Curriculum & Educator Resource Center
Five-Day Curriculum Grades 2–5
This instructional plan is modeled on Florida’s B.E.S.T. (Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking) English Language Arts standards. While Florida’s B.E.S.T. standards provide the organizational framework for this curriculum, the instructional design is intentionally standards‑agnostic. Learning targets are expressed as core literacy and communication skills shared across state ELA standards, enabling seamless implementation in diverse district contexts, including public, private, charter, and international schools.
Supplies Needed (All Grades 2–5)
Core Text & Materials
Student Materials
Learning happens best when children feel safe enough to explore both ideas and emotions.
A structured classroom plan provides more than academic support. It creates a steady rhythm where children can engage with new concepts while feeling emotionally secure. Each day builds gently on the last, allowing understanding to grow without pressure.
By combining literacy skills with emotional awareness, this approach helps children express what they think and how they feel. Over time, this balance strengthens both confidence and connection in the learning environment.
Each small step invites participation without pressure, giving children the confidence to engage at their own pace.
Over time, these consistent moments help children build both academic skills and emotional awareness, creating a classroom experience that feels supportive, connected, and meaningful.
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Grade 2 — Week Plan
Day 1 — What Is a Memory?
Learning Target: I can explain what a memory is and share how memories can make me feel.
Teacher Moves:
Student Product: Drawing + 1–2 sentences:
“A memory is ______________.”
Day 2 — Read Aloud Part 1: Feelings & Events
Learning Target: I can describe how a character feels in the story.
Teacher Moves:
Student Product: Sentence:
“Charlotte feels ______________ when ______________.”
Day 3 — Read Aloud Part 2: Gentle Word Moment
Learning Target: I can share how hearing a new word makes me feel.
Teacher Moves:
Student Product: Emotion sign + optional sentence:
“I feel ______________.”
Day 4 — Build the Memory Box
Learning Target: I can create a memory item and explain how it makes me feel.
Teacher Moves:
Student Product: 2 Memory Cards with drawings + simple sentences.
Learning Target: I can tell what the story is about.
Teacher Moves:
Student Product: Sentence:
“This story is about ______________.”
GRADES 3, 4, & 5 WEEK PLANS
Grade 3, 4, and 5 week plans follow the same five-day structure with increasing rigor in reading, writing, and reasoning.
Each grade level builds on the same core learning targets—character feelings, story theme, the Memory Box activity, and reflection—with escalating expectations for written output and text evidence.
For the full Program Overview, District Adoption Summary, and implementation guidelines, see:
“Small, repeated moments of learning create lasting clarity.”
Children do not need everything at once. A five-day structure creates space to pause, reflect, and grow at a steady pace.
Through simple activities and shared reading, children revisit ideas in gentle ways. This repetition builds confidence and helps learning feel natural and manageable.
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Homer L. Hartage
Author, Thought Leader, President & CEO
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Homer’s Story That Shaped All Other Stories
Years into Homer’s work as a professional guardian, he was assigned to an elderly woman with no close family. On paper, she was just another case number. But as Homer sat with her and listened, he noticed a small cardboard box tucked beneath her bed. Inside were a few photographs, old political flyers, handwritten recipe cards, and notes yellowed with time.
Most surprising, among this cluttered box was a financial record, her deceased husband had left an annuity, enough to care for her for the rest of her life. Alzheimer’s had nearly taken this from her.
That rang out to Homer: “Please don’t let me be forgotten, care for me, remember me. This is the call of so many.”
Testimonials
Engulfed with despair, fear, anxiety, restless nights, and overwhelming sense of helplessness. Those feelings crippled me daily, not knowing what next steps to take, I felt like I was on a deserted island, not wanting to fail my loved one. Thankfully a family member put me in touch with Mr. Homer Hartage. All those negative feelings dissipated after having just one conversation.
Mr. Hartage gave a detailed explanation of my options, which allowed me to make informed decisions about the best options for my family. Again, thank you so much Mr. Hartage for picking up the phone to answer my questions and putting my mind at ease, thank you for sharing your wisdom and knowledge. Finally, thank you, sir, for your kindness. During the most stressful times in my life, you answered my call for help. May God shower you and your family with continuous blessings.
The Feacher/Blackshear Family
Honestly, if you work in healthcare and have a resident who needs a guardian I have the most amazing person, Homer Hartage. Never, EVER have I seen such love and devotion to a client in my life… it takes a lot to impress me because I have such high standards… my mind is blown. Please let him know if you should have a need for a guardian. Your client / resident truly could not be in better hands. He’s simply amazing. So refreshing to see a guardian treat their client like a loved one instead of a pay check or commodity…. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life… and I’ve been doing this a minute.
Robyn Edelstein
Owner Robyn’s Referrals
Homer Hartage is extremely passionate and dedicated to providing a service to others. I have watched Homer in action over the years. He will make sure that every measure has been taking for the safety of providing a quality service to all. His kindness along with his knowledge of delivering the best healthcare services are absolutely outstanding.
Shirley Simmons
CEO Abstract Expressionist Artist
There are not enough great things to say about Homer, feeling safe with him is made so easy. He is extremely culturally sensitive, always on time, and has your best interest at heart. He will work overtime just to make sure you and your family have everything they could ever want. Homer has become a part of my family and I feel so honoured to know him. We are glad he is our guardian.
He communicated well with the family and made sure everyone is up to date and informed. At the end of the day, he always makes the right decisions.
Leila Tiles-Lasanta
Administrative Nurse Manager
Clinical Coordinator Nurse Residency Program
Hudson Regional Hospital Secausus,NJ
Books By Homer
My writings are to ensure that no life is reduced to just paperwork, no story disappears without being told, and no family is left navigating responsibility alone.
My work resonates with caregivers, families, professionals, and anyone who believes that memory, dignity, and responsibility are essential. My book catalog includes trade and children’s books.
Partner Bookstores
You have the option to purchase the book on the AgedCare Guardian website or any of our trusted partner bookstores. Simply click below on the brand of your choice and order your copy at our partners’ online stores.
Distributed by IngramSpark and Baker & Taylor.
