I noticed that we already use every one of these topics! We all believe in them and have studied how they are to work.
The units of study spiral nicely encouraging every reader at every level to grow in a progressive learning pattern.
My heart rejoiced when I read on page 11 that Choice Time must be included! So much that we are asking of the children is not developmentally appropriate. Those struggling children lacking a preschool experience and a literacy-enriched environment can still love school. And Choice Time is tremendously important for the growth of a child in so many ways.
The main difference in this than what I have done in the past is, that hopefully, these lessons and the endless various resources we have had thrust at us with little cohesiveness will now be enter-twined in lessons that are prepared for us. The guess-work of how to use incorporate each piece successfully should disappear. We shouldn't each be re-inventing the wheel on our weekends and alone. We all are provided with the same shape and strength of wheel from the same store! IF lesson plans are created together - not alone!