses in high school.
How Illinois Assesses Language Arts
Illinois administers the IAR in 3rd through 8th grade. In high school, students complete the SAT, which Illinois uses as a state assessment. These milestones support college readiness alongside the course sequence.
Common Questions from Illinois Parents
We've got answers to some popular questions.
Which grades does StudyPug cover for Illinois Language Arts?
StudyPug covers Illinois Language Arts from Kindergarten through 12th grade, including high school electives such as American Literature, Creative Writing, Foundations of Journalism, and Technical and Professional Communication.
How do I find the course that matches my child's class?
Browse by grade band - elementary, middle, or high school - and select the course that matches your child's current class. Each course follows the Illinois Learning Standards sequence their teacher uses.
Does StudyPug help with the Illinois Assessment of Readiness?
Yes. Practice problems and worked examples are built around the Illinois Learning Standards that the IAR tests, so students work through the same skills and question types they will see, based on real exams.
Does StudyPug follow the same order my child's school uses?
Courses are organized to match the Illinois Learning Standards sequence, so topics appear in the same order most Illinois classrooms cover them. Students can also move between topics freely if they need to review.
Can I use StudyPug for homeschooling?
Yes. Lessons are organized by grade and Illinois Learning Standard and can be worked at the student's own pace, making it straightforward to follow a structured path or fill specific gaps in a homeschool program.
Reviewed by the StudyPug Curriculum Team
Last updated June 5, 2026
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