Scholastic today announced the release of its new program for K–6 reading instruction aligned with the Common Core State Standards, a collection of nonfiction books and informational texts chosen by Scholastic editors that includes memoirs, photo essays, and more across the topic areas of science, social studies, arts, and math. Guided Reading Nonfiction Focus: Second Edition, which addresses 80 percent nonfiction and 20 percent fiction, aims to help students develop their abilities to read and understand challenging texts through tailored instruction and books that appeal to their interests. Guided Reading also aims to help teachers match students with appropriate texts that activate their prior knowledge and introduce challenging academic vocabulary, in order to meet the needs of both advanced and struggling students. “With new engaging nonfiction and fiction texts students will build important academic vocabulary and background knowledge needed to read the more difficult texts required by the Common Core,” says Francie Alexander, senior vice president and chief academic officer. Alexander also notes that the program “includes new rigorous nonfiction titles that that kids are interested in and want to read.” For teachers, the program includes a new Teacher’s Guide featuring sections that support Common Core instruction as well as prompts and strategies to help students build critical thinking skills. In addition, updated teaching cards—which aim to help guide conversations, make connections across texts, and introduce and reinforce key vocabulary—accompany every title in the program.