Get help with English Language Arts, Grade 1
Most tutoring makes your child sit through material your child already knows. MapleMind flips that: pick the exact skill that's causing trouble — any of the 39 below — and the tutor teaches just that one, step by step, as many times as it takes. Ask questions in plain words, any time of day, in English, French, or 12 other languages.
The official Quebec English Language Arts, Grade 1 curriculum
Quebec defines English Language Arts, Grade 1 by strands and outcomes. MapleMind teaches the same curriculum reorganized for one-skill-at-a-time tutoring — the table shows exactly where every official strand lands, and the ministry's own wording is quoted under each unit below.
Official source Québec's official English language arts programRead it on the government site — quebec.ca ↗| Official strand | Outcomes | Where MapleMind teaches it |
|---|---|---|
| Strand A | 23 | Understanding the Conventions of Written Language · Response Process · Self-Expressive: Texts That Reinforce or Maintain Relationships · Narrative and Literary Texts · Information-Based: Planning Texts |
| Strand B | 10 | Producing and Interpreting Media Texts · Writing Process · Self-Expressive: Reflective Texts · Information-Based: Explanatory Texts |
| Strand C | 4 | Production Process (Media) · Information-Based: Descriptive Reports |
| Strand D | 2 | Information-Based: Persuasive Texts |
Every skill below, taught one on one.
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How MapleMind teaches English Language Arts, Grade 1 — every unit, lesson, and skill
Every skill below runs as a short session: a plain-words lesson, a worked example, solving it together, then a five-question skill check that earns up to three stars. Guided Mode keeps it teaching instead of answer-handing — turning it off needs a parent's password.
Unit 1Understanding the Conventions of Written LanguageOfficial strand · Strand A
Grammar, usage, mechanics and spelling in the child's own reading and writing.
Grammar (sentence structure and syntax)
- Notice: Writes sentences in an order that supports a main idea or…c002-A.3 — Guided introduction of “Writes sentences in an order that supports a main idea or story” (Understanding the Conventions of Written Language) at Grade 1 ELA.
Building simple sentences with a subject and a verb
- Notice: In simple sentences by using subject, verb, modifierc004-A.5 — Guided introduction of “In simple sentences by using subject, verb, modifier” (Understanding the Conventions of Written Language) at Grade 1 ELA.
Choosing the right words for the kind of writing
Mechanics (spelling, capitalization and punctuation)
- Notice: Applies capitalization rules: the first word in a sentence,…c014-A.16 — Guided introduction of “Applies capitalization rules: the first word in a sentence, proper nouns” (Understanding the Conventions of Written Language) at Grade 1 ELA.
- Use: Uses conventions of writing: spacing between words and…c019-A.23 — Mastery of “Uses conventions of writing: spacing between words and lines, consistent…” (Understanding the Conventions of Written Language) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 5 outcomes in this unit
- c002-A.3
Writes sentences in an order that supports a main idea or story
- c004-A.5
In simple sentences by using subject, verb, modifier
- c009-A.10
Uses vocabulary and/or terminology related to the type of writing
- c014-A.16
Applies capitalization rules: the first word in a sentence, proper nouns
- c019-A.23
Uses conventions of writing: spacing between words and lines, consistent left-right and up-down orientation
Unit 2Producing and Interpreting Media TextsOfficial strand · Strand B
Reading and making media texts — images, sound, and media conventions (a genuine QEP strand).
Images (in photographs, drawings and illustrations)
- Notice: Uses and interprets the visual element of colorc026-B.3 — Guided introduction of “Uses and interprets the visual element of color (e.g. dark reds and blacks in a…” (Producing and Interpreting Media Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 1 outcome in this unit
- c026-B.3
Uses and interprets the visual element of color (e.g. dark reds and blacks in a picture book to show anger or fear)
Unit 3Response ProcessOfficial strand · Strand A
How a reader connects with, understands and responds to texts.
Prereading/Viewing
- Notice: Understands the purpose for reading, listening to and/or…c033-A.3 — Guided introduction of “Understands the purpose for reading, listening to and/or viewing (e.g. for…” (Response Process) at Grade 1 ELA.
During Reading/ Viewing
- Notice: Makes explicit connections between own personal experiences…c039-A.9 — Guided introduction of “Makes explicit connections between own personal experiences and story…” (Response Process) at Grade 1 ELA.
How texts are built to describe, tell, and explain
- Notice: Description of ideas and conceptsc045-A.15 — Guided introduction of “Description of ideas and concepts” (Response Process) at Grade 1 ELA.
After Reading/Viewing: Interpreting the Text
- Notice: Constructs a personal response to the textc052-A.22 — Guided introduction of “Constructs a personal response to the text (i.e. constructs meaning)” (Response Process) at Grade 1 ELA.
Spotting a text's intended audience
- Notice: Determines the specific or target audience by selecting…c059-A.29 — Guided introduction of “Determines the specific or target audience by selecting details from the text…” (Response Process) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 5 outcomes in this unit
- c033-A.3
Understands the purpose for reading, listening to and/or viewing (e.g. for enjoyment, to learn something, to escape to
- c039-A.9
Makes explicit connections between own personal experiences and story experiences
- c045-A.15
Description of ideas and concepts
- c052-A.22
Constructs a personal response to the text (i.e. constructs meaning)
- c059-A.29
Determines the specific or target audience by selecting details from the text (e.g. a magazine ad all in pink is
Unit 4Writing ProcessOfficial strand · Strand B
The stages of writing — planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing.
Deciding your purpose before you write
- Notice: Understands the purpose for the writingc066-B.3 — Guided introduction of “Understands the purpose for the writing (e.g., to entertain, to inform, to…” (Writing Process) at Grade 1 ELA.
Drafting
- Notice: Writes to a specific familiar audience of family, friends…c070-B.7 — Guided introduction of “Writes to a specific familiar audience of family, friends and teacher” (Writing Process) at Grade 1 ELA.
Editing
- Notice: Selects personally significant pieces of writing to publishc084-B.22 — Guided introduction of “Selects personally significant pieces of writing to publish” (Writing Process) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 3 outcomes in this unit
- c066-B.3
Understands the purpose for the writing (e.g., to entertain, to inform, to communicate)
- c070-B.7
Writes to a specific familiar audience of family, friends and teacher
- c084-B.22
Selects personally significant pieces of writing to publish
Unit 5Production Process (Media)Official strand · Strand C
The stages of making a media text, from planning to sharing (a genuine QEP strand).
Why media texts are made
- Notice: Understands the purpose for the productionc088-C.3 — Guided introduction of “Understands the purpose for the production (e.g. to sell something, to…” (Production Process (Media)) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 1 outcome in this unit
- c088-C.3
Understands the purpose for the production (e.g. to sell something, to influence the way people think, to give
Unit 6Self-Expressive: Texts That Reinforce or Maintain RelationshipsOfficial strand · Strand A
Texts that build and keep relationships — cards, letters, messages.
Required Text Types
- Notice: Formal and informal thank-yous, expressions of appreciation…c104-A.3 — Guided introduction of “Formal and informal thank-yous, expressions of appreciation and support” (Self-Expressive: Texts That Reinforce or Maintain Relationships) at Grade 1 ELA.
Notes that keep a friendship going
- Notice: Thank-you notesc107-A.6 — Guided introduction of “Thank-you notes” (Self-Expressive: Texts That Reinforce or Maintain Relationships) at Grade 1 ELA.
Reading, Writing and Media Production
- Notice: Salutation, body and closing in a friendly letterc115-A.14 — Guided introduction of “Salutation, body and closing in a friendly letter” (Self-Expressive: Texts That Reinforce or Maintain Relationships) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 3 outcomes in this unit
- c104-A.3
Formal and informal thank-yous, expressions of appreciation and support
- c107-A.6
Thank-you notes
- c115-A.14
Salutation, body and closing in a friendly letter
Unit 7Self-Expressive: Reflective TextsOfficial strand · Strand B
Texts that reflect on the child's own thoughts, feelings and experiences.
Self-Expressive: Reflective Texts
- Notice: Texts that focus on reflecting and evaluating own learning,…c121-B.3 — Guided introduction of “Texts that focus on reflecting and evaluating own learning, in reading/…” (Self-Expressive: Reflective Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Writing and Media Production
- Notice: Journalsc123-B.5 — Guided introduction of “Journals” (Self-Expressive: Reflective Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Writing in your own voice
- Notice: Self-expressive language to relate ideas, feelings,…c126-B.10 — Guided introduction of “Self-expressive language to relate ideas, feelings, experience” (Self-Expressive: Reflective Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 3 outcomes in this unit
- c121-B.3
Texts that focus on reflecting and evaluating own learning, in reading/ writing/ production conferences, including
- c123-B.5
Journals
- c126-B.10
Self-expressive language to relate ideas, feelings, experience
Unit 8Narrative and Literary TextsOfficial strand · Strand A
Stories and literary texts — their features, genres and required reading.
Stepping into a character through role-play
- Notice: Role-play involving character from own stories, from…c130-A.4 — Guided introduction of “Role-play involving character from own stories, from literature and from…” (Narrative and Literary Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Nursery rhymes and their rhythm
- Notice: Nursery rhymesc134-A.8 — Guided introduction of “Nursery rhymes” (Narrative and Literary Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Reading comic strips
- Notice: Comic stripsc142-A.17 — Guided introduction of “Comic strips” (Narrative and Literary Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Finding story ideas in your own life
- Notice: Stories based on ideas, experiences and eventsc149-A.25 — Guided introduction of “Stories based on ideas, experiences and events” (Narrative and Literary Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Plot structures and features
- Notice: Predictable story patternsc156-A.33 — Guided introduction of “Predictable story patterns” (Narrative and Literary Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Characterization
- Notice: Main character in a storyc167-A.44 — Guided introduction of “Main character in a story” (Narrative and Literary Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Other features of narrative
- Notice: Literary conventionsc174-A.52 — Guided introduction of “Literary conventions (e.g. "Once upon a time" in a fairy tale, moral in a fable)” (Narrative and Literary Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Plot structure and features
- Notice: Use of images (photos or drawings) to extend the story and…c181-A.60 — Guided introduction of “Use of images (photos or drawings) to extend the story and to provide story…” (Narrative and Literary Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 8 outcomes in this unit
- c130-A.4
Role-play involving character from own stories, from literature and from nonfiction
- c134-A.8
Nursery rhymes
- c142-A.17
Comic strips
- c149-A.25
Stories based on ideas, experiences and events
- c156-A.33
Predictable story patterns
- c167-A.44
Main character in a story
- c174-A.52
Literary conventions (e.g. "Once upon a time" in a fairy tale, moral in a fable)
- c181-A.60
Use of images (photos or drawings) to extend the story and to provide story details
Unit 9Information-Based: Planning TextsOfficial strand · Strand A
Texts that organise and plan information.
Speaking and Listening
- Notice: Understands the use of talk to compose a first draft of…c197-A.3 — Guided introduction of “Understands the use of talk to compose a first draft of thoughts, ideas, and…” (Information-Based: Planning Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Capturing ideas in logs and lists
- Notice: Learning/thinking logs and lists that record thoughts,…c200-A.7 — Guided introduction of “Learning/thinking logs and lists that record thoughts, ideas and information” (Information-Based: Planning Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 2 outcomes in this unit
- c197-A.3
Understands the use of talk to compose a first draft of thoughts, ideas, and information
- c200-A.7
Learning/thinking logs and lists that record thoughts, ideas and information
Unit 10Information-Based: Explanatory TextsOfficial strand · Strand B
Texts that explain how or why.
Information-Based: Explanatory Texts
- Notice: Directions and instructionsc210-B.3 — Guided introduction of “Directions and instructions (e.g. for a game)” (Information-Based: Explanatory Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Explaining how or why something happens
- Notice: Texts that explain a process/procedurec214-B.7 — Guided introduction of “Texts that explain a process/procedure (e.g. rules, recipes, directions)” (Information-Based: Explanatory Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Writing a how-to text
- Notice: A title and a series of logical steps, in images and/or…c221-B.15 — Guided introduction of “A title and a series of logical steps, in images and/or print, explaining how…” (Information-Based: Explanatory Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 3 outcomes in this unit
- c210-B.3
Directions and instructions (e.g. for a game)
- c214-B.7
Texts that explain a process/procedure (e.g. rules, recipes, directions)
- c221-B.15
A title and a series of logical steps, in images and/or print, explaining how or why something occurs
Unit 11Information-Based: Descriptive ReportsOfficial strand · Strand C
Texts that describe and report on a topic.
Sharing a spoken report
- Notice: spoken reports based on family, community or school…c228-C.4 — Guided introduction of “spoken reports based on family, community or school experiences (e.g. field…” (Information-Based: Descriptive Reports) at Grade 1 ELA.
Reading nonfiction reports
- Notice: Nonfiction that describes and reports details about a topicc231-C.7 — Guided introduction of “Nonfiction that describes and reports details about a topic (e.g. simple…” (Information-Based: Descriptive Reports) at Grade 1 ELA.
How a title signals a text's topic
- Notice: Title to indicate contentsc241-C.20 — Guided introduction of “Title to indicate contents” (Information-Based: Descriptive Reports) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 3 outcomes in this unit
- c228-C.4
spoken reports based on family, community or school experiences (e.g. field trips, favourite toys, special holidays)
- c231-C.7
Nonfiction that describes and reports details about a topic (e.g. simple science trade books written for children)
- c241-C.20
Title to indicate contents
Unit 12Information-Based: Persuasive TextsOfficial strand · Strand D
Texts that try to persuade a reader.
Reading logos and symbols
- Notice: Popular signs and symbols, such as logos of popular food…c252-D.7 — Guided introduction of “Popular signs and symbols, such as logos of popular food chains, clothing” (Information-Based: Persuasive Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
Making posters and flyers that grab attention
- Notice: Promotional posters or flyersc261-D.17 — Guided introduction of “Promotional posters or flyers (e.g. for a special event at school or to…” (Information-Based: Persuasive Texts) at Grade 1 ELA.
The official wording — 2 outcomes in this unit
- c252-D.7
Popular signs and symbols, such as logos of popular food chains, clothing
- c261-D.17
Promotional posters or flyers (e.g. for a special event at school or to advertise a favorite game)
Printable workbook · A keepsake of the year
A English Language Arts, Grade 1 workbook worth keeping
Built from the same official curriculum as this page. Before and after each skill above, your student colours in how sure they feel — so the two of you can see, on one page, what's clicking and what needs another look. It's a quiet way to follow how the year is really going.
By June it's full of their own handwriting: units worked through, confidence grown, a mid-year check-in, notes from parent-teacher night, and a certificate at the end. Less a worksheet, more a record of the year worth keeping on the shelf.
$4.99 CAD
Instant download · see every page, reviews and the full description · five or more workbooks are $2.99 each
What it looks like in the app
Common questions
Can MapleMind help my child with English Language Arts, Grade 1?
Yes. MapleMind's AI tutor covers all 39 skills in Quebec's English Language Arts, Grade 1 — your child picks the exact skill, and the tutor teaches it step by step: a short lesson, a worked example, solving together, then a skill check to show it stuck.
Is MapleMind aligned to Quebec's official curriculum?
Yes. Every skill in this course maps to an official outcome code from Quebec's Grade 1 English Language Arts curriculum, and the ministry's own wording is quoted under each unit on this page — with the official government source linked so you can check it yourself.
What does MapleMind cost?
It's free to start — 5 tutoring chats and a practice quiz every day, no credit card. A Pro subscription ($9.99/month or $49.99/year CAD, 7-day free trial) unlocks unlimited tutoring, practice, and exam simulations.
What if my child is stuck on just one topic?
That's the point of skill-level tutoring: open English Language Arts, Grade 1 in the app, tap the exact skill from the list on this page, and the tutor teaches just that — no wading through lessons your child doesn't need.
Does MapleMind work in French or other languages?
Yes — 14 languages, including French. Both the app and the tutor's explanations switch to the language your child chooses.
Where can I see the official Quebec curriculum for English Language Arts, Grade 1?
The official source is linked on this page — Québec's official English language arts program. The outline here follows it: every MapleMind skill carries its official outcome code, and the ministry's own wording is quoted under each unit.
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